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
How would you like people making funeral arrangements for you while your alive!
If Margaret Thatcher's passing isn't worthy of all the pomp and ceremony that the British can muster, then certainly no one else is worthy.
Remember Thatcher's moving eulogy at Reagan's funeral. which she had recorded some years earlier at his request? Well, no doubt there is a reciprocal tape, in a vault in London somewheres, the Gipper's final performance..as he remembers fondly the Iron Lady. When Lady Thatcher does depart, we will get to hear Reagan one last time, and I for one, expect it will be something to behold.
If this horrible decision of Blaire's stands, I hope he realizes that he will get the same treatment upon his death. He's a bought and paid for neutered bastard!
All righty then, I suppose she'll just have to outlive the petty sumbitches.
Remind me to piss on Blair's grave.
My opinion of Tony Blair just took a nosedive. How crass.
Personally I know from recent personal events that it's not uncommon. As a matter of fact it is generally appreciated by those who are left to deal with the aftermath.
Also I believe that it is customary for American presidents to plan their own funerals. There's a rule book with their wishes and it is followed to the letter.
This is an unbelievably petty insult to her & to everyone around the world who consider her a hero. The British are so odd about this sort of thing, though. Weren't they really sour on Winston Churchill for years? Didn't it take the rest of the world years to convince them what a giant he was?
America give her one!
Lady Thatcher altered World history in ways that we are still learning about. Without the combined team of Lady Thatcher and President Regan, the USSR would still exist.
The entire WORLD owes this Lady the highest honors possible.
She will be remembered by history, as one of the greatest national leaders ever.
:) Exactly right.
Maggie..what a gem.
Actually, if it's family, and you get to be involved in the planning of your funeral, I think it's a good idea.
This, being an insult to Ms Thatcher, is not a pleasant thing to hear. They should be ashamed.
You had me scared there.
Yes, it is an insult to the woman who, with Reagan, brought down Communism.
At least we have the good sense to honor our true heros. Only a bunch of leftist pantywaists would want to bury her accomplishments.
There is a great difference between the Ubited States and britain. We had Rosa parks lying in state in the Rotunda for refusing to go to the back of the bus. England will not give a State funeal for this woman who ran the country so well for so many years. Well they fired Winston Churchill too.
She was at Reagan's funeral. It took my breath away when she courtseied to his casket.
That is an excellent point and I hope you're right! As much as it would tear me up to hear it I would look forward to President Reagan's salute to Lady Thatcher. I'm certain that it will reduce at least one nation to tears.
It's SOP in the U.S. All presidents have to provide an outline of what they want in a state funeral soon after taking office. Clinton's was leaked out and it was going to be some lavish celebration with like 72 virgins carrying his casket back to Little Rock or some such nonsense.
From a previous related thread, British state funerals are mostly for the royals. Churchill was an exception. Mrs. Thatcher should be another exception.
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