Notes on Margaret Thatcher’s Speech Report

Notes on Margaret Thatcher’s Speech to the Conference for the Conservative Party held on 10^th October 1980 at Brighton

1. Margaret Thatcher started by acknowledging the important supportive role played by her husband Denis and also her deputy Whitelaw.
2. The Prime Minister recognized the need for economic recovery and a renewal of the independence of the spirit and zeal for achievement.
3. Thatcher noted that in the first 17 months of her government, foundations had been laid for economic recovery. This included legislations to remove obstacles that stood in the way of economic recovery. Thatcher pointed out that it should not be assumed that her administration was using formulation of laws as a means of initiating economic recovery but that the legislation that the administration had passed so far had been necessary for any development to occur.
4. The government had also given incentives to motivate and stimulate innovation by the citizens as this was a very good way of ensuring positive development. Thatcher noted that prosperity could be achieved through self-reliance of the citizens.
5. Thatcher noted that the $3600 million debt owed by Britain internationally had been repaid within the 17 months she had been in office. This debt had been accumulated by previous governments but some of it had now been paid even before it was due.
6. Thatcher’s conservative party government had also abolished exchange controls that had been limiting the enterprise ability of Britain. These controls limited the enterprises ability to find opportunities overseas.
7. The government encouraged the use of secret ballots in trade unions’ elections so as to enhance democracy and fairness in arbitration of disputes by the unions.
8. The government had started privatization of government owned corporations in order to reduce their monopolistic power in the market. This helps in creating a free market where service providers can compete fairly. One such corporation that was been privatized was British Aerospace. Also, national companies could now be investigated by the monopolies commission.
9. During the 17 months that Thatcher had been in office, her government had made it possible for people to own homes. She noted that millions of tenants previously living in council houses had gotten the opportunity to own them. The previous governments had emphasized socialistic policies which did not allow for individuals to own property.
10. Thatcher also noted that policies had to be formulated to reduce the rate of inflation as it was a major contributor to unemployment. Thatcher pointed out that the over 2 million people who were unemployed was a matter of great concern and should not be taken lightly. Thatcher however noted that the inflation rate had fallen since she had assumed office as a result of policies enacted by her government.
11. Thatcher stated that public companies needed to cut costs if any meaningful development was to be realized.
12. According to Thatcher, a healthy economy was required for there to be a healthy society. A healthy society was also necessary if the country was to maintain a healthy economy. Thatcher pointed out that one way of ensuring a healthy society was through formulation of standards that would be accepted by the society. She also pointed out that citizens needed to feel part of a great nation for there to be a healthy society.
13. Margaret used this platform to point out that the British government did not support the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union as this was an act of foreign aggression.