Margaret Thatcher - Time Quotes

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Unless we change our ways and our direction, our greatness as a nation will soon be a footnote in the history books, a distant memory of an offshore island, lost in the mist of time like Camelot, remembered kindly for its noble past.

Margaret Thatcher
It took us a long time to get rid of the effects of the French Revolution 200 years ago. We don't want another one.

Margaret Thatcher
I exercise my right as a free citizen to spend my own money in my own way, so that I can go on the day, the time, to the doctor I choose and get out fast.

Margaret Thatcher
They [Federalist European Politicians] divide their time between court room, prison and debating chamber - giving a whole new meaning to the term 'conviction politician'.

Margaret Thatcher
We went back on a very similar manifesto to things I believe in. The difference is that after eighteen months to two years he did the biggest U-turn on policy of all time and started to go the wrong way. In the end, that cost us the next election.

Margaret Thatcher
Everything a politician promises at election time has to be paid for either by higher taxation or by borrowing.

Margaret Thatcher
You know, if you just set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything, wouldn't you, at any time? And you would achieve nothing!

Margaret Thatcher
Given time, it would have been seen as one of the most far-reaching and beneficial reforms ever made in the working of local government.
Of the poll tax

Margaret Thatcher
I might have preferred iron, but bronze will do. It won't rust. And, this time I hope, the head will stay on.

Margaret Thatcher
Human rights did not begin with the French Revolution...[they] really stem from a mixture of Judaism and Christianity...[we English] had 1688, our quiet revolution, where Parliament exerted its will over the King... it was not the sort of Revolution that France's was...'Liberty, equality, fraternity' – they forgot obligations and duties I think. And then of course the fraternity went missing for a long time.

Margaret Thatcher
I am sure you will agree that, in Britain with our democratic institutions and the need for a high degree of consent, some of the measures adopted in Chile are quite unacceptable. Our reform must be in line with our traditions and our Constitution. At times the process may seem painfully slow. But I am certain we shall achieve our reforms in our own way and in our own time. Then they will endure.

Margaret Thatcher
It will be years — and not in my time — before a woman will lead the party or become Prime Minister.

Margaret Thatcher
And I will go on criticising Socialism, and opposing Socialism because it is bad for Britain – and Britain and Socialism are not the same thing. (...) It's the Labour Government that have brought us record peace-time taxation. They've got the usual Socialist disease – they've run out of other people's money.

Margaret Thatcher
My father, more perceptive than many, wryly commented that by the time I was an adult there might not be an Indian Civil Service to enter. He turned out to be right. I had to settle for British politics instead.

Margaret Thatcher
No woman in my time will be Prime Minister or Chancellor or Foreign Secretary – not the top jobs. Anyway I wouldn't want to be Prime Minister. You have to give yourself 100%.

Margaret Thatcher
On calling a General Election:
Some say Maggie may, or others say Maggie may not. I can only say that when the time comes, I shall decide.

Margaret Thatcher
We're leaving Downing Street for the last time after eleven-and-a-half wonderful years, and we're very happy that we leave the United Kingdom in a very, very much better state than when we came here eleven and a half years ago.

Margaret Thatcher
My policies are based not on some economics theory, but on things I and millions like me were brought up with: an honest day's work for an honest day's pay; live within your means; put by a nest egg for a rainy day; pay your bills on time; support the police.

Margaret Thatcher
It pays to know the enemy — not least because at some time you may have the opportunity to turn him into a friend.

Margaret Thatcher
I am still at the crease, though the bowling has been pretty hostile of late. And in case anyone doubted it, can I assure you there will be no ducking the bouncers, no stonewalling, no playing for time. The bowling's going to get hit all round the ground. That is my style.

Margaret Thatcher