It was with great sadness that I was informed of the passing of one of Leicestershire’s most prominent modern day parliamentarians. He was my predecessor but one, and arguably Britain’s most influential post war Chancellor of the Exchequer. His tax cutting Budgets of the late 1980s have stood the test of time, with successive Conservative and Labour governments keeping much of the substance of the tax rate differentials in place to this day.
Nigel Lawson was Member of Parliament for Blaby and South Leicestershire from the creation of the constituency in 1974 to 1992. He lived in Stoney Stanton and was a familiar face to many in and around the local community. I have lost count of the number of constituents who, to this day, fondly remember him. Many share their stories of how he helped them or how he said something to them which they remember with great pride and joy. He was a well-liked local MP as well as a national politician. In 1992, a new Conservative MP was elected, Andrew Robathan, who served 22 years as the MP until 2015 and who, like Lord Lawson, was to continue in public service as a Member of the House of Lords.
I was elected as the third consecutive Conservative Member of Parliament for Blaby and South Leicestershire in May 2015. By early 2016, my new Blaby based parliamentary office was ready to open to serve constituents across South Leicestershire. I thought it would be a great opportunity for an historic first in Blaby by bringing together in Blaby all three successive Members of Parliament for South Leicestershire to open my new parliamentary office. Lord Lawson agreed and together with Lord Robathan we attended to this historic political event.
On the day of the opening, a crowd appeared outside my office along with the media. Of course, the television and radio crews that turned up were, if truth be told, less interested in covering the opening of an office and more interested in interviewing Lord Lawson on the issues of the day, especially given that he was Chairman of the Vote Leave campaign. Lord Lawson enjoyed being interviewed and you could see the sparkle in his eyes as he opined on this issue or that. As the MP, I gladly took the back seat and watched him at work.
So many constituents too turned up for the opening and those who fondly remembered Lord Lawson were quick to catch his attention and remind him of the good work he had done in helping them sort out this matter or that decades before. Lord Lawson’s beaming smile said it all. He was as pleased as punch to be back in Blaby amongst his former constituents and friends.
It was a real honour to have my predecessors open my office and, Lord Lawson as the longer serving politician clearly and happily took centre stage. Without exaggerating, it truly was an historic event and Lord Lawson was at his best. Later that evening, Lord Lawson joined a Conservative Party gathering for a pre-dinner drinks reception at a beautiful home in Shawell. Memories where ablaze with wonderful recollections as Lord Lawson regaled with stories of his time as the MP and Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Once again, focus turns to my Blaby parliamentary office located at 8a Lutterworth Road, Blaby. I have opened a Book of Condolence and I offer an invite to my constituents to come and place a message of remembrance. Please call my Blaby office on 0116 278 1924 or email me at [email protected]
On behalf of my Blaby and South Leicestershire constituents, may I take this opportunity to offer our sincere condolences to the family and close friends of the late Lord Lawson. May we thank God for the public service that he gave the good people of our wonderful part of Leicestershire and may he rest in peace.
