Final Days Of Thatcher

you Margaret Thatcher swept a victory last night in the first contest for the Conservative Party leadership since her defeat of Edward Heath in 1975 with 240 MPs voting for her and only 60 voting against or abstaining the Prime Minister overwhelmingly defeated the challenge by rebel backbencher Sir Anthony Mayer her campaign manager mr. George anger held the result as a resounding vote of confidence it's a wonderful result it will strengthen her authority for a long time to come 60 votes Margaret not for mayor against you quite frankly it could have been a great deal worse the backbenchers feel unloved they need stroking particularly the margins there's growing unease about the level of interest rates and the community charge then of course is Europe the moderation of tone there might well be helpful there's a feeling that you're getting out of touch that you pay more attention to the views of unelected civil service advisers than your own cabinet specifically Charles Powell and Bernard England's names are being mentioned it might be an advantage for them and for you if they moved on I see Prime Minister I must stress that these are matters of strongly felt and quite widespread concern I gave my firm assurance that I would convey them to you and I promised the dudas and so I have but you're forgetting one thing George we won against Antony mayor of course we did he's marked out a trail that others may follow margarit there could well be another challenge next year then I'm afraid unless there are changes we could all be in for a very much rougher ride good evening the Prime Minister stands isolated from the rest of the European community not tonight after the Rome summit agreed a timetable for creating a single currency accusing the others of living in cloud cuckoo-land she said she'd never put such plans before Parliament we are not going to have a single currency imposed on us I believe it would be flatly contrary to the wishes of the people first mrs. Thatcher's insistence that Britain would never share a single currency with Europe seemed to be contradicted by Sir Geoffrey Howe the Deputy Prime Minister suggested one day Britain might do so the more news I'm afraid Bruce groups gone for Geoffrey to be sacked bang the Prime Minister was isolated in you Jeanette I think it might be an idea we will return our minds to what could be in a letter of resignation isn't that a little extreme well I just say we should be ready that's all got caught on the hop over the north end about I don't want to giving them the opportunity for another of his helpful glosses Teasdale yes David and I were just discussing that very subject funnily enough would you like a word Charles poles drafting or a policy stick to follow PM cues on Tuesday yes you go yes tis rather than it yes yes but imposed quiet that's precisely Geoffrey's position excellent and my dears naturally the line is our objections to imposition of a single currency not the principle we continue to push for our own hard EQ position but not ruling out anything at the moment and so forth that should be manageable don't you think I'm not so sure Tony it's all very well giving her a policy statement what it is can anyone make her stick to it no no no perhaps the Labour Party would give these things up easily perhaps they would agree to a single currency and to total abolition of the pound sterling what is the point in trying to get elected to Parliament only to hand over sterling and to handover the powers of the house to Europe this government has no intention of abolishing the pound sterling well that's the whole point it's not in the policy statement now an economic and monetary union is the back door to a federal Europe which we totally and utterly rigid rocket I hope that when the next election comes people who want to come to this house will come to uphold its powers and its responsibilities and not to denude this household we have surrendered some of them to the community and in my view we have surrendered enough come off it they're talking different languages the Prime Minister was just stating agreed cabinet policy which is what he's saying yes in God's good time and she's saying no no no we all know that nothing has changed and if you think your readers wanna see Jacques Delors agreement plastered all over the Great British v huh I'd say you're working for the wrong rag well Geoffrey yes quite worried look I hate to press you on this but we really do need a decision the house rises on Thursday if you are going I don't see how we can possibly leave it any later than that Terry I'm afraid I must agree we have to consider your successors position quality of the house time is a factor here if we don't want to lose the goodwill of the party hey well geoffery y'all saying I'm saying perhaps you're right my position may be becoming untenable if you drop me and left please I'll look it over tomorrow give you my decision by Cabinet on Thursday at the latest jump that's good morning good morning morning let me be quite clear as I see it with a Queen's speech less than one week away we still have three major bills waiting to be drafted is that correct what someone care to tell me why geoffery legal draftsman are in your remit we are a little behind I'm a very Prime Minister there are still some outstanding points of difference with your office on minor detail Treasury's been a little slow this is incredible this is quite incredible we'll just have to do better won't we Geoffrey now could we turn our attention to the next item on the agenda yeah Marbury I'm writing to explain some of my reasons for my decision to resign from the government I do so with great regret our work has been based on common values and shared beliefs it gives me all the more sadness therefore to acknowledge the growing difference which has emerged between us on the increasingly important issue of Britain's role in Europe good you don't think was Harding too defensive you only get to resign from the couple of months Geoffrey we we don't want to lose sight of the issues the media will pick up the Knorr is all right besides or must appear on gracious okay she's visiting some army bunker in Berkshire and there's a dinner engagement an appointment would be inconvenient what did you say it was about a personal matter of political significance but Charlotte Russe and Henry is that wise don't worry David she's not going to talk me out of it Geoffrey okay Margaret I think you already know why I've come to see you yes Geoffrey masks have you any plans I won't be challenging for the leadership I think we found it all in here cabinet government is all about trying to persuade one another from within so to within the unique partnership of Nations that is the European community in all honesty I now find myself unable to share your view of the right approach to this question on that basis I do not believe that I can any longer serve with honor as a member of your government I am of course very sad etc etc brevity never was one of Geoffrey's virtues there's no chance of talking him out of it as well none at all Duggars aunt in Renton of both spoken to mrs. quite determined going to a party house on my way to the theaters none of it seems to be the only place in the West End these days one could be reasonably assured of a drama-free evening so damage limitation how do I do with this you can't afford to get into a slanging match over european policy issues is there any way of avoiding it he's made it pretty clear that's what it's all about it seems to me it's largely a matter of selection Jeff she talks about mood somewhere yes here it is the mood you struck in Rome we can emphasize that car we mood tone clash of negotiating styles style not substance yeah sounds are actually excellent and more in sadness than in anger I think personal regret at the loss of a dear old friend so it's more sympathetic no flowers by request now from Westminster the consecutive path chairman mr. Kayla Baker mr. Baker a divided party regular resignations by election defense isn't the game up firstly may I say on Jeffords recognition as sad I am that it's taking place we've been colleagues for 25 years we both served in mr. Heath's government and in mrs. Thatcher's government and so my overwhelming feeling tonight is one of sadness but Jeffrey's gone now on your precise question it's obvious what they are up to the issues Europe and counter government and that turn it into a soap opera it's whistling all over again Jeff is still not running our Livie he's lost his voice haven't you better cancel the Israel trip contantly harm to be seen to be moving on a world stage I think we have to make some kind of move define go out he won't forgive the man that brings her down Michael and now is hardly the time for a challenge for the Gulf business in the offing no quiet no self the expert on dictators after all I just have one wicked thought well he with the gentle touch why not do it Jeffrey's way a leak you mean that's her way no Jeffrey were just write no letter to his local party no longer complained about a full and frank exchange between a member and its constituency chairman I suppose exactly what did you have in mind we have to get across the Jeffrey says Ignatians not just a sadness and a loss what's at issue is collective responsibility and party unities potentially a major crisis of confidence crisis of confidence my backside there's no crisis of confidence and you know it just like Aselton likes the blue touch paper then retires to a safe distance bloody Israel he's still saying he won't run is he hoping for another stalking horse like Mayor if it is fine the knackers yard is on alert she's got number tens of you burn it is neither put up or shut up that's my view unattributable of course well Tim hi Gordon you see the times please put up or shut up here's our own I honestly don't think hasn't I wants to stand at least not yet then they're practically forcing him into it I have to say I agree I think we shall get together on this one Tim try and talk someone over there in the bunk Rita seeing some sense while there's still time okay I'll call you when I'm looking at my diary uh-huh hmm what's how doing Geoffrey boys history don't you think good evening the Prime Minister is forcing the pace to defeat any challenge to her leadership of the Conservative Party anyone prepared to take her on is being given just nine days to decide and to get his or her nomination in an election would be held a fortnight a day mr. Michael Heseltine said again tonight he would not stand against mrs. Thatcher but I've made my decision clear I think mrs. Thatcher will leave Ian's of Diwali in the next general election and win it I've said it so often an ambassador at pieces this is quite intolerable Geoffrey are you all right I am Tony to be frank a little concerned about the way things would appear to be going there's a point of principle at stake here the only question seems to interest the media is will hissing try and stand or won't he it's staring into Hamlet with Michael as the Prince I think I should make a statement to the house well fine good I'll give David a ring announce it on Friday Jeffrey give them the weekend to think about it make them sweat over the years the right honourable and learning member for Surrey East has had a great deal to put up with to the Year to the credit of the right honourable and learner gentlemen mr. speaker he took his letter to the prime minister privately and announced his decision to hair face to face that is not everyone's way and a pause the Prime Minister though I certainly do I must say that I feel contempt for those who have fallen upon her and even been personally favored by her but who now anonymously attack those who snipe at the Prime Minister publicly but then cast around for surrogates or stalking horses deserve much the same to stay well you know some people might think he's got a point this vacillation delay is doing us no good at all Michael I don't think quite frankly that you've got any options left you have to take advantage of the first ballot the way she did against eath before anybody else can get into the race Douglas has done brilliantly over the Gulf in a straight fight against him I'm afraid you lose doctors won't be me don't go from winners I'm gonna get the body votes Douglas isn't a winner I am good I've just been listening to such as guilt oral speech on the car radio Jeffrey everything you should see this I'm still at the crease though the bowling has been a little hostile of late and in case anyone doubted it can I assure you there will be new ducking the bouncers no stone no playing for time the bowling is going to be hit all around the ground that's my style so perhaps you could use that somehow Jeffrey we commit to see areas error if we think always in terms of surrendering sovereignty how on earth of the chancellor and the governor of the Bank of England commending the heartache you proposal as they strive to to be taken as serious participants in the debate against that kind of background noise I believe that both the Chancellor and the governor are cricketing enthusiasts so I hope there is no monopoly on cricketing metaphors it is rather like sending your opening batsman to the crease only for them to find the moment the first balls are billed that their bats have been broken before the game by the team captain the tragedy is and it is for me personally for my party for our whole people and for my right honourable friend herself a very real tragedy but the Prime Minister's perceived attitude towards Europe is running increasingly serious risks for the future of our nation the conflict of loyalty of loyalty to my right honourable friend the Prime Minister and after all in two decades together the instinct of loyalty is still very real and of loyalty to what I perceived to be the true interest of this nation has become too great I no longer believe it is possible to resolve that conflict from within this government that is why I've resigned in doing so I have done what I believed to be right my party and my country the time has come for others to consider their own response to the tragic conflict of loyalties with which I have myself wrestled for perhaps too long she's finished it's damaging certainly what announced my candidacy tomorrow having so wound my colleague he went too far there was no need to go that far I need you to run my campaign George I would like to paint Peter the bank releases its annual results in a fortnight and we're about I need you George all right then we're on two conditions one I'm only a figurehead to only to the first ballot there won't be a second ballot in one of the most extraordinary speeches of recent times the Geoffrey Howe today sounded what many are calling the death knell of the current government Oh Geoffrey I think that caused quite a stir michael heseltine this morning finally broke his silence and announced that he will challenge mrs. Thatcher for the leadership of the Conservative Party mrs. Thatcher's outstanding contribution to the politics of our times is not in question the issue now however is how best to protect what we have all achieved under her leadership and advance under a Conservative government to meet the already daunting challenge of the 1990s that all seem to go quite smoothly Wow Sam what's next on the agenda you're booked for more interview at 3:30 and 4:00 p.m. that I thought it might be a good idea if you showed your face in the house with a wind-up of the address debate but how people see you're not too proud to mingle with the lobby for even the priorities okay good keys how are we doing well read a whole lot yellow undecided and blue we think are out obviously it's the yellows for after we've announced 100 firm pledges so far we think they're very much in the bag but we can't afford to settle for that need 120 mm wide okay man oh there's no advantage you're looking overconfident at this stage okay oh good Tony thank you so much for calling day I wonder if you could make time for a private meeting with Michael so no he's very keen to hear your views Morrissey Peter hi it's Jim Bell could I have a word with the p-n I'm afraid she's rather busy just at the moment Tim but I'm running the campaign this end can I help well something wrong exciting has come up Peter as a matter of fact I can't reveal my sources as they're saying but I've got hold of a draft of Heseltine's campaign manifesto I can bring it straight over oh I think we know more or less the kind of approach is going to take yes but I am talking specifics Peter the Gulf Europe cabinet poll tax the thing is we're pretty well up to our eyes here is it he doesn't want it what look Peter I'm here with Gordon in his office we're both King to help any way we can look I really don't think you should put yourselves out Tim this really isn't your line of country at all yes Peter it isn't a media battle we're dealing with MPs and their rather a sophisticated sort of electorate yes but Peter look i moustached my best Gordon and many thanks for calling I don't believe it they really don't know what they're up against today downstairs it J Keith could you approach Patrick Thompson David Sundberg David Price fine Tony Marlowe Peter rust what about Critchley well I'd certainly rather have him inside the tent pissing help is there any particular line you could just remind about the changes you promised after the mayor campaign and the fact that nothing ever came of them marginal shouldn't need much pushing will labor twenty one percent ahead in the polls Muslim the scared stiff already true but we must look as if we are happy about that Peter and remember we can't afford to take anyone for granted at this stage ah hello Peter Morrison here just checking that the PM can rely on your support on Tuesday oh that's splendid Nicholas thank you so much good night my people have been trying to persuade me to stand if things go wrong in the first ballot and I tell goes out of the question we've been signed our nomination papers on me you can't say I totally support the prime minister but only till next Tuesday that's not on no no no of course not besides how could I have any credibility as a foreign secretary in Paris if I'm fighting her at home but look backless why don't we just agree that if anyone asks we'll both say that we support her as long as she continues to stab so I want to cover it certainly in any case I'll be without of it for the next few days I'm booked into the hearts and Essex my wisdom tooth up you're going ahead with that you can get some terry wires well I don't want to look as if I'm hanging around like a vulture waiting to pick over the bones you think should happen to go along I mean oh it'll turn out alright I think we can count on that Oh Sammy absolute wouldn't be a bad idea if we were to stay in touch Prime Minister many people would now say that you are facing what could possibly be the greatest challenge of your political career how would you respond to that do you think our treatment of ministers is to blame no mr. Hesseltine walked out of cabinet because he would not accept cabinet responsibility there was no need for it you're referring to the Westland affair we all agreed on a course of action and Michel wouldn't he just walked out and Sir Geoffrey Howe didn't he also imply that you were difficult to work with no one has ever found it difficult to put a point to me they know I thrive on argument if I suddenly come up with something I am a little bit sharp now and then they know it's over over yet I will remember night I venture an opinion that people in this country would prefer to keep their own currency but it's a matter of choice I am prepared to put it to the choice of the people why are they not you made a referendum Prime Minister hello Jim listen I think we may have a little problem what the hell's going on Peter I'm supposed to be her media advisor and I have to find out he's giving interviews by accident oh come along Tim this was supposed to be a low-key campaign no TV no exclusives I thought we agreed on that well it's only the times on the Sunday Telegraph they're on our side God Almighty she could be saying anything in there have you read Heseltine's book no I I'm telling you you should it's Labour Party policy intervention corporatism everything that pulled us down he is against everything I believe in everything I struggled to achieve he says he would reduce community charge he would reduce taxation sons like the Labour Party we would end up with more community charge and more tax we cannot go that way we cannot go that way I have to tell you that we're not happy with the way things are going Peter we're acting is it four twin pillars of Thatcherism uh still in place they're not the economy's in the in our tax-cutting PM's poll tax let's put up the bills for seven out of ten people in the country oh you exaggerate surely the back benches are running scared she should be talking to them not flying off the summit conferences okay that sort of stuffs fine for general elections gets a rare time makes her look confident I know all that very well but right now places in the house she should be showing them that she still care it's all here Gordon it's on the list 236 firm pledges for the Prime Minister even if 15% of them are lying they're still ahead Peter don't worry everything is under control as he's got that wrong surely 236 minus 15% is only just over 200 that's borderline their politicians are there they're probably all lying with only two days left before the ballot for the Conservative Party leadership mrs. Thatcher flies to Paris tomorrow for a three-day conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe meanwhile according to two opinion polls due to be published in tomorrow's newspapers a majority of people now believe that the party would do better under the leadership of mr. michael heseltine nice looking better than we thought the seeming and genuine go where the outsiders Michael why should anyone lie to us see Parkinson came out against a referendum idea on Walden just can't seem to get the hang of this collective current responsibilities min schedule having ideas will run off some copies of The Times interview with the tea wrong people tend not to date too kindly recording labels socialists done Michael thirty pieces of silver I mean someone is trying to tell us something Keith oh that's disgraceful viola get it was white feathers it's a bloody disgrace let's just call it a much-needed contribution campaign firm jolly gentlemen the poll is now open party has a great deal be grateful to touch what you thank you kind of sequential time if you don't mind I have a plane to catch I want to be the first to give the Prime Minister the good news tonight so if you'll please excuse me thank you you three six nine was three missing there can't be what's taking them so long Patra Patra Patra should we do a recount no I don't think that's strictly necessary to you hundred and fifty two we were two out can't you get anything right not I'm afraid as good as we'd hoped thousand fifty two plus sixteen 168 fifteen percent a one six eight is twenty five point two that's it she's done it never know you have to add in the abstention she's four votes short well I think we know we have to do don't we she'll probably be talking to mr. Hurd about whether it's wise to go into the second ballot and I would have thought there'd be a long series of consultations backwards and forwards to London we definitely don't know what her decision will be mrs. Thatcher yeah mrs. Thatcher Strauss Muhammed Lee good evening good evening where's the microphone here I'm naturally very pleased that I got more than half the parliamentary party disappointed it was not quite enough to win on the first ballot so I confirmed it is my intention to let my name go forward for the second Oh Douglas it's Tim Tim where are you I'm at Catherine place hang on a bit will you thanks again for coming up sorry about that Douglas bloody chaos eeeh Tristan's got some people ran to talk things over the feeling is you cut loose while you've still got some room for manoeuvre things are changing fast people are saying we need a unity candidate someone to stop Hesseltine you or major maybe both Peter at Allen Clark is the PM there well I'm afraid she's rather tired up at the minute Allen well tell her the wimps have started they're talking about putting the pressure on for her to resign tell her she needs to get herself back here fast I really do you think you have to consider withdrawing your support and I Douglas she has to be made to understand that it's all over George amber for UPN George I just wanted to thank you for all you've done Tim I understand what you're saying but I can't do anything until I talked it over with ja that's what we agreed well you heard the bloody statement didn't you she's going to run that's all right George I perfectly understand good night he won't run the second ballot he says he can't me it's what we expected I suppose we ought to be going p.m. so Peter who do we ask now it's tight Prime Minister as I told you last night I'd say it's probably too close to call George sinks Hesseltine could pick up another 30 votes in the next round he may well be right I say fight Margaret it's going to be tough and we're in some difficulty but I still think you're our best hope of beating Hazeltine and in my book that's all that matters I have to tell you I asked Tristen garel Jones and Richard Ryder for their help and they both think we'd have the devil of a job but we can do it John we can turn this round if it were anyone else I say no it's just possible you can but you're gonna have to talk to the cabinet I mean individually one at a time it's important Prime Minister you have to talk to them and you have to listen with the cabinet united behind you we can get through this otherwise we haven't a hope very well if you insist the house is waiting for my statement on the summit let no one forget yesterday we sign the agreement which ended the Cold War p.m. I can't hold off the media much longer if you're going to carry on you have to say so loud and clear and you have to do it now all right Vernon I'll do that I fight on I fight to win she just said it it's on the news all right Douglas John are they coming in they're still refusing to stand against her wonderful that's wonderful news I congratulate the Prime Minister on the historic agreement to which he set her hand yesterday in Paris this is an agreement that the right honourable lady will be entitled to regard with a certain pride and satisfaction as she looks back on the twilight days of her Premiership but will she reflect on the thoughts will she reflect on the thought that it cannot be good for our country to be represented by a prime minister who has lost her authority and a government and a government who has lost its way I seem to remember the Liberals supporting a socialist government long after that government had lost its authority in this house and giving it for many many months indeed yes so it's no good the right honorable gentleman speaking that way the first 11 and a half years haven't been so bad and with regard to Twilight remember there are 24 hours in a day there's no way she can even come close to hassle time now he's right John she doesn't stand a chance crying but it's no good telling me these things then saying something different when you get in there is it and that goes for everyone just tell her the truth as you see it at the very least you will have that I hear there are people saying I should go I'm afraid I agree with them Prime Minister can come along I'm sorry it's a great pity you didn't get through the first ballot but there it is if you go on now you risk breaking the back of the party and in any case I believe you'll lose that's defeatist talk it's not like you I'm afraid that's what we're looking at Prime Minister defeat it'll be the charge of the Light Brigade all over again well the situation as I see it is slightly different the situation as I see it is this I've won three elections for our party I have never lost a vote of censure in the house I have the support of most of our MPs and you know and I know that the vast majority of the constituency parties in the country are behind me 100% and yet you're saying this why should I go who says I should who says I should may I ask what you've decided Prime Minister I'm going to fight of course on my mom and I don't support you do you think I'll win the only thing I would ask Prime Minister is that you refrain from these personal attacks on Michael Heseltine he does no good and it'll just make things more difficult to unite the party when all this is over Thank You Douglas I'll certainly bear that in mind I'll back you to the end BM I'm sorry BIM I'm afraid you're going to lose you'll be humiliated I can't bear it I just can't bear it backsliders defeatists I know what they're telling her they're saying the party's turned against her well it's not true we've done our canvass we know what people think Edward calm down well it's no good I am NOT going until I've seen her of course you can see her if that's what she wants but she's asked to see the cabinet first you'll just have to wait your turn it's your lot that's out of touch it's not her they've been telling you to resign um they they say you'll lose all right I agree you probably will that doesn't mean you shouldn't stand you can't just back down from this that's never been your way you've never thrown in the towel in your life hang on Margaret fine go down fighting let history judge Thank You Helen you're very loyal who the hell is hesitant anyone they say my support is hemorrhaging away they say they are deserting me in droves not true Prime Minister none of them believe I can win not one your support is holding well you didn't have a campaign before look we've drawn a list of 50 of the waverers if you could just talk to them a few words that's all it would take oh sorry you'll have to excuse me first of Europe I must work on my speech really is the cruelest thing after three election victories it's the cruelest thing yes drum I'm a numb ten I'm ringing to tell you that things are looking pretty uncertain at the moment nothing definite but we think you should be organized and ready to run we just wanted you to know that John yes yes I see has anyone tell Douglas sorry to ring so late good night well oh good morning sir duty sergeant here I'm sorry to trouble you but we've got two gentlemen at the gate claiming to be Conservative MPs what I called Edward Lee and Michael Browns Oh in that case they probably are Conservative MPs especially better let them in Michael Edward what the hell is going on here Charles what have you people been telling her I'm sorry Edward but she's been up half the night working on her speech for the debate she's dressing at the moment I'll tell her you're here of course but you're going to have to wait this way I honestly think she still hasn't got the message look I have a very high embarrassment threshold and if no one else is going to raise this thing I shall die let's just see what she's got to say to us in there can shall we the cabinets here I'm afraid you're going to have to go well I suppose that's it I have a brief statement to read having consulted widely among colleagues I have concluded that the unity of the party and the prospects of unity in a general election would be better served I've never done that before Prime Minister would be better served if I stood down to enable cabinet colleagues to enter the ballot for the leadership I should like to sank all those and in the cabinet and outside who have given me such dedicated support Margaret there'll be a tremendous amount of sympathy I don't want sympathy well it's a funny old world you

Channel: thatcheritescot

Views: 133,965

Keywords: margaret thatcher, tory, labour, pmqs, sylvia syms

Id: fyNOwpBbQTc

Length: 51min 9sec (3069 seconds)

Published: Sun Mar 03 2013