Sussex politicians today paid tribute to Baroness Thatcher.

The former Prime Minister died this morning aged 87 following a stroke.

Tim Loughton, Conservative MP for the East Worthing & Shoreham, said: “Margaret Thatcher was a huge figure in British politics and British history for much of the twentieth century and for all of my political career.

“She has been an extraordinary inspiration to so many of us who came into politics under her and will be hugely missed.

“However, her legacy is enduring and she leaves behind her a much better Britain than she inherited, and many Britons have a lot to thank her for.”

Linda Freedman, chairman of the Brighton and Hove Conservative Federation, said: “She was a woman of my generation and a personal inspiration for my political journey.

“She never tried to court popularity for the sake of it, but she was a woman of conviction and what she said, she meant.” Mike Weatherley, Conservative MP for Portslade, said: “Thatcher was an absolutely amazing person who profoundly shaped my political thinking while I was at university.

“I have no doubt that Thatcher will be remembered as one of the world’s greatest leaders.”

Brighton Kemptown MP Simon Kirby said: “She was an inspirational woman, a remarkable leader and our greatest peacetime Prime Minister.

“She will be remembered fondly in Brighton where she demonstrated her immense courage in the wake of the 1984 bombing, and sent out a strong message that the country would not bow to terrorism.”

  • For more reaction see tomorrow’s Argus.