MPs and peers remember Lord Lawson at St Margaret’s Church
Tuesday, 17th October 2023
A Service of Thanksgiving for the life and work of The Right Honourable The Lord Lawson of Blaby was held at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey, on Tuesday 17th October 2023.
The service was attended by the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, members of the Cabinet, MPs, and peers.
The Right Reverend Anthony Ball, Canon Rector, conducted the service, and said in his Bidding:
‘Here, in this place of worship and memory with long-standing links to Parliament and the traditions of debate, encounter and public service, we welcome all to come together in acknowledging Lord Lawson’s gifts of character and mind and recall his sharing of them in many decades of contributions to the life of this nation. Our Lord said, ‘the truth shall set you free’.
Here we shall honour Nigel’s commitment to the pursuit of truth and freedom over a lifetime in the public eye, demonstrated in his determination to stand up for what he believed whilst being willing to acknowledge mistakes. Here family, friends, and followers shall celebrate his memory and, together, pay tribute to the inspiration he offered to so many.’
The Address was given by the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury.
Tributes were given by Lord Lawson’s son, Dominic; the Prime Minister; and the Honourable The Lord Lamont of Lerwick. Tom Lawson read Ecclesiastes 1: 1-14; and Emily Lawson read Matthew 7: 1-5.
Prayers were led by the Reverend Mark Birch; and said by Hector Lawson; and Xanthe Lawson.
The service was sung by the St Margaret’s Consort conducted by Greg Morris, Director of Music. The organ was played by Thomas Trotter.
