MT
I think we've faced some of the difficult problems which had not been faced in many post-war generations and that it had to be done. People knew it had to be done and that was why we were returned again last night. We still have the very difficult one of unemployment, which I'm afraid afflicts Europe as a whole. If we made more goods and sold more, we'd solve the unemployment problem. And strikes and industrial disputes don't help. But we are not somehow quite as business-minded as some other nations. It's just always been very strange. I sometimes wonder whether it was partly having, em, got an empire really through trade, we're very much a trading nation, we concentrated our academic talents and expertise on producing administrators because we had a far-flung empire to administer. And it was done supremely well, and then no longer having that, we haven't turned round fast enough to get people to go into business, whether it be making their scientific talent or other talent into business to create the very wealth we need to do the other things.
BBC Commentator
Later on in the photocall, the question of her taking over the leadership came up.
MT
A fantastic opportunity which just came along. It's been the most wonderful ten years of my life.
Journalist
Do you feel just as fresh as you felt ten years ago?
MT
Oh, much fresher.
Journalist
What about the personal sacrifices you've had to make then?
MT
You always have to do that for anything really very well worthwhile. But I couldn't have done it without Denis, now you understand that, I couldn't have done it without Denis, he's been my greatest fan who said, “look, I think you should go ahead with this” .
Journalist
Are you celebrating with Mrs Thatcher? [end p1]
MT
Right from, right from …
Denis Thatcher
I'm not sure about that.
MT
[laughing] Yes you are celebrating. Yes you are celebrating. I hope, I hope.
Journalist
You might have preferred a quieter life, do you think?
Denis Thatcher
No, I don't think so. The harder you work, the longer you live.
MT
You're still able to go to Twickenham and watch rugby football.
Denis Thatcher
That's right.
MT
Now come on, put those things down, let's get some coffee.