The lady's not for turning
Encyclopedia
"The lady's not for turning" is a phrase used by Margaret Thatcher
, then Prime Minister
, in her speech to the Conservative Party Conference on 10 October 1980. The term has thus been applied as a name to the speech in its entirety. It is considered a defining speech in Thatcher's political development becoming something of a Thatcherite
motto.
The phrase made reference to Thatcher's refusal to perform a 'U-turn
' in response to opposition to her liberalisation
of the economy, which some commentators and Ted Heath had urged. It was written by the playwright Sir Ronald Millar
, who had been Thatcher's speech-writer since 1973, and was a pun on the 1948 play The Lady's Not for Burning
by Christopher Fry
, although Thatcher missed the reference herself. Millar had intended the 'you turn if you want to' line, which preceded it to be the most popular, and it received an ovation itself, but it was 'the lady's not for turning' that received the headlines.
The speech as a whole was very warmly received at the conference, and received a five-minute standing ovation
.
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
, then Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
, in her speech to the Conservative Party Conference on 10 October 1980. The term has thus been applied as a name to the speech in its entirety. It is considered a defining speech in Thatcher's political development becoming something of a Thatcherite
Thatcherism
Thatcherism describes the conviction politics, economic and social policy, and political style of the British Conservative politician Margaret Thatcher, who was leader of her party from 1975 to 1990...
motto.
The phrase made reference to Thatcher's refusal to perform a 'U-turn
Flip-flop (politics)
A "flip-flop" , U-turn , or backflip is a sudden real or apparent change of policy or opinion by a public official, sometimes while trying to claim that both positions are consistent with each other...
' in response to opposition to her liberalisation
Economic liberalization
Economic liberalization is a very broad term that usually refers to fewer government regulations and restrictions in the economy in exchange for greater participation of private entities; the doctrine is associated with classical liberalism...
of the economy, which some commentators and Ted Heath had urged. It was written by the playwright Sir Ronald Millar
Ronald Millar
Sir Ronald Graeme Millar was an English actor, writer and dramatist.Ronald Millar joined the Royal Navy in 1940 after having studied at King's College, Cambridge, England, for a year. He established himself as a playwright after the second world war, and between 1948 and 1954 lived in Hollywood,...
, who had been Thatcher's speech-writer since 1973, and was a pun on the 1948 play The Lady's Not for Burning
The Lady's Not for Burning
The Lady's Not for Burning is a 1948 play by Christopher Fry.A romantic comedy in three acts, set in verse, it is set in the Middle Ages, it reflects the world's "exhaustion and despair" following World War II, with a war-weary soldier who wants to die, and an accused witch who wants to live...
by Christopher Fry
Christopher Fry
Christopher Fry was an English playwright. He is best known for his verse dramas, notably The Lady's Not for Burning, which made him a major force in theatre in the 1940s and 1950s.-Early life:...
, although Thatcher missed the reference herself. Millar had intended the 'you turn if you want to' line, which preceded it to be the most popular, and it received an ovation itself, but it was 'the lady's not for turning' that received the headlines.
The speech as a whole was very warmly received at the conference, and received a five-minute standing ovation
Standing ovation
A standing ovation is a form of applause where members of a seated audience stand up while applauding after extraordinary performances of particularly high acclaim...
.