Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
30 years ago this Monday.............
...........in a very different Britain, on 4th May 1979, Margaret Thatcher arrived at No. 10 Downing Street.
The line that defined pre-Thatcher Britain from the Britain we know today seems almost as deeply etched as that which divides the pre-war from the post-war. So it's worth a pause for thought to remember that moment 30 years ago when the 'Iron Lady' arrived in a Downing Street, still open as a public thoroughfare, to proclaim (pray?) on the steps of No. 10:
"Her Majesty The Queen has asked me to form a new administration and I have accepted. It is, of course, the greatest honour that can come to any citizen in a democracy. I know full well the responsibilities that await me as I enter the door of No. 10 and I'll strive unceasingly to try to fulfil the trust and confidence that the British people have placed in me and the things in which I believe. And I would just like to remember some words of St. Francis of Assisi which I think are really just particularly apt at the moment. 'Where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope' …… . and to all the British people—howsoever they voted—may I say this. Now that the Election is over, may we get together and strive to serve and strengthen the country of which we're so proud to be a part. [Interruption "Prime Minister … ."] And finally, one last thing: in the words of Airey Neave whom we had hoped to bring here with us, 'There is now work to be done'."
The line that defined pre-Thatcher Britain from the Britain we know today seems almost as deeply etched as that which divides the pre-war from the post-war. So it's worth a pause for thought to remember that moment 30 years ago when the 'Iron Lady' arrived in a Downing Street, still open as a public thoroughfare, to proclaim (pray?) on the steps of No. 10:
"Her Majesty The Queen has asked me to form a new administration and I have accepted. It is, of course, the greatest honour that can come to any citizen in a democracy. I know full well the responsibilities that await me as I enter the door of No. 10 and I'll strive unceasingly to try to fulfil the trust and confidence that the British people have placed in me and the things in which I believe. And I would just like to remember some words of St. Francis of Assisi which I think are really just particularly apt at the moment. 'Where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope' …… . and to all the British people—howsoever they voted—may I say this. Now that the Election is over, may we get together and strive to serve and strengthen the country of which we're so proud to be a part. [Interruption "Prime Minister … ."] And finally, one last thing: in the words of Airey Neave whom we had hoped to bring here with us, 'There is now work to be done'."
Well, get ready for 2010. As well as elections in Haringey, the odds are that we'll have a national election which, failing something pretty momentous, is likely to bring the next Conservative age, or as David Cameron is forewarning us, The Age of Austerity.
See more on the BBC.
Tags for Forum Posts: 1979, cameron, david cameron, elections, thatcher
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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Brilliant! Thanks Birdy, that's great and bang on the nose too.
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Permalink Reply by StephenBln on
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Well thank goodness that Thatcher lived long enough to see how 'divisive' her policies were.. and eventually see them fail.. although I'm not sure if she even understands what's going on around her anymore..
For years, those of us in 'Old Europe' got pretty tired of the UK's politicians bragging, as well as being lectured on how we should run our economies.. Thank goodness we didn't follow your example..
BTW, take a look at this - 18 years of Thatcherism, 13 years of New Labour (in 2010) and what is the result of the next election most likely going to be? - That's right - vote the same old rabble in again.. and 'the winners' will probably only manage to secure around 35% (2005) of the vote..
Unbelievable, incroyable.. unglaublich - words fail me..
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Permalink Reply by Malcolm on
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Umm have you seen the latest employment and GDP figures for Germany? If not, you might be interested to know that the recession is just as bad if not worse there as here - but without the decade of growth and high employment that preceded it.
There may be many things to love about Europe, but the economic management of most of Europe (France, Italy, Spain, Greece... need I go on?) is not one of them.
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