“We were told our campaign wasn’t sufficiently slick. We regard that as a compliment.”
- October 13, 1925 – April 8, 2013
- British
- Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Politician, “The Iron Lady”
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Quote
“We were told our campaign wasn’t sufficiently slick. We regard that as a compliment.”
Explanation
In this quote, Margaret Thatcher responds to criticism of her political campaign’s style by reframing it as a point of pride. To her, being told the campaign lacked “slickness” meant it was authentic, principled, and focused on substance rather than image. She implies that genuine conviction is more important than polished presentation, and that voters should trust policies, not packaging.
This attitude was characteristic of Thatcher’s approach to politics. She prided herself on straight-talking, moral clarity, and policy-driven leadership, often resisting the shift toward media-managed, image-centric politics. Rather than aiming to be all things to all people, she preferred to speak directly, stand firm on her principles, and let the results speak for themselves. In this quote, “not slick” becomes shorthand for honest, grounded, and serious about real issues.
Today, the quote serves as a reminder of the tension between style and substance in modern politics. While slick campaigns may win attention, Thatcher’s words suggest that authenticity and integrity resonate more deeply with the public in the long run. It’s a defense of earnest conviction over superficial charm, and a statement that true leadership doesn’t need polish to be persuasive.
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