Nicholas Soames, Member of Parliament for Mid Sussex, said of Lady Thatcher; "I was very sad to hear of Lady Thatcher's death earlier today. She was indeed a great Prime Minister, a great leader and a truly remarkable person for our country at a very difficult time.

"She brought enormous energy, determination and vision to her time in Government and her diligence and exceptional efforts brought about a transformation of the country.

"She was uniquely respected abroad and returned Britain's reputation which had languished in the 1970s, particularly since she showed that politics has the capacity to be a force for change.

"She bore her last years with courage and great dignity and I and all the members of the Mid Sussex Conservative Association and many others who live in the constituency, will wish to salute her memory and her remarkable achievements.

"She was a truly formidable person; a signpost rather than a weather-vane."