210 Quotes filtered by policy
Gentlemen, I have spent the night thinking about this Peruvian (peace) initiative and I have to tell you that if it is your decision to accept then you will have to find another Prime Minister.
Margaret Thatcher 05/1982
To the Falklands War Cabinet
Category: Falklands War, Diplomacy
The spirit has stirred and the nation has begun to assert itself. Things are not going to be the same again.
Margaret Thatcher
following the Falklands War
Category: Falklands War, English Identity
Europe is... a monument to the vanity of individuals, a programme whose inevitable destiny is failure.
Margaret Thatcher 03/2002
Category: European Union , European Constitution, European Federalism, European Integration, Eurosceptic
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, quality, fraternity' - they forgot obligations and duties I think. And then, of course the fraternity went missing for a long time.
Margaret Thatcher 1989
Category: France, Human Rights
We believe in a free Europe, not a standardised Europe. Diminish that variety within the member states, and you impoverish the whole Community. We insist that the institutions of the European Community are managed so that they increase the liberty of the individual throughout the continent. These institutions must not be permitted to dwindle into bureaucracy. Whenever they fail to enlarge freedom the institutions should be criticised and the balance restored.
Margaret Thatcher 07/1979
Category: European Integration
It has been suggested by some people in this country that I and my Government will be a 'soft touch' in the Community. In case such a rumour may have reached your ears, Mr Chancellor, it is only fair to advise you frankly to dismiss it, as my colleagues did long ago! I intend to be very discriminating in judging what are British interests and I shall be resolute in defending them.
Margaret Thatcher 05/1979
At a dinner with Helmut Schmidt
Category: Germany, Europe & Britain
I believe we should continue to have a partnership of national states each retaining the right to protect its vital interests, but developing more effectively than at present the habit of working together.
Margaret Thatcher 1977
Category: Europe & Britain
I was turned out because I said to Europe no, no, no. That no, no , no has now turned into yes, yes. Two yes's not three because he got the Social Chapter out and he's reserved his position on the single currency.
Margaret Thatcher 1994
Category: Europe & Britain, Europe - Maastricht Treaty
In my day that would have required the occasional use of the handbag. Now it will be a cricket bat. But that's a good thing because it will be harder.
Margaret Thatcher 1993
On John Major's Maastricht negotiations
Category: Europe - Maastricht Treaty
We weren't getting a fair deal on the budget and I wasn't going to have it. There's a great strand of equity and fairness in the British people - this is our characteristic. There's not a strand of equity and fairness in Europe - they're out to get as much as they can. That's one of those enormous differences. So I tackled it on that basis.
Margaret Thatcher 1993
Category: Europe & Britain
When will Labour learn that you cannot build Jerusalem in Brussels.
Margaret Thatcher 1992
Category: Europe & Britain
All part of my vision of a wider Europe.
Margaret Thatcher 11/1990
On the fall of the Berlin Wall
Category: Germany, EU Enlargement
It seems like cloud cuckoo land. If anyone is suggesting that I would go to Parliament and suggest the abolition of the Pound Sterling - no! We have made it quite clear that we will not have a single currency imposed upon us.
Margaret Thatcher 10/1990
Category: Euro (Single Currency)
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 22/11/1996
Nicholas Ridley Memorial Lecture
Category: European Federalism
If Margaret Thatcher had been Prime Minister at the time, there would have been no Treaty of Maastricht.
Douglas Hurd 06/11/1993
Category: Margaret Thatcher (quotes about), Europe - Maastricht Treaty
It is the people's turn to speak. It is their powers of which we are the custodians.
Margaret Thatcher 17/07/1993
Category: Europe - Maastricht Treaty
I personally could never have signed this Treaty.
Margaret Thatcher 12/07/1993
Category: Europe - Maastricht Treaty
I pay tribute to John Major's achievement in persuading the other 11 Community heads of government that they could move ahead to the social chapter but not within the Treaty and without Britain's participation. It sets a vital precedent, for an enlarged Community can only function if we build in flexibility of that kind. John Major deserves high praise for ensuring at Maastricht that we would not have either a single currency or the absurd provisions of the social chapter forced upon us: our industry, workforce and national prosperity will benefit as a result.
Margaret Thatcher 15/05/1992
Category: Europe - Maastricht Treaty
A democratic Europe of nation states could be a force for liberty, enterprise and open trade. But, if creating a United States of Europe overrides these goals, the new Europe will be one of subsidy and protection
Margaret Thatcher 08/03/1991
Speech to the American Conservatives Institute
Category: European Federalism
Yes, the Commission wants to increase its powers, Yes, it is a non-elected body and I do not want the Commission to increase its powers at the expense of the House, so of course we differ. The President of the Commission, Mr Delors, said at a press conference the other day that he wanted the European Parliament to be the democratic body of the Community. He wanted the Commission to be the Executive and he wanted the Council of Ministers to be the Senate. No! No! No!
Margaret Thatcher 30/10/1990
Rome Summit statement in the House of Commons
Category: Europe & Britain
