Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Speech to Nottingham Conservatives

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue: Sherwood Rooms, Nottingham
Source: Nottingham Evening Post, 2 December 1975
Editorial comments: Evening.
Importance ranking: Minor
Word count: 542
Themes: Conservatism, Monetary policy, Foreign policy (Central & Eastern Europe), Foreign policy (USSR & successor states), Housing

Our aims—by Tory leader

MRS. THATCHER'S CITY CALL: ‘OWN YOUR OWN HOME AND A STAKE IN BRITAIN’

Own your home and you will have a stake in Britain—this was Opposition leader Mrs. Margaret Thatcher's call in a speech to Nottingham Conservative Party workers.

This objective would give people something behind them—something to leave to their children and grandchildren. “Every man, every woman a capitalist. This is our vision for the future,” she said.

‘POSITIVE VISION’

She added: “It is an important vision. It is a positive vision.”

It was one which was gradually being lost as there was more and more nationalisation; more and more in the hands of the State; and more and more taxation.

Speaking last night to 800 supporters at the Sherwood Rooms, Nottingham, Mrs. Thatcher said the party had two main jobs: The first was the battle against inflation, and when that was over there was the battle over what kind of society was wanted in Britain.

‘TERRIBLE’

She said the battle against inflation would already have been half won had the Tories stayed in power. Now the rate was 25 per cent., compared with 11 per cent. of a year ago, and the difference was due to the terrible effect of nearly two years of Socialism.

Other countries had reduced their inflation rate to five and a half and six per cent. “We can, if we have a government as resolute and determined as theirs. There is no mistake about this.”

Commenting on the type of society she wanted to see, Mrs. Thatcher said: “Ultimately there are really only two systems—the socialist Marxist system, which puts all power and control in the hands of the State and precious little with the citizens; and the free enterprise democratic system, which wishes to put more power in the hands of the people. They have a good deal more freedom because of that power.”

LOWER

Mrs. Thatcher said she had travelled behind the Iron Curtain and although people there could quote statistics and facts about their achievements they had a much lower standard of living than anywhere in the Western world.

Britain had a degree of prosperity, a degree of freedom, and a degree of freedom of choice which those behind the Iron Curton would love to have and which we should be proclaiming from the housetops.

“We are the party of liberty—the party which believes in using that liberty with responsibility and with a sense of duty and obligation.”

Mrs. Thatcher was presented with cheques totalling £1,500 for party funds by the City Federation, Nottingham West, Nottingham North and Nottingham East.

She was welcomed by Major Alan Rook, Nottingham Federation chairman; Mr. M. M. Brandon-Bravo, deputy chairman; Mr. Tony Shipstone, federation treasurer; Mr. P. Radford, appeals treasurer; Mrs. B. Goddard, chairman of the City Women's Advisory Group; Mr. C. Naylor, chairman of the City Young Conservatives; and Mr. E. Warner, chief agent for the city of Nottingham.