Conservative former Cabinet minister Lord Norman Tebbit has died at the age of 94, his son has announced. The Tory grandee was one of Margaret Thatcher's closest political allies and wielded significant influence in Conservative politics for a generation.
As employment secretary, Tebbit took on the trade unions in a series of confrontational battles that helped define the Thatcher era. His tough stance on industrial relations made him a polarising figure in British politics.
Key role in election victory
From 1985 to 1987, Tebbit served as chairman of the Conservative Party, playing a crucial role in helping Thatcher secure her historic third general election victory. His strategic political acumen and unwavering loyalty made him an indispensable figure during the transformative years of Conservative government.
The veteran politician's life was forever changed by the 1984 Brighton bombing during the Conservative Party conference. Tebbit suffered grave injuries in the attack, which targeted the Conservative leadership.
Personal tragedy strikes
The bombing left his wife Margaret paralysed from the neck down, a devastating consequence that would shape the remainder of their lives together. The attack represented one of the most serious incidents targeting senior British political figures.
Tebbit's death marks the end of an era for the Conservative Party, as one of the last surviving members of Thatcher's inner circle passes away. His influence on modern Conservative politics during the 1980s secured his place as a significant figure in post-war British history.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
