The Baron Tebbit, CH, PC, who died 7 July, 2025, aged 94, served as a cabinet minister in Margaret Thatcher's government throughout the 1980s. He worked as the chairman of the Conservative Party and led departments including trade and industry and employment.
Norman Beresford Tebbit was born 29 March, 1931, the second son of Leonard Albert Tebbit (1894-1977), of Enfield, and his wife, the former Edith Stagg (1901-1984).
He was educated at Edmonton County Grammar School and embarked on a career in journalism, 1947; served in the RAF, was commissioned and served as a pilot, 1949-51; Reserve service Royal Auxiliary Air Force, No. 604 City of Middlesex Squadron 1952-55; entered and left publishing and advertising, 1951-53; Civil Airline Pilot 1953-70; a member of the Conservative party from 1946. Conservative MP for Epping, 1970-74, Conservative MP for Chingford 1974-1992, PPS to the Secretary of State, Dept of Employment, 1972-73; Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Dept of Trade 1979-1981; Minister of State Dept of Industry 1981; Secretary of State for Employment 1981-83; Secretary of State for Trade & Industry 1983-85; Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 1985-87; Chairman of the Conservative Party 1985-87; was Chairman of the Conservative MPs Aviation Committee.
In retirement he was a director of Sears Holdings PLC 1987-99, Director, British Telecommunications plc 1987-96, Director of BET 1987-96; and director of the Spectator (1828) Ltd from 1989; a Director of J.C. Bamford Excavations 1987-91; Co-presenter, Target, Sky TV 1989-1998; he wrote a column in The Sun newspaper, 1995-97; The Mail on Sunday 1997-2001, &c.
Norman Tebbit married in 1956, Margaret Elizabeth Daines, daughter of Stanley Daines, of Chatteris, Isle of Ely, by whom he had two sons, the Hon John Beresford Tebbit (born 1958), and the Hon William Mark Tebbit (born 1965), and one daughter, the Hon Alison Mary (born 1960).
The Tebbits were both seriously injured in the IRA bombing of the Grand Hotel, Brighton, 12 Oct, 1984. Margaret Tebbit was in a wheel chair for the rest of her life. Lady Tebbit died 19 December, 2020, aged 84.
Tebbit was sworn of the Privy Council in 1981, and appointed a Companion of Honour in 1987. In 1992 after leaving the Commons he was raised to the peerage for life as Baron Tebbit, of Chingford in the London Borough of Waltham Forest.
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