Labour reactions to Margaret Thatcher’s passing

Throughout the day we’ll be collating some of the reactions to Margaret Thatcher’s passing. You can read Ed Miliband’s statement here, and our Editor Mark Ferguson’s reaction here.

The Labour Party has confirmed that campaigning in the local elections will be suspended “until further notice”.

Tony Blair

“Margaret Thatcher was a towering political figure. Very few leaders get to change not only the political landscape of their country but of the world. Margaret was such a leader. Her global impact was vast. And some of the changes she made in Britain were, in certain respects at least, retained by the 1997 Labour Government, and came to be implemented by governments around the world. As a person she was kind and generous spirited and was always immensely supportive to me as Prime Minister although we came from opposite sides of politics. Even if you disagreed with her as I did on certain issues and occasionally strongly, you could not disrespect her character or her contribution to Britain’s national life. She will be sadly missed.”

Gordon Brown

“Sarah and I have sent messages to Lady Thatcher’s son Mark and daughter Carol, offering our condolences to them and to the Thatcher family and commemorating Lady Thatcher’s many decades of service to our country. She will be remembered not only for being Britain’s first female Prime Minister and holding the office for 11 years, but also for the determination and resilience with which she carried out all her duties throughout her public life. Even those who disagreed with her never doubted the strength of her convictions and her unwavering belief in Britain’s destiny in the world. During our time in Number 10, Sarah and I invited Lady Thatcher to revisit Downing Street and Chequers – something which we know she enjoyed very much. But it was sad for her and her family that she lost her devoted husband Denis almost 10 years ago and that she was unable to enjoy good health in the later years of her retirement.”

Ed Balls

“Very sad to hear of the death of Margaret Thatcher. Our first woman PM, she was the one who truly ‘broke the mould’ of British poltics.”

Neil Kinnock

“I recognise and admire the great distinction of Baroness Thatcher as the first woman to become leader of a major UK political party and prime minister. I am sorry to hear of her death and offer my sympathy to her family.”

Johann Lamont

“I came into politics to fight the ideology and values of Margaret Thatcher which I believe damaged our country. But today is not a day to debate that. Today is a day to offer the deepest condolences to her family, friends and all who loved her. No one can deny she made a deep mark on the history of this country.”

Carwyn Jones

“Margaret Thatcher was a major force in British political life who undoubtedly had a significant influence on the political, social and economic landscape in Wales and the UK. There’s no doubt about her personal achievement as the first woman to become British Prime Minister. Her place in the history books is assured.”