Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Speech moving vote of thanks at Albert Hall Rally

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue: Royal Albert Hall, South Kensington
Source: (1) Finchley Press, 3 July 1959 (2) Signpost, 1959/3 (early September 1959)
Editorial comments:
Importance ranking: Minor
Word count: 476
Themes: Conservative Party (organization), General Elections
(1) Finchley Press, 3 July 1959

Mrs. Thatcher Thanks Prime Minister

At the mass rally of women members of the Conservative Party, held at the Royal Albert Hall, last week, Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, prospective Parliamentary candidate for Finchley, proposed the vote of thanks to the Prime Minister following his speech. In her remarks Mrs. Thatcher spoke of many new members rallying to the movement, and almost without exception their actions were prompted by a desire to support Mr. Macmillan.

Mrs. Thatcher said: “Our thoughts are centred on the next general election, because winning that is a condition precedent to putting Mr. Macmillan back in office for a further period. We promise him our unstinting efforts to this end ?and [word uncertain] we are signifying our confidence in him and his team, as custodians of the future of this nation.

Among those supporting the Prime Minister on the platform were the Foreign Secretary, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the President of the Board of Trade, the Minister of Labour, the Colonial Secretary and other members of the government.

After the meeting Mrs. Thatcher received congratulations on her polished performance, and next day was singled out as an “excellent platform speaker” by the “Daily Telegraph” .

For the occasion, Mrs. Thatcher wore a tailored navy dress with matching jacket, navy handbag and shoes, white hat and gloves. [end p1]

(2) Signpost, 1959/3 (early September 1959

OUR PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATE THANKS THE PRIME MINISTER

What is thought of Mrs. Thatcher in the high circles of the Conservative Party can be judged by the fact that it was she who was chosen to propose the vote of thanks to the Prime Minister at the mass rally of women members of the Party at the Albert Hall in June.

“Our thoughts,” said Mrs. Thatcher, in her speech, “are centred on the next general election, because winning that is a condition precedent to putting Mr. Macmillan back into office for a further period. We promise him our unstinted efforts to this end. We are signifying our confidence in him and his team, as custodians of the future for this nation.”

With the Prime Minister on the platform were the Foreign Secretary, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the President of the Board of Trade, the Minister of Labour, the Colonial Secretary and other members of the Government.

Mrs. Thatcher received many congratulations on her polished performance and, next day, “The Daily Telegraph” singled her out for special mention as an “excellent platform speaker” . Those of us who have heard her in the constituency will certainly agree.

This is not the first time she has been chosen for this task. She thanked Sir Winston Churchill on a similar occasion when he was Prime Minister.