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" Blair praises 'magnificent' Heath

Sir Edward Heath was a man of "vision, principle and integrity", Tony Blair said in a tribute to the former Tory leader, who has died aged 89.
Mr Blair, who was leading House of Commons tributes to Sir Edward, said: "He was magnificent ... a prime minister our country can be proud of."

Tory leader Michael Howard said: "Today we remember a prime minister who was a most distinguished parliamentarian."

Lady Thatcher, who replaced him as Tory leader, earlier said "we are all in his debt".

"He represented the sensible wing of the Tory Party"
said Denis Healey, former Labour chancellor

"Ted Heath was a political giant. He was also, in every sense, the first modern Conservative leader - by his humble background, his grammar school education and by the fact of his democratic election.

He led the Tory government as prime minister between 1970 and 1974, and was responsible for bringing Britain into what was then the European Economic Community, before losing the leadership of the Conservative Party to Margaret Thatcher in 1975

Quoting former Labour Chancellor Roy Jenkins, a friend of Sir Edward, Mr Blair added: "He was a great lighthouse which stands there flashing out beams of light, indifferent to the waves which beat against him.

"That was indeed how he was - an extraordinary man, a great statesman, a prime minister our country can be proud of. We shall miss him."

(BBC NEWS)


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