Given the choice, would you want the funeral of your relative to be a public affair?

[unlucky cat]

Let's face it, however much you liked or disliked Lady Thatcher her family can end their days in shame at leaving her to die on her own - where were they - out of the country and not at her bedside and any excuse is not acceptable for their absence; the medical staff would have informed them she was failing fast, the stroke would not have been foreseen but probably expected. With the "family" not in the country the Tories had to do something and their spin doctors spun out of control. It is a pity they did not think of spending the £8m on something useful and lasting as a memorial to our first woman Prime Minister, as for her family - they are neither use nor ornament.