Politics, poetry and philosophy from Prime Minister

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, arrived in Finchley for a seven-hour constituency visit on Friday and was mobbed wherever she went, writes Iris Peters.

Politics and poetic passion in a speech to Barnet Anglo-Asian Conservative Society were greeted with a standing ovation: and 400 people applauded her philosophy at the opening of Europe's largest Jewish religious centre in The Manor House, Finchley.

Prominent Asian businessmen and Barnet councillors met Mrs Thatcher at a reception hosted by Barnet branch of the Anglo-Asian Conservative Society in Woodhouse School, North Finchley.

Seated in the principal's carved oak armchair under the college motto “cheerfulness with Industry.” Mrs Thatcher listened to chairman Prem Modgil describe common links between the Asian community and Conservatism.

“We believe in good education for our children, home ownership, enterprise and working hard” he said.

We came here, we sacrificed, we bought our own houses, we secured our base and we saved.”

Mrs Thatcher agreed, “Working hard. That's the way I was brought up.” she said.

“What the future holds for us depends on what we are and what we make of it. Go out and make it for yourselves—it won't come to you. It is a characteristic of Britain. We have an outward looking approach.”

Then she lambasted Labour's support for the miners strike. Uneconomic pits should close and cash put into new pits, she declared. Labour closed 300 pits—Tories had closed 92.

Mrs Thatcher commented that not one compulsory redundancy had taken place since closures were announced.

Quoting from Shakespeare 's Hamlet, she concluded: “Hold fast to friends, especially those adopted and tried. Bind them to you with loops of steel.”

The Prime Minister was welcomed by founder-president Jay Gohel, of Golders Green, and thanked by Peter Thomas, MP for Hendon South.

A bouquet was presented by Shilpa Jam, of Mount Road, Hendon. Those present included Councillor and Mrs Malcolm Lester and Councillor and Mrs David Hammond.

Mrs Thatcher began her engagements with a visit to The Manor House Centre for Judaism. East End Road, Finchley, arriving after a service of dedication.

Principal guests at the service, conducted by Rabbi Tony Bayfield, were the Mayor and Mayoress of Barnet, Councillor and Mrs Leslie Sussman, and Barnet's Town Clerk, Michael Bennett.

Welcomed by Rabbi Bayfield to the largest Jewish centre in Europe—five different organisations in one setting within seven-and-a-half acres—Mrs Thatcher met hundreds of people during her walkabout.

She visited Leo Bacck College, which trains progressive rabbis; the independent New North London Synagogue, the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain resources centre serving 35 synagogues; Akiva Primary School; and the Manor House Centre with its book shop, restaurant and newly established Museum of the East End.

Eventually the centre plans to build a students' hostel and sheltered housing for elderly people on its site.

“It will be a living example of Jewish life from infancy to old age—a religious centre for study, care and concern—the culminative traditions of 4,000 years.” said Rabbi Bayfield

There are 35 Reform synagogues with 45,000 members among Anglo-Jewry's 270,000 population, of whom 60,000 live in Barnet borough.

Mrs Thatcher admired some of the 15,000 books in the Leo Baeck Library before visiting the RSGB resources centre where she met Rabbi Michael Helbron, director of education and youth.

She was at her happiest during a visit to the Akiva School where children sang “Shalom” (welcome) as she entered the hall. Later she posed for photographs amid a cluster of excited children.

Before unveiling a plaque. Mrs Thatcher said materialism was not enough. People longed for a faith and to belong. She paid tribute to the Jewish community in Finchley for their charitable support and countrywide to Jewry for “its great talents and great gifts.”

Bouquets were presented to Mrs Thatcher and Mrs. Sussman by Lucy Bayfield and ludith Heilbron.

A rapturous audience greeted Mrs Thatcher, who is president of Finchley branch, Anglo-Israel Friendship Society, at a reception hosted by Finchley Synagogue, Kinloss Gardens.

Branch chairman Councillor Frank Gibson welcomed guests including Victor Lucas, president of the United Synagogue, and Greville Janner, QC, MP, president of the Board of Deputes of British Jews.

Vice-president Queenie Weber recalled Mrs Thatcher attending the inaugural meeting in her home in 1962—in the midst of a blizzard.

Thanking Mrs Weber for “her tireless energy” and Mr Pip Dubsky for his work. Mrs Thatcher said visiting Israel opened up a new world for her. It was a traumatic experience—so was meeting Mrs Golda Meir, Israel's first woman Premier.

“We are both fortunate that our democracies are not formed on man-made laws but on human rights, she said amid applause.

To mark her first visit as Prime Minister to the society, she was presented with a Menorah (seven-branched candelabra), and a china bowl of blue and white flowers by Councillor Frank Gibson.

Mrs Thatcher presented a china basket of holly and snowdrops to Mrs. Weber.

After three formal engagements and meeting constituents at her Ballards Lane, Finchley, office, the Prime Minister ended her day at an informal reception given by Ron Thurlow, chairman of Finchley Conservative Association.