Margaret Thatcher and her stirring words to Falkland heroes

I've been out chatting to my residents today and I knocked on the door of one household which was answered by a gentleman with a strong Scottish accent.

I've learnt never to assume anything when it comes to people and elections so, after an initial chat, I asked him if he was going to support me in the upcoming local election.

He said 'Oh yes, I am - but my family were staunch labour and so was I until 1982'.

So I said 'Please tell me more'. He then proceeded to proudly narrate the story of his time serving his country and had set sail to the Falklands for War.

He told me about the address the great Margaret Thatcher gave to all of the men on board, who were about to fight for their country and it literally brought tears to my eyes. Her final words to them were:

'Remember, you have the country behind you, God behind you and I am right beside you.'

Such were the power of her words and the genuine way in which she spoke them that, he said, if she'd asked the men to defeat the Argentinians by lunchtime, they would've finished it by breakfast! And so with lumps in their throats they were energised and determined.

And that was the time he switched..

It was glorious listening to that story and several others - He had a few funny anecdotes about the day he received a medal from her and about the accompanying Michael Heseltine. He also said that when they returned victorious from the war, she would not leave the vessel until she had shook the hand and said thankyou to every single person on board, making her late for her next appointment.

These are the things we do not hear, these are the real people that met and learnt what a great, compassionate woman she was. This resident has loved her from that day onwards and it showed.

But there was more to come. Finally he said to me, 'You have a good reputation around here and we know you work hard. You can be assured that I will be going to vote for you'.

The whole thing just made my day and in fact his words spurred me on too. Thanks Mrs T!

Margaret Thatchers Words (and how it's still right today)

Grant Shapps writes an article for Conservatives Home website and I was reminded of the Great Mrs T words from her 1983 manifesto - to be proved right, as we are also proving right this time round.

How history repeats itself when it comes to clearing up the mess after Labour years:

“In the last four years, Britain has recovered her confidence and self-respect. We have regained the regard and confidence of other nations. We are seen as a people with integrity, resolve, and the will to succeed.”

The choice before the nation is stark: either to continue our present steadfast progress towards recovery, or to follow policies more extreme and more damaging than those ever put forward by any previous Opposition… Only if we create wealth can we continue to do justice to the old and sick and the disabled. It is economic success which will provide the surest guarantee of help for those who need it most.”

Dream of the day - Margaret Thatcher

Dream of the day (received via e-mail)

Margaret Thatcher arrived at the gates of heaven.

St. Peter apologetically said -"Sorry we are not quite ready for you yet.

We are sending you back to your old job for a few days."
In a puff of smoke she was back in Westminster.

Ten minutes later, Abu Qatada was on a plane to Jordan.

Thankyou Margaret Thatcher

I was proud of my party for bringing the country's first woman prime minister and she soon returned our faith in her with her determination, focus, dedication, hard work and exemplary behaviour. It is with great sadness that I write this tribute but she will never, ever be forgotten.


Thankyou Maggie for being an inspiration to so many women, enabling us to believe in ourselves, not just as wives, mothers or friends but as an equal to men in the workplace.

Thankyou for making me feel that I could achieve anything I wanted in life if I had the determination, hard work and self belief.

Thankyou for winning the battle against the trade Union Leaders who, at that time, were bringing our country down onto it's knees. I dread to think what the country would look like now had you not been at the helm.

Thankyou for making people proud that they were British and not being ashamed of their patriotism, for fighting our battles in Europe and winning.

Thankyou for your strength and the force of your commitment to do what was right - 'this Lady's not for turning' will never be forgotten.

Thankyou for showing the world that women can be amongst the best leaders of the world.

Thankyou for being the greatest prime minster this country has ever had, and that it was in my life time. You have inspired me as a politician as well as a woman.

Thankyou for having so much integrity and for being one of the last truly internationally respected leaders. 

Margaret Thatcher inspired me in so many ways, and not just in politics, by proving that it didn't matter where you came from, what your parents did for a living or whether you were a woman or not, you could rise to the very top, smash though glass ceilings and be a formidable force. She made 'aspiration' and 'achievement' part of Uk's ethos and many men as well as women finally saw the daylight & believed that we lived in a great country where anyone could reach their full potential.

My favourite quotes from the great Mrs T;-

'Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and important, although difficult, is the highroad to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction.

'If my critics saw me walking over the Thames they would say it was because I couldn't swim'.

'I owe nothing to Women's Lib'

'If you just set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing'

'I usually make up my mind about a man in ten seconds, and I very rarely change it'.

'If you lead a country like Britain, a strong country, a country which has taken a lead in world affairs in good times and in bad, a country that is always reliable, then you have to have a touch of iron about you'

May you Rest In Peace Margaret Thatcher. You are a Legend.

Note; I will not be allowing any comments onto this post. This is my tribute - go do your own!