Norman Tebbit
Norman Tebbit
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#### Full Name and Common Aliases
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William Norman Tebbit is commonly known as Norman Tebbit.
#### Birth and Death Dates
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Born: March 29, 1930, in London, England
Still active in public life (no death date listed)
#### Nationality and Profession(s)
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British politician
Early Life and Background
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Norman Tebbit was born in the London Borough of Hackney to a working-class family. His father was a railway clerk, and his mother was a nurse. Tebbit grew up with three siblings in a small flat in Bethnal Green, East London. He attended St. Thomas's Boys' School in Bethnal Green before moving on to the City and Guilds College (now part of Imperial College) in South Kensington.
Major Accomplishments
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Tebbit began his career as an engineer with British Thomson-Houston (BTH), a leading manufacturer of electrical equipment, where he became a senior executive. He later joined the Conservative Party and was elected to Parliament in 1970, representing Chingford constituency. During his tenure as a Member of Parliament, Tebbit held several high-profile positions, including:
Minister for Trade and Industry (1983-1985)
Secretary of State for Energy (1983-1985)
Secretary of State for Employment (1985-1986)
Chairman of the Conservative Party (1990)
Tebbit's tenure as Chairman of the Conservative Party was marked by controversy, particularly his "Enemies Within" speech in 2006. He criticized Muslim communities and suggested that they were more likely to be disloyal than others.
Notable Works or Actions
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One of Tebbit's most notable actions as Secretary of State for Employment was the introduction of the Trade Union Act (1984), which aimed to curb union power and improve industrial relations. However, this legislation was widely criticized by trade unions and eventually led to a series of high-profile strikes.
Tebbit has also been an advocate for traditional British values and has expressed strong opinions on issues such as immigration and multiculturalism.
Impact and Legacy
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Norman Tebbit's impact on British politics is undeniable. As a prominent figure in the Conservative Party, he played a key role in shaping the party's policies during Margaret Thatcher's premiership. His legacy is complex and has been subject to criticism from various quarters. Some view him as a champion of free-market economics and traditional British values, while others see him as divisive and intolerant.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Norman Tebbit's quotes and opinions have become synonymous with controversy and debate. His statements on issues such as immigration, multiculturalism, and the role of Muslims in British society have sparked intense discussion and criticism. Love him or loathe him, Norman Tebbit is a figure who commands attention and sparks strong emotions.
As a key player in shaping British politics during the 1980s, Tebbit's influence continues to be felt today. His legacy serves as a reminder of the complex and often contentious nature of politics and the importance of nuanced discussion and debate.
Quotes by Norman Tebbit
The Conservatives played like England cricketers – too many rash strokes and run-outs, dropped catches and bowling anywhere but the stumps.
It’s good to remember the unburied dead and the uncollected rubbish. Most of it can now be seen on the Labour benches in the House of Commons.
Opinion polls are not worth the paper they are written on, in my view, through the conference season. They don’t settle down again until November.
I grew up in the 30s with an unemployed father. He didn’t riot; he got on his bike and looked for work and he kept looking ’til he found it.
I think that could be perhaps a little misleading and even our statistics can mislead people at the times though they are not misleading in themselves. It is just that people get mislead.
Bad art was as good as good art. Grammar and spelling were no longer important. To be clean was no better than to be filthy. Good manners were no better than bad. Family life was derided as an outdated bourgeois concept. Criminals deserved as much sympathy as their victims. Many homes and classrooms became disorderly - if there was neither right nor wrong there could be no basis for punishment or reward. Violence and soft pornography became accepted in the media. Thus was sown the wind, and we are now reaping the whirlwind.
