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Prime Minister Tony Blair has ruled out the possibility of Margaret Thatcher being given a state funeral.
A spokeswoman for Number 10 said: "All that we can confirm is that there are no such plans and it is not appropriate to comment further."
Mr Blair's stance on funeral arrangements for Lady Thatcher, the country's first woman prime minister, was revealed after a reported protest by Rosie Cooper, MP for Lancashire West, over reports that civil servants in the Cabinet Office were drawing up detailed plans for a state funeral for the ex-Tory leader.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Miss Cooper wrote to Number 10 saying that some of her constituents were appalled at the idea.
John McTernan, Mr Blair's political secretary, replied saying that he could confirm that there were no such plans.
Tory MPs have accused Mr Blair of using his stance on Lady Thatcher's funeral arrangements to appease left-wing Labour MPs.
Gerald Howarth, Conservative MP for Aldershot and Lady Thatcher's former parliamentary aide, told the newspaper: "That is Blair all over. It is contemptible.
"He claimed the mantle of Thatcher but when the going gets tough with Labour MPs, he throws them a bone."
would that change if there were a Tory government?
is it right that she's not given a state funeral.
there you go, that ought to split opinion right down the middle.
discuss (and play nicely)
DanDare
09-08-06, 10:01 AM
She served the country as leader, no contest in my opinion.
Each leader should regardless of political views or party.
Aren't they supposed to be in for the same purpose.......looking after the state of the nation.
Has she died then?
I was going to ask that.
wyrdness
09-08-06, 10:03 AM
Wikipedia says The honour of a state funeral is usually reserved for the Sovereign as Head of State. Few others have had them:
* Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson (1806)
* Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1852)
* Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston (1865)
* The Rt Hon. William Gladstone (1898)
* Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts of Kandahar (1914)
* The Rt Hon. Sir Winston Churchill (1965)
I don't really see any reason why Thatcher should have one and don't think that it would be particularly popular with the general population.
DanDare
09-08-06, 10:05 AM
Ok clarify for me as I've obviously misunderstood something.
What is meant by a state funeral??
Has she died then?
I was going to ask that.
Me too.
If she hasn't she may pop off during the Bank Holiday. U used to go away every August Bank Holiday and come back and find out someone had died. :roll:
Personally I think she deserves a state funeral. That's not saying I believe in her politics, methods, views, anything really.
But on a personality level she was one hell of a woman. First female Prime Minister, strong leader and supporter of this country (OK, sometimes too strong and didn't listen to reason, but...).
She may have got stuff wrong, but at the heart of it all she actually, genuinely loved this country.
She had more balls and spine too. So at least if you hated her you had something to get your teeth into, rather than a rather damp towel.
Peter Henry
09-08-06, 10:17 AM
Though I did not like Mrs Thatcher one bit, I did admire her. However I personally see no strong case for a state funeral. 8)
Balky001
09-08-06, 10:58 AM
follwing on from Wikipedia's page Wyrdness check it also say
The only difference between his state funeral and that of the Sovereign was the gun salute—prime ministers get a 19-gun salute, as a head of government.
Which would indicate there are specific details set aside for Prime Ministers so I guess it comes down to whether people feel she was of national significance and whether the public want to join in. She was significant and people forget what a mess we were in in the 70's - and her supporters felt as strongly as her critics do about her I think deserves one. However, she hasn't died so it might be a little premature!
Peter Henry
09-08-06, 11:01 AM
Balky wrote:
However, she hasn't died so it might be a little premature!
Aaaw go on,let's bury her anyway! :P
the white rabbit
09-08-06, 11:06 AM
If she hasn't she may pop off during the Bank Holiday. U used to go away every August Bank Holiday and come back and find out someone had died. :roll:
Brilliantly random :lol:
Of course she should have a State Funeral (does that mean we get a day off work? :D )
I didn't know of anything beyond Thatcher until my late teens.
Balky001
09-08-06, 11:12 AM
Balky wrote:
However, she hasn't died so it might be a little premature!
Aaaw go on,let's bury her anyway! :P
only if we can stick Blair in there too (actually, both Blairs!)
Balky wrote:
However, she hasn't died so it might be a little premature!
Aaaw go on,let's bury her anyway! :P
only if we can stick Blair in there too (actually, both Blairs!)
What's Lionel ever done to you?
SV1000s
09-08-06, 11:17 AM
Since the death of Queen Victoria, ceremonial or state funeral processions have been carried out on the death of a British Monarch, a close member of the British Royal Family or, in some cases, a highly regarded statesman or woman. These are probably the most powerful and moving ceremonies of state which take place in Britain. State funerals are normally reserved for the death of the reigning Monarch or can be granted by the Monarch to others.
The way I see it, it's the Queen who will decide, not Blair.
Did Churchill do a better job than Maggie? He had a state funeral in 1965.
Warthog
09-08-06, 11:23 AM
SO she isn't dead?? Isn't it a bit **** for her, with everyone discussing her funeral while she is still alive?
"Hellooooo, I'm still ok over here!"
I vote no state funeral, I don't think she was *quite* that important, although I do admire her balls. If you know what I mean :lol:
Did Churchill do a better job than Maggie? He had a state funeral in 1965.
tough one.
wars = maggie played one won one ; churchill played one won one
leading a country into recession and out again = one all (i believe)
stabbed in the back by an ungrateful nation = one all again.
so on my (brilliant) synopsis i'd say yes she's due one!
*wink*
northwind
09-08-06, 11:24 AM
Yeah, but Churchill was funnier than Thatcher :)
Personally I think she was a disaster, but this shouldn't be decided on ideologies. As's been said, first woman PM, and she ran the country for longer than most.
Maybe we should have street parties? Either way, whatever funeral she gets, they'd better not go ahead with it till they get a stake through her...
Peter Henry
09-08-06, 11:25 AM
Scoobs wrote:
What's Lionel ever done to you?
I would have thought you would have had more issues with Lionel as he seems to have stolen so many of your moves Scoobs? :wink: :)
Yeah, but Churchill was funnier than Thatcher :)
Personally I think she was a disaster, but this shouldn't be decided on ideologies. As's been said, first woman PM, and she ran the country for longer than most.
Maybe we should have street parties? Either way, whatever funeral she gets, they'd better not go ahead with it till they get a stake through her...
lest we not forget you're scottish and therefore anti conservative purely by definition :wink:
Peter Henry
09-08-06, 11:28 AM
Winston your drunk!
Yes madam and you are ugly. But at least tomorrow I will be sobre again. 8)
Scoobs wrote:
What's Lionel ever done to you?
I would have thought you would have had more issues with Lionel as he seems to have stolen so many of your moves Scoobs? :wink: :)
I see that more as flattery rather than an insult my friend.
Peter Henry
09-08-06, 11:29 AM
Scoobs,funny I thought you might! :P :P
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