Maggie is to go for hat-trick

The MP for Finchley is going for a hat-trick … a third term as Prime Minister.

In defiant mood. Mrs Thatcher told the annual meeting of her constituency association on Monday: “I haven't lost my way … it's Labour. They have lost their way. My answer is to perform a hat-trick.”

The announcement, at the end of her speech at St Mary's Church Hall, Finchley, was greeted with an ovation from the standing room only audience.

Now in her 25th year as Finchley's MP, Mrs Thatcher, wearing a black velvet-collared suit and brown silk blouse, appeared tired when she arrived at the hall.

It was 18 hours before the Budget. Mrs Thatcher put on a pair of lightly-tinted tortoise-shell framed glasses to look at her notes as constituency chairman Ron Thurlow spoke, preceded by the president, Councillor Frank Gibson, who chaired the meeting.

As she began to speak, Mrs Thatcher revitalised. She talked for 20 minutes—without notes—thumping the table in front of her for emphasis.

As a reforming Government, Conservatives set out to reduce inflation, she said. “You cannot do it without pain—we set out to do tough things to bring longer term benefits to the country.”

Lincolnshire philosophy was behind her financial planning, which meant living within one's means.

“Look what happened to inflation—it's the lowest rate for 15 years. When overspending occurs, there is only one thing—cut and live within your income.”

Referring to money spent on the National Health Service. Mrs Thatcher said that when she was a junior Minister in Harold Macmillan 's Government, one-quarter of the yield of income tax went into the NHS.

“Today it takes half the yield of income tax,” she commented. “We try to get value for money—through good management.

Looking at Europe, Mrs Thatcher said: “To get a fair deal for Britain in Europe, you need to be a bit stubborn. Why should two countries maintain Europe?”

She wanted “more things out of the nationalised sector back to the private sector.” Mrs. Thatcher cited Cable and Wireless, National Freight Corporation and a ship repairers as examples of success.

By staying a member of an alliance, it could mean the maintenance of peace.

“In six years' time we shall have the longest period of peace for 200 years.” she said.

“We believe in our way of life. Watch it, don't take it for granted,” argued Mrs Thatcher.

“If the free world is to stay free. Europe and America and Britain must stay together and play our part in the defence of the free world.”