Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Remarks leaving Flood Street

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue: Outside 19 Flood Street, Chelsea
Source: ITN Archive: OUP transcript
Editorial comments: Around 0900?
Importance ranking: Minor
Word count: 464
Themes: Autobiographical comments, Autobiography (marriage & children), Conservative (leadership elections)

Female Reporter

Mrs Thatcher left her Flood Street home smiling and confident. By now well used to the ordeal of cameras, arc lights and microphones, she posed happily for photographers, appealing to them not to give her a double chin, as she said some of them had done yesterday. I asked her for her plans for today?

MT

One has to go to the House of Commons and get the Leader of the Opposition's office started up, under the different management. It doesn't just happen you know. It has to be put into operation.

Female Reporter

How do you think this is going to change your life, Mrs Thatcher?

MT

[Pauses and takes in breath.] I think it'll just be even busier than it has been before. That doesn't seem possible, but it will be.

Female Reporter

Are you tired Mrs Thatcher?

MT

No, no. I had a good night's sleep.

Female Reporter

Do you ever get tired?

MT

Yes!

Female Reporter

Have you managed to get a housekeeper Mrs Thatcher?

MT

Well, I haven't sorted that out yet.

Male Reporter

Mrs Thatcher …

MT

You don't leave me time. [General laughter.] I've spent more time seeing the press than doing anything else. [Laughs.]

Male Reporter

Mrs Thatcher, the morning after your election how do you feel about it now?

MT

Perfectly all right, perfectly all right. There is so much to be done that one doesn't have time to feel too many butterflies.

Male Reporter

Are you a little apprehensive about this new job? [end p1]

MT

Of course, of course. Everyone is starting a new job.

Male Reporter

How's the … how's the family reacted to it?

MT

Oh, they all right. They are taking it all in their stride. Whatever comes, they take it.

Female Reporter

How's your daughter coping with her exams?

MT

Well, now look, someone went up and tried to get an interview with her between two exam papers yesterday, which I thought was thoroughly heartless.

Male Reporter

Have you thought at all about Mr Heath this morning?

MT

Of course I have. Yes.

Male Reporter

Well, what are your …

MT

Ah, of course I have. He sent a kind message yesterday which was very? nice … tape ends.