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

News | Election

Who will win? The eve of the general election in 1979.

CHANNEL | BBC 1

FIRST BROADCAST | 02 May 1979

DURATION | 15 minutes 40 seconds

FIRSTBROADCAST

1979

Synopsis

The final walkabouts, photo opportunities and speeches are made by the party leaders on the last day of campaigning before the election. With polls putting the Conservative Party ahead, Margaret Thatcher says it is 'time for change' and that she has 'considerable grounds for cautious optimism'.

Did you know?

Despite the unseasonably cold weather and snow in some parts of the UK, the voter turn-out was high at 76 per cent, which was 15 per cent more than for the 2005 general election.

Contributors

David Holmes
Presenter
James Callaghan
Contributor
Michael Foot
Contributor
David Steel
Contributor
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
3 Pages

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

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