Margaret Thatcher: From MP to PM | Mrs Thatcher's journey from Finchley to Downing Street

News | Thatcher Begins Conservative Party Campaign

The launch of the Conservative manifesto for the 1979 general election.

CHANNEL | BBC 1

FIRST BROADCAST | 11 April 1979

DURATION | 45 seconds

FIRSTBROADCAST

1979

Synopsis

Margaret Thatcher opens the Conservative Party campaign at a press conference with the launch of a manifesto focusing on monetary policy. The election campaign is the subject of much curiosity among foreign journalists, mainly due to the prospect of Britain having a female Prime Minister.

Did you know?

The Conservative Party election campaign was delayed by the murder of Airey Neave, shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in an explosion caused by a car bomb on 30 March 1979. Neave was a steadfast supporter of Margaret Thatcher and was known for his tough line on terrorism in Northern Ireland.

Contributors

Margaret Thatcher
Contributor

Associated subjects

Elections | UK Politics | UK Prime Ministers

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Documents

Document - Letter to Margaret Thatcher about the General Election in 1959.

Letter to Margaret Thatcher about the general election, 1959.

WRITTEN 1959
1 Page

A letter asking Margaret Thatcher to take part in a radio programme.

Document - Memorandum about Margaret Thatcher in 1959.

Memorandum about Margaret Thatcher, 1959

WRITTEN 1959
1 Page

A memo to the producer of 'Any Questions?' about Margaret Thatcher.

Production notes about Margaret Thatcher in 1962.

Producer's comments on Margaret Thatcher in 1962.

WRITTEN 1962
2 Pages

Production notes from an interview with Margaret Thatcher on 'Woman's Hour'.

Document - Production notes about Margaret Thatcher in 1966.

Producer's comments on Margaret Thatcher, 1966

WRITTEN 1966
2 Pages

Production notes from a discussion about punishment of offenders with Margaret Thatcher.

Document - The earliest memorandum from the BBC Archives on Margaret Thatcher.

Memo from Joanne Symons on Mrs Thatcher

WRITTEN 1967
1 Page

A memo on the suitability of Margaret Thatcher for television appearances.

Document - Letter about a 'Panorama' profile of Margaret Thatcher.

Letter proposing a television profile of Margaret Thatcher, 1970

WRITTEN 1970
2 Pages

Nicholas Harman outlines plans for a profile of Margaret Thatcher on 'Panorama'.

Document - Memorandum about Margaret Thatcher's interests in broadcasting as Secretary of State for Education.

Memorandum discussing Margaret Thatcher's areas of interest, 1973

WRITTEN 1973
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The Controller of Educational Broadcasting gives a rundown of Margaret Thatcher's interests in the BBC.

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