Du Cann warning at tory luncheon …

Britain could become a ‘back water’

The real problems of the future will not be the fight between Communism and the free world but the disparity between developing and industrial countries and the difficulties of race relations.

This was the prophecy of Mr. Edward Du Cann, M.P., guest speaker at the annual luncheon of the Women's advisory committee of the Finchley and Friern Barnet Conservative Association, held at Firs Hall, Winchmore Hill, on Thursday last week.

In an amusing speech Mr. Du Cann outlined the future role of Conservatives and Britain. We have always been a small country, he said, but there is much we can do. We must realise the rapid rate of change in the modern world and adapt to it.

We can either keep abreast of changes or become a back water in world politics. One of the first jobs of a Tory government would be to establish a clear economic strategy in which trade could flourish. At the moment, he said, we do not even have a modern company structure.

The mood of the people in Britain must be changed. There is too much envy and a readiness to stop work and draw social security. There must be a re-emphasis of national purpose and pride.

Mr. Du Cann attacked the Budget as a cheat, saying that although there were some good things in it, there were also some very bad things.

Bad times

The increase in Selective Employment Tax was one and this tax must be abolished. If we cannot be successful when world trade is rising, what will happen to us in the bad times, he asked. The Budget, he said, had been cleverly designed to fool the man in the street.

In opening his speech, Mr. Du Cann had paid tribute to Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, M.P., who worked harder than anyone else in the shadow cabinet.

In her response Mrs. Thatcher thanked Mr. Du Cann for his remarks and thanked him also for stressing what she described as the positive side of politics.

Britain, she claimed, would never have been so great without Conservative rule, which was carried out with integrity and justice.

Chairman for the luncheon was Mrs. Margaret Tiplady, who welcomed guests from neighbouring districts, including Barnet, Hornsey and Hendon. A vote of thanks to the speakers was given by Mrs. Humphries, chairman of the women's committee of Tudor Ward.