General Election 1951
With the return of a Conservative Government our greatest hope has been achieved. Throughout the country a million more people voted Conservative in this election than in 1950, a result that will inspire a Conservative Government in commencing its difficult task. Locally we have contributed our full share to this increased vote and we can be assured that our work is fully appreciated by the leaders of the party.
I want to thank you for the part you played in the campaign in this constituency. Win or lose, the team spirit here was second to none and that is something of which we can be very proud. The political standard of the fight was very high and in this respect I hope we may have set an example to others.
The immediate task is over, but the slender national majority means that we cannot afford to sit back. Doubtless the Labour Party will be having a tremendous national drive everywhere. We must hold every inch of the ground we have gained and increase our membership and our following. The policy of the Government will help us in this, and the fear of the Tories engendered by the Socialists will prove to be groundless.
I should like to thank you personally for the many kindnesses you have shown to me during the past two and a half years. I shall not be contesting this division again, but I have no intention of leaving politics. I expect to be about the constituency quite a lot and shall follow its fortunes with keen interest. I hope you will all rally round Mr. Allsopp and keep the organisation in its present healthy condition.
With many thanks,
Margaret H. Thatcher.