Against a state funeral

Saturday, 19th July 2008

Should Lady Thatcher be granted the ultimate honour? Simon Hoggart thinks not:

Here's a sentence you don't often read: I've been reading a really interesting book by Norman Fowler. It's called "A Political Suicide", and it's about how the Conservative party self-destructed from the last years of Thatcher onward. I had always assumed that cabinet meetings, for example, were conducted with great formality, as positions were offered and discussed in a courteous, understated fashion. Not in Thatcher's day. In January 1980 they discussed cutting social security. John Biffen said if the government wanted to stop subsidies for the rich they should cut aid to the arts. Norman St John-Stevas erupted, saying "disgraceful, disgraceful", while Nicholas Edwards shouted "shame!"
At various cabinets Thatcher launches into Michael Heseltine and treats Geoffrey Howe "contemptuously". Jim Prior swears at her. Francis Pym is "livid" at the insults she flings his way. Christopher Soames "splutters with rage as he gets a broadside from MT".
So even among her closest colleagues she was a divisive figure, arousing as much loathing as respect. That's why she shouldn't have a state funeral. I don't agree at all with those who believe her influence was entirely malign much of what she did had to be done and nobody else could have done it but a state funeral is suitable for someone who united the nation "riveting" us together, as Bagehot put it. I know Gordon Brown admires her hugely, but he should realise a large part of the country just doesn't agree and that disqualifies her from the procession to the Abbey...