Politicians take to Twitter to pay tribute to Margaret Thatcher

Tory MP Therese Coffey said the former Prime Minister had "transformed" the country, "putting Great back in Great Britain".

And UKIP leader Nigel Farage said she was a "great patriotic lady".

Labour MPs also paid tribute to Baroness Thatcher.

Shadow International Development Secretary Ivan Lewis said: "Hoping all Labour supporters will respond with dignity + respect to news of Baroness Thatcher's death. Our thoughts with her family + friends."

And former Labour minister and MP Tony McNulty tweeted: "God bless her and thoughts are with her family. RIP."

The Liberal Democrat MP Martin Horwood tweeted: "Sad news about Baroness Thatcher. Don't miss her policies but a towering figure in 20th c British politics, & made history UK's 1st woman PM."

Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire: "Very sad about Margaret Thatcher but what a life. Hugely privileged to have known her."

Conservative backbenchers poured on to Twitter with tributes.

Sarah Wollaston said: "So sad to hear of the death of Baroness Thatcher. An exceptional woman & great Briton. We should be proud of our Iron Lady."

David Burrowes said: "Very sad news of the death of Margaret Thatcher. A truly great PM, transformed Britain holding high the torch of liberty home and abroad."

Chris Heaton-Harris said: "RIP Baroness Thatcher. Few politicians get to win a battle of ideas, let alone inject hope & belief into a nation."

Stephen Mosley said: "Very sad to hear of the death of Baroness Thatcher. An amazing woman who transformed Britain and with Ronald Reagan changed the world."

Former Republican candidate for the US presidency John McCain tweeted: "RIP Margaret Thatcher, one of the great leaders of the 20th century."

Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman said: "RIP Margaret Thatcher, one of the great leaders of the 20th century."

Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy tweeted: "RIP Margaret Thatcher. Whatever you think of her she will remain a political giant. End of an era."

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: "Margaret Thatcher gave this country the confidence to believe in itself. A Great PM."

Former Tory education minister Tim Loughton said: "Like or loathe her Mrs T was a great Briton, a true patriot, a transformational leader, hugely aspirational and undeniably principled.

"No doubt some will dance on her grave but Mrs T was a huge figure in British politics who believed above all in Britain & the little man."

 Deputy Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle tweeted: "Regardless of any personal opinions, today we can't forget that this marks the passing of a hugely influential figure in British politics."

Labour's Rhondda MP Chris Bryant wrote: "Warm condolences to the extended Thatcher family. A towering figure, who was never afraid of controversy."

Liberal Democrat Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) said: "I disagreed with Margaret Thatcher, but she was a incredible political figure & the first woman to lead our nation."

Publicist Max Clifford tweeted: "Very sad news about Baroness Thatcher - I didn't agree with her politics or policies, but she was a remarkable lady & a remarkable leader."

Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna tweeted: "Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Baroness Thatcher's family today. A global political figure and our first female PM."

Labour MP Fiona McTaggart said: "Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Baroness Thatcher's family today. A global political figure and our first female PM.

"I send condolences to Carol and Mark. I didn't agree with Margaret Thatcher's politics, but she proved that a woman can do the toughest job."

Respect MP George Galloway said: "Tramp the dirt down."

Tory MP for Shipley Philip Davies said on Twitter: "More people voted for Mrs Thatcher when she won her 3rd Gen Elect than when she won her 1st as PM. Amazing achievement. Blair lost 4m votes.

Mr Cameron's parliamentary private secretary, Sam Gyimah, said: "Deeply saddened by the passing away of Baroness Thatcher. A remarkable woman, inspirational leader and great Prime Minister of our country."

Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "She changed our country forever and all of us owe so much to her. A legacy few will ever equal. Rest in peace Margaret."

Labour MP for Scunthorpe Nic Dakin said: "Mrs Thatcher - an outsider who became 1st woman Prime Minister and longest serving PM of the last century. Great political achievement."

Tory MP for Richmond Zac Goldsmith said: "There's a reason every aspiring leader wanted to be photographed alongside Lady T. A giant, not just of the C20 but in our country's history."

Conservative Douglas Carswell said: "Britain's decline seemed inevitable. Then Margaret Thatcher became PM and lifted Britain off its knees. She was never rejected by the voters."

Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell tweeted: "Thinking of our 1st Lady of girl power, Margaret Thatcher, a green grocer's daughter who taught me any thing is possible...x"

Actor and writer Stephen Fry said: "Was in the air when the news came in about Margaret Thatcher. Such a force in Britain through my university days through to my 30s."

Former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown said: "If politics is defined as having views, holding to them and driving them through to success, she was undoubtedly the greatest PM of our age."

Former defence secretary Liam Fox said: "Today represents a great loss for our country. Margaret Thatcher was greatest PM of post-war era. A privilege and honour to have known her."

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls said: "Very sad to hear of the death of Margaret Thatcher. Our first woman PM, she was the one who truly 'broke the mould' of British politics."

Tory MP James Gray said: "Margaret Thatcher was a giant of the political world.

"She gave millions of ordinary people the ability - and the right - to better themselves and their families.

"We owe her so much, and I, for one, am proud to salute her memory."

Satirist Armando Iannucci said: "We now live in a country in which John Major is our greatest living politician."

Labour MP Paul Flynn said: "Only two UK PMs of the 20th century who were not slaves to popular perception, prejudice and pressure - Clement Attlee and Margaret Thatcher."

Chancellor George Osborne said: "Sad news. Margaret Thatcher's belief in freedom & optimism about the future overcame all. Her determination is our generation's inspiration."