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Britain
Blair plans state funeral for Thatcher
2006-06-04
TONY Blair is backing a controversial plan to provide a state funeral for one of the Labour Party's most reviled enemies of recent decades: Margaret Thatcher.
I didn't even know she was dead. She didn't, either.
Scotland on Sunday can reveal that civil servants have been working for months on the details of Baroness Thatcher's funeral, even though there is no suggestion the 80-year-old is suffering from any life-threatening condition.
"Really. I'm quite healthy."
But Blair believes Thatcher's eventual passing should be marked with the first state funeral for a commoner since Winston Churchill more than 40 years ago. The proposal has astounded constitutional experts, who argue that - royalty aside - the honour is normally reserved for politicians who "saved the country at times of dire need".
Y'mean like helping to win the Cold War? And beating the Argies? And the First Gulf War?
The funeral plan has also sparked furious debate at the heart of the New Labour government, with a number of ministers opposing such a mark of respect for a Conservative Prime Minister.
Thus confirming our suspicions that they lack Blair's class.
The move is also likely to provoke a furious backlash from the grass roots of the party, where Thatcher is still detested for her stout opposition to the unions and policies in areas including employment, privatisation, gay rights and the Poll Tax during her 11 years in office. One Labour MP last night claimed the proposal proved Blair and his advisers in Downing Street had "finally lost contact with reality".
Posted by:Fred

#10  Bury her on Mt. Kent to scare off the Argies.

heh I understood that 6r as respect for and recognition of Margaret Thatcher's great strength of character and tremendous Will!

It's a shame the world doesn't have more like her, we could sure use the leadership right now.
Posted by: RD   2006-06-04 21:26  

#9  the honour is normally reserved for politicians who "saved the country at times of dire need".

IIUC, when she became PM, the 70's UK was in a dire shape, kinda like 2006's France, paralyzed by politicized unions, on the verge of bankruptcy, impotent and socialist (a situation similar to the USA and Reagan).
She pretty much saved the country, at least from socialism, that's why the likes of Ken loach and other red won't forgive her.
Posted by: anonymous5089   2006-06-04 13:31  

#8  Bury 'em both on Tumble Down!
Posted by: 6   2006-06-04 13:12  

#7  All snark aside, of course.
Posted by: 6   2006-06-04 13:09  

#6  I am certain she wants to be buried, when the time comes, next to her late husband Denis. They loved each other deeply.
Posted by: Eric Jablow   2006-06-04 11:41  

#5  Bury her on Mt. Kent to scare off the Argies.
Posted by: 6   2006-06-04 07:37  

#4  "You turn if you want to. The lady's not for turning!"

in her grave just yet ..

Gawd if I caught my family planning my funeral , i wouldnt be best pleased :p


Posted by: MacNails   2006-06-04 02:06  

#3  Can Bush start planning Carter's? Maybe he'll take the hint...
Posted by: tu3031   2006-06-04 00:46  

#2  Send her body over here when she dies - we'll give her the state funeral she deserves.

Bet there'd be quite a crowd of ordinary people passing by the bier, too.

If the Capitol isn't available (some of the Dems would probably have a fit at the suggestion), her funeral could be held at William & Mary College in Williamsburg, where she served as Chancellor for a time.

I'd certainly haul my ass down there.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut   2006-06-04 00:41  

#1  There is a moving incident from Winston Churchill's funeral that shows how the unions then had class, even with respect to a political opponent. As the funeral barge sailed down the Thames, the dockworkers dipped the dockside cranes in salute to the great man.

Does anyone think they'd do the same now?
Posted by: Eric Jablow   2006-06-04 00:31  

00:00