Conservative Voice

I am deeply saddened to hear that Norman Tebbit has died. My predecessor in Chingford, my mentor and friend, Norman epitomised all that became to be known as Thatcherism and was critical to the success of the Thatcher Government in the 1980s. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gk… He had a sharp and sometimes fierce sense of humour and never raised his voice but spoke in a slow and deliberate manner. He once said to me that those listening sat on the edge of those seats, not blasted into the back of them. Yet no politician or their family has suffered more in the course of his career in politics. We recall the IRA bombing of the Grand Hotel, when both he and his wife Margaret were seriously injured. She was paralysed and confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Yet Norman’s injuries were not so visible but gave him great pain and yet at no stage did he ever seek sympathy. Perhaps the greatest sadness for him was having to watch, as a result of the Good Friday agreement, those who bombed the Grand Hotel walk free, while as he once said to me, “my wife will never walk anywhere again”. Norman was a titan in politics. He was tough but compassionate, and we will all miss him greatly. A true servant of this country. Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace. #normantebbit