Prime Minister
Thank you very much for coming to share with us this quite historic day.
When I first walked through that door—and many of you were with me photographing me then—I little thought that we would become the longest-serving Prime Minister of this century.
The eight years and two hundred and forty-four days have gone very quickly indeed and there is so much more still to do.
We have achieved quite a lot.
When I went through that door, Britain was known for suffering from the “British disease” . Now, we are known for having the “British cure” and people come to us—a newly-confident country—to see exactly how we have done it.
We have a great programme of legislation ahead designed really to extend opportunity to people who have not yet benefited from it—in education, in housing and changing the whole of local authority finance.
Perhaps I can summarise it this way:
There is more and more work to be done to make the world a safer place to live in. Britain is playing a foremost place in that. It is right that we should, with our history, and once again we are in a fit state and influential enough to do it. [end p1]
To make the world a more prosperous place, again, Britain is playing a foremost role in that as well and an excellent example.
And I think third and not least—indeed every bit as important as the others—is to restore the standards for which we used to be famous.
Britain's reputation used to be synonymous with fairness, with honesty and with courtesy and thoughtfulness for others. I think young people are longing for all of those standards to be restored—to be restored throughout our country, throughout Europe—in all aspects of life and in the wider world. That is a very important part of our task.
As you know, I am going to Africa—to Kenya and Nigeria—for a five-day tour tomorrow, and we are busy preparing inside for that tour, so if I might take my leave there is work to be done and I would like to get on doing it. Thank you!
Question
Mrs. Thatcher, one question! What is your reaction, please, to John Nott 's comment?
Prime Minister
I have no idea what John Nott has said. John Nott was a very vivid, vital, interesting member of our Cabinet, full of new ideas. [end p2]
Question (Same Man)
He said your leadership was over the top, Mrs Thatcher!
Prime Minister
Thank you. Goodbye!