Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Article for Conservative Monthly News (reactions to the Kensington speech)

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Source: Conservative Monthly News, March 1976 (p3)
Editorial comments: Item listed by date of publication.
Importance ranking: Minor
Word count: 229
Themes: Defence (general), Foreign policy (USSR & successor states), Labour Party & socialism

MAGGIE STICKS TO HER GUNS

Since my speech on defence and foreign affairs at Kensington, I have received nearly a thousand letters. Of these, 99%; have thanked me for speaking out for Britain.

The only really virulent opposition has come from Pravda, The Red Star, the Kremlin and the Secretary of State for Defence.

The reaction of the Soviets shows that they are rattled. They know that the hopes of men and hence the tide of history is running against them—that, as Hegel wrote, “The history of the world is none other than the progress of the consciousness of freedom.”

Yet the price of freedom is indeed eternal vigilance. For in the last twenty years alone, Hungary, Czechoslavakia, Vietnam and now Angola have borne witness to the determination of the Communists to impose their narrow creed by force on unwilling peoples.

Angola, not Helsinki, is seemingly the measure of Soviet belief in detente. I ask only that they match their deeds on the ground with their signature on treaties.

And following the response at home to my speech, who will now claim that defence is not an issue? The defence of our freedoms from internal subversion and external aggression is a major issue.

It is indivisible from the preservation of peace, for, as the Latin proverb says: “Let him who desires peace, prepare for war” .