1981; Our Way Forward

May I start by thanking all Conservative supporters for their loyalty and understanding during the past year?

I know very well that these are not easy times for those who work for our Party at the grassroots. They have to deal on the doorsteps with the complaints of those voters who imagined that electing a Conservative Government would somehow produce an instant magic cure for all Britain's ills.

As you know, we never promised this. We knew that it would be a long, hard slog—and the task has not been made easier by the suddenness and severity of the world recession and by the further rise in oil prices. But already we are well on our way to fulfilling all our Manifesto commitments, and we are seeing the inflation rate set on a downward course.

What can we look forward to in 1981?

It will be another hard year: but I believe that if the Government sticks (as it will) to its determination to get inflation out of the economy, and if pay settlements this winter are reasonable, there is real hope that a year from now things will be looking distinctly brighter.

Looking up

The worst of the recession—barring any upheavals in the rest of the world—should be over, and business should be looking up. It will take longer for the recovery to be reflected in the unemployment figures, but improvement there will certainly come in time.

Of course we in Government are deeply concerned about the plight of the unemployed, and of those businesses which are suffering severely. We shall do everything we can to help them—short of changing our essential strategy. It would be no kindness to anyone to do that, for in the long run it would only make things worse for all.

Let me make it clear, too, that we are looking forward and planning beyond the short-term, with the constraints and disappointments it inevitably imposes.

Vision

We do have a vision of the sort of society we want for Britain: one in which there will be no sharp differences in prosperity between one part of our country and another; in which the role of Government is more limited and there is more scope for the initiative and skills of our people; in which there is more freedom of choice for consumers, for parents and for those seeking a home; in which we are able to do more for the old, the sick and the disabled.

In short, a happier and more united country.

All this depends on our ability to create more wealth by being fully competitive in industry and commerce. Without that all the ideals, the hopes and the compassion in the world will accomplish nothing.

To complete this task is a job for a decade. With your support, I know it can be done.

Thank you again, and a happy New Year to you all.