Former Conservative chancellor Nigel Lawson, who passed away at the age of 91, has received numerous tributes.
Nigel Lawson, the former Conservative chancellor, passed away at the age of 91.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wrote on Twitter that the party leader “was a transformational chancellor and an inspiration to me and many others.”
Lord Lawson represented the Blaby constituency as a Conservative member of Congress from 1974 to 1992 and was a member of Margaret Thatcher’s cabinet from 1981 to 1989.
He left the House of Lords in December, ending a nearly fifty-year tenure as chancellor.
Six offspring, including celebrity chef Nigella Lawson and journalist Dominic Lawson, survive Lord Lawson.
After his death, tributes from the world of politics began to stream in.
Lord Lawson, according to former prime minister Boris Johnson, was “a fearless and original flame of free market Conservatism.”
“He was a tax cutter and simplifier who transformed the economic landscape and helped millions of Britons realize their dreams,” he added.
“He was a Brexit prophet and continental Europe enthusiast. And he was enormous. My sympathies and thoughts are with his family.”
A rarity among politicians,” Chancellor Jeremy Hunt called Lord Lawson.
He was called a “true statesman” by Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.
Lord Lawson, according to Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, was “a giant who changed the political climate, a beacon for Conservatives, and a kind man who was always generous with his wisdom.”
Greg Hands, chairman of the Conservative Party, stated that he will be remembered: “for his clarity of thought, dedication to free market economics, and willingness to challenge orthodoxies.”
Born in Hampstead, northwest London, on 11 March 1932, the son of a tea-trading business owner rose to the pinnacle of British politics after attending Westminster School and Oxford.
He studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Oxford and served in the Royal Navy before entering politics.
Lord Lawson was a financial correspondent and editor of The Spectator before joining politics at 42.
Before becoming chancellor, he served in Mrs. Thatcher’s cabinet.
Lord Lawson, the second-longest serving chancellor after Gordon Brown, was crucial to the economic policies and success of Margaret Thatcher.
He cut business taxes, National Insurance contributions for the poor, and expanded the VAT base.
One of his greatest achievements was the Big Bang of 1986, which deregulated the City’s financial markets and bolstered London’s position as a financial capital; however, he acknowledged in 2010 that the “unintended consequence” was the 2007 financial crisis.
Even a period of economic expansion was named after him. After 1986, the economy of the United Kingdom improved due to the Lawson Boom, with unemployment falling by half.
However, Lord Lawson and Mrs. Thatcher did not always share the same opinions. His resignation in 1989, following disagreements over Europe and economic policy, signified the beginning of her downfall the following year.
Until 1992, Mr. Lawson was a backbencher.
After resigning, he lost five Stone and published the best-selling The Nigel Lawson Diet Book.
He remained politically active into his senior years. After applying for a French residency permit, he was accused of hypocrisy despite chairing the Vote Leave campaign before the 2016 EU referendum.
He was also criticized for denying the existence of the climate crisis.
