The Daily Mail reports that Warsaw officials are in talks to name one of the city’s roundabouts after Margaret Thatcher. One council member is quoted as saying, “A roundabout is the perfect way to represent Mrs. Thatcher. It makes u-turns unnecessary.”
Thatcher, of course, famously refused to consider a political u-turn in a 1980 speech.
Though the sentiment in Warsaw is charming, it doesn’t seem to make much sense. A roundabout makes u-turns unneccesary only because it so simplifies reversing course. The lady wasn’t for turning, and what is a roundabout? One big turn.
Warsaw should instead place Thatcher’s name on a long, straight stretch of road with no exits or median cuts. Now that would be a fitting tribute. Or what about the 12,000-foot runway at Warsaw Chopin Airport? Certainly no turns going on there…
