Barack Obama sends presidential delegation with no serving politicians to London ceremony
Peter Walker
The Guardian [UK]
16 April 2013
The US is to send distinctly low-key official representation to Lady Thatcher’s funeral on Wednesday, with a delegation led by George Shultz and James Baker, who both served as US secretary of state while Thatcher was in power.
While Barack Obama was invited, he has opted to send a presidential delegation comprising no serving politicians. Shultz was secretary of state to Ronald Reagan while Baker served the elder George Bush. Also representing Obama will be Barbara Stephenson, chargé d’affaires at the US embassy in London, and Louis Susman, the recently departed ambassador to Britain.
Separately, the Republican party is sending three members of the House of Representatives: Marsha Blackburn, who will lead the delegation, along with Michele Bachmann and George Holding. Blackburn is a leading fiscal conservative, while Bachmann, a member of the hardline conservative Tea Party faction, became internationally known during her spectacular if brief bid for the 2012 presidential nomination.
Another leading Republican conservative and attempted 2012 nominee, Newt Gingrich, is also among the confirmed attendees. Ronald Reagan’s widow, Nancy, was invited but has said she felt unable to make the trip aged 91.
The somewhat ambiguous nature of Thatcher’s funeral, which is not a state event but nonetheless has many of the trappings of such a ceremony, given the involvement of the Queen and members of the armed forces, has prompted a varying response from other countries in terms of representation.
While some are also sending former leaders, for example Australia’s John Howard, several serving prime ministers have said they will attend, including Stephen Harper of Canada, Italy’s Mario Monti, and Donald Tusk from Poland.
Related: Dean of St Paul’s accuses Thatcher protesters of being divisive
Very Rev Dr David Ison defends ceremony as Lord Mandelson criticises ‘quasi-state funeral’
Lady Thatcher’s coffin comes to the Commons
The coffin of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher rests in the Crypt Chapel of St Mary Undercroft beneath the Houses of Parliament on the eve of her funeral on April 16, 2013 in London, England. Dignitaries from around the world will join Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh as the United Kingdom pays tribute to former Prime Minister Thatcher Baroness Thatcher during a Ceremonial funeral with military honours at St Pauls Cathedral. Lady Thatcher, who died last week, was the first British female Prime Minister and served from 1979 to 1990. (Photo by Leon Neal – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Update: Margaret Thatcher funeral: Michele Bachmann, Marsha Blackburn to attend
Speaker John Boehner says he’s sending a three-member House delegation to London for the funeral of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Boehner said in a statement on Monday that Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn will lead the delegation. Joining the Tennessee lawmaker will be fellow Republican Reps. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota and George Holding of North Carolina.
The speaker called Thatcher one of the greatest champions of freedom that the world has ever known. The funeral for Thatcher, who died last week, will take place Wednesday at St. Paul’s Cathedral…
Update 2: Barack, Michelle, Biden All to Skip Thatcher Funeral to Push Gun Control
Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s funeral is April 17, but President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Vice President Joe Biden are too busy pushing gun control to attend.
