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Solemn grandeur at Thatcher's funeral for a leader loathed and loved Solemn grandeur at Thatcher's funeral for a leader loathed and loved
(5 months later)
St Paul's Cathedral was not quite full. A small detail perhaps; the international great and good, not-so-bad and truly awful who attend such events are busy people. But, together with the distinctly B-list feel to the foreign mourners list, it served to confirm that others do not wholly share the British establishment's wishful evaluation of the life and career of Margaret Thatcher.St Paul's Cathedral was not quite full. A small detail perhaps; the international great and good, not-so-bad and truly awful who attend such events are busy people. But, together with the distinctly B-list feel to the foreign mourners list, it served to confirm that others do not wholly share the British establishment's wishful evaluation of the life and career of Margaret Thatcher.
With few exceptions (the Argentinian ambassador and Sally Bercow both stayed away), there is no malice in that verdict. But it gave a melancholy edge to the proceedings that the gentle beauty of the service – its music less parochially English than Lady Thatcher's detractors predicted – could not erase. "Simple" it was not, but Britain still does a lovely funeral. It does not pay the rent.With few exceptions (the Argentinian ambassador and Sally Bercow both stayed away), there is no malice in that verdict. But it gave a melancholy edge to the proceedings that the gentle beauty of the service – its music less parochially English than Lady Thatcher's detractors predicted – could not erase. "Simple" it was not, but Britain still does a lovely funeral. It does not pay the rent.
The politicians currently charged with meeting the bills arrived early, merely audience members in this particular drama, albeit with some of the best seats. There was a lot of air-kissing (both cheeks) between assorted Cleggs, Blairs, Browns and Milibands.The politicians currently charged with meeting the bills arrived early, merely audience members in this particular drama, albeit with some of the best seats. There was a lot of air-kissing (both cheeks) between assorted Cleggs, Blairs, Browns and Milibands.
The Labour leader wore tails, his predecessor did not. Ken Clarke had clearly forgotten he had a funeral to attend (or had he?). When David and Samantha Cameron arrived at 10.18 the process began again. No air-kissing between Cameron and Gordon Brown; they merely shook hands. But Brown and Cherie Blair chinwagged for what might have been 30 minutes.The Labour leader wore tails, his predecessor did not. Ken Clarke had clearly forgotten he had a funeral to attend (or had he?). When David and Samantha Cameron arrived at 10.18 the process began again. No air-kissing between Cameron and Gordon Brown; they merely shook hands. But Brown and Cherie Blair chinwagged for what might have been 30 minutes.
Was Gordon trying to persuade Cherie that their saucepan-throwing days had just been a misunderstanding? Or were they loyally trying not to earwig the animated chat going on between Ed Miliband and DPM Clegg? What an irony it would be if "The St Paul's Chat" proved to be a turning point – a key to the Lib-Lab pact of 2015, the kind of deal that kept Margaret Thatcher from power in the late 70s.Was Gordon trying to persuade Cherie that their saucepan-throwing days had just been a misunderstanding? Or were they loyally trying not to earwig the animated chat going on between Ed Miliband and DPM Clegg? What an irony it would be if "The St Paul's Chat" proved to be a turning point – a key to the Lib-Lab pact of 2015, the kind of deal that kept Margaret Thatcher from power in the late 70s.
Never mind. St Paul's was getting busier. Bishops, canons and deans, the lord mayor of London, Alderman Roger Gifford (not Boris), and some real live sheriffs began strutting their stuff. It could only mean that the C of E's non-executive chairman, Her Majesty the Queen, was poised to make a factory inspection. And so she did, a few minutes after the Thatcher family, accompanied by much bowing and scraping, with Lord Mayor Gifford dressed like a Harrod's Father Christmas and bearing the Mourning Sword (it's black). Hunched in black and just six months younger than the eighth and longest-serving of her 12 prime ministers, the Queen looked smaller than usual beside her cadaverous husband, tall and gaunt, still standing at 91. Is that how Queen Victoria looked for the last 40 years of her reign, a little old lady in black mourning for her Albert who had been wet enough to die?Never mind. St Paul's was getting busier. Bishops, canons and deans, the lord mayor of London, Alderman Roger Gifford (not Boris), and some real live sheriffs began strutting their stuff. It could only mean that the C of E's non-executive chairman, Her Majesty the Queen, was poised to make a factory inspection. And so she did, a few minutes after the Thatcher family, accompanied by much bowing and scraping, with Lord Mayor Gifford dressed like a Harrod's Father Christmas and bearing the Mourning Sword (it's black). Hunched in black and just six months younger than the eighth and longest-serving of her 12 prime ministers, the Queen looked smaller than usual beside her cadaverous husband, tall and gaunt, still standing at 91. Is that how Queen Victoria looked for the last 40 years of her reign, a little old lady in black mourning for her Albert who had been wet enough to die?
It fell to David Ison, dean of St Paul's – an office once held by John Donne, no less – to alert the congregation, if any elbows needed jogging, of the delicate nature of the task facing the clerical impresarios at England's national cathedral. Wren's masterpiece, it rose from the ruins of the Great Fire, the Plague and the brief Republic to dominate the late 17th century London skyline: the embodiment of state and church power, very much in that order.It fell to David Ison, dean of St Paul's – an office once held by John Donne, no less – to alert the congregation, if any elbows needed jogging, of the delicate nature of the task facing the clerical impresarios at England's national cathedral. Wren's masterpiece, it rose from the ruins of the Great Fire, the Plague and the brief Republic to dominate the late 17th century London skyline: the embodiment of state and church power, very much in that order.
"We recall with great gratitude her leadership of this nation, her courage, her steadfastness and her resolve to accomplish what she believed to be right for the common good," Dean Ison observed. All generous words. Bare heads, hats, elaborate fascinators (several toppers on view too) duly nodded. But their impact was qualified by that use of "believed". Its implication was that not everyone listening might believe a word of it."We recall with great gratitude her leadership of this nation, her courage, her steadfastness and her resolve to accomplish what she believed to be right for the common good," Dean Ison observed. All generous words. Bare heads, hats, elaborate fascinators (several toppers on view too) duly nodded. But their impact was qualified by that use of "believed". Its implication was that not everyone listening might believe a word of it.
Prime Minister Thatcher had her problems (don't they all?) with uppity deans and lefty bishops, as she did with most institutions walloped by her Chobham-armoured handbag, including Buckingham Palace. But like most British political and military leaders who have qualified for a state funeral (this was one in all but name), she was loathed as well as loved. During the second world war, Welsh miners cheered Stalin on the Pathé newsreels but booed Churchill. Gladstone had fierce detractors: "He had only one idea and that was wrong," remarked Disraeli, who had insisted on a private funeral for himself.Prime Minister Thatcher had her problems (don't they all?) with uppity deans and lefty bishops, as she did with most institutions walloped by her Chobham-armoured handbag, including Buckingham Palace. But like most British political and military leaders who have qualified for a state funeral (this was one in all but name), she was loathed as well as loved. During the second world war, Welsh miners cheered Stalin on the Pathé newsreels but booed Churchill. Gladstone had fierce detractors: "He had only one idea and that was wrong," remarked Disraeli, who had insisted on a private funeral for himself.
So how to reconcile the controversial side of Thatcher's character and career with the conspicuous fact that her dead body lay beneath the union flag and white roses under Wren's enormous dome? Richard Chartres, bishop of London and thus the day's host, took the bull by the horns.So how to reconcile the controversial side of Thatcher's character and career with the conspicuous fact that her dead body lay beneath the union flag and white roses under Wren's enormous dome? Richard Chartres, bishop of London and thus the day's host, took the bull by the horns.
There were only two ways Wednesday's funeral could have gone badly wrong and the bearded bishop's address was one of them. After all, didn't he write Archbishop Runcie's Falklands speech, the one that upset the Iron Lady? He did. The other risk lay in the strong hands of the 10-man military (we still have 10 to spare) bearer party. It had to ease the coffin gently onto the dais, adjusting the flag as you might a tablecloth, then reverse the process an hour later, one synchronised step at a time. Far grander folk than Margaret Thatcher have been dropped, spilled in some cases.There were only two ways Wednesday's funeral could have gone badly wrong and the bearded bishop's address was one of them. After all, didn't he write Archbishop Runcie's Falklands speech, the one that upset the Iron Lady? He did. The other risk lay in the strong hands of the 10-man military (we still have 10 to spare) bearer party. It had to ease the coffin gently onto the dais, adjusting the flag as you might a tablecloth, then reverse the process an hour later, one synchronised step at a time. Far grander folk than Margaret Thatcher have been dropped, spilled in some cases.
By the time Chartres's voice rang out from the pulpit, more powerful than that of Justin Welby (present in a minor role, the second man to beat Chartres to the archbishop's throne at Canterbury), the martial aspect of this supposedly low-key, apolitical event had been reinforced. The congregation had belted out John Bunyan's He Who Would Valiant Be, not quite as enthusiastically as the deceased might have hoped. And Amanda Thatcher, a Texan granddaughter, slightly nervous but word perfect, had delivered St Paul's Thatcher-ish message to the Ephesians, the one about wrestling with the rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places, ie Ted Heath. Though all the readings were taken from the New Testament (King James version, naturally), Thatcher's nature was more Old Testament – Kings of Israel smiting their enemies and not turning the other cheek much more up her alley. On Wednesday there just wasn't enough smiting.By the time Chartres's voice rang out from the pulpit, more powerful than that of Justin Welby (present in a minor role, the second man to beat Chartres to the archbishop's throne at Canterbury), the martial aspect of this supposedly low-key, apolitical event had been reinforced. The congregation had belted out John Bunyan's He Who Would Valiant Be, not quite as enthusiastically as the deceased might have hoped. And Amanda Thatcher, a Texan granddaughter, slightly nervous but word perfect, had delivered St Paul's Thatcher-ish message to the Ephesians, the one about wrestling with the rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places, ie Ted Heath. Though all the readings were taken from the New Testament (King James version, naturally), Thatcher's nature was more Old Testament – Kings of Israel smiting their enemies and not turning the other cheek much more up her alley. On Wednesday there just wasn't enough smiting.
When his turn came, Chartres opened confidently. "After the storm of a life lived in the heat of political controversy, there is a great calm." It followed that this should not be an occasion for debating policies and legacies. A worldly prelate who must have found some of Mrs T's certainties unsettling, the bishop then proceeded to ignore his own advice.When his turn came, Chartres opened confidently. "After the storm of a life lived in the heat of political controversy, there is a great calm." It followed that this should not be an occasion for debating policies and legacies. A worldly prelate who must have found some of Mrs T's certainties unsettling, the bishop then proceeded to ignore his own advice.
In praising Thatcher's courage and personal kindness to "unimportant" people (she routinely smote the important ones), Chartres deftly insisted that she really did understand that "market economics and democratic institutions [require] the habits of truth-telling, mutual sympathy and the capacity to co-operate". Yes, she really did.In praising Thatcher's courage and personal kindness to "unimportant" people (she routinely smote the important ones), Chartres deftly insisted that she really did understand that "market economics and democratic institutions [require] the habits of truth-telling, mutual sympathy and the capacity to co-operate". Yes, she really did.
The bishop went on to assert (and it is true) that Thatcher's "no such thing as society" remark was wrenched from context by a pre-Leveson media. But overall this was a revisionist account of her stewardship. Even Lady T's devotion to family as society's core institution, noted by Chartres, does not wholly square with the known facts: her children did not see much of her parents, let alone of Grantham.The bishop went on to assert (and it is true) that Thatcher's "no such thing as society" remark was wrenched from context by a pre-Leveson media. But overall this was a revisionist account of her stewardship. Even Lady T's devotion to family as society's core institution, noted by Chartres, does not wholly square with the known facts: her children did not see much of her parents, let alone of Grantham.
Euphemistic or not, it was a gracious address that sensibly avoided the thesis, advanced with understandable desperation by her more ardent supporters these past 10 days, that Lady Thatcher had "saved" Britain from ruin.Euphemistic or not, it was a gracious address that sensibly avoided the thesis, advanced with understandable desperation by her more ardent supporters these past 10 days, that Lady Thatcher had "saved" Britain from ruin.
Saved it from short-sighted unions and lethargic corporatism, from wicked Argentinian generals and Irish terrorists, yes. But not from Barclays' Bob Diamond or rapacious energy cartels (some even German!), from red tape that still smothers her beloved small business sector or dozy financial regulation, some of which occurred on her watch.Saved it from short-sighted unions and lethargic corporatism, from wicked Argentinian generals and Irish terrorists, yes. But not from Barclays' Bob Diamond or rapacious energy cartels (some even German!), from red tape that still smothers her beloved small business sector or dozy financial regulation, some of which occurred on her watch.
No wonder the TV cameras thought they caught George Osborne shedding a tear as Chartres spoke. The morning's unemployment figures had reminded him that Britain in 2013 is not yet "saved", the gap between political rhetoric and reality as wide as ever. Deep down, sensible Tory MPs, many of them in St Paul's on Wednesday, know this, just as Hugo Chávez's more sensible supporters must know that the Comandante's revolutionary achievements were not quite as magnificent as true believers said when he died last month.No wonder the TV cameras thought they caught George Osborne shedding a tear as Chartres spoke. The morning's unemployment figures had reminded him that Britain in 2013 is not yet "saved", the gap between political rhetoric and reality as wide as ever. Deep down, sensible Tory MPs, many of them in St Paul's on Wednesday, know this, just as Hugo Chávez's more sensible supporters must know that the Comandante's revolutionary achievements were not quite as magnificent as true believers said when he died last month.
But, as Chartres said, ordinary human compassion at a service like Wednesday's is a form of reconciliation that helps to nurture hope for the future. We all need it. So Thatcher's funeral was intended to echo those of Nelson and Wellington – entombed below in Wren's crypt – and that of Churchill, which was itself meant to close the final chapter of imperial history in 1965.But, as Chartres said, ordinary human compassion at a service like Wednesday's is a form of reconciliation that helps to nurture hope for the future. We all need it. So Thatcher's funeral was intended to echo those of Nelson and Wellington – entombed below in Wren's crypt – and that of Churchill, which was itself meant to close the final chapter of imperial history in 1965.
In 2013 such grandeur mostly conveys misplaced nostalgia to the waiting world. On Tuesday, they almost filled St Paul's to celebrate the life of cricketing legend Christopher Martin-Jenkins. That sounds a little healthier.In 2013 such grandeur mostly conveys misplaced nostalgia to the waiting world. On Tuesday, they almost filled St Paul's to celebrate the life of cricketing legend Christopher Martin-Jenkins. That sounds a little healthier.
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