Mrs. Thatcher answers Powell critics
While outlining Tory plans for the coming elections, Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, M.P., answered criticism of the local Conservatives in the letter columns of the Finchley Press.
Mrs. Thatcher was speaking at the annual meeting of the Finchley and Friern Barnet Conservative Association in the Conservative Hall, North Finchley, on Tuesday.
She said: “There has been some comment on the association's choice of Mr. Enoch Powell as guest speaker at a recent dinner.
Those who use this country's great tradition of freedom of speech should not seek to deny that same freedom to others, especially to those who, like Mr. Powell, spent their war years in distinguished service in the Forces.”
In outlining the Tory four-point plan for the General Election, she spoke of a simplified taxation system, which would reduce direct taxation. This would be the first Finance Bill of the new Tory Government.
The reform of trade union law, and the reduction of restrictive practices and wildcat strikes was the second big issue on their election plan. Pensions for the over-eighties was the third objective.
New legislation to implement law and order completed the plan. In an attack on the growing use of violence in public protest, Mrs. Thatcher said that in a democracy there were proper channels for protest.
She went on to say that the Prime Minister will try to attack the Conservatives, “in order to avoid his own record being placed in front of the British people.”
Mr. Wilson would probably mention the £800 million deficit the Conservatives had at the end of their term of office, but they can counter this accusation with the answer that they had enough savings there to meet it, savings which he has spent.
Profits
What Mr. Wilson will not publicise, continued Mrs. Thatcher, is the fact that half of this deficit was in overseas investment which is now bringing in profits and dividends and helping his balance of payments problem.
He will not mention the £800 million it cost the country to devalue the pound, nor the large drop in housing completions in the last few years.
All the Conservatives had to do was to win about 100 marginal seats, and they would be in power. Mrs. Thatcher added: “This will be a formidable task, not only for the association, but for the party.”
A lively question time, with questions ranging from education to taxation, followed Mrs. Thatcher's speech.
The folowing officers were re-elected: President, Mr. D. C. Johnson; chairman, Cr. N. J. Sapstead; deputy-chairman, Mr. F. W. Riches; vice-chairmen, Mr. J. Tiplady and Mrs. J. Tiplady and Mr. T. Robinson; treasurer, Mr. J. Drinkwater; auditor, Mr. J. G. Jackson.