What I Learned From Nigel Lawson, Britain’s Finest Finance Chief

It’s with great sadness that I learned Tuesday morning that Nigel Lawson died Monday. He was the force of nature that helped unleash the country’s latent capitalist instincts after decades of a post-WWII flirtation with socialism. The latter was an economic disaster.

Lawson’s actions were simple but vital to rescuing the UK from its economic mess. He cut income taxes from eye-watering levels, allowed capital to flow freely into and out of the country, and taxed consumption. All these things foster investment and economic growth. He knew all this and managed to implement it to make Britain a richer better place for everyone. The world is better place because of him also, as the increased riches of the UK have allowed Britain to help other countries in need.

Thanks to the inimitable Lee Cohen (one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet) I was privileged to get to meet Lord Lawson and interview him for WSJ Live, the newspaper’s then TV-operation. You can see part of our discussion here.

Like any person who has risen to achieve world class greatness he showed up early for the interview. Really early. Like 20 minutes. That gave me a chance to get to know him a little.

He told me how he loved coffee rather than tea and that irritated his father who was a tea merchant in London.

When I made the following comment — “Lord Lawson did you know we studied your economic policies when I was at college?” — his reply was as self-effacing as one so great could be. “Ah, but I wasn’t a Lord then.”

We chatted some some more before moving to the TV studio, where I proceeded to interview him. As with any guest who is smart — and Lawson was beyond smart — I presented him with tough questions. To present pathetically easy and meaningless questions would have been an insult top someone so brilliant.

He did not flinch at any question I asked. He gave thoughtful comments and context about economics and in the video link above he proffered his thoughts on the European Union.

It was an honor to get to meet someone so great, accomplished and modest. It shall always remind me that no matter what we have achieved in business or otherwise, we all need to be decent people. It was that warm attitude that set him apart from so many.

He shall be missed.

And yes, he is also the father of Nigella Lawson, the famous chef.