David Rose, ITN
The Prime Minister didn't get back to Downing Street still just before one this morning. She was in bed about 2 o'clock. She was up again at 6:30 this morning, as she has every morning since the crisis started. With officials she worked over the long telegram which had arrived overnight from Sir Anthony Parsons, giving the Argentine's first response to the Britain's proposal.
At 9:30 Mrs. Thatcher chaired an hour-long meeting of her inner cabinet. They endorsed her view that the first response from the Argentines didn't offer much hope.
Ten forty, and the Prime Minister had an early opportunity to give the government's reaction. She had agreed some time ago to be the guest of one of her favourite interviewers. Mrs. Thatcher told Jimmy Young that first indications of the Argentine response were not very encouraging.
Eleven forty-five and the Prime Minister arrived back in Downing Street for a briefing on Zimbabwe.
Twelve forty-five the Falklands and the Common Market were put on the back burner while the Prime Minister lunched Mr. Robert Mugabe. Officially Zimbabwe's problems occupied them for the next two and a half hours. Also guests at the lunch, Lord and Lady Carrington, the first visit by the former Foreign Secretary to No. 10 since he resigned.
Three fifteen, farewell to the Mugabes and back to the Commons to hear Mr. Walker on yesterday's Common Market vote. The Prime Minister's furious about it. She also briefed Dr. Owen and Mr. Steel on the Falklands for the second time.
Five o'clock, back to Downing Street for two hours of meetings with ministers and civil servants on the Falklands, the Common Market and other pressing issues. A man who's had to keep up with this pace for the past six weeks is Mrs. Thatcher's Parliamentary Private Secretary.
Ian Gow MP
She's bearing up fine absolutely fine, as I think everbody would have expected she would have borne up.
David Rose, ITN
She's very physically strong people say?
Ian Gow MP
She's very strong, she's very fit. She's absolutely in the prime of life, and the prime of course for many years to come.
David Rose, ITN
[word inaudible] … people say she needs less sleep than her civil servants and her ministers. Do you find that? [end p1]
Ian Gow MP
Well, I don't know whether she needs less sleep. She certainly gets less sleep. But I think that's really a triumph of the spirit over the flesh.
David Rose, ITN
Seven o'clock and the Prime Minister had to go back to the Commons to vote though her thoughts were clearly elsewhere.
David Rose, ITN
[calling out to MT in Downing Street] Any fresh news, Prime Minister, any fresh news?
MT
No, we are waiting for news from New York. No fresh news.
David Rose, ITN
Still hopeful
MT
I am always hopeful.
David Rose, ITN
Seven fifty-five, a second Commonwealth leader demanded her attention. Actually Mr. Robert Muldoon is a welcome guest and he apparently supports any tough action she may wish to take against the Argentines.
Eight o'clock and the Duke and Duchess of Kent arrive ahead of Mrs. Thatcher, two hours for dinner, then five hours of work including a major speech for tomorrow. The Prime Minister I'm told won't sleep till three tomorrow morning. David Rose, News at Ten, Downing Street.