Speech to Finchley Conservatives (US visit)

Document type:	Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue:	St Mary’s Hall, Finchley
Source:	Finchley Times, 12 March 1981
Editorial comments:	Between 2000 and 2100. The Barnet Press, 13 March 1981, has additional material. "Among topics discussed, she said, were what the Americans could learn from Mrs Thatcher’s experience. Apart from similarities in attitude to law and order and defence, a more pressing item to the Reagans was the recently-announced engagement of Prince Charles to Lady Diane Spencer! [sic] "They practically wanted to rejoin the British Empire", she chuckled. "They have enormous faith in this country, and they believe we shall get through our economic difficulties if we stick to our policies. And I believe we shall do so, too" She did, however, concede that give and take is the order of the day. "Yes, there will be times when you have to give a little too - but it doesn’t alter the fundamental strategy" There was no shaking Mrs Thatcher’s confidence. She continued: "Our policies are on the right road - we have to stick quietly and fairly to them".
Importance ranking:	Major
Word count:	407
Themes:	Foreign policy (USA)

PM tells of American visit

Finchley Conservatives received a blow-by-blow account of the Prime Minister's trip to America—from Mrs Thatcher herself.

She was guest of honour at the Finchley and Friern Barnet Conservative Association annual meeting on Monday evening.

Mrs Thatcher was obviously preaching to the converted in the crowded St. Mary's Hall in Hendon Lane, and there were nods of agreement when she criticised the nationalised industries and the one-day civil servants' strike.

She told her followers: “America gave me the warmest of welcomes. We speak the same language, we all have the same objectives and we believe in the same way of life.

“I told them that the first important thing they must do is to try and reduce spending in proportion to national income. They know and I know that it is not governments who create wealth.

“We have honoured our defence commitments so we can say to NATO and the United States of America: ‘You know Britain is a staunch ally, there is no other like her.’

Chairman of the association, Councillor John Tiplady, gave his annual report, particularly praising the hard work of the Women's Advisory Committee and the Young Conservatives.

He said: “The hallmark of the Finchley and Friern Barnet Conservative Assocition is without doubt the happy enthusiasm shown by the members. We can look back with pride on our past achievements and in particular our formidable record of election successes, to draw encouragement in our determination to support in every possible way our MP and Prime Minister.

President of the association, Mr Henry Oppenheim, died of a brain haemorrhage last year and Councillor Frank Gibson was elected in his place.

The other officers were elected as follows: chairman, Councillor John Tiplady; deputy chairman, Mr Ron Thurlow; vice-chairmen, Mr Godfrey Phillips and Councillor Stan Sorrell; vice-presidents, Mrs Ena Constable, Mr Alec Miller, Councillor Jimmy Sapsted and Mr Denis Thatcher; hon treasurer Mr Tam Hartley; secretary and agent, Mr Roy Langstone.