This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jan/19/tory-councillor-names-son-after-margaret-thatcher

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Tory councillor names son after Margaret Thatcher Tory councillor names son after Margaret Thatcher
(7 months later)
A Conservative councillor and his Tory activist partner have named their first son Thatcher in honour of the former prime minister.A Conservative councillor and his Tory activist partner have named their first son Thatcher in honour of the former prime minister.
Related: Oliver and Amelia are top baby names in England and Wales again
Thatcher Stephen Maguire was born on 8 January, according to the local website Your Thurrock. His father, Robert Gledhill, leader of the Conservative group on Thurrock council, said he picked the name as a tribute to his political heroine because it “stood out”.Thatcher Stephen Maguire was born on 8 January, according to the local website Your Thurrock. His father, Robert Gledhill, leader of the Conservative group on Thurrock council, said he picked the name as a tribute to his political heroine because it “stood out”.
The boy’s mother, Abbie Maguire, stood as a Conservative candidate in council elections in 2014.The boy’s mother, Abbie Maguire, stood as a Conservative candidate in council elections in 2014.
Gledhill said he was not concerned that the boy would be picked on when he reached school age. Speaking to BBC Essex, he said: “We’re happy with it and if he’s not happy with it when he’s older, I’m sure he’ll change it.”Gledhill said he was not concerned that the boy would be picked on when he reached school age. Speaking to BBC Essex, he said: “We’re happy with it and if he’s not happy with it when he’s older, I’m sure he’ll change it.”
Asked whether it was a political statement, he said: “No, not at all.” But he went on to list some of the achievements he most admired in the former prime minister. “How many children at the age of five are going to say: ‘Oh, you’re named after the first female prime minister – the one who gave everybody the ability to buy their council house or retook the Falklands’?”Asked whether it was a political statement, he said: “No, not at all.” But he went on to list some of the achievements he most admired in the former prime minister. “How many children at the age of five are going to say: ‘Oh, you’re named after the first female prime minister – the one who gave everybody the ability to buy their council house or retook the Falklands’?”
The boy’s name was made public by Thurrock council’s Labour leader, John Kent, who congratulated the couple at a council meeting last week.The boy’s name was made public by Thurrock council’s Labour leader, John Kent, who congratulated the couple at a council meeting last week.