Lord Cecil Parkinson, former Conservative Party chairman under Margaret Thatcher, has died at the age of 84. Parkinson was one of Thatcher’s most trusted allies and served for 30 years in the Conservative front ranks. He was famously forced to resign in October 1983 when it emerged his secretary was pregnant with his child. Here, in an article written in August 1984 in the Spectator, Charles Moore pays tribute to Parkinson.
Why not bring back Cecil Parkinson? it is asked. He may have been an erratic actor with a turbulent private life, but he brought a certain dash and glamour to the show which it now badly lacks. Constitutional experts point out that there are precedents for such a quick recovery from disgrace. In 1947 Hugh Dalton, the Chancellor of the Exche- quer, told the Star lobby correspondent what was in his Budget and had to resign. Next year he was back in the Cabinet. But Mrs Thatcher has responded with the inscrutable wisdom of one who believes she knows her public — it would be nice to have Cecil back, certainly, but the time is not right.
One intends no disrespect to Mr Parkinson if one says that it is a little odd that so many hopes should be placed in him. Since it was only party conference panic which pushed him out in the first place, there is no reason why he should be kept out of a Cabinet in which his skills in public argument are needed, but it is still hard to believe that his return would work the wonders that are predicted. But the craving for Cecil is a phenomenon which should interest students of the psychology of politics.
Mr Parkinson is one of those politicians whose appearance is very important in his political effect. He is widely thought to be handsome. There is an alternative school of thought which holds that he looks slick and American, but to, whichever school you belong, you cannot avoid noticing his appearance. Mr George Younger or Mr Michael Jopling might appear on your television screen and leave no more than an air of amiability behind him. Mr Patrick Jenkin might appear and leave no air at all. Mr Parkinson you would remember.
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