‘DEEDS COUNT—NOT WORDS’ says M.P.

“Socialist attacks on the Government are as hollow as they could be and with little fact to back up their accusations” . So said Finchley's MP, Mrs. Margaret Thatcher in a vigorous speech given last week to Finchley Young Conservatives. The general impression to be gained from the Labour Party Conference, with its proposed new ministeries and schemes for Science and Education, was that the Government was doing nothing at all, she said. “Deeds and not words are the things that count, and to hear such hot air and nonsense is, to say the least, irritating.”

Speaking generally on the whole political scene, she said that a certain amount of planning was, of course, necessary, but complete planning down to minute details would make people slaves of the state. The more dictatorial the government, the less the freedom of the individual and the more compulsion. Conservative plans for the future involved careful sonsultation with the interested parties, unlike the State compulsion of the Socialists.

GIVE CREDIT

Mrs. Thatcher was full of praise for Mr. Marples, who, she said, achieved a great deal and was given little credit. People are always raising their voices about the little insignificant things which tend to annoy, rather than think of the important issues.

In the concluding part of the evening she spoke on the leadership question, and did, in fact, invite the audience to air their personal views on the subject. Question time provided a great deal of varied questions which were answered as long as time would allow. [end p1]

(2) Finchley Times, 11 October 1963

Mrs. Thatcher wants deeds, not words

“Socialist attacks on the Government are as hollow, as they could be and with little facts to back up their accusations,” said Finchley's M.P., Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, in a vigorous speech to Finchley Young Conservatives.

The general impression to be gained from the Labour Party Conference, with its new ministries and proposals on science and education, was that the Government was doing nothing at all, she said.

“Deeds and not words are the things that count, and to hear such hot air and nonsense is, to say the least, irritating.”

Speaking generally on the whole political scene, she said planning was, of course, necessary, but complete planning down to the minute detail would make people slaves of the State. The more dictatorial the Government, the less the freedom of the individual and the more compulsion. Conservative plans for the future involved careful consultation with the interested parties, unlike the State compulsion of the Socialists.

On the economic plain, Mrs. Thatcher said Mr. Maudling 's Budget left the Labour Party in a dilemma, as they could find very little wrong with it. It was no bribing budget and the economic measures were now proving to be right.

Mrs. Thatcher was full of praise for Mr. Marples, who, she said, achieved a great deal and was given little credit. The Beeching Report received praise, too, although she said consideration must be given to the great social needs on some branch rail lines.