Boris Johnson has confirmed that he is considering erecting a statue of Baroness Thatcher opposite the Houses of Parliament and has suggested funding the memorial by public donations.
Labour MPs could criticise Baroness Thatcher in the Commons Photo: PA
Mr Johnson, the Mayor of London, has led the calls for a permanent memorial to Lady Thatcher in the heart of London.
The official responsible for planning at Westminster Council has said that the majority of his colleagues "would approve" of a statue of Lady Thatcher in the borough.
Speaking to LBC Radio, Mr Johnson said that “it is right that she should be properly commemorated”.
He added that he has instructed City Hall officials to find “the right kind of place” to locate a statue in the capital.
“People say put it on the fourth plinth – I think we’ve been around that a lot,” Mr Johnson said. “Actually, there are better sites than that. I think we should look at Parliament Square.
“There are other places in the heart of the capital that would do very well.”
Opponents of Lady Thatcher’s have criticised the calls for a statue and warned that taxpayers’ money should not be spent on a memorial.
However, Mr Johnson said that he is certain that it could be funded by public donations.
“As for the public expense,” Mr Johnson said. “I cannot believe that we cannot get a statue of Margaret Thatcher done by public subscription or by donation in one form or another.”
Mr Johnson has been joined by Defence Secretary Philip Hammond, former Cabinet minister Lord Tebbit, Conservative Peer Lord Ashcroft and a number of Falklands veterans have all said Lady Thatcher should be publicly honoured.
David Cameron has said that he welcomes the suggestions for a statue, while Nick Clegg yesterday said: “I'm not going to begrudge her supporters the right to advocate there should be some statue."
Lord Ashcroft said this week: “Exceptional people deserve exceptional recognition. Baroness Thatcher made an extraordinary contribution to British politics and British life.
“It is therefore appropriate for her to receive an outstanding public acknowledgement of the nation’s gratitude for all that she has done."
“There are other places in the heart of the capital that would do very well.”
Opponents of Lady Thatcher’s have criticised the calls for a statue and warned that taxpayers’ money should not be spent on a memorial.
However, Mr Johnson said that he is certain that it could be funded by public donations.
“As for the public expense,” Mr Johnson said. “I cannot believe that we cannot get a statue of Margaret Thatcher done by public subscription or by donation in one form or another.”
Mr Johnson has been joined by Defence Secretary Philip Hammond, former Cabinet minister Lord Tebbit, Conservative Peer Lord Ashcroft and a number of Falklands veterans have all said Lady Thatcher should be publicly honoured.
David Cameron has said that he welcomes the suggestions for a statue, while Nick Clegg yesterday said: “I'm not going to begrudge her supporters the right to advocate there should be some statue."
Lord Ashcroft said this week: “Exceptional people deserve exceptional recognition. Baroness Thatcher made an extraordinary contribution to British politics and British life.
“It is therefore appropriate for her to receive an outstanding public acknowledgement of the nation’s gratitude for all that she has done."
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