The funeral of Lord Norman Tebbit, a revered and staunch ally of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, drew a significant gathering of Conservative grandees to St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Suffolk, marking a poignant moment for British politics. The ceremony served as a testament to his enduring influence and the deep loyalties he inspired, albeit with some notable absences that underscored historic political divides.
While many of Thatcher’s original cabinet ministers from the 1980s are no longer in public life, the majority of those who attended were unequivocally devoted to the Iron Lady’s legacy. This assembly of Tory figures highlighted the lasting impact of the Thatcher era and the unwavering support for one of its most robust and uncompromising proponents.
However, the gathering was conspicuous for the absence of Lord Tebbit’s long-standing adversaries on the European question. Prominent Europhile figures like Lord Michael Heseltine, Lord Kenneth Clarke, Sir John Major, and Lord David Cameron, all of whom had significant clashes with Tebbit over Britain’s relationship with Europe, were noticeably absent from the funeral proceedings.
True to Lord Tebbit’s famously unyielding beliefs and values, the service itself was conducted with a strong emphasis on tradition and patriotism. It was a ceremony that perfectly encapsulated the principles he championed throughout his distinguished political career, a sentiment that undoubtedly would have garnered approval from Baroness Thatcher herself.
Reflecting on his departure from the Commons in 1992, Lord Tebbit famously quipped about his successor, who later became Tory leader: “If you think I’m right-wing, you should meet this guy.” This anecdote vividly illustrates the formidable reputation he held as a principled and resolute figure within the Conservative Party.
The service featured heartfelt contributions, including a reading of The Lord’s My Shepherd by one of Baroness Thatcher’s favourite business tycoons, Lord Jeffrey Sterling, the former P&O boss and a significant Tory donor. His children, William, Alison, and John, also shared intimate family reflections, adding a personal dimension to the public mourning.
A powerful eulogy was delivered by Lord Michael Dobbs, widely recognised as the author of the iconic 1990s political drama “House of Cards.” Before his literary fame, Dobbs was an influential Conservative insider, having served as a special adviser to both Baroness Thatcher and Lord Tebbit, offering unique insight into the political landscape they navigated.
Following the service, heartfelt tributes poured in from various political figures. Lord Dobbs lauded Lord Tebbit as “a giant, an inspiring leader,” while Lord Archer underscored his paramount loyalty, remarking that “loyalty was his passion.” Sir Iain Duncan Smith revealed that Lord Tebbit had been a mentor during his early political career, describing him as a “tough competitor” with a “real soft heart” and many friends across the political spectrum.
The funeral was succeeded by a private cremation, with plans for a memorial service for Lord Tebbit to be held at a later date, allowing a wider circle of colleagues, friends, and admirers to pay their respects to a pivotal figure in modern British political history.
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