Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Remarks visiting the North East ("moaning minnies")

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue: Press Productions Ltd, Wallsend, Tyneside
Source: Tyne Tees TV Archive: OUP transcript
Editorial comments: Between 1600 and 1710.
Importance ranking: Major
Word count: 375
Themes: Employment, Industry, Famous statements by MT

Reporter, Tyne Tees TV

It was no surprise the Prime Minister picked as her first port of call a visit to one of the region's most successful companies. From a state of crisis just two years ago, Press Production Systems of Wallsend has built up a £60m order book supplying modules to the North Sea gas and oil industry. And if new orders it is chasing materialise, the company plans to increase the workforce from 1500 to 2000. Mrs. Thatcher was very impressed by what she saw. The company, she said, was doing a fantastic job, [words doubtful] at the right time and at the right price. When I suggested that she should also be meeting the one in five who are out of jobs in the region, it provoked this reply:

MT

Well … [sighs] … look. I cannot do everything. Isn't it important for me to go around to show the success of the North East. Here are you, you belong to the North East. Why don't you boost it? Why don't you boost it? Why don't you instead of asking me questions— “oh, are they going get any more” , “oh, there are a lot of unemployed here” . Why don't you say “look, eighty per cent are in work” . Yes, we have to try to get work for the twenty per cent who aren't, but some of the work that is being done is fantastically successful. Don't you think that's the way to persuade more companies to come to this region and get more jobs—because I want them—for the people who are unemployed. Not always standing there as moaning minnies. Now stop it!

Reporter, Tyne Tees TV

[Attempts to interrupt and talks over MT. Unintelligible.]

MT

… are working very well.

Reporter, Tyne Tees TV

… unemployment rate in … [question unintelligible]

MT

Yes, indeed. But you want in fact more jobs. So do I. And therefore you have to say in fact “look, come to this region. Come and look at the success stories in this region. Come and see what the work people of this region can do if you put your confidence in them” . That is the way to get more jobs, not your way. I want more jobs. Now cheer up and go and boost the success and your much more likely to get more jobs that way.