Posted on 08/09/2006 6:37:13 PM PDT by Colonel Kangaroo
'No state funeral' for Thatcher TONY BLAIR has ruled out the possibility of former Prime Minister 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, 80, 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. 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.
Lady Thatcher, who is reported to be in good health, was prime minister from 1979 to 1990.
This article: http://news.scotsman.com/politics.cfm?id=1156202006
Last updated: 09-Aug-06 12:08 BS
Anybody who is old enough to remember the dismal world scene in the late 1970s should have a debt of gratitude for Margaret Thatcher.
I think that's an outrageous slap in the face to her.
This is an outrage!
Every PM should be given a State funeral. Some, like Baroness Thatcher, have actually earned them!
I thought I missed the news that she died.
>>>Perhaps the Labourite left has different heroes and would rather plans be made for a state funeral for the likes of Elton John.<<<
When queers are knighted, you know that nation is on its death-bed.
What is the deal on state funerals over there?
Obviously different from American deal...
Isnt it inappropriate to make any kind of plans while she is still alive?
Blair is a worthless socialist gungrabbing little creep.
Ten years ago, Lady Thatcher would have slapped him silly.
NO class!
This makes my blood BOIL!
No problem- WE'LL give her one. Seriously.
Without her..I shudder to think..
I wish President Bush would offer to host a state funeral for Lady Thatcher her here... Even better, we could offer to let them handle Jimmy Carter's funeral as well in exchange.
Just damn. Where are a man and a woman like those two for times like thse?
If this is true, I've lost a lot of respect for Blair.
State funerals have to planned far in advance. I don't guess it would have been so public had the far left kept their mouths shut.
Geeze, from the title of this article, I thought Lady Thatcher had died! Is it customary for state funerals to be discussed BEFORE the former head of state passes on?
Regardless, if the Brits don't protest this contemptuous decision, we may as well flush them down the toilet along with the French. This is disgraceful....
WTF??? Margaret Thatcher was THE most influential conservative woman in my life and Tony Blair is going to bow to the pressure from leftist idiots and not salute this lady as she should be remembered?
Lady Thatcher is an icon and she, along with Ronald Reagan, had an enormous influence on a generation. She may not get a state funeral (a**holes) but she will always be remembered.
GMTA ... I'll see you there.
Damn straight! Excellent comment and sentiment.
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