A former Macclesfield MP who worked closely with Margaret Thatcher said she put the ‘great’ back into Great Britain.
Sir Nicholas Winterton, the town’s Conservative MP for 39 years until 2010, says Mrs Thatcher – who died on Monday aged 87 after a stroke – was a friend and used to call him ‘Mr Manufacturing’.
The former Prime Minister attended a party at the House of Commons to celebrate Sir Nick’s 60 years in Parliament.
She opened a nursery class at Prestbury Primary School in 1974, in memory of Marika Koopman, a resident from the village who died in a car accident.
Mrs Thatcher also spoke at a meeting of Macclesfield Conservative and Unionist Association Patrons at the Tytherington Club, accompanied by her husband Denis after she stepped down as party leader in 1990.
Sir Nick said: “I’m proud to say she did come to Macclesfield and it was a sell-out.
“I had a very close political relationship with her and am devastated by her death.
“She was an inspiration, one of the greatest political leaders in modern history and I was delighted to be part of her team that helped her win the party leadership.
“She made mistakes, such as the community charge, but restored the economy and gave great leadership in the Falklands.
“She was a great supporter of manufacturing and aware of my deep concern about the textile industry in Macclesfield.
“She was wonderful to talk to, good fun and enjoyed company.
“She put the great back into Great Britain, like a latter-day Churchill.”
David Rutley, Macclesfield’s current MP, remembered meeting Mrs Thatcher on election victory nights in the 1980s.
He said: “She was inspirational and a politician of great conviction, showing leadership in difficult circumstances and inspiring many young politicians.
“She reminded people to live within their means and take responsibility, which resonates in Macclesfield with its entrepreneurial spirit.”
Michael Jones, Cheshire East council leader, said: “When I was in my teens and early 20s, Baroness Thatcher was a leader who at first view caused great angst.
“But history will show she allowed us to rebalance our economy and went on to lead the greatest growth period in the UK.
“With her legacy and single-minded views, she provided a platform for a strong, commercial economy so we can now go through one of the biggest global recessions in history.”
Coun Sam Corcoran, from Cheshire East Labour Group, said Mrs Thatcher ‘made a lasting impression in many ways’
Tatton MP and Chancellor George Osborne said: “This is incredibly sad news. Margaret Thatcher’s faith in human freedom and optimism that Britain’s best days lay ahead overcame all obstacles. Her determination is our generation’s inspiration.”
