Year of the Iron Lady? Streep wins best actress award
By Ian Dunt Follow @IanDunt
Meryl Streep has won the best actress Golden Globe for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in the film The Iron Lady.
The award is considered an indication of Oscar success later in awards season and Streep is now easily the favourite to pick up the best actress Oscar for the performance, in which she plays the former prime minister during and after her time in power.
"I've got to thank everybody in England that let me come and trample over their history," she told the audience, after leaving her glasses at the table and having to deliver her acceptance speech off-the-cuff.
Given the film has angered right-wingers for its frank portrayal of Baroness Thatcher's dementia and left-wingers for its lack of criticism, it was unsurprising that even Streep's acceptance speech prompted mutterings of controversy.
Former Thatcher aide Nile Gardiner said he was "disappointed" Streep did not mention Baroness Thatcher and suggested the actress was being cautious in front of "an overwhelmingly liberal Hollywood crowd".
British talent had a good night at the event, with popular drama Downton Abbey, by Conservative peer Julian Fellowes, winning best miniseries, Kate Winslet picking up best actress for a TV drama for Mildred Pierce and Idris Elba winning best actor for a TV drama for BBC series Luthor.
