The funeral of Margret Thatcher has certainly been a contentious issue and the cost staggering. Her life and death have divided people across the country and certainly the reported £10,000,000 cost for her funeral is defiantly an expenditure that the country could do without. However, she has been accorded the honor of a Military Funeral and given that the last former Prime Minister to be honored in this way was Winston Churchill over 60 years ago, I felt the need to attend and witness some history in the making.
I was a little concerned that some trouble would break out from protestors but apart from a little shouting nothing really happened. The crowd was mainly made up of white, middle aged, middle class men and women whom applauded the coffin as it past and threw flowers.
On the whole, the crowd’s nature was respectful. The armed police did focus their attentions on one poor chap who clearly didn’t look right to them. He also happened to be the only foreign looking chap in the sea of white faces. I listened as they questioned him in detail and heard his life story. He was a hard workingman who wanted to pay his respects and nothing else. He looked so shocked to be picked out and I felt really sorry for him as everyone stared at him with menace.
The military element of the funeral was fascinating to watch and timed to perfection, arriving at exactly 11am with every step planned and every movement practiced. I managed to speak to a friend of Baroness Thatcher after the ceremony was over and asked how the service went. She said that it was ‘just how Margret would have wanted it.’ ‘Nice and simple.’ However, I’m not sure 2300 guests, 700 military, 4000 police can be called ‘Nice and simple.’ Not to forget the cost. It was an interesting experience and one I’m glad I did, as I doubt that I’ll have the chance to do it again. I doubt many of our politicians will get such an honor.
M
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