Letters of congratulations to Margaret Thatcher on becoming prime minister

Peter Sellers Tax-exile actor: "Dear Mrs Thatcher as an ex-Goon from East Finchley I send you many congratulations on your marvellous victory." Milton Friedman US economist: "Britain can lead us all to a rebirth of ­freedom as it led us all down the road to socialism." David English Daily Mail editor: "We did our best during the campaign and I hope that it helped. But you and I both know that the real struggle lies ahead during the whole of the next decade. I and my colleagues will do all that we can to support you and fight with you in the vital and exciting times to come." Petula Clark Singer: "Felicitations. So happy for you and for Britain." Bill Deedes Daily ­Telegraph editor: "You played the sort of round which at ­Augusta wins the man a green jacket." Larry Lamb Sun ­editor: "They say new brooms sweep clean, the trouble is knowing what to do with the old soot." Friedrich von Hayek Austrian economist: "Thank you for the best present on my 80th birthday anyone could have given me." Sir Patrick Dean Retired head of the Foreign Office: "Under your leadership our country has the best possible chance of recovery and there are already clear signs of a new spirit." Barbara Cartland Romantic novelist: "A million congratulations. You are an ­inspiration to us all."