Whirlwind tour with Maggie

Mrs Margaret Thatcher, MP for Finchley and Friern Barnet and Leader of the Opposition, spent a day in her constituency on Saturday fresh from hearing the news of the Workington and Walsall by-election victories.

The Iron lady of British politics was in victorious mood as she addressed party members at their autumn fair and predicted an overwhelming Conservative majority at the next election.

“The Labour Government are in difficulties. They always get into difficulties when they run out of other people's money,” she said.

The Opposition Leader gave facts and figures to the hundreds who crammed into St. Mary's Church hall, Hendon Lane, on the rate of the pound against the dollar whenever a Socialist government was in power.

“The by-election results had a clear message. The people have had enough,” she said.

They were sick of paying for those who did not contribute to the economy while they were quite capable of doing so.

She said that every wage earner felt the burden of Labour policies when he received his pay slip—deductions and taxation were increasing all the time. Similarly, home buyers were being hit because the buildings societies were having to charge such high rates of interest.

“That is all the results of Socialism as practised on the ordinary working man. The people's verdict on the Labour Government in Walsall and Workington was clear. Get out!” said Mrs Thatcher.

She called upon the minority parties in the Commons to unite behind the Conservatives and whittle away the overall majority.

It was a great day for Finchley and Friern Barnet Conservatives, for not only did they get the chance to meet their MP after the by-election victories but her presence at the fair meant that their fund-raising takings topped the £1,000 mark for the first time.

Mrs Thatcher was also well received at the Salvation Army fair in Hertford Road, East Finchley.

Between her and a Peddington Bear theme, the organisers managed to raise over £300 for funds.

Mrs T. told hundreds of bargain hunters: “You get out of life only what you put into it. So the more you spend here today, the more work the Salvation Army will be do for the needy.”

When she heard that it had been a difficult year for chrysanthemums, she said that this had been reflected in government. But, referring to the by-elections she added: “Things have been looking up this week.”

The MP told Finchley Chrysanthemum president Mr J. Perott that she learned something new every time she attended shows. “I saw a beautiful yellow bloom, and said how attractive it looked with a pink tinge—only to be told gently that the pink was considered to be a fault.”

Mrs Thatcher presented cups and trophies to top prizewinners, including Mr Jack Fincken who won seven cups, Miss E. Halls who gained the highest points in the show, and Mr C. Bryant in the novice section.

Her whirlwind and exhaustive trip around the constituency included a visit to St. Kilda's United Services Club in Ballards Lane.

She then called in at Finchley Women's Section British Legion's fancy dress dinner-dance at the Legion hall in Brackenbury Road.

Mrs Thatcher judged the competition and prizes were won by people masquerading as Bill and Ben, the kung Fu high priest and others.

Councillor Jimmy Sapsted, chairman of Finchley Conservatives, who accompanied Mrs Thatcher on the tour, said that she had enjoyed her day.

“She enjoys meeting her constituents at these happy gatherings,” he said.

Last word to the party workers, reporters and photographers who followed Mrs T. on the tour. After three hours of jostling, busding crowds, full halls and general hubbub we were just about ready to give up.

Not Mrs T.