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We must show our respect on the day of Margaret Thatcher's funeral We must show our respect on the day of Margaret Thatcher's funeral
(6 months later)
Sarah Wollaston: 'She would have been more offended by indifference than by rage'
Sarah Wollaston: 'She would have been more offended by indifference than by rage'
Last night, Baroness Thatcher's coffin lay in the beautiful chapel beneath Westminster Hall. I went to pay my respects to the prime minister who, in 1979, had inspired me to believe that any career was possible for a 17-year-old girl from a state school in modern Britain.Last night, Baroness Thatcher's coffin lay in the beautiful chapel beneath Westminster Hall. I went to pay my respects to the prime minister who, in 1979, had inspired me to believe that any career was possible for a 17-year-old girl from a state school in modern Britain.
There was something especially fitting about St Mary Undercroft, the chapel where Emily Davison spent the night of the 1911 census in order to write down her address as being the Houses of Parliament. Could she have imagined that the next woman to be spending the night in that place would have been a prime minister? Would she have understood the venom of a minority at the gates?There was something especially fitting about St Mary Undercroft, the chapel where Emily Davison spent the night of the 1911 census in order to write down her address as being the Houses of Parliament. Could she have imagined that the next woman to be spending the night in that place would have been a prime minister? Would she have understood the venom of a minority at the gates?
I expect both of those remarkable women would have been proud that we are now a nation that allows such protest.I expect both of those remarkable women would have been proud that we are now a nation that allows such protest.
Sir Malcolm Rifkind, who served in her cabinet, remarked that Margaret Thatcher took all the insults levelled against her as a badge of pride – "she asked for no quarter and certainly gave none".Sir Malcolm Rifkind, who served in her cabinet, remarked that Margaret Thatcher took all the insults levelled against her as a badge of pride – "she asked for no quarter and certainly gave none".
That said, there is something deeply disturbing about effigies and the sight of children being hauled out on to the streets to celebrate her death. At the heart of any funeral is a grieving family. When did we get so sour?That said, there is something deeply disturbing about effigies and the sight of children being hauled out on to the streets to celebrate her death. At the heart of any funeral is a grieving family. When did we get so sour?
Today, I hope people will celebrate her memory rather than her passing. Thatcher could not bear Britain in decline and was prepared to shoulder the responsibility for seismic change. Peter Lilley denied that she was harsh, saying, "she made us face reality and the reality was harsh". Turn your back today if you must, but don't turn away from that.Today, I hope people will celebrate her memory rather than her passing. Thatcher could not bear Britain in decline and was prepared to shoulder the responsibility for seismic change. Peter Lilley denied that she was harsh, saying, "she made us face reality and the reality was harsh". Turn your back today if you must, but don't turn away from that.
Walking from the chapel back into the Commons, I passed the display of suffragette memorabilia and I cannot help feeling that they would have been proud of our Iron Lady.Walking from the chapel back into the Commons, I passed the display of suffragette memorabilia and I cannot help feeling that they would have been proud of our Iron Lady.
I suspect that she would have been more offended by indifference than rage.I suspect that she would have been more offended by indifference than rage.
Robert Halfon: 'This is a time for reflection on all our values'
Robert Halfon: 'This is a time for reflection on all our values'
Lady Thatcher has always had an enormous impact on me. I first read about her when I was 10 years old, on the front page of the Express newspaper, and decided I would like to be an MP. My father took me to meet her for the first time, at a St John Ambulance event when I was 17. In 1990, when she left office, I felt a huge sense of uncertainty – what now? She had been such an important part of my political makeup.Lady Thatcher has always had an enormous impact on me. I first read about her when I was 10 years old, on the front page of the Express newspaper, and decided I would like to be an MP. My father took me to meet her for the first time, at a St John Ambulance event when I was 17. In 1990, when she left office, I felt a huge sense of uncertainty – what now? She had been such an important part of my political makeup.
So the funeral for me will not just be the loss of a famous former prime minister, but someone who – unknowingly to her – shaped my life. I wouldn't be an MP today had I not been motivated by what she did or stood for. I felt this strongly when I saw her coffin last night in the Commons. I said a short prayer.So the funeral for me will not just be the loss of a famous former prime minister, but someone who – unknowingly to her – shaped my life. I wouldn't be an MP today had I not been motivated by what she did or stood for. I felt this strongly when I saw her coffin last night in the Commons. I said a short prayer.
So what of everyone else? How should people behave today? No doubt among those watching, whether inside or outside St Paul's Cathedral, there will be a mixture of adulation and anger. While I will be among the former, any rational person has to ask, what will rage achieve on this day of all days? She has departed from us after all.So what of everyone else? How should people behave today? No doubt among those watching, whether inside or outside St Paul's Cathedral, there will be a mixture of adulation and anger. While I will be among the former, any rational person has to ask, what will rage achieve on this day of all days? She has departed from us after all.
There is another way. Whatever one's views, whether they liked or loathed the lady, the special nature of all funerals offers a time for reflection and prayer.There is another way. Whatever one's views, whether they liked or loathed the lady, the special nature of all funerals offers a time for reflection and prayer.
The best way to mark this event is to think on our values. What is the best way to unite our country? What does being British actually mean? What do we need to do to make Britain a better place? What should we say to our loved ones present and past? How do we separate our feelings from acknowledging that this is not just a funeral of a former prime minister but of a mother with a loving family. Sombre reflection might make all of us revisit our thinking: our tribe recognising our political mother had flaws, and those against recognising some of the good.The best way to mark this event is to think on our values. What is the best way to unite our country? What does being British actually mean? What do we need to do to make Britain a better place? What should we say to our loved ones present and past? How do we separate our feelings from acknowledging that this is not just a funeral of a former prime minister but of a mother with a loving family. Sombre reflection might make all of us revisit our thinking: our tribe recognising our political mother had flaws, and those against recognising some of the good.
How much better it will be if all of us, whatever our views, use the death of Britain's first woman PM, and amongst the longest-serving, to steer away from the political Punch and Judy cliches. For those who dislike her, will they prove more by turning their backs, or will they rise above it, putting decency before petty politics?How much better it will be if all of us, whatever our views, use the death of Britain's first woman PM, and amongst the longest-serving, to steer away from the political Punch and Judy cliches. For those who dislike her, will they prove more by turning their backs, or will they rise above it, putting decency before petty politics?
If we do anything today, we should show the world we are a country with dignity.If we do anything today, we should show the world we are a country with dignity.
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