FINCHLEY BUDGET ‘A GOOD EXAMPLE’

The Government could learn a good lesson from Finchley Conservatives, according to the Prime Minister.

“We shall go on trying to get the nation's Budget as good as your budget,” Mrs. Margaret Thatcher told members of the Finchley and Friern Barnet Conservative and Unionist Association at its annual meeting.

“A positive balance is good housekeeping and good management and that's the way to run a country,” she said.

Despite public spending cuts the Government was still having to borrow £8,000 this year, she told members.

“It is neither moral nor responsible to lead people to believe that they can spend more than they have earned.”

Some people had complained about delays over reforms, particularly to union law and taxation, but Mrs. Thatcher explained the Government's attitude by rewriting one of her election slogans. “It is time for a change,” she said, “but change takes time.”

In a comprehensive speech she outlined her views on direct taxation, high interest rates, strikes, rising prices, pensions and the sale of council houses. But throughout, the message was simple: “We are going to go on cutting until the nation lives within its means.”

Turning to foreign affairs, Mrs. Thatcher received a round of applause for saying that Britain's flag and reputation was now flying high abroad. “And that's not bad for ten months' work, is it?” she asked.

We have started and I assure you that we shall not be deflected from our task because it is the best and only way for Britain.”

The Prime Minister also offered condolences on the death of the Association's president, Mr. Henry Oppenheim, and presented prizes for the inter-branch quiz. [end p1]

‘Rough times ahead’—PM

Britain's fading fortunes are changing—change takes time and it means putting the economy straight first.

Prime Minister Mrs. Margaret Thatcher once again displayed her unswerving belief in her Government's aims at her constituency party's 57th annual meeting on Monday.

Finchley and Friern Barnet's Tory MP radiated confidence even though hours before a national opinion poll revealed that her Government had slipped to eight per cent behind Labour and her own popularity was waning fast.

In a stern defence of her achievements as Prime Minister she warned: “There will be rough times ahead. It will be a difficult job. But we will stick at it and see it through and not be deflected from our task.

“We shall go on trying to get the nation's budget to balance. It is good housekeeping and good management.”

She told a packed St. Mary's Church Hall in Hendon Lane, Church End Finchley, that the Government were setting out to build a “capital owning democracy” , to roll back the carpets of suicidal Socialism and to have the way for radical trade union reform, de-nationalisation, an about-turn of the economy to spearhead manufacturing industry revival and an expansion of small businesses.

Mrs. Thatcher said she was “tremendously encouraged” by the decision of Sheerness steel workers and South Wales miners to dely their union and ignore a strike call. “It is a sign that attitudes are changing,” she said.

“People are beginning to exercise their own responsibilities and are saying ‘No’ because they have loyalties to their family and their firms. They have decided not to inflict harm on others and then expect to be supported on social security.”

The meeting stood in silent tribute to association president Mr. Henry Oppenheim who died last Wednesday, aged 66. Mrs. Thatcher called him “a very generous man.”

Chairman Mr. John Tiplady said the association pledged its “loyalty and dedication to do its utmost in fulfilling the challenge ahead in putting the country back on the path to prosperity.”

Officers elected were: president (held in abeyance), vice-presidents, Denis Thatcher, Jimmy Sapsted, Mrs. Ena Constable, Alec Miller; chairman, John Tiplady; deputy chairman, Ron Thurlow; vice-chairman, Godfrey Phillips; vice-chairman (membership), Stan Sorrell; treasurer, Tam Hartley.