Speech to Finchley Conservatives (Association AGM)

Document type:	Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue:	St Mary’s Hall, Hendon Lane, Hendon
Source:	Finchley Times, 10 March 1983
Editorial comments:	MT arrived at 2000, attended a reception after the meeting and returned to vote at House of Commons at 2330. There is additional material (on election timing) in a second account of the speech published by the Barnet Press. She said that lessons could be learned from elections in Australia and Germany at the weekend. "From Australia we can learn that the timing of an election does matter. I will try and choose the right time. ... And from Germany we see that it was right to lay the facts before the people and say "look, you know who the aggressor is". They live nearer to the danger than we do and they know their future depends on the NATO alliance".
Importance ranking:	Minor
Word count:	820
Themes:	Conservatism, General Elections

Election date tease from Mrs Thatcher

Prime Minister Mrs Margaret Thatcher came “home” to Finchley on Monday—and told punters to put their money on an election “between now and May 1984.

“I will try and choose the right time,” she told an audience at the 60th annual meeting of Finchley and Friern Barnet Conservative Association. “I am not so bothered because we have stuck to certain principles.”

And the theme of speeches delivered to two audience during the visit was service before self.

She told the Conservative Association: “I want every man a capitalist, independent, owning his own house, with savings and a pension. Those who succeed in the future produce the good of tomorrow.

“The Conservative Party is quiet, stable … we don't strike, shout and demonstrate. We are thrifty, producing goods, paying our own way.

“These are Victorian values—I believe in them. If we stay true and resolute and loyal to the cause, and united, then we shall win and succeed, turning the tide of Socialism to a Conservative country with independent people upholding Britain.”

Human freedom was achieved by justice, continued Mrs Thatcher. “Each of us is here not for what we can get out of it—but for what we can contribute to society.”

The fundamental principles of government included defence of the realm. There had to be sufficient for defence or else freedom could not be retrieved.

Honest money

“Only government can provide police to uphold the law—we have put a lot more into the police and resources. It is going to take time to reduce crime figures. “Looking at inflation, Mrs Thatcher said it was the Government a job to uphold “honest money” .

Mrs Thatcher, wearing a black cocktail suit with a blue silver-striped frilled blouse and her favourite pearls plus a large brooch, received a rapturous welcome at the meeting in St. Mary's Church hall, Finchley.

President, Councillor Frank Gibson presented her with a Falklands rose, and told the audience: “We want the message spread—we want Margaret Thatcher in [end p1] charge of the affairs of this country for another five years.”

The eyes of the whole world would be on Finchley analysing the votes following the next election, he added. Referring to the Falklands campaign, Mr Gibson said her leadership made people proud to be British and troops were spurred on knowing the Prime Minister was backing them.

Mr Gibson welcomed guests including Sir Basil Feldman, president of Greater London Conservative party, Mr Jay Gohel, chairman of London area, UK Anglo-Asian Conservative Association and Mr John Marshall, London North Euro-MP.

Marvellous job

Also present was Mr Neville Beale, Greater London Council member for Finchley.

Chairman Mr John Tiplady, retiring after five years in office, recalled that in 1958 as a ward member he was asked to select a future Parliamentary candidate.

“We were told—look for a future Prime Minister. Well, what a marvellous job we did,” said Mr. Tiplady, proudly. He is succeeded as chairman by Mr. Ron Thurlow.

The Margaret Tiplady inter-branch quiz cup was presented by Mrs Thatcher to Councilor Graham Halliday, Ken Woffendent and Phil Williams.

Handing the Westbrook Speakers' Shield to Mr M. J. Gobel won by the branch for the first time in 30 years, Mrs Thatcher told him: “I won a similar one 35 years ago!” Another presentation went to Mr John Larkin, chairman of the speaking competition.

Officers elected were President, Councillor Frank Gibson; vice-presidents, Mrs Ena Constable, Mr A. C. D. Miller, Mr Denis Thatcher, Mr Herbert Stean; chairman Mr Ron Thurlow; deputy chairman, Mr Godfrey Phillips; vice-chairman, Mr Stewart Martyn, Mr William Vokes; treasurer, Mr Tom Hartley; auditor, Mr Ken Bristow.

Thanking members for their support Mr Gibson praised the hard work and efforts put in by Mr Andrew Thomson, constituency agent.

Earlier Mrs Thatcher spent 75 minutes with prominent members of the Jewish community at a reception in Finchley Synagogue, Kinloss Gardens, organised by the Trades Advisory Council of Great Britain with offices in Ballards Lane, Finchley.