Jesse Norman leads tribute to father, Polly Pocket founder

Conservative MP Jesse Norman said his father helped bring “unbelievable joy to millions of young people” around the world, as he led tributes in the House of Commons.

Mr Norman added he hopes his father’s values of positivity, creativity and respect for others could inspire Parliament and the country at this time of “difficulty and stagnation”.

Sir Torquil served in the military and worked as an investment banker before entering the toymaking industry, a period which saw him establish Bluebird Toys.

Speaking at business questions on March 20, the shadow commons leader told MPs: “Almost exactly 24 hours ago, my father Torquil Norman died at the age of 91.

“He was an extraordinary man who flew Seafires and Sea Furies during his national service in the Fleet Air Arm.

“He created Polly Pocket, a toy which brought unbelievable joy to millions of young people around the House and around the world.

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“And he rebuilt the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm in London, not just as an incredible performing arts centre but as a creative centre for young people and for them to find their way from whatever backgrounds into jobs.”

Mr Norman highlighted his father’s values and noted he always said the secret to success in the toy business was to have “a mental age of seven and an eye for detail”.

He added that even in his 80s he was building and creating a new enterprise to develop flatpack trucks, that would be sold around the world at low cost and in countries supporting businesses and people.

“I think the whole House would perhaps agree with me that we need these values today, a time of difficulty and stagnation and international conflict, we need these values of creativity, of ambition, of drive, of respect for others and, above all, a capability – not just a focus on the head but on the hand and the heart as well,” he said.

“It’s something I feel very strongly about, we’re trying to build this new university in Hereford, a specialist technical engineering college, precisely to bring those kinds of different aspects of the human personality together in the service of better jobs and better possibilities.”