1579: Margaret Thatcher on JY Prog on Radio 2 - 1975

On 19th February 1975, Margaret Thatcher gave her first interview as party leader – and she gave it to Jimmy Young on Radio 2. In this fascinating telescoped 50’ – she assures Jimmy that he is fine to call her Margaret – despite what listeners say. She also suggests that when her time comes to leave office – she will go with good grace. And – most tellingly - on the issue of Europe – given the decision to confirm entry to the common market loomed – she suggested (33’ in) that a referendum was simply inappropriate as the issue is not ‘clear-cut’ enough. She sees why referenda work on clear cut issues but “….about a common market treaty and its negotiations that’s a very very different thing“.