Cllr Rob Bailey went to the service of the former Prime Minister who died on Monday, April 8. Councillor Rob Bailey, who met Baroness Thatcher in the late 90's at a Conservative Party Conference in Blackpool, was invited to the service because he is the North West Conservative regional chairman. Over 2,000 people attended the event including the Queen, and former Prime Minister Tony Blair. The reading given by Amanda Thatcher, Margaret Thatcher's granddaughter, at the funeral was praised.
Councillor Bailey said: “The funeral of Baroness Thatcher was one of the most surreal days of my life. I arrived at Paternoster Square early in the morning with my passport to pick up my invitation before entering St Paul's Cathedral precinct at 9am. Security was fairly tight with metal detectors and bag checks. I was handed an order of service and sat in the Nave of the Cathedral next to the central aisle where the flag draped coffin and most guests had to walk past. Television monitors at the sides allowed us to follow the parade as it progressed through the City and past the crowds.”
Cllr Bailey sat next to Lord Birt (who as John Birt was director general of the BBC) and his wife and former MP for West Gloucestershire Paul Marland. In front of him was the widow of Falklands hero Colonel H Jones and across the aisle Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson and daughter Emily.
“Everywhere you looked there were people you normally see in the TV from media, the arts and politicians from across the globe and the political spectrum,” Cllr Bailey commented. “Lord Archer, Conrad Black, F. W. de Klerk and as the service was about to start, the Queen, Prince Philip and the Archbishop of Canterbury all within a couple of yards of my seat. The service was not a sad occasion and we were reminded that Mrs T helped invent My Whippy Ice-cream and there were readings from her grand-daughter Amanda, the prime minister and the Catholic Bishop of Liverpool. As the funeral finished, the main doors of the Cathedral were opened and the coffin emerged into the sunlight. An enormous cheer rose up from the crowds outside and waves of loud cheering and clapping rolled in. That was the point when you realised that millions of people loved her and I felt myself welling up. A great occasion, the like of which I doubt we will see again in my lifetime and one that I am very honoured to have been included.”