Letter: Commons tribute to Mandela
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Commons tribute to Mandela
Sir: Your survey of Hansard (9 July) is flawed when it suggests that the first time Nelson Mandela's name was mentioned in the House of Commons was in 1983. One notable earlier occasion was Prime Minister's Question Time on 18 July, 1978. Hansard records:
Miss Joan Lestor: Will my right Hon Friend find time in his busy schedule to go to South Africa House and see whether he can get it opened in order that he may deliver birthday greetings to Nelson Mandela on the occasion of his 60th birthday, after 16 years on Robben Island, greetings which the South African authorities refused earlier today to accept?
The Prime Minister: I have long been, as I know my Hon Friends are and I hope many Opposition Members are, an admirer of Nelson Mandela. Whether or not South Africa House accepts the greetings, I should like on behalf of Her Majesty's Government to send him formal greetings from this Despatch Box.
Jim Callaghan's response came at a time when under the stewardship of David Owen, as Foreign Secretary, the Labour government was moving, albeit hesitatingly, towards a tougher policy against apartheid and, in response to the Soweto uprising and the murder of Steve Biko, was contemplating various forms of economic sanctions.
Historians may now wish to try and assess how much pain and suffering could have been avoided if the apartheid regime had not been protected internationally over the following decade by the constructive engagement policies of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan.
MICHAEL TERRY
London N12
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments