Prime Minister in Finchley

She meets the Party faithful, opens a housing project, gets a cheque from the Army and drops in on the police at play

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher put world troubles to the back of her mind when she visited her Finchley constituency on Friday.

She met Tory ladies, elderly residents, the army, the police. Young Conservatives and some critics in a hectic programme of engagements.

Members and guests of the Conservative Women's Constituency Committee had no sooner sat down to their annual luncheon when they were on their feet again to greet Mrs. Thatcher who arrived late.

Over 220 people were at the function in Firs Hall, Green Lanes, Winchmore Hill, and they included Finchley's GLC member Neville Beale and London North Euro-MP John Marshall

Mrs. Thatcher said there were people present who had campaigned for her in the 1959 General Election when she became Finchley's MP.

She described the event as a “great togetherness” luncheon as well as a victory luncheon.

“We have done so much since that victory in June but inevitably when you win by such a splendid majority you run into a bit of rough water.”

She went on to expound the virtues of strong government but said they had to have the wisdom and understanding to leave to the people the things only the people can do.

Governments are not there to dominate, they are there to serve the people, she said.

Mrs. Thatcher then spoke about law and order, inflation and the creation of wealth before dismissing the parallel some have drawn between the Grenada Invasion and the siting of Cruise missiles in Britain.

“They are saying we cannot have Cruise missiles here because we could not trust the United States to consult us before they used them.

“There is no parallel at all. Those missiles are on our territory and we have not merely an oral understanding but a written agreement that they would not be fired without the full consent and agreement of the British Prime Minister.”

On nuclear weapons she said the prize of peace in Europe would only be kept if Britain stayed strong enough to deter any potential agressor.

Inflation was a daily and weekly battle, she told supporters, and would only fall by the Government sticking to their policies.

The creation of wealth is achieved by those working in business, commerce or trade but stopped if the Government levied too great a burden in taxes and rates.

On law and order she said: “We can never leave law just to the police. We all have to back them because we are all part of society and responsible for upholding its disciplines.”

She spoke of the battle between public expenditure and taxation and the need for the Government to economise.

Mrs. Thatcher listed some of the Government's achievements—a record number of people owning their own homes; inflation down and Britain's standing overseas rising.

Sue Thurlow organised the lunch for the committee which is chaired by Esther Levi.

Mrs. Thatcher's next job was to open a Barnet Council sheltered housing project in East Road, East Finchley.

She was met at Prospect Place, which provides 36 self-contained flats for up to 60 elderly residents, by the Mayor of Barnet, Cr John Tiplady.

Mrs. Thatcher toured the development with warden Doreen Gates; housing welfare officer Margaret Fitzhugh; housing committee chairman Cr John Perry and director of housing services Ray Jannering.

She visited the homes of 72-year-old William Piper and his wife Florence, aged 74, and Minnie Duck (73).

Mrs. Duck, who was with a friend and neighbour Helen Watters, took the opportunity to get a book on Mrs. Thatcher autographed.

The Prime Minister commented on how tidy the flat was and approved of the fact that the heating is individually metered.

Each flat has its own kitchen and bathroom and individual gas-fired central heating system. But the scheme is designed to encourage a sense of community and there is a pleasant common room and kitchenette where residents can meet.

In the communal lounge Mrs. Thatcher was presented with a bouquet by Edith Roach.

She praised the appearance and layout of the scheme and said it was a great asset to the area.

Cr Perry said it was Barnet's 29th sheltered housing scheme and the ninth in the Finchley area.

When he commented on how well the council had spent their housing investment programme allocation for the current year he was heckled by Labour member for East Finchley Cr Laurence Spigel.

Cr Spigel, who was joined by the ward's two other Socialist councillors John Davies and Frances Crook, described the opening as a “cynical ploy to disguise the real extent of the housing crisis in the area.

He added “Each week I see a number of people needing urgent repairs, transfers, or a home for their family, these cheap public relations exercises will do nothing for these people.

Outside Prospect Place there was a demonstrations by residential social workers who have banned new admissions to council homes and are refusing to work overtime. They week more money and a shorter working week.

After private constituenty business at Tory headquarters in Ballards Lane, Church End Finchley, Mrs. Thatcher went to the Sweets Way Community Centre, Whetstone.

She was presented with a bouquet by seven-year-old Katherine Ann Flannagan before accepting a £7,000 cheque on behalf of the Army, Benevolent Fund from Brig Rolph James.

Brig James gave Mrs. Thatcher a collection of army stamps signed by the Army Board and the colonel of each regiment depicted.

The Prime Minister was then introduced to residents of the estate which provides homes for a number of regiments including the Scots Guards.

She spoke to soldiers who served in the Falklands including Lance Sgt William “Olly” Brown and his son, Alan.

His wife, Jina, said of the conflict. “It was a very worrying time and I hope it never happens again.”

The Guards lost eight men and had 43 wounded in the Falklands Lance Sgt Tony Edgar said: “I lost friends, you feel it for about six to 12 months but they you adapt.”

After a visit to the Metropolitam Police, “S” Division social club at Bushey Mrs. Thatcher returned to the Ballards Lane headquarters to speak to Young Conservatives before their annual dinner.

She was presented with a cheque for over £250—proceeds from a sponsored walk around the constituency boundary.

Before the Young Conservatives began their Halloween dinner, which was cooked at the premises, Mrs. Thatcher said: “Thank you for believing in the things we believe, for actually speaking up to defend them, for influencing the future and for being determined that it will be that kind of future for young people of ability and tactic” .