Region's Conservatives pay tribute to Norman Tebbit
Lord Tebbit was elected in Epping in 1970 until the seat was abolished four years later.The boundaries were redrawn and it was renamed Chingford, and he represented that constituency until the 1992 general election.Former Conservative prime minister Boris Johnson said: "We mourn the passing of a great patriot, a great Conservative – and today more than ever we need to restore the values of Norman Tebbit to our politics."
Lord Tebbit had his critics, and in 1990 he provoked anger when he posed a "cricket test" to help determine whether a person was truly British."A large proportion of Britain's Asian population fail to pass the cricket test," he said."Which side do they cheer for? It's an interesting test. Are you still harking back to where you came from or where you are?"Sir John Whittingdale, Conservative MP for the Essex constituency of Maldon and a former special adviser to Lord Tebbit, said he was a "very combative politician"."He said what he thought, and listening to Norman was always very entertaining," Sir John said.He added that he believed Lord Tebbit would have gone on to become prime minister had he not chosen to care for his wife following the Brighton bomb. Another Essex Conservative MP, Witham's Priti Patel, called Lord Tebbit "a giant of the Conservative Party", and said he had "displayed great courage".
Lord Deben – former Suffolk Coastal MP John Gummer – served alongside Lord Tebbit in Margaret Thatcher's cabinet, and said he left behind a legacy of "bravery" in how he cared for his wife.The former environment secretary said Lord Tebbit "did what he thought was right" and showed "remarkable courage" following the Brighton bombing.Meanwhile, South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge said: "Saddened to hear about the passing of Lord Tebbit. "He was a true giant of British politics who defied terrorism and always stayed true to his principles. "Having settled in Suffolk, even in his later years it was so impressive that he still took the time to involve himself in our local Conservative association."
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