We're on the right track, says Maggie

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was in a fighting mood when she spoke to 300 people at a London North Euro Constituency reception in her Finchley constituency on Friday.

She slammed people who were “putting across a false story” and trying to undermine government action.

Spelling out key factors of Tory policy she promised: “As long as there is a Tory government, inflation will not return to Britain” .

Pensioners would not see their savings devastated by inflation as long as a Tory government was in power. And there would be a reasonable gap between expenditure and taxation she said.

Already more than 530 miles of new roads had been built and 150 new hospitals were under construction.

Referring to criticisms of recent pension increases, the Prime Minister pointed out there was a £4 increase for married couples in November 1985, followed by an interim increase in February this year.

“You tell me another government that would do that—provide an interim payment” , said Mrs Thatcher.

She looked back to life under Labour recalling the Winter of Discontent in 1979.

“They spent £90m on heating allowances and attack us … the help we give to pensioners is £400m and there is a considerable increase in severe weather payments. We create cash before we distribute it,” she said.

Mrs Thatcher told the gathering of Euro supporters from London North constituencies that the European Community was “immensely important to the world” . Tories were pro-Euro and pro-Atlantic Treaty.

“We need to cooperate in the defence of freedom, that is why we have been returned in the past and will be returned in the future,” she declared.

Wearing a dark cardigan suit and multi-coloured blouse, Mrs Thatcher was welcomed by London North Euro Constituency Council chairman Colin Turner, of Enfield.

“We were both candidates in 1950—we neither won but made a jolly good start, and learnt how to fight” , she said. [end p1]

London North Euro MP John Marshall described the Prime Minister as “an inspiration to the Western world” and paid tribute to the British Government's decision-making.

“Under her leadership she has given respect to Britain” , he said. Later he handed her a basket of spring flowers.

Among the guests were Sydney Chapman, MP for Chipping Barnet, Sue Marshall, Terry Pope, treasurer, Euro North Constitutional Council, and Sheelagh Ellis, secretary ENCC.