David Holmes
The Conservative Leader, Mrs Thatcher, has been looking at industry in the North East today. After her morning news conference at which she described Labour as a scared party running a scared campaign, Mrs Thatcher travelled to Newcastle. There she visited a tea factory, as Michael Cole reports.
Michael Cole
For Mrs Thatcher the question tasting tea—was whether to spit or not. She was visiting Newcastle where the Tories are hoping to hold a marginal seat.
Mrs Thatcher
I'm sorry, it won't make much difference, I trust, whether you're running the sound or not. It's nice—of course I'm not going to … [laughter].
Michael Cole
But the Tory leader soon found out why tea-tasters use a spitoon.
Mrs Thatcher
[Wincing at the bitterness of the tea] Mind you, they'll think I'm drinking … [laughter]