The comments made by Kemi Badenoch, the Leader of the Conservative Party, on 8 July 2025.
Our Conservative family mourns the loss of Lord Tebbit today and I send my sincerest condolences to his loved ones.
Norman Tebbit was an icon in British politics and his death will cause sadness across the political spectrum.
He was one of the leading exponents of the philosophy we now know as Thatcherism and his unstinting service in the pursuit of improving our country should be held up as an inspiration to all Conservatives.
As a minister in Mrs Thatcher’s administration he was one of the main agents of the transformation of our country, notably in taming the trade unions.
But to many of us it was the stoicism and courage he showed in the face of terrorism which inspired us as he rebuilt his political career after suffering terrible injuries in the Brighton bomb, and cared selflessly for his wife Margaret, who was gravely disabled in the bombing – a reminder that he was first and foremost a family man who always held true to his principles.
He never buckled under pressure and he never compromised.
Our nation has lost one of its very best today and I speak for all the Conservative family and beyond in recognising Lord Tebbit’s enormous intellect and profound sense of duty to his country.
May he rest in peace.