My life's in orbit, says Mrs. Thatcher

Mrs. Thatcher set off for work as usual yesterday with the comment: “My life is usually hectic, now it has gone into orbit.”

She had her usual breakfast of fruit and an egg before setting out for the Commons.

“There is a job of work to do, it is very much business as usual,” she said. “There is a lot of correspondence to deal with as well as the Finance Bill.”

Mrs. Thatcher, who parries questions with the skill she has acquired as a barrister and the courtesy of a Tory lady, told reporters: “You are skilled at asking questions and I am skilled at answering them,” as they sought to find out whether she would be making contact with Mr. Heath.

“I think I will leave that to my own private reticence. I have no comment to make about other contenders—my job is to get the extra nine votes,” she said.

But she had sympathy for Mr. Heath, who quit as leader after being beaten by her into second place in yesterday's ballot.

“I recognise it was a very sad day for Edward Heathhim yesterday. One is very sad because ten years is a long period to be leader of a party and Prime Minister. It was an enormous achievement and one must thank and applaud him for it.”

She was not making predictions or prophesies, nor would she name the “danger men” in round two. “I have taken my own decisions all along and they have taken theirs. We both feel free to do just that,” she said.

About the attitude towards women in public life, she said: “I think people are looking at others less as labels and more as personalities.

“After all, you don't regard a man as a man Prime Minister, although you speak of a woman Prime Minister. All I have done at the moment, however, is to win one ballot. Let us wait until round two or three.”

Would it go to round three? “In politics you take what comes,” she replied.

As photographers were calling to her to turn, give a great big smile, look this way and that, she told them, “One thing no politician can do and that is turn in several different directions at the same time—physically.”

One young woman reporter asked: “How do you feel this morning?” The immaculate Mrs. Thatcher replied: “I feel as I look.”

“How is that?” the young woman persisted, and Mrs. Thatcher replied: “Well, my dear, you can see me, I can't.”