This is an article I was asked to write for City am
Norman Tebbit was a towering figure in the Thatcher Cabinet. I worked closely with him as Margaret’s Chief Policy Adviser in the middle years of her government. He was often the Cabinet Minister around the Cabinet committee tables who went straight to the heart of the matter under discussion. He sometimes had the sharp turn of phrase to encapsulate the main point or difficulty so well.
He was a loyal supporter of the Prime Minister, sharing an outlook on life with her. He communicated often and well with the wider world and was a fierce exponent of the government’s message. Like Margaret, he had a mission to improve the UK. He spoke the truth as he saw it, and stuck to a strategy designed to bring it about. People knew where they were with Norman, and understood what he thought was right.
Norman came from a less privileged background than the public school men in the Cabinet. A former airline pilot and trade Union member of BALPA he had decided to break closed shops which could harm members . Margaret Thatcher made him Employment Secretary and he put through the 1982 legislation. The main aim of the Conservative reforms embedded in several pieces of new law was to give more voice and vote to Trade Union members. Every strike would need a ballot of approval, to avoid Trade Union bosses calling a strike which the members did not want. Closed shops had to be supported by the majority.
When the Coal Board got into dispute with the Miners, it was Norman who pointed out the key issue for the Board was to move coal rather than to mine more. Stockpiles were high and the dispute revolved around attempts to prevent lorries collecting the coal that had already been mined. Norman took a tough line, reinforcing the view that this was a commercial dispute between Board and miners where government should not intervene to find a negotiated settlement.
My first serious exchange with him came at one of the early Cabinet Committee meetings where I briefed the Prime Minister. Not knowing her well enough at that point, I prepared a hard hitting private paper for her on the many failings of the management of British Leyland, why the car industry under public ownership was loss making and declining, and how we needed a major change of policy. I attended the meeting to see how the brief was used, only to be shocked that she read out large chunks of it with obvious pleasure. All the room knew who must have written it, as civil service papers did not usually sound like that. Norman was livid, as he took the whole thing as a personal attack as his Industry department was responsible for the policy. I spent time afterwards trying to reassure him I did not intend it as an attack on him, and would be happy to work with him on a policy that could salvage more of our car industry which had been in freefall since the 1970s. I learned to tone down my messages to Margaret as clearly they were getting through.
Norman’s success as a Cabinet Minister at Employment then Industry was overwhelmed by the Brighton bomb. He himself was badly injured, but recovered. His wife was permanently disabled, changing their lives for ever. It meant he gave up a Cabinet post in 1987 and retired from the Commons in 1992.
When Margaret resigned I went with some other friendly MPs to his room and asked him to run for the Leadership of the Conservative party. He was to me and others the natural heir to take over. He told us he could not do that, given the need to look after his wife. It was a sad moment to accept the reality that his life had been changed fundamentally by the terrorist act. It was typical of Norman that he put loyalty and love to his wife before other considerations.
Our country owes Norman and his family a debt of gratitude for the service he gave, and for shouldering the burden of injury and disability in his home life as a result of their public lives .
July 8, 2025
We stood on the shoulders of giants for too short a period.
July 8, 2025
As Starkey put it the decline of the UK is best illustrated by having David Lammy as Foreign Secretary in the seat of Lord Parmeston. But equally depressing is Ed Miliband as Energy Secretary and the dire two Tier apologist Attorney General Lord Hermer.
July 9, 2025
‘ A former airline pilot and trade Union member of BALPA he had decided to break closed shops which could harm members ’
Tebbit was more than a union member. He was a union official.
Back in those days, to use a phrase of Supermac’s, pilots ‘had never had it so good’.
Now look at them. Completely beholden to the likes of Ryanair.
July 9, 2025
LL,
Palmerston please. I know you are a scientist but spelling and history are important too.
July 8, 2025
A lovely tribute.
July 8, 2025
Great man to whom we are very much indebted.
We need many more like him at the moment
July 8, 2025
Indeed a great man. Alas no sign of any like him in the Conservatives or Labour or Libdims or the Greens currently that I have notices – now that JR and a couple of other have left. I reserve judgement on some in Reform.
July 8, 2025
He was one of us. Some of us came from similar backgrounds and followed his views and aspirations for this country. His loyalty was another quality we all admired and followed. He will be sorely missed by those of us who knew what contribution he made to this country. Also admire him for the way he looked after his wife after that disgusting attack on them. His like will not be seen again I know so we were lucky to have had him in our lives.
July 8, 2025
Well said Linda.
Totally agree.
July 8, 2025
It’s hard to see anyone of similar qualities in the Commons these days. It is also a disgrace that the killers that blew up Sir Norman and his wife are free to live their lives, without ever being puniished for their evil deeds (thanks to Mr Blair). I hope they believe in Hell and get to visit there one day.
July 8, 2025
+1 – not that I belief in heaven or hell. Nor in the new climate emergency religion, another you pay now and we will save you later from a fiery hell religion.
July 8, 2025
My sincere condolences to you, John, and all who knew, admired and loved him. He had a good innings, despite the terrible events that changed his family life. A life well-lived, my Dad would say.
Who have we got of his calibre in parliament now? I struggle to name anyone.
July 8, 2025
I was a great admirer of Norman Tebbit, back in the day. He was a talented, but plain speaking man, who didn’t pull any punches. He told the Country what they needed to hear, and not necessarily what they wanted to hear.
We need someone like him now, but regrettably, there is nobody on the horizon. Margaret Thatcher depended on him for good advice and judgement. I miss them both. I believe we are the poorer for their passing.
May they both Rest in Peace
July 8, 2025
Norman Tebbit joined the RAF in 1949 for National Service and flew Meteor & Vampire
These first jets did not have reliable instrumentation & came with a high degree of risk
and there were many accidents. He did well to survive this time.
In 1953 he joined BOAC and flew many types including DC7 and finishing on the Boeing 707
Thank you Norman Tebbit for your service to this country
July 8, 2025
Sir John,
That seems an honest, balanced view, not least admiration?
I hope Norman ( being presumptious of me) knew the esteem you felt for him.
Well said.
RIP Norman Tebbit.
July 8, 2025
An really excellent tribute Sir John to a wonderful man.
I mourn his passing.
July 8, 2025
He played his part alongside the wicked witch as those of us old enough remember – she was the iron lady when if came to the hunger strikes and the iron lady when it cme to closing down industry in favour of PLC’s – she turned Britain on its head and looking back whatever did she achieve by way of improvement to economy to way of life or anything else?
July 8, 2025
And I bet the likes of you benefitted from her policies. Policies designed to increase personal wealth and turn this nation from ‘sick man of Europe’ to a nation full of pride. Pride that now, is all but gone thanks in no small part to her successors who did far worse and achieve even less.
As for the hunger strikes – Those people chose to die, unlike many of their victims. As for closing down industry – Before she became PM the nation had to go begging, cap in hand, to the IMF. Something that thanks to many of her successors we may have to revisist.
Lord Tebbit and Mrs. T achieved more and will be remembered far longer than some internet Troll who cannot even be bothered to get his / her / it facts straight.
July 8, 2025
Brilliantly said Mark.
Thank you
July 8, 2025
Well the rubbish was collected, the lights stayed on, the bodies were buried, telecoms improved greatly, got unemployment down, the IMF were not needed, showed great resolve in dealing with the EU, terrorists, The Falklands and Scargill.
Should have had a plan for after the closure of the pits.
Other than that not a lot.
July 8, 2025
Such interesting recollections from JR of a true aristocrat – Norman Tebbit. He was certainly not born into privilege, but he had the wherewithal to make his own way and a country that revered merit. Like water he found his own level and the House of Lords was certainly enriched by him.
Professionally he was blunt, uncompromising, a great gladiator and he fought for us. Personally he was a gentle man and a steadfast colleague, friend – a great campaigner and one of the pillars upon which Thatcherism rested.
What the IRA stole from us all when they bombed Brighton in incalculable. I will never forgive them.
We are a poorer nation today having lost such a man.
July 8, 2025
Well said Lynn.
I somehow knew you would write a great tribute to Lord Tebbit.
July 8, 2025
One of the rare politicians who promoted common-sense thinking, who was not afraid to stick his head up over the wall, and tell everyone how it was in simple and fully understandable language.
His like have already been missed in Parliament for decades.
Rest in peace Norman.
July 8, 2025
Lord Tebbit personified true Conservatism and he will be hugely missed. The fact he had humble beginnings and was a true blue Thatcherite demonstrates he understood the low income want a country with plenty of opportunities and not to be stuck on welfare.
My grandfather was a Scottish Socialist. He and my grandmother moved to England in the 1980’s in their sixties and worked at the Grand Hotel in Brighton. Indeed he was there when the IRA killers detonated their bomb in 1984. He met Margaret Thatcher and he really admired Norman Tebbit. He ditched his lifelong Socialist persuasions and became a Conservative at that time. Norman Tebbit was largely responsible for that conversion. I therefore believe Thatcherite logic is actively or passively present in almost everyone except the hard left.
The respect and gratitude for Lord Tebbit and his massive contribution will be felt by all decent people.
July 8, 2025
RIP will be missed
July 8, 2025
Norman was a hero of mine throughout his political life, especially as, unlike today’s pathetic professional politicians, he had a supremely demanding “proper job.”
His devotion to his wife was an example to us all, especially after her tragic injuries at Brighton. My wife and I have “only” been married for 52 years but I would be delighted to match Norman’s 64 years, or more.
Is there anyone in the current Conservative Parliamentary Party that could come anywhere close to his abilities – or that of our host.
Sadly the answer is No!
July 8, 2025
A fine tribute to a very fine man.
July 8, 2025
Good evening.
Thank you, Sir John.
Lord Tebbit to me stands as a political Titan amongst minnows.
A man who showed both courage and loyalty beyond measure after the cowardly attack by the IRA at Brighton. Being pulled from the wreckage along with is wife who suffered life changing injuries he nonetheless carried on. A former RAF Pilot, who spoke some hard truths to those who sought change through rioting etc. He more than most had an impact on my life, even though I never met him.
RIP Lord Tebbit. You are once again united with the one you love.
July 8, 2025
+1 – not that I belief in heaven or hell. Nor in the new climate emergency religion, yet another “you pay us now and we will save you later from a fiery hell” religion.
July 8, 2025
With Norman Tebbit in the Cabinet one presumed common sense would have a voice and prevail. He made a material contribution to public life.
So “she read out large chunks of it with obvious pleasure” – but then she would since she was a proper prime minister.
July 9, 2025
No one should fear the truth being read out loud.
July 8, 2025
Whoever it was who described him as a titan was right. His decision to prioritise his wife was correct, but a huge loss to the country. They don’t come like that any more, partly because schools are teaching children not to think, but to comply.
July 9, 2025
+1
July 8, 2025
The country needs reminding what a great person it has lost. The IRA did this country enormous harm when it removed Norman Tebbit from the front line of politics. I never thought Margaret Thatcher was the same person after the Brighton bomb either. People of their calibre are totally absent from the political scene now, and are desperately missed.
July 8, 2025
Norman Tebbit was one of the greats, an inspiration to the country.
July 8, 2025
I never met him personally, but I knew several others who did. They all held him in the highest regard for the application of his formidable intelligence in the real interests of the nation and its people. “Listen to Norman” they would say. And we still should.
He set a fine example through his service, not least in the many years of care for his wife Margaret. A politician who understood duty perfectly, and a voice of common sense that will be much missed.
July 9, 2025
Thankyou for the article. I am of the generation that grew up and got on my bike to look for work. I am all the better for it.
July 9, 2025
A sad day. He would have made a great Prime Minister and if he had become PM the country would not be in the mess it now is.
It must have been very sad for him watching Mrs Thatcher’s Conservative Party morph into a wet, lefty and cowardly carbon copy of NuLabour – as it continued with Blair’s mission to dismantle everything that Mrs Thatcher’s Governments achieved.
July 9, 2025
So farewell then, to Thatcher’s attack dog, the Chingford Skinhead. Tebbitt famously recommended when discussing the 3 million unemployed that were the direct result of the Iron Lady’s policies, “they should get on their bikes and go and look for work”
Many prefer to remember Norman Tebbitt for the great love that he had for his wife Margaret, who was seriously injured in the 1984 IRA outrage in Brighton. He chose to leave politics to look after her.
Reply Deliberate misquote. He did not tell people to get on their bikes. He said a family member had done that in the past
July 9, 2025
Norman Tebbit was one of the most sensible and best politicians of our age. He was especially important in introducing the legislation (despite much moaning by many within even the Conservative Party) to end the closed shop and curb the excessive power of trade union leaders. A great man!
July 10, 2025
Norman Tebbit was a hardcore realist, and I admired his calm realism tremendously.
Having myself been forced ‘to get on my bike’ by a stagnant jobs market dozen years previously, and to work abroad (happily and productively) until the mid-1980s reformed the country enough for me to consider moving to a UK-based job, I found it disgraceful that Tebbit’s encouragement of worker mobility (encapsulated in that phrase) as well as Thatcherite reality in general, was haughtily pooh-poohed by the great and the good (who themselves would not dream of moving out of London). The general tenor in this lamentably socialist mind-set was that, when workers who were out of work, jobs, indeed entire industries, should be somehow gifted to them as a human right. This was not at all so at the time in continental Europe, which by then I knew well, and where to move every few years to a different workplace was common. I noted that too many here (including trained professionals) seemed to put down roots and stop any creative thinking unrealistically early in their career, and many were psychologically incapable of moving to where the work was.
And btw, Norman voted against the European Communities Act – possibly the last surviving MP to have done so?