Wednesday, October 21, 2009

"Well I never..." Thatcher on Unions (1975)

"As you well know, for over 100 years, ever since Disraeli's day, since before the Labour Party existed, it has been the belief of the Conservative Party that the law should not only permit, but that it should assist, the trades unions to carry out their legitimate function of protecting their members."

The Times also reported at in the speech that she caused more confusion by claiming that she, too, had been a trade unionist in her time: "I was a member of the Association of Scientific Staffs when I was a research chemist", she said. "I do not know if we have a union now, do we?".

Document type:
public statement Conservative Trade Unionists
Document kind:
Speech
Venue:
London
Source:
(1) Thatcher Archive: speaking text (2) The Times, 3 March 1975
Journalist:
(2) The Times Diarist, 3 March 1975

hat-tip thingy Col. Roi

3 comments:

Mike Law said...

And I recall attending a CLP meeting in Poplar and Canning Town (back when I was CLP secretary) and Sir Robin Wales gave a speech in which he stated that, should the people of Newham decide to opt for an elected Mayor in the then forthcoming referendum, he would not stand for that post... well I never!

John Gray said...

Hi Mike

Your point is? I simply don't know if your recollection is accurate or not. But actually so what? You have changed your mind on things so maybe Robin did on this issue as well?
This is a distraction anyway - do you support Tory policy towards trade unions? I understand tonight we are still the "enemy within"?

Mike Law said...

I see, I (or anyone who doesn't share your drone like adoration of all things Newham Labour) have questionable recollections and are slated for having a change of heart (plenty of anon posts on this blog having a pop at me for crossing the floor), but Newham Labour folk that you are enamoured by are excused for just having a change of mind! Your a hypocrite.

No, I do not support the Tory Policy towards trade unions.