Should Labour MPs criticise Thatcher and her record today? The cases for and against – Media roundup: April 10th, 2013

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Should Labour MPs criticise Thatcher and her record today?

The case for

“[David] Winnick, the MP for Walsall North, said: “It would be absolutely hypocritical if those of us who were opposed at the time to what occurred – the mass unemployment, the poverty – were to remain silent when the house is debating her life. This will be an opportunity to speak frankly. “Obviously when a person dies one regrets it. But what I do regret first and foremost is the immense harm, certainly in the West Midlands where deindustrialisation occurred. Even if it could be argued that some of it was inevitable, the manner in which it was done – the brutal contempt towards those who were innocent victims – was absolutely disgraceful.” The remarks by Winnick, who was elected MP for Walsall North in the 1979 election that brought Thatcher to power after serving as MP for Croydon South from 1966-70, shows that Miliband may be unable to control some of his MPs. One source said: “It is possible to disagree, with respect. Ed Miliband has made his position clear. We expect people to take note of that.”” – Guardian

“The chamber of the House of Commons is the crucible of our national debate. Labour MPs from the North, Scotland, Wales and many other places, should not sit there grinding their teeth to fine dust in disagreement at what they will hear. They should explain why Thatcher was seen as a monster by their constituents and how her decisions wrecked so many lives and communities. Still, there will, I fear, be a few of the more nakedly ambitious types on the Labour benches who will eye today as an opportunity to gloss their credentials as statesmen-in-waiting. Be warned: Thatcher didn’t respect fawners and your constituents won’t either. Wherever you sit in the Labour tribe, Thatcher was an enemy for good reason. Or frankly my friends, you’re in the wrong tribe.” – Kevin Meagher, Labour Uncut

The case against

“No orders have been sent out from Labour’s high command to backbench MPs warning them to keep their remarks respectful, but David Blunkett, the former Home Secretary, warned his party that turning the occasion into a “slagging match” would “only be to the benefit of the Conservatives”. Mr Blunkett said that he “cannot forgive” Lady Thatcher for the effect her policies had on his native Sheffield. However, he urged any Labour MPs who wanted to speak out against the former Tory leader to do so from their constituencies. We’re all bound in by our own experience and where we come from,” he said. “If you came from South Yorkshire and you had any political interest in the 1980s, then Margaret Thatcher made a deep, deep impression — but not for the good. It’s quite possible to say what you want to say in the hard light of day in your constituency, where people understand what you are talking about and to avoid the elephant traps of the House of Commons.” – The Times (£)

“Parliament is being used today for narrow political gain by the Prime Minister, as a platform for his Party’s ideology not just eulogy. He gave himself away on Monday. After properly measured reactions from Miliband, Clegg, Blair, Brown and Major late in the afternoon David Cameron issued an “updated tribute” alongside his announcement about recalling Parliament: “Margaret Thatcher didn’t just lead our country, she saved our country … Taking on the union barons. Privatising industry. Unleashing enterprise. Rescuing the economy. Letting people buy their council homes …she took a country that was on its knees and made Britain stand tall again”. This is partisan, divisive and diminishes the Prime Minister’s Office. He’s wrong to recall Parliament, and wrong to hijack it in this way. I will play no part and I will stay away, with other things to do at home in the constituency.” – John Healey MP

Miliband’s lost welfare intervention

Other highlights

• Ann Widdicombe makes the argument for Hard Labour. Seriously –Express
• Margaret Thatcher funeral pomp should be paid for by bankers and yuppies – Kevin Maguire, Daily Mirror
• Clearing up the mess that Margaret Thatcher left – Frances O’Grady, Guardian