Petition for Thatcher's state funeral to be privatised

[Guest]

There's a government petition reading:

Thatcher state funeral to be privatised

Responsible department: Cabinet Office

In keeping with the great lady's legacy, Margaret Thatcher's state funeral should be funded and managed by the private sector to offer the best value and choice for end users and other stakeholders. The undersigned believe that the legacy of the former PM deserves nothing less and that offering this unique opportunity is an ideal way to cut government expense and further prove the merits of liberalised economics Baroness Thatcher spearheaded.

This is a privatisation I feel we can all get behind. You can sign here:

https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/18914

It's what she would have wanted.

(8,935 signatures at time of posting).

[MrGongGong]

excellent stuff

[Pilchardman]

It's currently the most-signed petition in the Cabinet Office section. When I first saw it yesterday morning it had 1,400 signatures, and today it has just short of 9,000, so it's clearly a popular idea.

[Norfolk Born]

What are the chances of this thread lasting any longer than the most recent one on this Forum devoted to Mrs T?

[french frank]

What are the chances of this thread lasting any longer than the most recent one on this Forum devoted to Mrs T?

Well, on the one hand, I have always said - truly - that it was Mrs Thatcher who inspired me to join a political party (not the Conservatives) thirty years ago and to become an activist ... On the other, I think the petition is tastefully worded. On yet a third hand, I dislike, personally, what I think of as suprapolitical nastiness directed at other human beings. I threw my hat in the air and rejoiced when she was overthrown and I take no further interest in her.

[Pilchardman]

What are the chances of this thread lasting any longer than the most recent one on this Forum devoted to Mrs T?

This one isn't wishing her dead, just wishing her a funeral befitting of her views when she does die.

[ahinton]

It's what she would have wanted.

I really must take notice of the news more avidly; I hadn't realised that she's died...

That said, we're not given clarity, are we, about what part of the private sector should be financint this and how? Ordinary corporations and/or SMEs or private equity firms? And what about the tax relief that such funding would generate and which, by definition, is ultimately paid for by the taxpayer? Perhaps the banks alone sould fiund it - but then watch them increase their charges to customers to allow for those costs...

[amateur51]

This one isn't wishing her dead, just wishing her a funeral befitting of her views when she does die.

Bonfire of the Vanities?

[scottycelt]

Bonfire of the Vanities?

Am I the only one to find some on the Left's continued obsession with a now frail, sick and powerless old lady quite extraordinary...?

[Pilchardman]

That said, we're not given clarity, are we, about what part of the private sector should be financint this and how? Ordinary corporations and/or SMEs or private equity firms? And what about the tax relief that such funding would generate and which, by definition, is ultimately paid for by the taxpayer? Perhaps the banks alone sould fiund it - but then watch them increase their charges to customers to allow for those costs...

Well, once the petition reaches 100, 000 signatures, it'll be debated in parliament, where these things can be thrashed out.

We are to understand that Francis Maude is already drawing up plans for a state funeral. This petition should point the Cabinet Office in the right direction when it comes to finding the cash.

[amateur51]

Am I the only one to find some on the Left's continued obsession with a now frail, sick and powerless old lady quite extraordinary...?

Your obesession with identifying people who disagree with your worldview as The Left is becoming almost as tedious as the Lady's obesession with Trades Unions, scotty

[John Skelton]

Am I the only one to find some on the Left's continued obsession with a now frail, sick and powerless old lady quite extraordinary...?

I shouldn't think so.

The issue has arisen because the idea of a state funeral for ex-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is apparently being discussed by those who discuss such matters. Here's the view of an admirer of Margaret Thatcher who is not an admirer of the state funeral idea and who concedes that there are citizens who have good reason not to cherish the memory of the time when she wasn't frail, sick and powerless.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/peteroborne/100125535/lady-thatcher-deserves-every-honour-%E2%80%93-apart-from-this-one/

[Pilchardman]

Francis Maude is not of the left, yet is discussing the funeral arrangements for Baroness Thatcher, and she herself has apparently given the idea of a state funeral her blessing. She can certainly not be said to be of the left.

[scottycelt]

I shouldn't think so.

The issue has arisen because the idea of a state funeral for ex-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is apparently being discussed by those who discuss such matters. Here's the view of an admirer of Margaret Thatcher who is not an admirer of the state funeral idea and who concedes that there are citizens who have good reason not to cherish the memory of the time when she wasn't frail, sick and powerless.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/pe...from-this-one/

I agree with that as it happens ... and it has now suddenly if rather belatedly occurred to me that the Right is every bit as obsessed with the Lady though obviously in a much more charitable way ... I therefore take your point and withdraw my remarks.that the obsession is only on one side of the political divide.

I believe any State Funerals should be strictly reserved for Royalty.

[Norfolk Born]

Well, on the one hand, I have always said - truly - that it was Mrs Thatcher who inspired me to join a political party (not the Conservatives) thirty years ago and to become an activist ... On the other, I think the petition is tastefully worded. On yet a third hand, I dislike, personally, what I think of as suprapolitical nastiness directed at other human beings. I threw my hat in the air and rejoiced when she was overthrown and I take no further interest in her.

Ah...I read it as a skilful wind-up.