BRITAIN: Baroness Thatcher, one of the towering figures and distinctive voices of 20th century British politics, has finally been silenced by ill health.
The former prime minister's office yesterday confirmed doctors' advice that she should never again subject herself to the strain of public speaking, having suffered a series of small strokes. And "with great regret" the former Iron Lady confirmed her compliance.
Only last Monday the three-times election winner confirmed her capacity for fierce controversy, embarrassing the current Conservative leadership by urging it to seek a fundamental re-negotiation of the UK's relationship with the European Union.
Just weeks before, she had announced she would not be travelling to the Falklands for the 20th anniversary of the Islands' liberation from Argentine occupation, primarily because she feared the journey would prove too arduous for her husband, Sir Denis, now 86.
She told the islands' government: "Though I am still fit and well, I feel that the journey, which would be gruelling even for me, would be far too much for Denis, and I know that he would not wish me to go without him."
Yesterday's announcement followed what was believed to have been another stroke suffered by Lady Thatcher on Tuesday. The first came shortly before the new year in Madeira where she and Sir Denis celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in a nostalgic return to the island where they had spent their honeymoon in 1951.
The news cast something of a shadow over the Conservative Party's spring forum in Harrogate. The party leader, Mr Iain Duncan Smith, said he was saddened by the news that she had been forced to withdraw from her public engagements.
"On behalf of the whole party I wish her and Sir Denis the very best and our thoughts and wishes for a speedy recovery," he said.
In the tough old world of politics, however, regret was tempered with some private relief that the Battling Baroness - who managed to upstage William Hague during last year's election, more than a decade after she ceased to be leader - would no longer be heard.
Tory MP Ms Ann Widdecombe said that while Lady Thatcher's voice would be missed, there came a time for looking forward - "and that time is now."