IPN's Chairman Linda Whetstone Pays Respects to Economist Milton Friedman

LONDON: International Policy Network's trustee and Chairman Linda Whetstone released the following statement on the passing of Milton Friedman.

Mrs. Whetstone's father, Sir Anthony Fisher, founder of the Institute of Economic Affairs and the charity which is today IPN, knew Mr. Friedman well.

"Milton Friedman, who died yesterday, was both brilliant and delightful. He moved the economic and political goal posts for his generation and those that follow by challenging the consensus on inflation and placing the blame firmly at the feet of government. Many millions who never knew him, and had probably never heard of him, have reason to be grateful to him for the relative price stability we now enjoy.

"His explanations of how markets work and why freedom of choice is so crucial, especially in lifting people from poverty, have been equally influential. Even to his death he was still fighting for much greater choice in education so the least well off could enjoy as good an education as everyone else.

"Never particularly seeking the limelight, he was a fearless opponent of central control and direction. He was always willing to discuss and explain a point without belittling those who had raised it.

"He has been an inspiration of those of us who were lucky enough to know him And history will no doubt see him as one of the great minds of modern times."