Margaret Thatcher – Comments made when leaving Downing Street

Below is the text of the comments made by the departing Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, when leaving Downing Street in London on Wednesday 28th November 1990.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We’re leaving Downing Street for the last time after eleven-and-a-half wonderful years, and we’re very happy that we leave the United Kingdom in a very, very much better state than when we came here eleven and a half years ago.

It’s been a tremendous privilege to serve this country as Prime Minister—wonderfully happy years—and I’m immensely grateful to the staff who supported me so well, and may I also say a word of thanks to all the people who sent so many letters, still arriving, and for all the flowers.

Now it’s time for a new chapter to open and I wish John Major all the luck in the world. He’ll be splendidly served and he has the makings of a great Prime Minister, which I’m sure he’ll be in very short time.

Thank you very much. Goodbye.