What should have been a time of celebration for gay people in France turned into a nightmare when, a few weeks before France was due to become the latest European country to allow same-sex marriage, a young couple was assaulted in Paris on 7 April for being gay.

In the era when AIDS was becoming more prominent and education about LGBTQ issues was needed more than ever, Thatcher's government decided that gays were not full citizens worthy of respect and that they were too much of a threat to be allowed equal rights. Thatcher thus became not only the 'milk snatcher', but also the 'gay dispatcher'.

True, she was an extraordinary woman but she was extraordinary for mostly the wrong reasons. So many of her policies were flawed and often heartless. Nevertheless, I don't rejoice in her death. I commiserate, as I do with the death of any person. I send condolences to her family and friends.

Hate crime is not a new concept. Throughout history there are many examples of groups being marginalised, oppressed and discriminated against. Many of the world's conflicts have stemmed from hatred towards particular groups, and genocide is hate crime in its extremist form. Hate crime is most definitely a human rights issue and should be treated as such.

The Commons voted by a substantial majority in support of allowing gay marriage on 5 February. I am glad that over 130 Conservative colleagues voted for the bill and I understand why some did not, given the outright hostility to the measure among some groups in society who are over represented (statistically speaking) among Conservative Party membership.

Voting was once for men. Housing was once for whites. Tradition can be overturned and we can all be better off for it.