Tony Benn vs Margaret Thatcher on the 12 Axes
Tony Benn was a Labour cabinet minister and Margaret Thatcher was the Conservative prime minister he opposed in the 1980s. Few axes bring them close, with Benn strongly Public, Planned and Shared and favoring Cooperation, and Thatcher leaning Private, Free and toward Strength.
- Ownership
Tony Benn leans Public (-80), Margaret Thatcher leans Private (+65): 145 points apart.
- Markets
Tony Benn leans Planned (-70), Margaret Thatcher leans Free (+70): 140 points apart.
- Welfare
Tony Benn leans Shared (-80), Margaret Thatcher leans Self-reliant (+50): 130 points apart.
- Trade
Tony Benn leans Protected (+65), Margaret Thatcher leans Global (-55): 120 points apart.
- Technology
Both lean Embrace: -20 and -10.
- Religion
Both lean Religious: 0 and +20.
All 12 axes, side by side
| Axis | Tony Benn | Margaret Thatcher | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| OwnershipPublic to Private | -80 | +65 | 145 |
| MarketsPlanned to Free | -70 | +70 | 140 |
| WelfareShared to Self-reliant | -80 | +50 | 130 |
| AuthorityDemocratic to Strong leader | -70 | -10 | 60 |
| SecurityLiberty to Order | -50 | +60 | 110 |
| StructureLocal to Central | No record | +60 | - |
| MoralityProgressive to Traditional | No record | +35 | - |
| ReligionSecular to Religious | 0 | +20 | 20 |
| TechnologyEmbrace to Caution | -20 | -10 | 10 |
| CultureMulticultural to National identity | No record | +50 | - |
| TradeGlobal to Protected | +65 | -55 | 120 |
| Foreign policyCooperation to Strength | -50 | +50 | 100 |
Scores run from -100 to +100 and come from each profile's documented positions. Closeness compares only the axes both have on record. It measures similar positions, not endorsement. How profiles work
Closer to Tony Benn or Margaret Thatcher?
Take the 12 Axes test and see your match with both, axis by axis.
Take the testQuestions
How similar are Tony Benn and Margaret Thatcher?
On the 9 axes where both have a documented position, their profiles are 48% close on the 12 Axes scale. They differ most on Ownership, Markets, Welfare, Trade.
Who is more economically left-wing, Tony Benn or Margaret Thatcher?
Tony Benn sits further toward the collective end of the Economy family (ownership, markets and welfare), by 138 points on average.
Who favours more personal liberty, Tony Benn or Margaret Thatcher?
On the State family (authority, security and structure), Tony Benn leans further toward liberty and checks on power, by 97 points on average.
