Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds

> Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds

Lord Tebbit at the age of nearly 74 is still a force to be reckoned with, active in the House of Lords.

He has a good dry sense of humour and this was displayed within a few seconds. His manner was relaxed as he sat in the high-backed chair and talked fondly of his childhood and family.

His great love was flying, which he learned during National Service in the RAF. From there he went to BOAC as a pilot and became involved in the union there, which was to prove so useful in his days as secretary of state for employment and dealing with the trade unions.

Recalling the terrible Brighton bombing, when his wife was crippled, you could hear his emotion.

Lord Tebbit showed a lot of respect for many politicians of all sides. That says a lot about a man who clearly understands the wide picture. He told of the valuable contribution immigrants had made over history and added to our multi-cultural approach.

This was an inspiring evening and the question and answer session he dealt with in a true statesman-like manner.