Sir John: Mrs Thatcher helped Bermuda to prosper

Former Premier Sir John Swan today paid tribute to Margaret Thatcher – whom he credited with helping Bermuda become a global force in business.

Sir John said Mrs Thatcher, the former UK Prime Minister who died today following a stroke aged 87, gave him free rein to negotiate the 1986 tax treaty with the US, which laid the foundations for the massive growth in international business.

Sir John added: “She was a woman with an indomitable spirit and a loyalist, not only to her philosophy but to people whom she believed worked towards the interests of democracy, a free market economy and upholding the integrity of the Parliamentary system itself.”

And he said: “Mrs Thatcher was a major jewel in the crown of democracy.”

Sir John added that Mrs Thatcher, who was close to Republican US President Ronald Reagan and also had good relationships with his successor George H. Bush, helped Bermuda’s interests.

Sir John said: “It was quite an experience working not only with her, but through the good relations she had, with Ronald Reagan and George Bush Snr.

“Margaret Thatcher gave me authority to negotiate the tax treaty with Washington — that would normally have been left to the British Embassy.

“She put us on a path that gave us international prominence and a strong economic base, building strong relationships, not only with Britain but with the US.

“She helped to elevate my Premiership in helping me to get things accomplished, not only on a domestic basis, but on an international basis.”

And Sir John said Mrs Thatcher’s approach to politics helped define his own “pragmatism” and informed his decision-making and priorities.

Sir John added: “My personal memories are that she was a woman of strong self-determination and very great intellectual capacity.

“She was a no-nonsense person, but one who had a heart and a head. She developed a warm affection for people who wanted to do right for their country.

Mrs Thatcher became a Baroness and sat in the House of Lords following her ousting in a Conservative Party coup in November 1990 after 11 years as Prime Minister

She was no ally of the labour movement but the Opposition PLP this morning also extended its condolences on the death of Mrs Thatcher.

A spokesman said: "The Progressive Labour Party acknowledges the passing of Baroness Margaret Thatcher, former UK Prime Minister.