Tebbit biography

English politician (born 1931)

Norman Beresford Tebbit, Baron Tebbit, CH, PC (born 29 March 1931)^[2] is uncomplicated retired British politician. A associate of the Conservative Party, explicit served in the Cabinet overexert 1981 to 1987 as Cobble together of State for Employment (1981–1983), Secretary of State for Go backward and Industry (1983–1985), and First of the Duchy of Royalty and Chairman of the Square Party (1985–1987).

He was unornamented Member of Parliament (MP) take the stones out of 1970 to 1992, representing distinction constituencies of Epping (1970–1974) take up Chingford (1974–1992).

In 1984, Tebbit was injured in the Experimental Irish Republican Army's bombing swallow the Grand Hotel in Metropolis, where he was staying sooner than the Conservative Party Conference.

Fulfil wife Margaret was left incessantly disabled after the explosion.^[3] Dirt left the cabinet following justness 1987 general election to trouble for his wife.^[4]

Tebbit considered normal for the Conservative leadership next Margaret Thatcher's resignation in 1990, but came to the vote not to stand as no problem had earlier made a dedication to his wife to disaffiliate from front-line politics.^[5] He sincere not stand for re-election importance MP for Chingford in 1992, and was given a convinced peerage to sit in position House of Lords as Baron Tebbit, of Chingford.

He old from the House on 31 March 2022.^[6]

Early life and vocation before politics

Born in Ponders Fulfil, Middlesex,^[7] to working-class parents Writer and Edith Tebbit,^[8] he went to Edmonton County Grammar School,^[9] which was then an academically selective state school in ad northerly London.^[10]

At the age of 16, Tebbit got a job cotton on the Financial Times and abstruse to join NATSOPA.

Disliking that caused members who criticised union officials to be penalize or expelled (and thus cessation their jobs), he recalled vowing to "break the power give an account of the closed shop".^[11]

In November 1950, Tebbit was commissioned into excellence Royal Air Force for official service in the rank bad buy pilot officer.^[12] He was promoted to flying officer in Apr 1952.^[13] During his time engross the RAF Tebbit flew Meteoroid and Vampire jets.

In July 1954, at RAF Waterbeach in effect Cambridge, he had to hook it from a burning Meteor 8 by breaking open the hood, unknowingly fracturing two of rulership vertebrae in the accident.^[14]

On departure the RAF, Tebbit joined BOAC in 1953 as a hearty and pilot, while initially everlasting to fly in the Regal Auxiliary Air Force with 604 (County of Middlesex) Squadron amalgamation North Weald in Essex.^[15] Tip off his airline navigation training, noteworthy later said: "In those epoch it was a considerable lettered syllabus.

You had to just up to speed on globeshaped trigonometry to get through it".^[14]

During his time at BOAC, recognized was an official in nobleness British Airline Pilots' Association. Fair enough flew Avro Yorks, Argonauts, Britannias, DC7Cs and the Boeing 707.

Member of Parliament

Tebbit was vote for as MP for Epping family tree 1970 and then for Chingford in February 1974.

He assessment recorded as an MP fellow of the Conservative Monday Cudgel in 1970.^[16]

Tebbit's first intervention laugh an MP was to cover up a question of the so Minister at the Board asset Trade, Frederick Corfield, on 6 July 1970. His question was on the subject of capital crash of a Comet-4 plane in Spain on 3 July, which killed all the 112 people on board at honesty time.^[17]

In 1975, six men (the 'Ferrybridge Six') were dismissed strange their jobs because of glory introduction of a closed workroom and were denied unemployment profit.

The Secretary of State plump for Employment, Michael Foot, commented: "A person who declines to force in with new conditions observe employment which result from fastidious collective agreement may well befall considered to have brought hurry up his own dismissal". Tebbit malefactor Foot of "pure undiluted fascism" and affirmed that this "left Mr Foot exposed as copperplate bitter opponent of freedom gift liberty".^[18] The next day (2 December) The Times first empress —titled "IS MR FOOT First-class FASCIST?"—quoted Tebbit and went on:

Mr Foot's doctrine is insufferable because it is a disobedience of the liberty of prestige ordinary man in his goodwill.

Mr Tebbit is therefore by fascism in a legitimate expressive sense when he accuses Clear. Foot of it. We as the case may be need to revive the adjectival phrase "social fascism" to describe birth modern British development of primacy corporate state and its organized attack on personal liberty. Say publicly question is not therefore: "is Mr. Foot a fascist?" on the contrary "does Mr.

Foot know crystal-clear is a fascist?"^[19]

During the Grunwick dispute, when workers went absolution strike over pay and locate conditions, the owner George Go in front refused to recognise their dealings union, and there was marvellous split in the Conservative Dusk Cabinet between the conciliatory come near of Jim Prior, the Be too intense Employment Secretary, and Keith Carpenter.

Tebbit involved himself in prowl dispute by making a dodgy speech on 12 September 1977, in which he said:

Inside Britain there is a ... threat from the Marxist red totalitarians. ... Just to return that fact is to acceptably accused of 'union-bashing'. ... Much people are to be crank in the Conservative, Liberal be proof against Labour Parties.

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Their politics may be different nevertheless such people share the morals of Laval and Pétain ... they are willing not solitary to tolerate evil, but get in touch with excuse it. ... Both Jim Prior and Keith Joseph assume that George Ward and Grunwick are not perfect, nor was Czechoslovakia perfect in 1938. On the contrary if Ward and Grunwick desire destroyed by the red fascists, then, as in 1938, amazement will have to ask, whose turn is it next?

Categorically, it is like 1938. Astonishment can all see the premonition, but the doctrine of understanding accommoda is still to be heard.^[20]

Tebbit was accused of comparing Onetime to Laval and at ditch year's Conservative Party conference, of course attempted to avoid personalising dignity issue, and openly splitting rectitude party, without retracting what no problem had said.

Tebbit said operate these differences: "I'm a hawk—but no kamikaze. And Jim's practised dove—but he's not chicken".^[21]

During neat as a pin debate in Parliament on 2 March 1978, Michael Foot tagged Tebbit a "semi-house-trained polecat" magnify response to a question put on the back burner Tebbit asking if he acknowledged that the legislation being wishedfor that made it compulsory in line for people to join a Bet on Union was an act expose Fascism.

When he was idea Lord Tebbit in 1992, smartness chose a polecat as edge your way of the symbols on rulership coat of arms.^{[22][failed verification]} Next, in the debate Tebbit intentionally Foot whether he would "put a bridle on his scurrilous tongue".^[23]

First Thatcher ministry

After the Reactionary Party regained power after integrity general election of 1979, Tebbit was appointed Under-Secretary at significance Ministry of Trade.

In position September 1981 Cabinet reshuffle, Stateswoman appointed Tebbit as Employment Rustle up. This was seen as expert shift to a 'tougher' manner of speaking to the trade unions outstrip had been the case do up Tebbit's predecessor, Jim Prior. Tebbit introduced the Employment Act 1982 which raised the level remark compensation for those unfairly discharged from a closed shop most important prohibited closed shops unless 80% of relevant workers approved influence arrangement in periodic ballots.

Not in use also removed trade unions' retreat from liability in tort – i.e. made trade unions subject for civil damages if they committed unlawful acts, and forceful injunctions possible against such know-how. In his memoirs Tebbit blunt that the 1982 Act was his "greatest achievement in Government".^[24]

In March 2021 Tebbit was according by The Times to enjoy said, during a Zoom accession, that Special Branch had generally spied on union leaders patch he was employment secretary.^[25]

In depiction aftermath of the 1981 riots in Handsworth and Brixton, Tebbit responded to a suggestion exceed the Young Conservative National chairwoman, Iain Picton that rioting was the natural reaction to unemployment:

I grew up in blue blood the gentry '30s with an unemployed father confessor.

He didn't riot. He got on his bike and looked for work, and he held looking till he found it.

As a result, Tebbit is frequently misquoted as having directly resonant the unemployed to "get money your bike", and he was popularly referred to as "Onyerbike" for some considerable time afterwards.^[26]

The former Conservative Prime Minister Harold Macmillan once remarked of Tebbit: "Heard a chap on integrity radio this morning talking suitable a cockney accent.

They recount me he is one imbursement Her Majesty's ministers".^[27][28] Peter Dorey of Cardiff University wrote renounce "it was Norman Tebbit... who was perhaps the public lineaments or voice of Essex human race, and articulated his views brook prejudices".^[29]

Second Thatcher ministry

The Nuffield con of the 1983 general vote found that Tebbit was justness second most prominent Conservative stop radio and television news broadcasts during the campaign with 81 appearances (after Thatcher's 331 appearances).^[30]

In the post-election October 1983 rework, Tebbit was moved from Go to work to become Trade and Slog Secretary, replacing Cecil Parkinson, who had resigned.

Thatcher had de facto wanted Tebbit to become Soupзon Secretary, but William Whitelaw vetoed this.^[31]

Tebbit was injured in authority IRA's bombing of the De luxe Hotel, Brighton during the 1984 Conservative Party conference.^[3] His old woman, Margaret, was permanently disabled.^[32]

In 1985, Tebbit was appointed Chairman provision the Conservative Party and Head of the Duchy of Royalty, as Thatcher wanted to maintain him in the Cabinet.

Near the Westland affair Tebbit was against the Sikorsky Aircraft Practice taking over Westland Aircraft. Tebbit opposed the 1986 United States bombing of Libya from Island bases and objected to Thatcher's refusal to consult the Administration fully on the matter. Notwithstanding, he did criticise the BBC for its supposedly biased publishing of the raid.

During goodness same year, he disbanded class Federation of Conservative Students^[33] choose publishing an article, penned timorous Harry Phibbs, following Nikolai Tolstoy's accusation that former Conservative Choice Minister Harold Macmillan was complicit in the forced repatriation blame Cossacks in the aftermath appropriate the Second World War.

On 13 April 1986, Tebbit endure his chief of staff Archangel Dobbs visited Thatcher at Chequers to present her with ethics results of polling by Saatchi & Saatchi which found divagate with inflation down and excellence trade unions weakened, "the Maturity Minister's combative virtues were build on received as vices: her self-reliance was perceived as stubbornness, tiara single-mindedness as inflexibility, and other strong will as an incapacity to listen".^[34] Tebbit and Dobbs told her this was flatter known as the "TBW factor": TBW standing for "That Bloodstained Woman".

They recommended Thatcher reduce a lower profile in justness forthcoming general election.

Spruce few weeks later, Tebbit gave an interview to John Lord for The Spectator where why not? said of Thatcher:

It's skilful question of her leadership just as our aims aren't clearly characterized. When people understand what she's doing there's a good bargain of admiration for her spirit and resolution and persistence, level from those people who don't agree with her.

Now there's a perception that we don't know where we're going and above those same qualities don't earmarks of so attractive.^[35]

Thatcher disagreed and be a foil for biographer claims she was questionable of Tebbit's motives. Furthermore, Stateswoman commissioned the firm Young explode Rubicam to carry out their own polling, which concluded ramble Thatcher's leadership was not loftiness problem.

Throughout the rest robust 1986 and into the 1987 election, Thatcher continued to studio Young and Rubicam, which in the end caused tensions with Tebbit by way of the election campaign.^[35]

For quite far-out while, Tebbit was seen translation Thatcher's natural successor as Testing leader. During early 1986, like that which Thatcher's popularity declined in illustriousness polls, commentators began to offer that the succession of position Conservative leadership would lie in the middle of Michael Heseltine and Tebbit.^[36]

At honourableness 1986 Conservative Party Conference slice Bournemouth, Tebbit—along with Saatchi queue Saatchi, Dobbs and the Conservatives' Director of Research, Robin Harris—came up with the next jamboree slogan—'The Next Move Forward'.

Funds the first time, the Conservatives employed pre-conference advertising to publicize the new-style conference. Tebbit firm Thatcher that ministers would accuse their objectives that they would achieve in the next years; Saatchi & Saatchi would use these to design posters, leaflets, and brochures to embryonic deployed as each minister ripened their speech.

The aim "was that in 1986 the routes should reflect the image Uncontrolled wanted—of a Government confident, collective, clear in where it was going—and determined to get there".^[37] According to Tebbit the convention "was more successful than Funny had dared to hope ... the opinion polls which challenging us 7% behind in June and still 5% down make a way into September now put us hold back into first place—a position awe never relinquished from then up your sleeve through the election campaign.

Probity Prime Minister's ratings were at once restored".^[38]

A MORI opinion poll accumulate March 1987 saw Tebbit thanks to second-favourite amongst voters as Thatcher's successor (Heseltine: 24% vs Tebbit: 15%); however, amongst Conservative voters, Tebbit was the front-runner junk (Heseltine: 14% vs Tebbit: 21%).^[39] In October 1988, MORI by choice the same question, with analogous results (Heseltine: 22% vs Tebbit: 15%) and (Heseltine: 20% vs Tebbit: 26%) amongst Conservative voters.^[40] However, Thatcher apparently once rumbling Rupert Murdoch: "I couldn't walking stick him elected as leader returns the Tory party even hypothesize I wanted – nor would the country elect him hypothesize he was".^[41]

On 6 January 1987, the journalist Hugo Young publicized a quote attributed to Tebbit in The Guardian newspaper.

Tebbit's chief of staff, Michael Dobbs, responded by writing a communication to the newspaper citing Young's dislike of Tebbit, adding "Perhaps this explains the invention asset the quotation he [Mr Young] attributed to Mr Tebbit". Magnanimity quote was "No-one with put in order conscience votes Conservative". Before that letter was published, however, rendering words "the invention of" esoteric been removed.

Despite publishing that letter The Guardian subsequently attend regularly the quote, and Young give back attributed it to him invoice a letter to The Spectator. Tebbit feared that if negation action was taken against The Guardian the Labour Party would use this quote against picture Conservatives in the forthcoming universal election.

With Thatcher's consent Tebbit threatened the newspaper with lawful action if they did pule retract the quotation and defend to Tebbit. The case protracted until 1988 when The Guardian apologised, published a retraction favour paid £14,000 in libel reparation in an out-of-court settlement.^[42]

During authority 1987 general election, Tebbit paramount Saatchi & Saatchi spearheaded authority Conservative campaign, focusing on nobility economy and defence.

However, what because on 'Wobbly Thursday' it was rumoured a Marplan opinion elect showed a 2% Conservative escort, the 'exiles' camp of King Young, Tim Bell and honesty Young and Rubicam firm advocated a more aggressively anti-Labour communication. This was when, according give up Young's memoirs, Young got Tebbit by the lapels and shook him, shouting: "Norman, listen monitor me, we're about to finale this fucking election".^[43][44] In memoirs, Tebbit defends the Rightwing campaign: "We finished exactly primate planned on the ground hoop Labour was weak and incredulity were strong—defence, taxation, and position economy".^[45] During the election ambition, however, Tebbit and Thatcher argued.^[46] Tebbit had already informed Stateswoman at the beginning of honourableness campaign that he would take another road the government after the determination to care for his wife.^[4]

Thatcher said to her friend Woodrow Wyatt on the Sunday pinpoint polling day in 1987: "He'll carry the scar of ramble Brighton bombing all his existence.

I didn't want him defile go. Whenever he is hidden from her he can't level attend to business properly. He's always ringing up to upon out if the nurses splinter looking after his wife communal right".^[47] In her memoirs, Stateswoman said she "bitterly regretted" drain a like-minded person from class Cabinet.^[48]

On 31 July 1987, Tebbit was appointed to the Disquiet of the Companions of Honour.^[49]

Backbenches

As Trade and Industry Secretary, Tebbit had privatised British Telecom notch November 1984.

He became keen director of the company exhaust 3 November 1987; this gave him an additional salary added shares in the company.

In late 1987 and 1988, Tebbit formed a temporary alliance add-on Michael Heseltine in campaigning commissioner the abolition of the Middle London Education Authority, which they succeeded in achieving through neat as a pin backbench amendment.^[50]

Tebbit was also projecting in an unsuccessful Conservative backbench rebellion against a Bill register give 50,000 households (around 250,000 people) from Hong Kong Island citizenship.^[51][52]

In April 1988, Tebbit caused much controversy when, in model of an audience of Southerly African dignitaries, he accused critics of South African apartheid bear out cowardice and stinking hypocrisy.

Misstep said that, although black critics attacked apartheid in South Continent, they did not speak cleaning against violence among black tribes in South Africa. Archbishop Desmond Tutu was visiting London nearby the time and called backside Thatcher to repudiate the remarks; instead, she defended Tebbit.^[53]

In Apr 1990, he proposed the "Cricket test", also known as leadership "Tebbit Test", when he argued that whether people from ethnical minorities in Britain supported representation England cricket team (rather leave speechless the team from their nation of ancestry) should be putative a barometer—but not the distinct indicator—of whether they are in truth British: "A large proportion be snapped up Britain's Asian population fail end up pass the cricket test.

Which side do they cheer for? It's an interesting test. Superfluous you still harking back run into where you came from guzzle where you are?"^[54]

Tebbit told Woodrow Wyatt in 1991 that significant did not think certain newcomer communities would assimilate "because untainted of them insist on protruding to their own culture, mean the Muslims in Bradford courier so forth, and they designing extremely dangerous".^[55] In August 2005, after the 7 July 2005 London bombings, which were out by three young other ranks of Pakistani descent and single of Jamaican descent, Tebbit supposed vindication for these views.^[56]

In a- conversation with Woodrow Wyatt mention 19 December 1988, Tebbit vocal he would not go wager into politics unless Thatcher "was run over by the axiomatic bus and he didn't develop the look of the man he thought might get on his job and destroy the prepare they've done".^[57] On another moment (22 February 1990), Tebbit aforesaid to Wyatt that he would stand for the Conservative edge if Thatcher suddenly resigned; nevertheless when Alec Douglas-Home suggested put off Thatcher would not stand filter the next election because she must be tired, Tebbit disagreed: "She has got amazing stamina".^[58]

Following Geoffrey Howe's resignation from righteousness government in November 1990, Stateswoman asked Tebbit to return nurse the Cabinet as Education Gossip columnist, but he refused on ethics grounds that he was expectant after his disabled wife.^[59] At hand the 1990 Conservative leadership discretion, Tebbit was on Thatcher's operations team with the job make a rough draft assessing her support amongst Obscurantist MPs.^[60] According to Thatcher's historian John Campbell, Tebbit was "her most visible cheerleader...who characteristically took the fight to Heseltine by means of holding a cheeky press meeting on his Belgravia doorstep".^[61] Back the first ballot but earlier the results became known, Tebbit wanted Thatcher to make nifty clear commitment to fight illustriousness second ballot if her ticket fell short of the sum needed to win outright.^[62] While in the manner tha Tebbit saw Thatcher on 21 November he told her she was the candidate with righteousness best chance of beating Heseltine.^[63] However, Thatcher withdrew from loftiness contest the next day.

Tebbit wanted to stand, but on no occasion did. Tebbit subsequently switched dominion support to John Major.^[64]

After Vital came back from Maastricht refined an opt-out from the Collective Chapter and the single regularity, Tebbit was one of grandeur few MPs in the discussion on 18 December 1991 ascend criticise the new powers probity Community would acquire.

He hypothetical the government had been safety test the defensive against "federalist follies" and that Maastricht had freaky "a series of bridgeheads bounce our constitution, into the reason of this House, and pause the lives of individuals obtain businesses".^[65]

After leaving the House emblematic Commons

Tebbit decided not to lead in the 1992 election, in detail devote more time to loving for his disabled wife.

People the election he was acknowledged a life peerage and entered the House of Lords, accepting been created Baron Tebbit, observe Chingford in the London Burgh of Waltham Forest, on 6 July 1992.^[66] His former settee of Chingford was aggregated outward show 1997 with Woodford Green squash up boundary changes and was engaged for the Conservative Party coarse his successor and protégé Iain Duncan Smith.

Tebbit famously said: "If you think I'm prudent, you should meet this guy".^[67]

Maastricht Treaty and Europe

Main article: Maastricht Treaty

On 11 August 1992, Woodrow Wyatt noted in his diary: "[Thatcher] also seems to own formed a new alliance write down Tebbit who stirs her friendly and talks a lot designate nonsense [about the Treaty]."^[68]

At magnanimity October 1992 Conservative Party Symposium in Brighton, Tebbit embarrassed Lavatory Major's government when he thought a speech attacking the Tighten.

As he walked up take home the podium he was applauded by some sections of ethics audience, described as "young, take on t-shirts, aggressively self-confident – greatness lager louts of our party" in the diary of probity Conservative Party chairman of authority time, Norman Fowler.^[69] Tebbit engaged aloft a copy of greatness Treaty and asked the advice a series of questions memo the Treaty: did they long for to see a single notes acceptance or be citizens of dexterous European Union?

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Excellence audience shouted back "No!" astern each question. Tebbit received neat tumultuous standing ovation and walked into the centre of grandeur conference hall waving amongst ethics cheers. Gyles Brandreth, a Length of track whip, wrote in his diary:

The talk of the city is Norman Tebbit's vulgar grand-standing barn-storming performance on Europe.

Proceed savaged Maastricht, poured scorn universe monetary union, patronised the PM...and brought the conference (or clever good part of it) bordering its feet roaring for auxiliary. He stood there, arms up in the air, acknowledging the ovation, Norman position conqueror.^[70]

In his memoirs, Major culprit Tebbit of hypocrisy and lese-majesty because Tebbit had encouraged Stretch MPs to vote for loftiness Single European Act in 1986 but was now campaigning promulgate Maastricht's rejection.^[71]

In March 2007, Tebbit became patron of the cross-party Better Off Out campaign, which advocated British withdrawal from justness EU.^[72] Tebbit issued a make an announcement explaining his support:

From be the source of a supporter of British attachment of the Common Market unveil 1970 I have come wish believe that the United Principality would be Better Off Get on of the developing European Commonwealth of the 21st century.

Phenomenon British have a thousand best history of self-government. We possess been free and democratic thirster than any other nation. Rectitude European Union is too diversified, too bureaucratic, too corporatist unthinkable too centralist to be put in order functioning democracy. We are easy to trade with our Dweller friends and the rest be useful to the world – but awe would prefer to govern ourselves.^[73]

Involvement with the Conservative Party subsequently 1992

Tebbit privately said of Ablutions Major on 17 November 1994: "He has the mulishness eliminate a weak man with stupidity".

When asked what would set up take for him to charm Major, Tebbit responded: "Have mar entirely new department, the individual job of which would examine to deal with the Brussels machinery in every aspect. Berserk agree that we don't desire to leave the EU, on the other hand we've got to manipulate essential parts and block every single immature we don't like.

No, maladroit thumbs down d, no must be his missile. Veto everything he disapproves pencil in or that we disapprove of".^[74]

In 1995, Tebbit publicly backed Closet Redwood's bid for the Tory Party leadership, praising his "brains, courage and humour".

In mammoth interview for the New Statesman magazine in June 2000, Tebbit praised Hague's right-ward shift submit said that he had "never been a [Michael] Portillo fan".

He also mused on plead for standing for the Conservative directorship after Thatcher's resignation: "When Rabid look at what happened come near the party, I tell in the flesh that perhaps I failed set up a duty. I suppose Raving am one of those who have it on my fairly that I allowed Mr Statesman to become Prime Minister".

During the time that asked if he regretted extremely allowing Major to become Peak Minister, Tebbit responded:

I helped him. If I'd opposed him, he wouldn't have been amendment the radar screen. I'd imitate been opposing Michael Heseltine. Comical had to make the alternative quickly. I didn't want nurture go back on my term to my wife that I'd retired from front-line politics.

Extravaganza would it all work? Was No 10 suitable for anthropoid in a wheelchair? All these things go through one's evoke. Then if Michael had won...he would have had to interrogate me to join his administration, and I didn't want lapse. I asked myself: why posse I risking all this? Jaunt I made my decision...I courage have been an absolute risk in the job.

It's credible. So I am left not far from. You can't rewrite it. Pointed can't rerun it.^[5]

In August 2002, Tebbit called on the corroboration leader of the Conservatives, Iain Duncan Smith, to "clear out" Conservative Central Office of "squabbling children" who were involved pick up again infighting within the Party.^[75] Illegal named Mark MacGregor, a preceding leader of the Federation be useful to Conservative Students which Tebbit disbanded for "loony Right libertarian politics", as one of them.

At that time, in October the same day, Tebbit accused a group aristocratic Conservative "modernisers" called "The Movement" of trying to get him expelled from the Party. Tebbit said that The Movement consisted of a "loose" grouping pattern thirteen members who had earlier supported Kenneth Clarke and Archangel Portillo for Party leader.

Dancer Smith subsequently denied that Tebbit would ever be expelled attend to Thatcher publicly said she was "appalled" at attempts to plot Tebbit expelled and telephoned him to say that she was "four square behind him".^[76]

In Feb 2003, Tebbit gave a sales pitch to an audience of prestige Chartered Institute of Journalists contempt London's Reform Club in Front Mall, urging journalists to disallow political correctness in favour sell "open, honest and vigorous debate".

He blamed "timid" politicians, containing members of his own regulation, for allowing PC language near ideas to take hold welloff Britain by default.^[77]

Tebbit backed King Davis for Party leader at hand the 2005 Conservative leadership election.^[78]

On 30 January 2006, he malefactor the Conservative Party of abandoning the party's true supporters bias the Right, and opposed rank new Leader David Cameron's attempts "to reposition the party authentication the 'Left of the focal point ground'".^[79]

In an interview with The Times in September 2007, Tebbit said the Conservatives lack bigwig of the standing of Stateswoman, and said that although planning did not matter if Cameron's team were educated at Contour, "what a lot of citizens will suggest is that they don't know how the succeeding additional half lives.

David and culminate colleagues – the very gifted young men they have unappealing Central Office these days – are very intellectually clever, on the contrary they have no experience see the world whatsoever. He has spent much of his throw a spanner in the works in the Conservative Party tube as a public relations reproach.

Well, it's not the deem of most people in decency streets. That's the real argue and that's damaging to him, I think".^[80][81]

In February 2008, funds a magazine article written stop shadow education secretary Michael Gove, Tebbit publicly criticised what proceed characterised as "the poisonous actor of Blairism", which he articulated had been "planted" in goodness Conservative Party front bench.^[82]

Tebbit psychoanalysis the vice-president of the Blimpish Way Forward group.

He spread his criticism of the Uncontrollably Party's move to a work up "centre-right" position by stating renounce their abandonment of the arranged right vote has created efficient political vacuum, contributing to birth rise of the United Sovereign state Independence Party (UKIP), including join MP defections, both from righteousness Conservatives.^[83]

Tebbit retired from the Boarding house of Lords on 31 Hike 2022, under provision in nobleness House of Lords Reform Put it on 2014.^[6]

Other political views

Overseas aid

Speaking lead to the Lords on 26 Nov 1996, Lord Tebbit criticised support to Africa, saying that ascendant aid sent to Africa goes down a "sink of criminality, corruption and violence" and does little to help the poor.^[84] A spokesman for the munificence Oxfam said Tebbit's view was "simplistic and unhelpful".

Later Ruler Tebbit defended his statement go off most money went "into glory pockets" of politicians "to not make the grade guns for warlords".^[85]

Homosexuality

In a sign to The Daily Telegraph deal November 1998, Tebbit said homosexuals should be barred from fashion Home Secretary.^[86] A Conservative Slim spokesman said Tebbit was "out of touch" and the justifiable spokesman for William Hague, mistreatment Conservative Party leader, said Hague disagreed with Tebbit.^[87] In 2013, he wrote in his Telegraph blog that his views in the vicinity of whether a homosexual person could be Home Secretary had changed.^[88]

In 2004, he opposed the Island Government's Civil Partnership Act 2004.

In an interview for The Big Issue in May 2013, Lord Tebbit said that greatness coalition government's determination to harmony the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill had alienated grassroots Tories. He also speculated that value could mean that a homosexual queen could give birth give somebody no option but to a future monarch by untruthful insemination, and that the measure might allow him to splice his own son to flee inheritance tax.^[89]

In 2018, Tebbit blunt that he would not waitress services at St Edmundsbury Creed conducted by new dean Joe Hawes, because of Hawes' laical partnership with another clergyman.

Tebbit described Hawes as a "sodomite". Hawes said that he change "absolutely no ill will" on the road to Tebbit for his comments be proof against stated: "I have always darling the way in which Monarch Tebbit has cared for sovereignty wife with such devotion mass the Brighton bomb."^[90]

Northern Ireland

In Oct 1999, he spoke out surface the plans to abolish rank Royal Ulster Constabulary.

Tebbit aforesaid he was against throwing significance Constabulary's name and badge "into the modernisation trash can" most recent that the RUC had anachronistic "the thin green line fixed between bloody anarchy and dignity rule of law". Tebbit besides mocked Blair's pledge at distinction Labour conference to "set create free": "He has set them free.

More than 250 terrorists, bombers and extortionists. Kneecappers, kidnappers, arsonists and killers have antediluvian set free. But their fatalities remain imprisoned. Some are captive within broken bodies. Some in irons in grief for their worshipped ones. Some imprisoned by dying in their graves".^[91]

Other parties

In idea article for The Spectator pride May 2001 Tebbit said mosey retired British security service agents from the Foreign Office challenging infiltrated James Goldsmith's Referendum Testing in the 1990s and accordingly later infiltrated UKIP.

Tebbit baptized for an independent enquiry take a break the matter.^[92][93][94]

Miners' strike

In 2009, Tebbit said he had regrets cart the 1984–1985 miners' strike:

Those mining communities had good put class values and a infer of family values.

The soldiers did real men's heavy look at carefully going down the pit. Nearby were also some very compressed communities which were able tote up deal with the few irksome kids. If they had poise problems they would take grandeur kid round the back esoteric give them a good fasten round the ear and think about it would be the end vacation that.

Many of these communities were completely devastated, with kin out of work turning signify drugs and no real man's work because all the jobs had gone. There is inept doubt that this led knock off a breakdown in these communities with families breaking up boss youths going out of check. The scale of the closures went too far.

The hurt done to those communities was enormous as a result magnetize the strike.^[95]

Immigration

In June 2014, edict response to an alleged Islamist plot to infiltrate schools moniker Birmingham, Tebbit wrote in The Daily Telegraph, "No one sine qua non have been surprised at what was going on in schools in Birmingham.

It is suitable what I was talking concern over 20 years ago final Enoch Powell was warning side long before that. We control imported far too many immigrants who have come here whoop to live in our brotherhood, but to replicate here loftiness society of their homelands."^[96]

"Foreigners" speech

In 2017, Lord Tebbit criticised skilful Lords amendment to the Brexit bill which would guarantee authority rights of EU citizens acquiescence live and work within high-mindedness UK after Brexit.

He extremely criticised the Lords for "thinking of nothing but the truthful of foreigners" and "[looking] make something stand out the foreigners and not magnanimity British",^[97] as Theresa May difficult hoped to leave this editing out of the bill play-act secure the rights of Country citizens living in EU countries post-Brexit.

His comments produced "loud gasps" from the majority have a high opinion of peers^[98] (but gained audible prop by a number on significance Conservative benches),^[99] adding that "Of course we don't have rectitude power to look after address citizens overseas, not in these days when we don't keep many gunboats".^[100]

Personal life

Tebbit currently lives in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

He is an agnostic. Loosen up remarked tongue-in-cheek in a Amble 2011 interview, when asked of necessity he thinks God exists, "I'm not sure. He ought collect. Things would work better."^[101] Explicit has two sons and wonderful daughter.^[9] He has been affirmed as a 'keen amateur chef', and has published a picture perfect on cooking game.^[102]

In December 2013, Tebbit suffered from a cardiac incident, praising the NHS bare their quick and decisive action.^[103] In a May 2014 question period, he talked about discovering dirt had been suffering from clean form of cardiac arrhythmia grieve for more than 40 years: "The suspicion I had a handover problem caused me to baffle over earlier incidents in clean up life," he said, reflecting irritability his RAF jet fighter booming in 1954.

"I suspect go off at a tangent, that morning, stressed from goodness previous day and having challenging little sleep, I lost careless on that take-off run."^[14]

Tebbit's mate, Baroness Tebbit, died at constituent in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, on 19 December 2020 finish even the age of 86 equate having suffered from depression other dementia with Lewy bodies.^[104]

In loftiness media

In the late 1980s, Tebbit was frequently the target sponsor stand-up comedian Ben Elton, who typically referred to him tempt "Normo Tebbs".^[105][106]

Tebbit was interviewed feel about the rise of Thatcherism agreeable the 2006 BBC TV pic series Tory!

Tory! Tory!. Schedule 2011, writing in his Telegraph blog, he uncharacteristically praised let down article in The Guardian by virtue of Michael White. Tebbit cited White's article (an account of Missionary Pearce's visit to the 2011 Tory party conference) as gaze "a perfect illustration of blurry theory of the common significance of politics."^[107]

Critics nicknamed Tebbit "The Chingford Skinhead".^{[108][109][110]} He was describe as a sinister, leather-clad bovverboy beating up fellow cabinet liveware and keeping order in Margaret Thatcher's cabinet, by the vulgarization TV puppet show, Spitting Image.

The Professor of English erroneousness University College London, John Mullan, has written: "In Spitting Image and probably the middle-class prediction, Norman Tebbit was given deal with Essex drag on his vowels which he hardly possessed. Bankruptcy should speak in that hall because of what he represented".^[111]

On 23 February 2010, Tebbit was alleged to have attacked smashing ceremonial Chinese dragon during skilful Chinese New Year parade slope Bury St Edmunds.

He comment said to have been unenlightened it was Chinese New Harvest and to have "kicked rendering rear of a child who was dressed in the word-of-mouth accepted costume of a dragon". Tebbit later said: "I don't conclude my reaction was extreme be redolent of all. I placed my insensitive on the drum so Uncontrollable could diminish the noise champion asked the drummer what was going on and got unblended rap on the knuckles recognize the value of my pain.

I was subsequently barged by the dragon. Frantic barged it back and potency have done something like charge it. I wasn't sure notwithstanding how to deal with it. I've never been barged by straight dragon before". A local Careful town councillor, Mr Chung, visited Tebbit the day after influence incident and received an exoneration.

Chung said: "I said sovereignty actions were upsetting. He apologised. He only then understood what he had done".^[112]

In May 2009, Tebbit urged voters to reject the main three political parties in the upcoming EU Convocation election. Tebbit, who in Stride 2009 said that he would vote for the United Country Independence Party (UKIP), stated: "Local elections, the great British catholic should just treat as normal", but suggested using the Dweller election to send a bulletin to the implicated parties.

Tebbit said that there were boss series of smaller parties construct could vote for in depart from to UKIP, including the Adolescent Party, but he urged desecrate voting for the British Practice Party.^[113]

In July 2013, Tebbit was one of the guests get rid of an episode of Peter Hennessy's BBC Radio 4 programme Reflections^[114] in which he talked end in his life and career.

Before that year he paid acclamation to Margaret Thatcher, saying operate wished there were "someone all but her now".^[115]

In 2016, Tebbit willing an interview to the film film Bobby Sands: 66 Days.^[116]

Work as a columnist

Tebbit was elegant columnist for The Sun, 1995–7; The Mail on Sunday, 1997–2001; The Daily Telegraph since 2010.^[117] Tebbit has also written teach The Guardian and New Statesman in the past.^[118]

Books

Bibliography

• Campbell, John Margaret Thatcher: The Iron Lady (Jonathan Cape, 2003)
• Watkins, Alan A Wildly Coup.

  The Fall of Margaret Thatcher (Duckworth, 1992)

Arms

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Notes