THE NATION REMEMBERS.THE Queen Mother's life and her contribution to the nation have been honoured in the scores of tributes paid to her by her friends and admirers.The Prime Minister joined senior politicians and religious leaders in highlighting her "sense of duty" and "zest for life". In the hours following her death tributes poured in, all of them demonstrating the Queen Mother's unique position in the nation's heart. They were united in their praise for her love of her family and tireless work for good causes as a patron of numerous charities, teaching and nursing organisations. The news of the Queen Mother's death brought normal political sparring to a halt as the leaders of the main political parties joined in expressing their sadness and thanks for her long and positive life. Prime Minister Tony Blair Noun 1. Tony Blair - British statesman who became prime minister in 1997 (born in 1953) Anthony Charles Lynton Blair, Blair said she had been a symbol of Britain's "decency and courage". He said: "During her long and extraordinary life, her grace, her sense of duty and her remarkable zest for life made her loved and admired by people of all ages and backgrounds, revered within our borders and beyond. "Her bravery when she refused point blank to leave London and her husband's side during the Blitz epitomised both her own indomitable in·dom·i·ta·ble adj. Incapable of being overcome, subdued, or vanquished; unconquerable. [Late Latin indomit spirit and the spirit of the nation in its darkest hours. "Later, as Queen Mother, she was a unifying figure for Britain, loved by all, sharing in its joys and troubles. Mr Blair said respect for her "went far beyond Britain" and praised her "total and selfless devotion" to duty. The Prime Minister said the nation's thoughts would be with the Queen - "particularly so after the sad death of Princess Margaret" - and with the Royal Family, "with whom Britain mourns". His four surviving predecessors - John Major, Baroness Thatcher, Lord Callaghan and Edward Heath
Former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher said the Queen Mother had been "a wonderful Queen and an extraordinary person". Lady Thatcher's successor as Tory Prime Minister, John Major, said: "Our country is the richer for her life and the poorer at her death." Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith George Iain Duncan Smith MP (born 9 April 1954), often referred to as IDS, is a British politician. He is Member of Parliament for the constituency of Chingford and Woodford Green. He was leader of the Conservative Party from 12 September 2001 to 6 November 2003. paid tribute to a "truly remarkable lady". "We will all miss her enormously because she was the best of us, " he said. "The Queen Mother radiated warmth and charm with a sense of fun that captivated cap·ti·vate tr.v. cap·ti·vat·ed, cap·ti·vat·ing, cap·ti·vates 1. To attract and hold by charm, beauty, or excellence. See Synonyms at charm. 2. Archaic To capture. everyone who met her. "People of my parents' generation remember the leadership and inspiration that the then King and Queen gave during the darkest days of the last war. They stood by our country as our country stood alone." Liberal Democrat Liberal Democrat Noun a member or supporter of the Liberal Democrats, a British centrist political party that advocates proportional representation Liberal Democrat n (BRIT) → leader Charles Kennedy said the Queen Mother would be "deeply missed". "This is a moment for the entire nation to pause, reflect and be thankful for the Queen Mother's wonderful contribution and enduring legacy, " he said. |
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