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[size=14pt]Margaret Thatcher 'feared divisive debate in parliament' over state funeral.[/size]

Nicholas Watt and Caroline Davies
Tuesday 9 April 2013 10.31 BST

Cameron announces ceremony will be held on Wednesday next week as Whitehall sources say former PM vetoed state funeral

https://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/4/9/1365499671794/Margaret-Thatcher-floral--006.jpg
Flowers left outside Margaret Thatcher's former home in Chelsea, London. She is said to have vetoed a state funeral. Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

Lady Thatcher was instrumental in vetoing the idea of a state funeral because she feared it would provoke a divisive debate in parliament, which would have to approve the funding, according to Whitehall sources.

David Cameron has confirmed the funeral will be held at St Paul's Cathedral on Wednesday April 17.

Amid calls on the Tory right for the late prime minister to be accorded a state funeral, which is normally reserved for monarchs, Whitehall sources said Thatcher had opted instead for a ceremonial funeral.

"It will look and feel like a state funeral to all intents and purposes," one source said of the ceremonial funeral, the level granted to the Queen Mother and Diana, Princess of Wales.

Thatcher was understood to have decided that she should not have a state funeral. She was understood to fear that a parliamentary bill, which would have to be passed to permit public funds for a state funeral, could prompt a divisive debate. It is also understood that she did not wish to lie in state.

The disclosure of Thatcher's wishes came as the Daily Mail and Daily Express launched a petition for the late prime minister to be granted a state funeral.

Peter Bone, the Tory MP for Wellingborough, told the Mail: "I think she should have the highest kind of funeral that can be allowed. I would have thought a state funeral would be very appropriate. She was the first female prime minister. She was also the greatest peacetime prime minister we ever had."

Kenneth Clarke, the minister without portfolio, was dismissive of the Daily Mail campaign. "Two newspapers fighting over what kind of funeral she should have – it's a kind of a tribute," he told the Today programme.

Thatcher's body was removed from the Ritz hotel in London by private ambulance at about 12.20am on Tuesday following her death there on Monday morning. She had been reading in bed when she suffered a stroke.

As tributes poured in from around the world for Britain's first and only female prime minister, others condemned her policies for encouraging the free market and stripping power from unions during her 11 years in office.

On Monday night, hundreds of cheering people held parties to "celebrate" her death in Brixton, south London, Bristol and Glasgow. Six police officers were injured, with one remaining in hospital on Tuesday, as scuffles broke out in Easton, Bristol, where about 200 people had gathered for a street party.

MPs are being recalled from their Easter recess on Wednesday to give them the chance to pay tribute to the former premier. Cameron is expected to give a statement to the Commons, followed by Ed Miliband, the Labour leader, and there will be time for backbench MPs to deliver their own tributes.

Cameron cut short an official visit to Europe following her death, as Labour and the Tories suspended campaigning ahead of next month's key local elections. The Lib Dems are also not expecting to hold any events.

Downing Street announced on Monday that Britain's first female prime minister would receive a ceremonial funeral, with gun carriage, military procession and a service at St Paul's.

One rung below a state funeral – normally accorded to sovereigns, although Winston Churchill and the Duke of Wellington were granted the honour – a ceremonial funeral requires the consent of the Queen, which has been given. There will be no public lying in state, at Thatcher's own request. It has emerged that she rejected the idea and did not want money to be spent on a fly-past.

Costs are to be borne by the government and Thatcher's estate, with Downing Street declining to reveal at this stage the proportion to be met by the nation. A No 10 spokesman said the payments from the public purse would be published after the event. They will undoubtedly include the costs of the planned military procession, involving hundreds of members of the armed services, and of the major policing and security operation expected to be mounted.

Thatcher's coffin will be moved to the chapel of St Mary Undercroft in the Palace of Westminster on the night before the funeral. On the day, the streets will be cleared of traffic and the coffin will be taken by hearse to the church of St Clement Danes, the RAF chapel in the Strand. From there it will be transferred to a gun carriage drawn by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and borne in procession to St Paul's, along a route lined by tri-service military personnel and members of the public who wish to pay tribute.

At St Paul's, there will be a military guard of honour and Chelsea pensioners will line the steps. The service, which will be televised, is expected to reflect Thatcher's love of Elgar. It is not known whether the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will play a formal role.

Guests at the ticket-only service will include political leaders as well as people and groups with connections to Thatcher. It is not yet known whether the Queen will attend.

After the service there will be a private cremation. It is understood Thatcher wished to be laid to rest beside her husband, Denis, who died in 2003, in the cemetery of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Apart from Churchill, three other prime ministers received a full state funeral in modern times: the Duke of Wellington in 1852, Viscount Palmerston in 1865 and William Gladstone in 1898. The funerals of later prime ministers have tended to be more modest affairs.

Joey82: where is the Africanness in this carnival?
i thought carnivals are suposed to showcase and promote culture.
not even 1 yoruba masquerade draped in all white was on display.
copy copy naija

toshmann: Ok, so can you tell us whose freedom fighter boko haram is. Who are those that consider boko haram as freedom fighters? Let us know them.

Sincere 9gerian: There's on point trying hide atrocities committed by shameless moderators under "discussion forum". This forum serves multi-purpose, including discussion, interaction, education, entertainent, news reports, socialization,etc A look at the front page will confirm all of those.

I wrote earlier that the false report on the Boko haram amnesty rejection, that made front page two days ago, appeared on major national dailies the following day. I know for sure that it appeared on Tribune and Vanguard.

Afam4eva: @OP
I don't know if you noticed, but the topic in question has a question mark at the end of it which suggests that it's not substantiated and is open for debate. This is not a news site but a forum where people are supposed to discuss issues of anykind whether substantiated ones or possibilities or even rumours. That's why everyone has an account and every topic is not posted by Nairaland Admin.

sweetcheecks: But if you look at the FAMILY SECTION there is a lot of building that happens there, Madam CC and team are never weary of giving a good hearty advice to anyone from any country. Learning is a life time exercise. Big up to the family section crew. Respect!

VolvoS60: ^^^^
She was no longer in office when the war started. Although it seems she contributed to the war effort before her resignation.

kramer: Lady Di had charities, she was raising money for the less privileged and so she needed the publicity. Same with Bill and his foundation.



Is it blatantly obvious that she does?
How do you know she works hard for the less privileged? How often does she go about doing this? is she consistent in her charity work? From the way she carries herself (at all the bubbling parties in Lagos) and her previous actions you will be able to answer those questions yourself



If you're the type who consistently does good without shouting trust me people will find out eventually one way or another



So you know I have never accused any celebrity of not caring... what's my business? is it not their money in the end?
My issue here is when celebrities [size=13pt]use[/size] vulnerable people to polish their image. If they mean well then i'll be happy and praise them but if they're trying to get cheap brownie points then that will be insulting.

kramer: Ah Ahnnnn, you can't compare DI and Bill to Karen... All I see here are photos of how she spent her birthday. After that she'll go home and continue to mind her business and attend red carpet events until another birthday comes. Whereas Bill and Di are/were continuously and tirelessly helping the not so fortunate and I believe most of their works were reported not intentionally publicized

Its the lack of sincerity that gets me....daz all

VolvoS60: ^^^^



I think you have mixed up Mrs Thatcher with someone else. . .

livethinme: Didnt she cut taxes for businesses and the rich?