Premier lashes her opponents

The Tory Party are the “true democratic party of the nation” Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher told her constituents on Tuesday.

Speaking a the annual lunch of the Finchley and Friern Barnet Conservative Association's women's advisory committee, she lashed out at her political opponents.

She told members and guests that before the Social Democratic Party was formed Ms Shirley Williams said she would never form a centre party for it would be without philosophy, policy, principles and values.

“That is exactly what it is.

“All of those people who have joined it from the Labour Party would still be in the Labour Party had they won the last election sitting in the cabinet alongside Mr. Benn and all his Left-wing friends.

“The significant thing is that they did not form it until after they had been defeated, they didn't have the guts to form it when they were in power.”

Defending the Government's campaign of cuts she was quick to point out the areas where spending had been maintained or increased.

The National Health Service had just as many doctors and nurses as when the Conservatives came to power for the health of the nation was considered a priority, she said.

With regard to education Mrs Thatcher said the Government had maintained expenditure per pupil but had spent less for there were one million fewer pupils.

She said it was essential that spending on internal security and defence is kept up.

Mrs. Thatcher spoke of the Government's attempts to right an economy which had been burdened with industrial overmanning and restrictive practices for about 30 years.

She said: “This Government has the guts to tackle the problem. We have the same output with fewer people than we had two years ago. Productivity last year with a lower workforce went up by eight per cent.

But Mrs. Thatcher was challenged when she said in London there were not many problems for somebody who was prepared to work.

A dissenting voice from the audience protested: “That's not true, Margaret.”

After the lunch Mrs. Thatcher went on to open a new £500,000 sheltered housing development, at Speedwell House, Woodside Park, which will provide homes for 29 elderly people.

Mrs. Thatcher, who chatted to pupils from nearby Holmewood School, was welcomed by the chairman of the Speedwell house Societys' managing committee, the Rev David Viles

Along with Cllr Mrs. Rosa Freedman, Mayor of Barnet, and Mr. Sydney Chapman, Chipping Barnet's MP, she then toured the site.

The Prime Minister—who was presented with a bouquet by the society's secretary Mrs. Rosemary Regan—visited two flats, one occupied by Miss Elsie Taylor and one by William and Vera Salter.

The development consists of 19 single-person and six two-person homes with one for the resident warden.

There are also social and laundry rooms.