Shropshire MPs pay tribute to Baroness Thatcher

Former prime minister Baroness Thatcher died peacefully following a stroke this morning aged 87.

Lady Thatcher, Britain's first and only woman prime minister served between 1979 and 1990. She had become increasingly frail and was suffering ill health in recent years.

She was admitted to hospital shortly before Christmas where she underwent an operation to remove a growth from her bladder but was allowed to return home before new year.

On hearing today’s announcement Shrewsbury & Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski said:

“This is indeed a very sad day in British politics.

"Baroness Thatcher was one of the greatest leaders that this country has ever had. She believed in her country and work tirelessly throughout her political career, for her people. She was a great patriot both at home and abroad and was a huge inspiration to me. I was full of admiration for her as I started out in politics and was very fortunate to have met with her on several occasions.

"When I was first elected as an Member of Parliament she took the time to welcome me into Parliament and was always keen to offer her support and guidance.

"I will of course want to pay my respects over the coming days with my fellow MP’s. Baroness Thatcher will go down in history as one of Britain’s finest ladies that has ever lived and I will miss her.”

On twitter Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard wrote, "Very sad to hear of the death of Lady Thatcher. She was a great leader. Governed in the national interest - not self interest. Huge legacy."

MP for Ludlow Philip Dunne said: "I was truly saddened to learn of Lady Thatcher's death today. She was the leading political figure of the second half of 20th Century Britain. Not only was she the first female Prime Minister, but she also transformed the political landscape in Britain and internationally, championing individual freedom against authoritarian regimes.

"As a new MP in 2005 I have fond memories of the considerable trouble she took to meet me along with other new Conservative MPs, and offer advice over how we could make the most of our time as an MP.

"She will be missed as a Conservative icon, but her legacy will shape many decades to come."

North Shropshire MP and Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said: "It was remarkable enough to be the first woman Prime Minister and to win three clear Parliamentary majorities, but Lady Thatcher also took on a country widely seen to be in terminal decline. Through unshakeable conviction and true bravery, she transformed it by making a series of hideously difficult decisions. However she didn’t just change the lives of the people of Britain, but, working with Ronald Reagan, she helped release millions of people from tyranny across the world. This is a sad day for us all."

Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute saying: "It was with great sadness that I learned of Lady Thatcher's death. We've lost a great leader, a great Prime Minister and a great Briton."

Mr Cameron, who was meeting EU leaders in Spain, will return home early and is expected to arrive back in the country this afternoon.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said: "The Queen was sad to hear the news of the death of Baroness Thatcher. Her Majesty will be sending a private message of sympathy to the family."

The chairman of an award-winning Shropshire-based company, said Britain has lost one of its greatest ever leaders.

Tony Bywater from Salop Leisure, plans to travel to London for the funeral to pay his respects to “inspirational” Baroness Thatcher.

He said she inspired a generation of British people to believe that anything was possible if they were prepared to work hard and save.

“She was the greatest inspiration to me personally and to our business when she took over as Prime Minister and led by example,” he said. “She, like myself, was an ordinary person who didn’t come from a privileged background, yet she was somebody that would make things happen and was never afraid to say what had to be said.

“She encouraged people like me to work hard, to save and to buy their own home, making us believe that anything was possible if we set our mind to it.

“She inspired me to work harder to build Salop Leisure from humble beginnings with around 25 employees to one of the most successful and respected caravan businesses in the UK now employing more than 150. This is the type of leadership that our country desperately needs today.

“Even when she was travelling around the world, she had the ability to remain as sharp as a needle when representing our country. Not even the IRA bombing of the Grand Hotel in Brighton in 1984 could stop her from getting on stage next day to speak at the Conservative Party conference.

“Undoubtedly, she was one of this country’s greatest ever leaders, who was admired and respected around the world. Her passing marks a very sad day for this country.”

Downing Street announced that she would receive a full ceremonial funeral with honours at St Paul's Cathedral.