Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Speech in Basingstoke (computer factory)

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue: Posidata, Basingstoke, Hampshire
Source: Thatcher Archive: speaking notes (THCR 1/17/65)
Editorial comments:
Importance ranking: Minor
Word count: 443
Themes: Industry
Handwritten notes by MT

Mr Mayor, Lord Bishop,

1) Your first factory—opened by David Mitchell (Small business Minister)

Now—moving onto bigger things—very pleased to open your larger factory.

Expect it to be the place at which you cease to be a small business and become a large one.

2) Invitation gives me particular pleasure

a) two people Bernard Gingell and James Fenner—shown it is possible to start from scratch with nothing save the dedicated support of their families, determination, and something called talent. They have now created one of the largest and certainly the fastest growing U.K. manufacturing companies of computerised numerical controls for machine tools. We could do with more people like you.

Pleasure because

b) the success of this small firm [end p1] is a reminder that Britain can no longer earn her living by making the things which can so easily be made by the newly developed countries. We have to earn our living with new products of new designs, new ideas, and by keeping a step ahead of our competitors. Countries like ours have to sell on quality, delivery, and reputation. Those take time to build but they last, and offer prospects for the future for those who work in such companies. Companies like this. We've got to say to our overseas competitors just what Annie said in the famous musical ‘Anything you can do, I can do better’.

Pleasure because

c) coming here is an opportunity to say how determined govt. is to create the kind of business climate in this country that will encourage many small businesses like this to start up.

We have to face the fact that old industries are shrinking and we need new ones to take their place. In the U.S. most of the new jobs created in the past 20 years have been created by companies employing fewer than 20 people. [end p2]

We don't know quite how many new companies will spring up, nor what they will do—20 years ago no one could have predicted Posidata. But it happened. It wasn't dreamed up in Whitehall. It was developed by people who knew industry from experience.

So often govt.'s job is to get out of the way and let those who know get on with the job.

It's also necessary to tax less—because you can spend your money so much more effectively than we can. Both these things and a lot more we are trying to do. We've set out on a long journey to achieve that end, but any long journey starts with a few steps and those we have already taken.

There are other parts of Britain that need a lot more enterprises like this, because they need jobs. I have little doubt that you will serve as a model of how to start and to succeed.

Much please [sic] in declaring new factory open.