Speech at Conservative celebration party

Document type:	Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue:	Conservative Hall, Alexandra Grove, North Finchley
Source:	Finchley Press, 18 September 1970
Editorial comments:	MT was speaking to an audience of around 500 local party workers at a party to celebrate her election victory in Finchley.
Importance ranking:	Minor
Word count:	408
Themes:	Autobiographical comments, Economic policy - theory and process, General Elections

Thatcher thanks workers

M.P. WARNS OF TOUGH MEASURES

Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, Minister for Education and Science, told Finchley and Friern Barnet Conservative Association workers on Tuesday that Britain faces a hard task to get the country back on its feet. Some of the measures would be unpopular, she warned.

Accompanied by her husband, Mr. Denis Thatcher, she was speaking at a celebration party at the Conservative Hall, Alexandra Grove, North Finchley, given to nearly 500 workers who had helped her to gain an overwhelming victory at the General Election.

After thanking everyone for their splendid work, Mrs. Thatcher said the Conservative warning during the election campaign that the economic position was not as rosy as Labour claimed had proved only too true.

“We fought a great battle to win the election—but the real battle to put Britain on a sound economic footing has not yet started,” said Mrs Thatcher.

She went on to warn her guests, which included many Barnet councillors, that some of the remedies would prove unpopular. “They must be faced and that was when the battle would really start and it must be won,” declared Mrs. Thatcher amid applause.

She went on to assure her audience that her appointment as a Minister of State would not prevent her from carrying out her commitments as Member of Parliament for Finchley and Friern Barnet.

“I want, as far as possible, to continue my association with the many local organisations to which I belong and to spend as much time in Finchley as time and work will allow,” said Mrs. Thatcher.

Cheque

During the evening she and her husband toured the hall, chatting to the guests.

During the visit, Mrs. Thatcher presented a cheque to Mrs. Edna James on her retirement as secretary of the Finchley and Friern Barnet Conservative Association.

Thanking Mrs. James for her nine years' service, Mrs. Thatcher said Edna would be greatly missed but was glad to know she would continue to be a member of the association.

The Tory Hall was beautifully decorated for the function by Mr. H. Willmott, chairman of the Finchley Chrysanthemum Society, who brought along many prize blooms from the society's show last Saturday.

Cr. Jimmy Sapsted, chairman of the Finchley and Friern Barnet Conservative Association, chaired the meeting.