Nigel Lawson

The former MP and leading Brexiteer served in Margaret Thatcher's government and sat in the House of Lords until his retirement in December.

“He was a prophet of Brexit and a lover of continental Europe. A true giant of 20th century politics who as Chancellor famously sought to abolish at least one tax at every Budget. He was a giant. Former prime minister Liz Truss said: “Incredibly sad to hear of the death of Nigel Lawson. “He was a tax-cutter and simplifier who helped transform the economic landscape and helped millions of British people achieve their dreams,” the former prime minister added. Mr Johnson described him as a “fearless and original flame of free market Conservatism”.

MPs pay tribute to 'a fearless and original flame of free-market Conservatism'

“He was a prophet of Brexit and a lover of continental Europe. Liz Truss said: “Incredibly sad to hear of the death of Nigel Lawson. He was a giant. Prior to entering politics aged 42, Lawson worked as editor of The Spectator. Lawson served in numerous cabinet positions in the government of Margaret Thatcher but was best known for his role as chancellor during the 1980s. “He was a tax-cutter and simplifier who helped transform the economic landscape and helped millions of British people achieve their dreams,” said Mr Johnson.

Following the announcement in the Telegraph, Rishi Sunak, former prime minister Boris Johnson, Tory chairman Greg hands and ex-chancellor Sajid Javid were among ...

“He was a prophet of Brexit and a lover of continental Europe. “One of Britain’s greatest public servants, especially as Chancellor. Boris Johnson said: “Nigel Lawson was a fearless and original flame of free market Conservatism. He was a giant. Thinking of his family. “He was a transformational chancellor and an inspiration to me and many others.

He leaves behind five of his six children, including TV chef Nigella Lawson and journalist Dominic Lawson. One of his daughters, Thomasina, died aged 32.

He said it was to be close to his children and grandchildren. His second wife was former Commons researcher Therese Maclear, who he married the same year he divorced Ms Salmon. He threatened to resign if Mrs Thatcher did not sack Mr Walters over his support of the ERM. His first wife was former ballet dancer Vanessa Salmon with whom he had Dominic (the journalist), Thomasina (who died of breast cancer aged 32), Nigella (the TV chef) and Horatia. Mrs Thatcher was persuaded to sign up to the ERM five years later by Mr Lawson's successor, John Major. He remained in politics, in the House of Lords, for 30 years after that. After they divorced, Ms Salmon died of liver cancer aged 48. He even had a period of economic growth named after him. In 2013, the former chancellor pushed for the UK to leave the EU and ahead of the 2016 referendum he was appointed chairman of the Vote Leave campaign. Mr Lawson remained as a backbencher until 1992, when he was elevated to the House of Lords with a life peerage, and was known as Lord Lawson of Blaby. He also removed other higher rates so nobody paid above 40% in personal tax. One of his major triumphs was the Big Bang of 1986, which saw the City's financial markets deregulated and London strengthened as a financial capital - but in 2010, he admitted the "unintended consequence" of that was the 2007 financial crisis.

Nigel Lawson, a former British finance minister who was an architect of Margaret “Thatcher's economic reforms but fell out with her over what would become ...

Lawson sat in the House of Lords for 30 years. "I misjudged the strength of the boom," Lawson said in a 1992 interview with the Guardian newspaper. "Optimism on the whole is a good thing, much better than pessimism, much better than gloom.

Best known for his role as chancellor during the 1980s, Lord Lawson held key posts under Margaret Thatcher.

He stepped down as an MP at the 1992 election before entering the House of Lords as Lord Lawson of Blaby. He was also "a prophet of Brexit and a lover of continental Europe," he said. [posted a picture of himself](https://twitter.com/RishiSunak/status/1642988449258160128) as chancellor with the caption: "One of the first things I did as chancellor was hang a picture of Nigel Lawson above my desk."

Current and former prime ministers lead tributes to 'fearless' politician who was central to transformational changes to the British economy.

Lord Lawson remained active in politics as president of Conservatives for Britain, a campaign for Britain to leave the European Union. “And his chairmanship of Vote Leave in 2016 helped create a strong foundation for the movement, which was built on to get designation as the official Leave campaign, and then win the referendum. Matthew Elliott, the former chief executive of the Vote Leave campaign, told the Telegraph: “Nigel Lawson’s role in securing a Leave victory in 2016 has been massively under appreciated. In 1966 he moved to The Spectator as editor. But it was as a politician that he excelled. Greg Hands, the Conservative Party chairman, said: “I am sad to learn of the passing of Nigel Lawson. "He had a better understanding of economics than any of his immediate predecessors and successors. He was a towering figure in British politics - no man better equipped to be chancellor. He was a prophet of Brexit and a lover of continental Europe. His dramatic tax rate reductions boosted growth, investment and the return of investors to the UK. He was a giant. We will greatly miss him and I send my condolences to his family."

Chancellor from 1983 to 1989, he was widely credited with winning the 1987 election for the government through the success of his economic strategy.

Unlike me he doesn’t lose his temper in spite of the most extraordinary trials.” However, in those heady days, the seeds of the division which was to lead to their parting had already been sown. In 1982, he persuaded Ian MacGregor to take over as chairman of the National Coal Board. She said: “He is not in the least. In October 1989, Sir Alan dismissed the ERM as “half-baked”. Mrs Thatcher’s description of him as “brilliant” was a genuine personal tribute. Mr Lawson possessed a formidable intellect but he was a prickly, arrogant man, aloof, with no discernible desire for popularity, and was labelled “the fat cad of the Remove”. Nigel Lawson remained a loner and an outsider, but when Mrs Thatcher won the 1979 election, he was appointed financial secretary to the Treasury. Meanwhile, he had decided to invest the family’s money in a small merchant bank. In one private conversation, she is reported to have said that his policy had “put back” the Government by two years. He was quickly spotted as a bright newcomer, if a ponderous parliamentary performer. Mr Lawson, later to become Baron Lawson of Blaby, effectively told the prime minister in a curt letter that she had to choose between him and Sir Alan.

Revered by many Tories as a small-state revolutionary, he fell out with Margaret Thatcher on economic policy.

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Tributes pour in for the former Conservative chancellor, who served in Margaret Thatcher's cabinet, following his death aged 91. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ...

He chaired the Vote Leave campaign ahead of the 2016 EU referendum but faced allegations of hypocrisy after applying for a French residency card. He was a transformational chancellor and an inspiration to me and many others." He even had a period of economic growth named after him. From there he served until his resignation in December last year. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted: "One of the first things I did as chancellor was hang a picture of Nigel Lawson above my desk. He was also an outspoken climate change sceptic.

Tributes have been paid to Conservative former chancellor Nigel Lawson after his death at the age of 91. Rishi Sunak described the party grandee and leading Brexiteer as an “inspiration” and Boris Johnson marked him as a “giant” of Tory politics.

“He was a prophet of Brexit and a lover of continental Europe. A true giant of 20th century politics who as Chancellor famously sought to abolish at least one tax at every Budget. He was a giant. Former prime minister Liz Truss said: “Incredibly sad to hear of the death of Nigel Lawson. “He was a tax-cutter and simplifier who helped transform the economic landscape and helped millions of British people achieve their dreams,” the former prime minister added. Mr Johnson described him as a “fearless and original flame of free market Conservatism”.

Radical who oversaw Tory privatisation and reform from No 11 but fell out with Margaret Thatcher.

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Tributes have poured in for the former Conservative chancellor, who served in Margaret Thatcher's cabinet, following his death aged 91.

He chaired the Vote Leave campaign ahead of the 2016 EU referendum but faced allegations of hypocrisy after applying for a French residency card. He was a transformational chancellor and an inspiration to me and many others." One of his daughters, Thomasina, died from breast cancer aged 32 in 1993. He even had a period of economic growth named after him. He was a man who made a lasting impact. One of his daughters, Thomasina, died aged 32 in 1993. From there he served until his resignation in December last year. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted: "One of the first things I did as chancellor was hang a picture of Nigel Lawson above my desk. Mr Lawson remained as a backbencher until 1992, when he was elevated to the House of Lords with a life peerage, and was known as Lord Lawson of Blaby. He was also an outspoken climate change sceptic. He'll be greatly missed." Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson called Lord Lawson "a giant" and said he was "a fearless and original flame of free market Conservatism".

Tributes have flooded in with Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson among those sending messages of condolence. Sunak described the party grandee and leading ...

[Mr Johnson](https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/national/23405845.boris-johnson-privileges-committee-key-moments/) described him as a “fearless and original flame of free market Conservatism”. Nigel Lawson was a fearless and original flame of free market Conservatism. A true giant of 20th century politics who as Chancellor famously sought to abolish at least one tax at every Budget. [food](/leisure/food/) writer Nigella and journalist Dominic. He was a giant. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.” “Nigel Lawson was a giant of British politics, right in the heart of the engine room of Margaret Thatcher’s great reforms – and providing so much of the intellectual backing for what needed to be done at the end of the 1970s,” he said. He was a tax-cutter and simplifier who helped transform the economic landscape and helped millions of British people achieve their dreams.— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) [Brexit](https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/national/23430590.brexit-has-impact-says-starmer-dover-chaos/) and a lover of continental Europe. “He was a tax-cutter and simplifier who helped transform the economic landscape and helped millions of British people achieve their dreams,” the former prime minister added. [Mr Sunak](https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/national/23426032.sunak-says-voters-will-decide-whether-think-touch/), who is also a former chancellor, said Lord Lawson was a “transformational chancellor and an inspiration to me and many others”. Sunak described the party grandee and leading Brexiteer as an “inspiration” while Johnson said he was a “giant” of Tory politics.

Best known for his role as chancellor during the 1980s, Lord Lawson held key posts under Margaret Thatcher.

He stepped down as an MP at the 1992 election before entering the House of Lords as Lord Lawson of Blaby. He was also "a prophet of Brexit and a lover of continental Europe," he said. [posted a picture of himself](https://twitter.com/RishiSunak/status/1642988449258160128) as chancellor with the caption: "One of the first things I did as chancellor was hang a picture of Nigel Lawson above my desk."

Former prime minister Sir John Major said Baron Lawson of Blaby, who has died aged 91, was “one of the essential pillars of the 1980s' Conservative government” ...

And it was possible, quite rightly, for people to disagree profoundly with what he said but have a huge respect for him. “He replied ‘absolutely not’. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.” George Osborne, who also served as a Conservative chancellor, described Lord Lawson as “The Tory radical”. Mrs May said: “Sad to hear of the death of Nigel Lawson. Sir John, who also served in Lady Thatcher’s government, said: “Nigel Lawson was a commanding chancellor and, together with Geoffrey Howe, one of the essential pillars of the 1980s’ Conservative government.

Good morning. Nigel Lawson, tax-cutting chancellor, major figure in the Thatcher government and FT journalist, has died at the age of 91. My first thoughts and ...

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In 1980, as Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Nigel Lawson wrote a paper for the Centre for Policy Studies, setting out his analysis of the economic failures ...

But, second and more important, the only characteristic of a point in the middle of an ideological spectrum is that it is determined, not by the person or party ostensibly choosing that point, but by the position of the two extremes. All we can do is something more modest: to try and prevent the occurrence of conditions inimical to growth – and the most inimical of all, as well as being an evil in itself, is inflation. Despite the manifest imperfections of the labour market in a unionised economy, it remains true that the price of labour is one which balances supply and demand, and that the price which the employer of labour can afford to pay reflects the productivity of labour. And the only alternative economic theory now in the ring is such a bastard form of Keynesianism, with its addition of import controls to all the other controls tested to destruction in the 70s, that it is really closer to central planning and the command economy, and is scarcely recognisable as a variant of Keynesianism at all. It implies a government that is strong, rather than weak, by the very virtue of its own restraint; since it seeks to preserve its authority by sticking to those tasks which are properly the responsibility of government and which it can hope to execute effectively, rather than try and do too much and end up achieving nothing. If, as I firmly believe, the traditional Conservative scepticism of state power and state intervention – except, as Lord Blake rightly identified, in the context of the preservation of order and national defence – is firmly echoed in the instinctive beliefs of the British people in general, and of the working classes in particular, it is worth asking why it is that it has taken so long for that prejudice to be reflected in the election of a like-minded government. In my opinion, it is only in this interval or intermediate situation, between the acquisition of money and rise of prices, that the increasing quantity of gold and silver is favourable to industry. It is no use complaining about this: we live in a democracy, and the decisions that politicians take will inevitably be coloured by the sorts of phrases that sound well in speeches and the harvests of votes they might be expected to gather. In practical terms, this was translated into the twin axioms of the pre-Keynesian consensus: that the primary economic duty of Government was to maintain the value of the currency, and that this was to be achieved by not increasing its supply – a constraint which operated quasi-automatically for a country on the gold standard, as Britain was for most of the pre-Keynesian period. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. The first is that changes in the quantity of money determine, at the end of the day, Changes in the general price level; the second is that government is able to determine the quantity of money. At the macroeconomic level, our approach is what has come to be known as monetarism, in contradistinction to what has come to be known as Keynesianism, although the latter doctrine is a perversion of what Keynes actually preached himself.

Tributes have flooded in with Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson among those sending messages of condolence. Sunak described the party grandee and leading ...

[Mr Johnson](https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/national/23405845.boris-johnson-privileges-committee-key-moments/) described him as a “fearless and original flame of free market Conservatism”. Nigel Lawson was a fearless and original flame of free market Conservatism. A true giant of 20th century politics who as Chancellor famously sought to abolish at least one tax at every Budget. [food](/leisure/food/) writer Nigella and journalist Dominic. He was a giant. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.” “Nigel Lawson was a giant of British politics, right in the heart of the engine room of Margaret Thatcher’s great reforms – and providing so much of the intellectual backing for what needed to be done at the end of the 1970s,” he said. He was a tax-cutter and simplifier who helped transform the economic landscape and helped millions of British people achieve their dreams.— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) [Brexit](https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/national/23430590.brexit-has-impact-says-starmer-dover-chaos/) and a lover of continental Europe. “He was a tax-cutter and simplifier who helped transform the economic landscape and helped millions of British people achieve their dreams,” the former prime minister added. [Mr Sunak](https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/national/23426032.sunak-says-voters-will-decide-whether-think-touch/), who is also a former chancellor, said Lord Lawson was a “transformational chancellor and an inspiration to me and many others”. Sunak described the party grandee and leading Brexiteer as an “inspiration” while Johnson said he was a “giant” of Tory politics.

Former prime minister Sir John Major said Baron Lawson of Blaby will be 'long remembered'.

The former Chancellor Nigel Lawson, who oversaw the City's mid-eighties Big Bang, has passed away at 91. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak led tributes to the.

Tributes have flooded in with Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson among those sending messages of condolence. Sunak described the party grandee and leading ...

[Mr Johnson](https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/national/23405845.boris-johnson-privileges-committee-key-moments/) described him as a “fearless and original flame of free market Conservatism”. Nigel Lawson was a fearless and original flame of free market Conservatism. A true giant of 20th century politics who as Chancellor famously sought to abolish at least one tax at every Budget. He was a giant. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.” “Nigel Lawson was a giant of British politics, right in the heart of the engine room of Margaret Thatcher’s great reforms – and providing so much of the intellectual backing for what needed to be done at the end of the 1970s,” he said. He was a tax-cutter and simplifier who helped transform the economic landscape and helped millions of British people achieve their dreams.— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) [Brexit](https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/national/23430590.brexit-has-impact-says-starmer-dover-chaos/) and a lover of continental Europe. “He was a tax-cutter and simplifier who helped transform the economic landscape and helped millions of British people achieve their dreams,” the former prime minister added. [Mr Sunak](https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/national/23426032.sunak-says-voters-will-decide-whether-think-touch/), who is also a former chancellor, said Lord Lawson was a “transformational chancellor and an inspiration to me and many others”. Sunak described the party grandee and leading Brexiteer as an “inspiration” while Johnson said he was a “giant” of Tory politics. [Margaret Thatcher’](https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/national/18270929.not-quite-right-johnson-article-thatcher-read-downfall/)s chancellor before sitting in the House of Lords as Baron Lawson of Blaby until his retirement in December.

Lord Lawson held the firm conviction that lower taxes created space for enterprise and opportunity, and made it his policy that in every Budget he would lower ...