Mrs. Thatcher's State Funeral

There has been a recent hullabaloo in the UK press about a statement (made in Tony Blair's absence) that Mrs. Thatcher would NOT be accorded a state funeral.

Let's be clear here: there is no clear definition of a state funeral. Since World War II, of non-royalty, only Winston Churchill had an official state funeral. Diana's funeral was not officially a state funeral.

Let's be clear again. Many of us have cause to detest Margaret Thatcher. Whatever renown she has acquired since her forced resignation, many Britons cannot and will not forgive her class war against the British Trade Union movement. Millions suffered: some of us left the country.

But, in historical terms, Thatcher is of indubitable importance in British history.

She should get a state funeral. But people should be allowed to spit at the hearse.