Former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher has died at the age of 87. Her children - Mark and Carol - have released a statement saying she passed away peacefully this morning following a stroke.
David Cameron said:
"It was with great sadness that l learned of Lady Thatcher's death.
"We've lost a great leader, a great Prime Minister and a great Briton."
She led the Conservatives to three election victories - entering Downing Street in 1979 and spending 11 years in office. During her political career she developed a reputation for being a formidable performer, earning the title the Iron Lady.
Ed Miliband MP, Leader of the Opposition, said:
"I send my deep condolences to Lady Thatcher's family, in particular Mark and Carol Thatcher.
"She will be remembered as a unique figure. She reshaped the politics of a whole generation."
The Labour Party is suspending campaigning in the local elections as a mark of respect. Buckingham Palace says the Queen is sad to hear of her death and Her Majesty will be sending a private message of sympathy to the family.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has also issued a statement to Premier in response to Baroness Thatcher's death, he said:
"It was with sadness that I heard the news of the death of Baroness Thatcher and my prayers are with her son and daughter, her grandchildren, family and friends. It is right that today we give thanks for a life devoted to public service, acknowledging also the faith that inspired and sustained her."
David Burrowes is a Christian and the MP for Enfield-Southgate He met Baroness Thatcher a number of times and told Premier's News Hour how she personally inspired him.
Various church groups have paid tribute.
On behalf of the Catholic Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Vincent Nichols said:
"It was with sadness that we heard the news of the death of Baroness Thatcher, who served this country for many years both as a Member of Parliament and as Prime Minster.
"We pray for the repose of her soul and for the intentions of her family and all those who now mourn for her."
Revd Dr Mark Wakelin, President of the Methodist Conference said:
"Margaret Thatcher was a hugely significant, complex and yet divisive figure in post-war British politics.
"She achieved a major breakthrough as Britain's first woman Prime Minister, and her time in office fundamentally changed the nature of British society, especially the relationship between individuals and the state.
"For many people she was a courageous and committed leader, and one of the best known British politicians around the world - her roots in a personally responsible Methodist tradition were greatly admired by many."
Nadine Dorries is the MP for Mid Bedfordshire. She told Premier's Marcus Jones News Hour Baroness Thatcher had a huge impact on her career.
Lady Thatcher will not receive a formal state funeral but will have a ceremonial service with military honours. The streets between Westminster and St Paul's Cathedral - where it will be held - will be cleared for a procession. The date is yet to be decided. Speaking to Premier is Harvey Thomas who was Director of Press and Communications for her, while she was Prime Minister.
Flowers have been left outside her London home. Flags above Number Ten and Buckingham Palace are at half-mast. Gary Streeter's a Christian and the Tory MP for Devon South West. He told Premier's Marcus Jones on the News Hour of his memories of her.
Brought up in a Methodist family, Baroness Thatcher often brought her faith into her politics. Antonio Weiss is an historian at Birkbeck College and has written a paper titled The Religious Mind of Mrs Thatcher. He told Premier's News Hour about her faith background.
Throughout her career Baroness Thatcher often divided opinion on things like the poll tax, the Falklands war and disputes with unions. Baroness Thatcher served as Prime Minister for more than eleven years, before effectively being forced out - by her own party. Colin Bloom is the Executive Director of the Conservative Christian Fellowship. He tells Premier how he thinks she'll be remembered.
Tributes continue to pour in from across the world. The former president of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, says she was a great politician and will go down in history. US President Barack Obama said: "With the passing of Baroness Margaret Thatcher, the world has lost one of the great champions of freedom and liberty, and America has lost a true friend. "As a grocer's daughter who rose to become Britain's first female prime minister, she stands as an example to our daughters that there is no glass ceiling that can't be shattered."