02/10/2016 - Live Afternoon Session Conservative Party Conference

APPLAUSE. Thank you. Good afternoon and well

come to Birmingham. I formally declare that Conference is now open.

I am the President of the National Convention. Having been too many

conferences over the years it seems that they usually take place against

a background that is memorable. 2014 and we were well into campaigning

for the general election. 2015 and we were celebrating the victory that

let as govern without the meditation of the Liberal Democrats. APPLAUSE.

And I think I have invented a new collective noun. In meditation of

Democrats. 2016 will be kept in our minds as the year of the referendum,

a new leader, and Prime Minister. It has in recent years been the

practice of presidents to relate how they came to be in the rule. My

story goes back to 1992. Having recently moved to Yorkshire, someone

from the local association came down my drive to deliver a leaflet for

the general election. I offered my help. It must have been all of 30

seconds before the branch chairman had a bunch of leaflets in my hand

and a delivery route. Since then the path has been the norm. Branch,

executive, Association chairman, area and region. In truth this was

my resurrection in the party since at the age of eight or nine I had

delivered for my father who was on his local council in Lancashire for

40 years. With just three and a half years until the general election we

need to continue with that spirit of campaigning. The work we do know is

invaluable. To ask electors know what their problems are has more

credibility than asking them two months before the election. Let me

thank everyone who is already working so hard in the campaign. I

hope you enjoy the fantastic programme we have ahead this week.

Now I want to introduce someone who is no stranger to elections, someone

who has been in Parliament for 30 years. Patrick McLoughlin. It tells

you a lot about the man that as a miner he stood as a Conservative

candidate in areas close to call fields. It also tells you a lot that

he succeeded in so many rules from junior transport minister, to Chief

Whip, Transport Secretary, and now party chairman. But before we

welcome him to the stage we have a very special video.

APPLAUSE. Thank you. And thanks to all the

help that the convention officers are doing during this conference.

Conference, this is the first time I have spoken to you as your party

chairman. It feels a bit like coming home. Home to the heart of the party

that I love and which has helped me make something of my life. A party

that I joined over 40 years ago, attending my first conference in

1977, starting in the Young Conservatives as a district

councillor in Cannock Chase, as a Staffordshire County Council, and as

an MP for Derbyshire deals, serving on the front bench since 1989. I

served as a junior minister under Thatcher and John Major. As a

Cabinet minister under David Cameron and no Theresa May. All of them

great leaders, achieving important things for our country, and they

deserve our thanks. What here today, in Birmingham, it's

a bit like coming home in another way to. To place I grew up.

Actually, it was Cannock. Not far away, the road. When I worked as a

minor and my father and grandfather worked as minors before me. It's

true. There weren't many conservative members of the pit that

I worked at. LAUGHTER

But conservative roots go deep air in Birmingham. A city that Joe

Chamberlain once made the weather in politics, as Churchill said. He

brought the support of the Liberal Unionists and both his sons went on

to lead our party. And the Conservative Party, we are making

the weather today. Backing a new mayor for the West Midlands. We have

a great candidate in Andy Cannock Street. Not your typical politician.

A man with a fantastic business record, now putting himself up for

public service. He's a proud local. Passionate the West Midlands. And

Andy has the experience and the vision to make this region even

better. APPLAUSE

Next year, we face an important set of elections. County council

elections up and down the country, local elections in Wales and

Scotland. We cannot afford to be complacent. I know you won't be.

Because we know that winning matters in politics. It's the thing that

earned us the right to achieve great things for people. But it's not

everything. Maybe as party chairman in charge of campaigns, I shouldn't

say that. What's funny, this job is about building the party and the

people we get involved in it. It's about members like me and you

starting to look for a way to make a difference. And those who care for

our country enough to do their bit, if this is your first conference,

right now, politics is amazing. Labour is tearing itself apart.

Every former Labour leader publicly saying that Jeremy Corbyn is unfit

to lead their party. 172 Labour MPs voted no confidence in their leader.

172. How on earth are they, with a straight face, going to recommend

him to the British people to be by Minister of this country?

APPLAUSE Liberal Democrats...

LAUGHTER Them? -- remember them? Don't

underestimate them. The S NPR in power in Scotland, facing a

brilliant, thriving, Conservative opposition underlay fantastic

leadership of Ruth Davidson. -- SNP. APPLAUSE

What an amazing achievement she had this year. Taking our party from 15

seats to 31, beating Labour into second place.

APPLAUSE And we know that with Ruth as leader

is of the opposition, the SNP finally going to be held to account

for what they are doing. Now, a bit of an understatement this. A what

has happened since our last party conference. But one important thing

is the same. It is still a la party that the people of Britain trust to

run the country under our second female Prime Minister, Theresa May.

APPLAUSE My message is this. There was a time

when not long ago, some clever people used to claim that party

politics was over. Nobody wanted to join any more. Well, how wrong they

were. Tens of thousands of people have either joined or rejoined other

party this year and that is great news.

APPLAUSE And I'm pleased to say that, this

year, there are more party members attending a conference than at any

time in the last decade. But yes, our opponents are growing, too. Lots

of people getting involved. That's a good thing. That's democracy.

Politics matters. This fight that we are in, it is real. I promise you,

as party chairman, I'm going to make sure that we don't forget that. I

know, over the last few years, we have lost some people. There have

been some family rows. We have all seen it. Well, that needs to be

over. It is time to come together again, backing a brave progressive,

optimistic, determined, bold comic Conservative governments. -- bold,.

Let me say something about the boundary review. This is all about

ensuring that everyone's vote carries equal weight. Because, if we

don't, MPs could end up representing constituencies based on data that is

over 20 years old. Today, there are some constituencies with more than

twice as many votes as others. In a modern democratic system, that

cannot be right. APPLAUSE

cannot be right. And, of course, Labour are playing

political games. Opposing the changes that Parliament has already

voted fall. Riddled with infighting and threats of the selection by the

hard left, they are trying to block these reforms. Now, it might not be

convenient for some Labour MPs but it's not good enough for those

people whose vote counts half as much. We said that we would act and

make everyone's about Dominic vote count equally. We put in our

manifesto at the last general election and it was enacted in the

last parliament with Nick Clegg's support. The changes must take

place. APPLAUSE

Sometimes, politics is hard. We've had to take some tough decisions

knowing that they are the right ones for the country. All of us, at some

point in our lives, will rely on the National Health Service. It is one

of the things that makes our country great. Jeremy Hunt, our Health

Secretary, is ensuring that our NHS just does not have a future but it

gives people the certainty of a world-class care. Wherever and

whenever they need it. Philip Hammond, as Chancellor, is tasked

with building an economy which works for a free one. That doesn't just

create jobs. It provides job security. The decisions, taken by

strong politicians. -- toff decisions. Where going to take the

great strength of our party and make it stronger still. Today, I can

announce that the campaign team will be training the next generation of

Conservative campaign managers in a year - long apprenticeship scheme.

Enabling us to build on our successes in 2015, in places like

Molly and outward, Gallo. Places like Cornwall, Cheadle and Darlene

all. -- Derby North. APPLAUSE

Remember how sweet it was to unseat Vince Cable? Who knows is going to

be in our targets in 2020? We also know that, in some of our major

cities, we simply lack the capacity to deliver our message effectively

on the doorstep. That is why we are bringing in a new team of city

campaign managers, ready to take the fight to Labour in their heartland.

Working with my vice-chairman for cities and my PBS, Stuart Andrews,

that will be an important change. APPLAUSE

Entries are made, we have a Prime Minister who knows what our party

can achieve. -- Theresa May. She was a councillor. She has been out

everywhere to meet members. I know, from talking to, it's what she

thrives on. This matters so much because they simply cannot afford

them are now more than ever, to let the Labour Party near a sniff of

pallor. -- power. Just imagine, for a few seconds, Labour wins the 2020

general election. Jeremy Corbyn is in Downing Street, raising the red

flag. John McDonald is raising every taxi can find and inventing some new

ones. Diane Abbott... LAUGHTER

Is running the health service. Ken Livingstone, twice defeated by our

brilliant foreigners Dominic Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson...

APPLAUSE Twice defeated but I am perched,

shoved into the back-seat of the primers to a car. Mind, Peter

Mandelson is locked in the boot. Every cloud has a silver lining.

Just because the prospect is so appalling, conference, it does not

mean it couldn't happen. We have used that by sharing a better way

and creating opportunities for people at every stage of their

lives. It's what we did in the four years that I spent at the Department

for Transport, rebuilding Britain, investing in our towns and cities.

Just look at Birmingham new Street station. A ?750 million revamp,

bringing more capacity, better facilities and hundreds of new jobs

to the heart of bringing them in Birmingham. -- Birmingham.

APPLAUSE And where stamping the Conservative

Mark on the country with more children attending good and

outstanding schools. More than 2 million apprenticeships. A national

minimum, living wage. Investment in our NHS. Lower crime. The largest in

cream in -- increase in state pensions for 50 years.

APPLAUSE Conference, we can look back over

the last six years with pride. Pride, in particular, to have been

led by David Cameron. Now, the achievements that our party made

under David are real. He too was from 198 Members of Parliament, in

2005, two 329 today. I very much hope...

APPLAUSE I very much hope that we can make

Robert courts, here with us this afternoon, our candidate in the west

Oxfordshire and Whitney, the 330th next one.

APPLAUSE Anybody who cares about politics

should admire David Cameron's honesty and decency. A few months

ago he was due to speak as a fundraiser in my constituency. In

one of those weird twists of fate that is any party's worst nightmare

it ended up taking place the day after he left Downing Street. I was

assuming he might give it a miss. But no. He came along. They came

along and spoke from the heart and shook everybody by the hand. It

showed the measure of the man. 'S he loves this party and he loves

his country. David, we thank you for what you have done for our party and

country. Thanks also to George Osborne. As

Chancellor he turned our economy around. 2.7 million more jobs since

Labour left office. The deficit is capped by two thirds. Over 900,000

more businesses created. And also I want to give special thanks to

Andrew Feldman. Andrew, thank you for the brilliant job you did as my

predecessor. APPLAUSE Raising funds, building a strong

team, helping us to win that 2015 election. The next three and a half

years are about building on those foundations. I was so proud to say

Theresa May could so brilliantly in her address on the steps of Downing

Street. Contrast for a moment our smooth transition with the utter

farce that we have seen in Labour. A leader supported by less than 20% of

his MPs. To leadership elections in less than one year. At one stage

more court battles than actual hustings. Conference, the

Conservative Party any Government has a clear path. To deliver a

Brexit and to begin work. To tackle the injustices that still exist in

our nation. And to build a country that works for everyone. That is

what we Conservatives have always done. There was a brilliant moment

in Theresa May's first PM speech when she turned to the Labour leader

and effectively said, 2-0. Because while the Labour Party talk

about equality, it is the Conservative Party that delivers it.

Ours is the party that brought equal votes for women, extended the

franchise, gave council tenants the right to get a foot on the property

ladder, elected the first woman to sit in the House of Commons as an

MP, kept our promise is to the poorest people in the world, thanks

to Justin dealing and her successor, Priti Patel, for all they are doing

in international developments. Ours is a party which elects strong

leaders while other parties forget what leadership is. But here is the

thing. We can never just imagine that people will thank us for what

we have done. I always remember the story of a Labour MP canvassing in

the 1979 general election on a council estate. He came across a

House which was full of Conservative posters and he went up and he

knocked on the door. He said, I got you this council House. Without my

help you would never have got the House. And the gentleman said, yes,

you did. And I am very grateful to you. But you will not sell it to me,

will you? We have got to be ready to rise to

the challenge of the moment. To take no one's vote for granted. To keep

their trust and remain on the side of people who work hard and do the

right thing. My message is this, there has never been a more exciting

time to be a Conservative. Come and play your part. If you are one of

the thousands of new members, get out on the doorstep and campaign. If

you are one of our army of councillors, take pride in what you

offer your community, and get out on the doorstep and campaign. If you

are looking at politics and you care about our future and our country,

whatever your background, come and be part of the Conservative Party.

Thank you. APPLAUSE Good afternoon again, conference. It

gives me great pleasure to welcome Lord Heseltine, a man who needs very

little by way of introduction, having been a prominent figure in

the governments of both Lady Thatcher and John Major. I am

delighted he has agreed to shore as -- to join us today. Please welcome

Lord Heseltine. APPLAUSE Mr Chairman, I first addressed this

conference 49 years ago. APPLAUSE

It was in Blackpool, late in the day, about transport policy. And the

whole was empty. As I look across this whole packed to the rafters

with excitement and anticipation I can only reflect that everything

comes to those who wait. APPLAUSE But I have another agenda item.

It is now nearly as long ago since the 16-year-old William Hague, in

one of the outstanding conference speeches of our time, pointed

loosely in my direction as he forecast, you will not be here.

APPLAUSE You got many things right, William,

but you got that one wrong. But I must be brief. I have only one task.

I am here to introduce to Conference, Andy Street, our

candidate for the new mayoral constituency of the West Midlands in

next year's first elections for the devolved authorities. From my first

experiences of Government in the 1970s I have wrestled with the

conflict over the role of local Government. As the rule of central

Government to centralise in the pursuit of quality, or to devolve in

order to enthuse and excite a more locally inspired solution? Starting

in the early 1980s we began to experiment and then to consolidate

new partnerships, sharing power with the men and women who read our local

communities. As Patrick so eloquently said, our party has a

proud record of social reform stretching back into the early 19th

century and exemplified by the spirit of one nation, endorsed by

Theresa May and her commitment to ensure our policies benefit the

many, not just the few. I salute the thought and the purpose. Let me know

see why I think that Andy Street is so qualified to carry our standard

in Greater Birmingham, the West Midlands, Midland engine. Let me say

so to this audience but also to their wider audience that is

watching our deliberations. Andy brings to distinguished and relevant

experiences to the task. First, he built his career by climbing the

ladder of one of our most successful companies, the John Lewis

partnership. The slogan associated with that company, never knowingly

undersold, was not created by producing shoddy products at

knockout places, it was about fair prices, for quality products. Never

forget that it is you, the customer, who Judge whether such acclaim is

justified. Andy has spent his life satisfying customers. He now wants

to bring the same obsession with quality to the provision of public

service. There is something else. The John Lewis partnership is owned

by all its employees. They come from all classes, of communities, are

blind to the issues of colour or creed. They all share in the company

's profits and success. Andy has had to live with the discipline of

satisfying customers but at the same time ensure that he retains the

goodwill of his fellow employees. Again, be clear indication of his

ability to serve the public as voters and as working people, and as

those dependent on public service. Andy has another qualification. In

the drive to devolve power, pioneers particularly by George Osborne, Greg

Clark, and no Sajid Javid, was enthusiastic endorsement of Theresa

May, Andy has led the local enterprise partnership here in

Greater Birmingham since its inception in the last Parliament.

The creation of the combined authority has required a cross-party

alliance which is given a vital cohesion to the new interest. Ably

cheered by our leader in Solihull that embraces local leaders of the

major parties. Andy has been at the centre of the devolution agenda and

has proved by success how this area has benefited. I am a political

realist. You do not go into politics to be popular. After eight years of

near frozen living standards there is an uneasy mood out there across

the advanced world. And the descriptions of it are commonplace.

The anti-ageing elite. They are only in it for what they can get out of

it. Let no one make any mistake and associate Andy Street with those

distortions. He will give up a salary that would make even the

local football heroes gasp with envy. And he will he give it up?

Because he is a Grammy. This is home. He was born here. He grew up

here. He loves that. He will serve it with the characteristics of

service and quality that are the hallmarks of every stage of his

life. I hope that every voter will think carefully about which of the

candidates has the experience and the track record to turn words into

deeds, policies and actions. They will find no one with more to offer

than Andy. Thank you. APPLAUSE Michael, thank you for that

wonderfully generous introduction. At a building like that, I sense I

really do know the meaning of being never knowingly undersold. Ladies

and gentlemen, you've just heard from the architect of evolution.

Indeed, the architect of regional mayors. A man who, in his own words,

has been giving the same speech for 40 years. The difference, though, is

that now we are all listening. And acting on those words. Here, in the

West Midlands, we are turning that vision into reality. That is why I'm

here today. To serve you as the Conservative candidate for the mayor

of the West Midlands. I am equally delighted to welcome you to my home

city of Birmingham. I first went to school just down the road from here,

had my first job interview just a stone's throw from there and my mum

and dad still live in the same house that I grew up in. Indeed, this

region has formed me. It has been my heritage and it is fundamental to

what has made me a conservative. After 30 years in business, this

place has drawn me to front line politics, to stand before you today

in what I describe as a defining moment for my home region. Make a

mistake, this region is going places. You'll have seen all the

cranes on the skyline, and I hope that when you step off the train,

you might have even marvelled at what must now be one of Europe's

finest railway stations. They you were even seduced by a certain

department store... LAUGHTER

APPLAUSE As it's now graces New Street

Station. So, ladies and gentlemen, normally

at this time of year, I'm thinking about the creation of the Jon Lewis

Christmas advert. The Bears, the hares, the Penguin, the old man on

the moon. This year, that's not my concern. There are more concerned,

concerning matters for me. Many of you have said to me that you're

giving up all of that politics? The answer is yes. Precisely. Because

they are at that defining moment for our region. Our Prime Minister and

her team, they understand and they see the potential of this region.

They believe in evolution and they understand that the best answers for

the West Midlands, from the people of the West Midlands. Nobody

questions why London has a mayor. Indeed, every great city around the

world has a stronger voice. Now, thanks to this document, it can be

exactly the same for the great cities of England. For me, I just

couldn't let this opportunity pass by. Most importantly, I couldn't let

it fall into Labour's hands by default. Conference, the stakes here

are five. Let me tell you about the West Midlands. It's a place where

enterprise in its DNA. -- with enterprise. The industrial

revolution to modern banking. For decades, the economy here

underperformed. As a result, the consequence has been some social

pain. Indeed, the very constituency in which you are sitting in two-day

has the highest unemployment in Great Britain. That cannot be right.

A life expectancy in parts of this region is well below what it could

and should be. However, since 2010, a la fortunes have begun to change.

It was then that he knew Government asked business to share in the

leadership of economic development through the local enterprise

partnerships, as Michael talk about. It's been a privilege to lead that

organisation here. We've shown that teamwork and collaboration can

deliver. The results speak themselves. Over the past six years,

the greater earning and Solihull area has created private sector jobs

faster than anywhere else in the UK. -- Greater Birmingham. The West

Midlands had the best exporting figures because of our research and

local manufacturing companies and the RB only region in Britain that

can boast a trade surplus with China.

APPLAUSE Last year, there will all businesses

born in Birmingham than anywhere else outside of the capital. So,

friends, the choice is very start. Do we go back to Labour's old way of

doing things, where they think they know best? Or do we liberate our

great regions and their talents? You know the answer. As mayor,

therefore, my guiding aim will be, once again, to make this place the

regional economic powerhouse of Britain. Some will question that

ambition. But the lesson of history, indeed, the lesson of Joseph

Chamberlain, businessmen and mayor of this city, is that our social

challenges can only be met when everybody shares in the fruits of

economic progress. I understand how that works. It's the principle upon

which John Lewis is founded. A business which shares its success

with all of its partners. It's what we call partnership for all. We now

need our own partnership for all in the West Midlands. A partnership

about cities, a partnership about unity is, a partnership of

opportunities. What is to be done? Will the mayor go banging the drum

around the world for us? Will be mayor fight hard for the best deal

from central governments? Indeed, will be mayor make the case are us

hosting the Commonwealth Games hair? With the mayor, Leanne says yes,

yes, yes. -- the answer is. APPLAUSE

But above all else, it is about building a sustainable economic

future and that is not about simple sound bite quick fixes hair and

there. It is about addressing each of the issues that hold back our

economy. Tackling this will take thought, dedication and, above all

else, proven leadership experience. Now, a successful region is one

which is connected in every sense. Let's look at transport. Now, I'm

pleased than the covenant is backing of the huge investment in HS2. But

when the drill a opened, it will be quicker to get from London to

Birmingham than it is to get from this hold Dudley, just nine miles

away. Now, can that be right? When spending on transport their head in

the West Midlands is ?266 per head while the spending in London is over

?1800 a head. That is seven times as much and, as mayor, we have to

address that imbalance. If transport is important, raising the

aspirations of our young people is even more crucial. As mayor, my

mission will be to encourage everyone to make the most of their

opportunities. That is how social mobility is delivered and it is the

hallmark of a harmonious society. We all know that a new job is a new

light cans, while unemployment kills social new mobility. -- life

channels. That's why, as mayor, I was desperate to do something about

opportunity. The Chancellor has put 15,000 people into work in one year

in the most disadvantaged areas of the city. Just think, you could fill

this hole eight times over with the people who have been given a new

start from that programme. -- hall. APPLAUSE

Given the importance of our task across transport, skills, housing

and jobs, today, I want to challenge my opponents to debate these issues

with the right across the whole of the West Midlands. So, the eyes of

Britain will be lost. This is an election that can change politics

for ever. For too long, Labour has taken voters hair for granted. They

even talk about selecting the mayor. Just last week, Jeremy Corbyn said

he would use victory in the West Midlands to show what his Labour

Party would do. Next May, we must stop all that. The facts are very

clear. In the last general election results, we need just a 4% swing to

win here. We can and we will win here.

APPLAUSE So, conference, we really can do it.

That's why I'm going to leave a job that I love to read a region, or a

place, that I love. This is a campaign that is moderate, inclusive

and tolerant and it will be made in the West Midlands. So, I've told you

how this region can be the centre of the economy. Next year, it will also

be the centre of our politics. Through a high-profile election. It

matters. Not just for its own sake but arguably in a place where the

challenges are even greater than elsewhere. If we can win, we can

demonstrate that we have the answers and, when urban conservatism once

again when Sarah, it will provide a blueprint for our future and,

indeed, for a society that works for everyone. Thank you very much

indeed. APPLAUSE

Good afternoon again, Conference. This morning we had the aperitif.

Now we get down to business in earnest with the first of our

sessions on policy. Following the referendum we are preparing for our

exit from the European Union. APPLAUSE

This work will reposition our country, the entire United Kingdom,

on the world stage and bring exciting new opportunities. The

Prime Minister said very clearly during her recent visit to New York

to the United Nations that the United Kingdom is not retreating or

turning away from the world, but rather seeking to alter its

relationship with one part of it. This afternoon we will be hearing

from Liam Fox, David Davis, and the Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. And

usually we are to hear from our Prime Minister very early in the

conference as well as in a final speech. It is hardly surprising that

the Prime Minister wants to set the scene for this session and I am

delighted to ask her to do so now. Ladies and gentlemen, the Prime

Minister, Theresa May. Applause. 81 days ago I stood in front of ten

Downing St for the first time as Prime Minister. I made a promise to

this country. I said that the Government I read will be driven not

by the interests of a privileged few, but by the interests of

ordinary working class families. People who have a job but do not

always have job security. People who own their own home but worry about

paying the mortgage. People who can just about manage, but worry about

the cost of living and getting their kids into a good school. And this

week we are going to show the country that we mean business.

APPLAUSE But first today we are going to talk

about global Britain. Our ambitious vision for Britain after Brexit.

Because 100 days ago that is what the country voted for. We are going

to talk about Britain in which we are close friends, allies and

trading partners with our European neighbours, but they Britain in

which we pass our own laws and govern ourselves. APPLAUSE

In which we look beyond our continent and to the opportunities

in the wider world. In which we win trade agreements with old friends

and new partners. In which Britain has always the most passionate, most

consistent, most convincing advocate for three trade. In which we play

our full part in promoting peace and prosperity across the world and in

which we, with our brilliant Armed Forces and intelligence services,

protect our national interests, our security and the security of our

allies. APPLAUSE So today we are going to be hearing

from David Davis, Priti Patel and Boris Johnson, as we start to

explain our plan for Brexit and the country will see that the

Conservative Party is united in our determination to deliver that plan.

Because even now some politicians, democratically elected politicians,

say that the referendum is not valid, that we need to have a second

thought. Others say they do not like the result and they will challenge

any attempts to leave the European Union through the courts. Come on.

The referendum result was clear. It was legitimate. It was the biggest

vote for change this country has ever known. Brexit means Brexit and

we are going to make a success of it. APPLAUSE

Now of course we would not have had a referendum at all had it not been

for the Conservative Party and had it not been for David Cameron. I

want to take a moment to pay tribute to David. I served in his Shadow

Cabinet for nearly five years and that his cabinet for -- and in his

Cabinet for nearly six more. I saw his commitment to social justice,

public service, and his deep love for our country. He led the rescue

mission that brought confidence back to the economy. He made sure people

on the lowest wages paid no income tax at all. And he gave the right

for people who love each other, regardless of sexuality, to marry.

He has a legacy of which he and the entire party can be proud. And to

those who claim he was mistaken in calling the referendum, we know

there is no finer accolades than to say David Cameron put his trust in

the British people. APPLAUSE And trust the people we will because

Britain is going to leave the European Union. APPLAUSE

Now I know there is a lot of speculation about what that is going

to mean, about the nature of our relationship with Europe in the

future, and about the terms on which British and European businesses will

trade with one another. I understand that. And we will give clarity

whenever possible and as quickly as possible. But we will not be able to

get a running commentary or a blow by blow account of the negotiations

because we all know that is not how they work. History is littered with

negotiations that failed when the interlocutors predicted the outcome

in detail and in advance. Every stray word and hyped up media report

is going to make it harder for us to get the right deal for Britain. We

have to stay patient. But when there are things to say, as there are

today, we will keep the public informed and up to date. I want to

tell you more about the Government's plan for Brexit and in particular I

want to tell you about three important things. The timing. The

process. And the Government's vision for Britain after Brexit. First,

everything we do as we leave the EU will be consistent with the law and

our treaty obligations. And we must give as much certainty as possible

to employers and investors. That means there can be no sudden and

unilateral withdrawal. We must leave in a we agreed in law by Britain and

other member states. That means invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon

Treaty. There is a good reason why I said immediately after the

referendum that we should not invoke Article 50 before the end of this

year. That decision means we have the time to develop our negotiating

strategy and avoid setting the clock ticking until our objectives are

clear and agreed. It has also meant that we have given some certainty to

businesses and investors, consumer confidence has remained steady,

foreign investment in Britain has continued. Employment is at a record

high. Wages are on the up. There is still some uncertainty but this guy

has not followed in as some predicted it would. -- the sky has

not fallen in. It was right to wait before triggering Article 50 but it

is also right that we should not typing things drag on too long.

Having voted to leave I know that the public will soon expect to see

on the horizon the point at which Britain does formally leave the

European Union. Let me be absolutely clear. There will be no unnecessary

delays in invoking Article 50. We will invoke it when we are ready and

we will be ready soon. We will invoke Article 50 no later than the

end of March next year. APPLAUSE I want to tell you a little more

about the process for triggering Article 50. The first thing to say

is that it is not up to the House of Commons to invoke Article 50 and

that is not up to the House of Lords. It is up to the Government to

trigger Article 50 and the Government alone. When it legislated

to establish the referendum parliament puts the decision to

leave remain inside the EU in the hands of the people and the people

gave their answer with emphatic clarity. Now it is up to the

Government not to question, quibble or backslide on what we have been

instructed to do, but to get on with the job, because those people who

argue that Article 50 can only be triggered after Agreement in both

houses of parliament are not standing up for democracy, they are

trying to subvert it. APPLAUSE We will do the same with business

and municipal leaders. The job of negotiating the new relationship is

the job of the Government. We voted in the referendum as one United

Kingdom. We will negotiate. 'S we will negotiate as one United

Kingdom and we will leave the European Union as one United

Kingdom. There is no opt out for Brexit and I will never allow

divisive nationalists to undermine the precious union of the four

nations within our united kingdom. The final thing I want to say about

the process of withdrawal is the most important. And that is that we

will soon put before Parliament a Great Repeal Bill which will move

from the statute book once and for all the European communities act.

APPLAUSE This historic Bill, which will be

included in the next Queen 's speech, will mean that in 1972 act,

the legislation that gives direct effect to all EU law in Britain,

will no longer apply from the date upon which we formally leave the

European Union. Its effect will be clear. Our laws will be made not in

Brussels but in Westminster. The judges... APPLAUSE

The judges interpreting those laws also it's not in Luxembourg but in

courts in this country. The authority of EU law in Britain will

end. CHEERING As we repeal the European

communities act we will convert the body of existing law into British

law. When the Great Repeal Bill is given Royal assent parliament will

be free subject to international agreements and treaties with other

countries to amend, repeal and improve anymore it chooses. But by

converting this into British law we will give businesses and workers

maximum certainty as we read the European Union. The same rules and

laws will apply to them after Brexit as did before. Any changes in the

law would have to be subject to scrutiny and proper Parliamentary

debates. And let me be absolutely clear, existing workers legal rights

will continue to be guaranteed in law and they will be guaranteed as

long as I am Prime Minister. APPLAUSE And in fact, as we

announced yesterday, under this Government, we're going to see

workers' rights not eroded and not just protected, but enhanced under

the Government, because the Conservative Party is the true

worker's party. The only party dedicated to making Britain a

country that works, not just for the privileged few, but for every single

one of us. So that is what I want to say about

the process. But I want to talk to you about the Government's vision of

Britain after Brexit. Our vision of a truly global Britain. And I want

to start with our vision for the future relationship we'll have the

European Union. Because in this respect, I believe

there's a lot of muddled thinking and several arguments about the

future which need to be laid to rest. For example, there's no such

thing as a choice between soft Brexit and hard Brexit. The line of

argument in which soft Brexit amounts to some form of continued EU

membership and hard Brexit is a conscious decision to reject trade

with Europe, is simply a false dichotomy. It is one which is too

often propagated by people, I am afraid to say, have not accepted the

result of the referendum. Because the truth is that too many people

are letting their thinking about our future relationship with the EU be

defined be I the way the relationship has worked in the past.

That sunsable. We've been members of the EU for more than 40 years. We've

just been through a renegotiation throughout we remained members of

the EU. What we are talking about now is very different. Whether

people like it or not, the country voted to leave the EU. And that

means we are going to leave the EU. We are going to be a fully

independent sovereign country. A country that is no longer part of a

political union, with super national institutions that can override

national Parliaments and cores. That means we are going once more to have

the freedom to make our own decisions on a whole host of

different matters from, the way we label our food, to the way in which

we choose to control immigration. So, the process we are about to

begin is not about negotiating all of our sovereignty away again. It is

not going to be about any of the matters over which the country has

just voted to regain control. It is not therefore a know yaeshation to

establish a relationship, anything like the one we've had for the last

40 years or more. It's not going to be a Norway model, a Switzerland

model, it will be an agreement between an independent sovereign

United Kingdom and the European Union.

I know... APPLAUSE I know some people ask

about the tradeoff between controlling immigration and trading

with Europe, but having a major look at things, we voted to leave the

European Union and become a fully independent sovereign country. We

will do what independent sovereign countries do. We will decide for

ourselves how we control immigration. We will be free to pass

our own laws. But we will seek the best deal possible as we ne goshiate

a new agreement with the European Union.

I want that deal to reflect the kind of mature, co-operative relationship

that close friends and allies enjoy. I want it to include co-operation on

law enforcement and counter-terrorism work. I want it to

involve free trade in goods and services. I want it to give British

companies the maximum freedom to trade with and operate in the single

market and let European businesses do the same here.

But, let me be clear, we are not leaving the European Union today to

give up control of immigration again. And we're not leaving only to

return to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. As

ever... APPLAUSE

As ever, with international talks, it will be a negotiation. It will

require some give and take. And while there'll always be pressure to

give a running commentary on the state of the talks, it will not be

in our best interests as a country to do that. Make no mistake, this

will be a deal that works for Britain. Brexit should not just

prompt us to think about our new relationship with the European

Union. It should make us think about our role in the wider world. It

should make us think of global Britain, a country with the

self-confidence and the freedom to look beyond the continent of Europe

and to the economic and diplomatic opportunities of the wider world.

Because we know that the referendum was not a vote to turn in on

ourselves. To cut ourselves off from the world.

It was a vote for Britain to stand tall, to believe in ourselves. To

forge an ambitious and optimistic new role in the world. And there is

already abundant evidence that we will be able to do just that.

Important foreign businesses, like sighmens and Apple have committed to

long-term commitments w with a Japanese purchase for ?24 million.

We've seen the biggest ever Japanese invessment in Britain. Canada,

India, Mexico, Singapore have told us they would welcome talks on

future free trade agreements. We have agreed to start to scope

discussions with Australia and New Zealand. A truly global Britain is

possible and it is in sight. And it should be no surprise that it

is. Because we are the fifth largest economy in the world. Since 2010, we

have grown faster than any economy in the G7. We attract one-fifth of

all foreign investment in the EU. We are the biggest foreign investor in

the United States. We have more Nobel Laureates than any country

outside America. We have the best intelligence services in the world.

A military which can project its power around the globe. Friendships,

parter inships and alliances in every continent. We have the

greatest soft power in the world. We sit exactly in the right time zone

for global trade and our language is the language of the world.

We don't need, as I sometimes hear people say, to punch above our

weight, because our weight is substantial enough already. So...

We don't need, as I say, to punch above our weight. But we've got that

substantial being as the United Kingdom. Let's ignore the

pessimists. Let's have confidence in ourselves, to go out in the world,

securing trade deals, generating wealth and creating jobs. Let's get

behind the team of ministers. David Davis, Liam Fox and Boris Johnson,

ve, who are working on our plan for Brexit, who know we will make a

success of it and make a reality of global Britain. So, let's have a

great week here in Birmingham this Conference. Let's get this plan for

Brexit right. Let's show the country we mean

business. And let's keep working, to make

Britain a country that works not for a privileged few, but for everyone

in this great country. Good afternoon, once again.

Thank you, Prime Minister, for opening this session.

It now gives me great pleasure to introduce the Secretary of State for

exiting Ladies and gentlemen, on 23rd June,

the British people voted for change. And this is going to be the biggest

change for a generation. We are going to leave the European

Union. It was we, the Conservative Party,

who promised the British people a referendum. It was

It will now be Theresa May who will lead us out of the European Union

and into a brighter and better future.

This must be a team effort. I am proud to count myself as part of

Theresa May's team. I do not know what it is about our great women

leaders but we are lucky that they are at their when we need them. I

remember the first one, Margaret Thatcher, talking about the

difficulties a woman in politics faces. To get to the top, she said,

the woman has to be twice as good as a man. Fortunately, she said, this

is not difficult. Back in 1979 her Government had to confront some huge

challenges. And today, just as then, we are at a turning point in our

nation's story. Just as then people have voted to chart a new course for

our country, to transform Britain. And just as then, there are no

shortage of doom mongers telling people that cannot be done. Ladies

and gentlemen, Britain showed them then it could be done. We proved

them wrong then, and with your help Britain will prove them wrong again.

APPLAUSE Our destination is clear. Once again

we are going to be a nation that makes for ourselves all the

decisions that matter most. Once again all decisions about how

taxpayers money is spent taking here in Britain. Once again our laws made

here in Britain. And, yes, our borders controlled here by Britain.

But, ladies and gentlemen, the task is bigger than this. It is not just

about the terms on which we leave the European Union nor indeed the

future relationship with the European Union. This is a

once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Britain to forge for itself a new

place in the world and to make our own decisions about the sort of

country we want to be. A nation that is a beacon for free trade, a force

for social justice, a defender of freedom, the home of enterprise, of

tolerance, of fairness, of decency. The nation where we celebrate the

success of those who want to get on, but never forget those who need our

help. Above all, a steadfast respect for democracy and the people's right

to decide their own destiny. After all, democracy was what the

referendum was all about. The task is now to bring together the 17.4

million people who voted to leave and the 16 million people who voted

to remain. I was one of the 17.4 million but there are those of you

here today who will have taken a different view. I am delighted that

many who argued to remain are now focused on making a success of

Brexit. But there are some on both sides of the argument who want to

keep on fighting the battles of the campaign. I say to them, the

campaign has finished, the people have spoken, the decision is made.

Whether you were for a leave remain, help us seize the opportunities that

are now before us. As a one nation Government our job is to make Brexit

work for everyone, for every part of our society, per every part of our

country, and for each of the four nations that make up our great

United Kingdom. While we are building a consensus at home we

shall approach the negotiations with our European neighbours in a spirit

of goodwill. We need to appreciate and respect what the European Union

means to them. They view it through the prism of their own history.

Sadly a hastily often of invasion and occupation, dictatorship and

domination. It is not surprising that governments elsewhere in Europe

see the European Union as a guarantor of the rule of law and

democracy and freedom. We have always seen it differently. And to

be honest, that has been one of the problems. After all, we were at

their world's foetus liberal democracy for over a century, before

we joined. -- the world's did exist liberal democracy. We have never

been comfortable about being part of what is a political project. We are

now reading that project and this gives us an opportunity not just to

clear the area, but to create a more comfortable relationship with our

European neighbours that works better for all of us. In the

negotiations to come we will act resolutely in our national interest

to deliver the right deal for Britain. That does not mean we want

the European Union to feel. On the contrary, we wanted to succeed. A

Pool A, weaker Europe is not in our interest anymore than it is in their

ears. We will not turn our backs on Europe. We never will and we never

have. Our history shows that when the democracies of Europe are

threatened by common challenges we stand ready to shoulder the burden.

That has always been true and it always will be. Whether it is

helping to rebuild the Balkans, stand up against a belligerent

Russia, helping to tackle the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean,

of course we want to play our part. Nor does pulling out of the European

Union mean pulling up the drawbridge. That is also not in our

national interest. We will always welcome those with skills, the

drive, the expertise to make our nation better still. If we are to

win in the global marketplace we must win the global battle for

talent. And of course Britain has always been one of the most tolerant

and welcoming places on the face of the Earth. Its mass, and it will,

remain so. APPLAUSE When it comes to negotiations we

will protect the rights of European citizens here so long as Britons

injured are treated the same way. Something I am sure we will be able

to agree. But on the other hand, to those who peddle heat and division

towards people who made but in their home, let the message go out from

here, we say to you, you have no part in our society. APPLAUSE

But the clear message from the referendum is this. We must control

immigration. Did you hear Jeremy Corbyn last week telling us there is

no need for any limit on numbers? Have you ever heard of a political

party quite so out of touch with its own voters? Let us be clear, we will

control our borders and we will bring the numbers down. APPLAUSE

Ladies and gentlemen, I quite understand that some people are

desperate to know how we are going to proceed they think we should

provide a running commentary on every twist and turn in the

negotiation ahead. I have never met anyone doing a business deal who

thinks it is a smart idea to give away your bottom line in advance. I

am not going to apologise for taking exactly the same approach. I am

reminded of a story about the American President who said so

little he was known as silent. One night at a formal dinner a guest

tried to lure him into conversation, to no avail. Increasingly desperate

she said, Mr President, I need a bet I could get you to see more than

three words. The President replied, you lose. I have little in common

with that President but I hope over the next few months you will forgive

me if I am a little more taciturn than my normal self. That is another

way in which we should be careful with our words. On both sides of the

Channel we must resist the temptation to trade insults to

generally cheap headlines. There has been some bluster in the aftermath

of the referendum, perhaps inevitable. But these negotiations

are too important for that. Instead we should all think carefully about

where our common interests lie. Britain is one of the strongest

defenders of Europe's freedom and security so with its perfect sense

for us to have the strongest possible ties with Europe after we

leave the European Union. The same goes for trade. Posted it sure is

that the easier it is for us to do business together, the better it is

for both Britain and Europe. We are looking at all the options and we

will be prepared for any outcome. But it will not speak to anyone's

benefit to see an increase in barriers to trade in either

direction. We want to maintain the freest possible trade between us

without betraying the instruction we have received from the British

people to take back control of our own fears. That is in all our

interests to ensure that as our country leaves the European Union

and the process is orderly and smooth. I know some people have

suggested we should just ignore the rules, tear up the treaties we have

entered into. I say that is not how Britain behaves. What kind of

message would that send to the rest of the world? If we want to be

treated with goodwill we must act with goodwill. So we will follow the

process... APPLAUSE So we will follow the process to

leave the European Union which is set out in Article 50. The Prime

Minister has been cleared today she will start formal negotiations about

our exits by the end of March. As we prepare for those negotiations with

you we also need to prepare for the impact of Brexit on domestic law. We

will consult widely with Parliament and the devolved administrations but

it is very simple, the moment we believe, Britain must be back in

control, and that means European law must cease to apply. It was the

European Community 's act which placed European law above UK law so

that is why we are seeing today this Government must repeal the act. To

ensure continuity we are taking a simple approach. European law will

be transposed into domestic law whenever practical on the day we

leave. It will be for elected politicians here in Britain to make

the changes that reflect the outcome of our negotiation and are

excellent. This is what people voted for. How and authority residing once

again with a softened the situation of our country. -- with the

sovereign institutions of our country. That way we will have

provided the maximum possible certainty for British business and

British workers. For those who are trying to frighten British workers

saying when we leave employment protection will be eroded, I say

firmly and unequivocally, now they will not. Britain already goes

beyond EU law in many areas and we did this guarantee, this

Conservative Government will not roll back those rights in the

workplace. Ladies and gentlemen, into deep's fast-moving world,

technology respects nor boundaries. The remorse for enterprise and

innovation are greater than ever but it is only nations that are outward

looking, agile, enterprising, that will succeed and prosper and I

believe that when we have left the European Union and I once again in

control of our own fears we will be better placed to confront the

challenges of the future. We start from a position of strength. Let us

not forget what we had to build on. We are the fifth largest economy in

the world. We have got the English language. Spoken by 1.5 billion

people. We are the home of international standards for

everything from medicine to law. We are a science superpower, a world

leader in the arts, a leader in pharmaceuticals, a byword for

excellence in manufacturing, and a global centre for finance. We are a

permanent member of the United Nations security council, leading

member of G7 and the Commonwealth, the nation with blamed Armed Forces,

and, yes, Jeremy Corbyn, our vital nuclear deterrent weeks as a truly

global player. I am confident about our new place in the world and to

anyone who says the cards are stacked against us, I say, think

again. Many times in the past our forebears have risen to the

challenges before them. Now it is our turn to show that we have got

what it takes. We may be a small island, ladies and gentlemen. But we

know that we are a great nation. We may be -- let us seize these

opportunities and make that greater still. -- make Britain a greater

still. APPLAUSE Conference, our session continues on

this most important issue. We are to hear now from Ashley Fox, leader of

the Conservatives in the European Parliament and MEP for the south

west of England and he said and Gibraltar, for seven years. Ladies

and gentlemen, Ashley Fox. This summer, Britain was shaken by

an exit that none of us expected. They made us question the very

meaning of our existence. That's right. Mel Sue and Mary let

the Bake Off and in other news, the British people voted to leave the

EU. In this party we have always trusted

the British people to take the right decision. Whether we campaigned to

leave or remain we now have our instructions and we will carry them

out. Britain will leave the European Union.

Last year, at our conference in Manchester, I said from this podium

that there would be good Conservatives on both sides of the

referendum campaign. There were. And I said that after the referendum

was over we would need to come together for the good of the country

and we did. The Conservative Party showed that we are united with ideas

to deliver a Britain that works for everyone.

Whilst Labour showed it is a disunited rabble. How many members

of Corbyn's Shadow Cabinet does it take to change a light bulb? No-one

knows. The light bulb has outlasted them all.

Across the country, there are different interpretations of what

leaving the EU will entail. Some are concerned that we will seek a soft

Brexit, that acts like the referendum never happened. Others

want a hard Brexit. As if to prove how tough we are.

But I believe we need a good Brexit that meets the needs of the British

people and recognises the desire of so many to take back control of our

country's borders. One thing is for sure, Brexit means

we will leave the European institutions that exercise power

over our country. So we will leave the commission, the court, the

council and yes, the European Parliament.

So, when we give Brussels notice of our departure, British MEPs will be

handed our P 45s. Thank you for applauding my pending

unemployment. But as long as Britain remains a member of the EU, your

Conservative MEPs will fight Britain's corner. We will get the

best deal for our constituents. And I will continue to fight for my

constituency of the south-west of England and Gibraltar.

Gibraltar needs to hear from us today and Spain needs to listen,

that the Conservatives will never abandon our compatriots on the rock.

As our Prime Minister has said, we will trigger Article 50 by the end

of March next year. Once this countdown to our departure begins,

there'll be tough negotiations ahead. And we must support Theresa

May and our strong team of David Daviis, Liam Fox and Boris Johnson.

Let us never be in doubt that the United Kingdom's best days still lie

ahead of us. After all, we're not only a nation

of shopkeepers. But also of artists, and scientists. A country of

entrepreneurs, inknow say ters and in-- innovators and let us not

forget Olympic and Paralympic greatness.

For Britain is a land of strength, determination and resolve. We are a

global trading nation. Even though we are leaving the European Union,

we are not leaving Europe. We will not walk away from our

allies. We will seek to reinvigorate old friendships. We will not abandon

our neighbours, but will scan the horizon for new opportunities. We

are not leaving behind our past, but instead we are preparing for our

future. So, conference, the British people

have spoken. Let us embrace the opportunity that Brexit provides.

Let us go forward together and let us build a bright future for our

great country. Thank you.

Next is my good friend and leader of the European and conforist group in

the European Parliament. Thank you. Can I thank Ashley for a

great speech. He's always been a very good colleague and a great

warm-up act. I agree it is wonderful to see a Conservative Party that is

so united, so focussed ond what needs to be done and so energised to

deliver a better future for Britain. Once Labour are preoccupied with the

future of their party, we Conservatives are focussed on the

future of our country. In the referendum, in June, the

British people spoke and we have a responsibility to listen. You know,

it is sad, when I heard Mr Kinnock saying that Labour will never again

be in power in his lifetime. I felt a little sorry for him. I did. After

all, Stephen Kinnock is only in his 40's. And while the Labour Party

despairs over its lack of leadership, our Conservative Prime

Minister has shown that she is strong, able and preparing to take

on the challenges of Brexit head on. Our Conservative Prime Minister has

a respected and dare I say, a tough reputation in Brussels, from her

time as Home Secretary. Our Conservative Prime Minister is

seen as a fearsome negotiator, who is always prepared. There is no-one

better to guide this country on the journey ahead of us.

A journey that may not always be a smooth one. For the feeling in

Brussels after the referendum result was shocked.

Sometimes anger and often sadness. But this discontent with the EU

reaches far beyond our shores. And that's a lesson, I am sure, our

friends in countries across the EU will want to heed.

I am proud to lead the ECR group, with 74 MEPs from 18 different EU

countries, who work every day to ensure that their voters get a

better deal. By creating a Europe that does less, but does it better.

And when our group is set up, the EU federalists predictsed that we would

fail. Yet only five years later, we became one of the three main

political groups in the European Parliament, with Governing parties

from five EU countries. It was a rise unprecedented in the

history of the European Parliament. And why was that? Because we

listened to our voters. Outside the walls of the European

Parliament, and outside the walls of the European Commission, the calls

for change and reform grow louder. Yet, inside the walls of these

institutions, the message does not always get through.

The EU needs economic competence, not an eternal eurozone crisis. The

EU needs to co-operate to help genuine refugee, not an open doors

policy for all. The EU needs less bureaucracy, not regulations that

hold back the spirit of free enterprise. The group will continue

that fight. And will continue to go from strength-to-strength. We want

to see a good deal for Britain. We want to see a good deal for the EU.

We want to see a good deal that works for everyone.

And in years to come, Britain may no longer be reluctant tenants, but it

is in the interests of the UK and the EU, for us to be good

neighbours. Neighbours who realise that just because we don't share

their vision of European anthems and flags, doesn't mean that we cannot

work together, to make the world a better place, to sell more products

and to create more jobs. This should not be a Brexit where we

are punished for making our own democratic decision as a nation. But

neither should it be a Brexit which cuts off our own nose to spite our

face. This should be a Brexit in

everyone's interests, to create a Britain and an EU, brimming

opportunities for everyone. So, while the Facebook status between

the EU and the UK may have changed from, it's complicated, to in a

different sort of relationship, I know that we will come out the other

side single and ready to mingle. I believe that in years to come, we

will look back and see Brexit as that moment. The moment that Britain

called time on an ambiguous relationship with the EU, but both

became willing partners. A Britain that not only survived, but a Great

Britain that thrived. Thank you. And next, we have Secretary of State

for international development, but just before that, a hugely exciting

video to entertain you in the mean time. Thank you.

My name is Priti Patel. I am the Secretary of State for...

Conference, good afternoon. It has certainly been quite a year. Many of

you have spent the last 12 months campaigning hard for four hour party

and in many cases in the referendum. And for the first time friends and

colleagues were on different sides of the vote. But regardless of

whether you campaigned for remain or leave there is one thing we can all

agree on. That is that only a Conservative Government will deliver

for Britain and give leadership to the rest of the world. APPLAUSE

The British public have made their choice and now it is our job to make

it happen. That is exactly what we are doing. Our party has come

together and is delivering for ordinary working people. Much has

changed in the last year but much is also the same. We have a

Conservative Prime Minister who offers credible, proven leadership,

a united party, and a strong cabinet team. We have a strong economy with

low unemployment. Business is expanding and tax is reduced and in

case you missed it, we still have a Leader of the Opposition who is

presiding over a divided incompetent party that is incapable of taking up

the responsibility of Government. This conference is a significant

moment for our country. Britain is a proud country which others look to

for inspiration and leadership. We helped to abolish the slave trade.

We led the forces of freedom against tyrants and dictators in Europe from

Napoleon to heifer and reassures people in Eastern Europe the hand of

friendship has being sought to escape Soviet oppression. Britain

has been a strong force for good in the world and we take our

responsibility seriously. And when the world faces its biggest

challenges is listed as to show the strong leadership needed to overcome

them. As a member of the UN Security Council, a Nato member that spends

2% of GDP on defence, a leader in the Commonwealth, and a nation that

is meeting international commitments to 0.7% for AIDS, we can and will

play an active part in making our world more peaceful and prosperous

place. -- 0.7% for aid. It is a privilege to lead such a strong

team. Andrew Griffiths... APPLAUSE And I am honoured to follow in the

footsteps of great Conservatives like Linda Chalker, Andrew Mitchell,

Justin Greening. I have seen the life-saving work that our aid does

around the world, helping people access clean water and sanitation,

helping the 11 million children get an education, immunising 76 million

children against preventable diseases. Our aid budget is

transforming lives on an amazing skill. Last year we helped 5 million

people get access to blankets and clean water. This is something that

everyone in Britain can be proud of. APPLAUSE

But, Conference, when lives are at stake we must strive to make our

development efforts even more effective. Let us face up to the

fact that not all of the aid system is as effective as Britain's

approach. When ebola struck the World Health Organisation was too

slow and it fell to the United Kingdom and United States. The

reaction was too slow. I would use my position to reform the way the

world does development, to champion reform in the global aid system.

Reform is about being relevant 40 D and for the future and this is why I

Will follow the money, the people and the outcomes. As Margaret

Thatcher famously said, there is no such thing as public money, it is

taxpayers money, and when we open up the budgets and let people say but

the money is going we can help to root out corruption and make sure

that the resources follow the people, because we invest in people,

focus on things like nutrition and family planning, amplify the impact

of our aid dramatically. Following the outcomes because when we went

our payments to results on the ground we create and aid system that

works for the world's least well off. Following the money, people and

outcomes means asking more from all of those that receive our aid. When

last month I asked for new support to fight AIDS, TB and malaria, I

think this funding to a newly created performance goods. For the

first time this set out in black and white the clear requirement for the

global fund to use our money more effectively and transparently and

with a proper focus on results and impacts. We are sending a clear

message to the international aid community, if we can demand more

from one of the best performing institutions we are going to demand

much more from everyone else also. And through our programme is not

delivering the outcomes we expect we. Them and ensure that your money

supports programmes that are working. APPLAUSE

Just as Conservatives are reforming or removing an efficiency from

Whitehall and local Government, we must do so for aid. Every pound does

not end up really chewed as a pound that cannot be spent on life-saving

drugs, education, helping victims of violence, vital funding for

infrastructure, and that is why reform transparency and

accountability are top of my agenda. As Conservatives we can be proud of

the impact around the world, providing an opportunity for people

to make the most of the talents and fulfil their potential, that is what

motivates us. We played ourselves in removing the barriers that people

face in finding employment, owning their own home, achieving their

dreams. Just as we celebrate our record on creating jobs and

prosperity in this country we should be proud of the support we give in

creating opportunities and changing lives in countries that are less

fortunate than ours. In the last 30 years we have seen the biggest

reduction in human misery and suffering in her study. Technology,

innovation and sites have played a key role. And so has well spent aid

which has. Above all this progress has been powered by economic growth

and three cheat. Our conservative values have played a key role in

this by empowering people, letting people trade and exchange with each

other, by building open democratic institutions and the rule of law, by

tearing down the barriers to trade and enterprise we have and me

economic growth that has liberated billions of people from the shackles

of extreme poverty. I can promise you that this will continue to

champion growth, trade and investment, as the surest route to

make poverty history. APPLAUSE But being a conservative is not just

about economics. It is also about the moral courage and leadership,

building upon that great tradition of social reformers like William

Wilberforce. That is why I am determined to do everything possible

to support our Prime Minister's leadership on the issue of modern

slavery and to continue Justin Greening's leadership on women and

girls for example by providing access to family planning for

millions more women. That is why I will also puts children at the

centre of our development efforts. Investing in the next generation,

ensuring that they have a nutrition and education they need to fly,

working to protect them from child Labour and exploitation. If we

invest in human B can help to transform the future of the entire

society. End Lebanon I recently met children who are in danger of

trafficking are being forced to work. Who are at risk of violence

and expedition by armed groups. It is children like these that we must

never abandoned. Written will continue to stand up for universal

humanitarian values. Even as we see those values flighted in places like

Syria as brave aid workers are killed for trying to help innocent

people. Conference, this Government is on the side of ordinary working

people. Their taxes pay for the aid budget and it is right that the aid

budget works for them and that means building a safer world for us all

and using the immense goodwill created by our aid budget around the

world to strike the right deals for British people abroad. If we stand

back and abandoned countries that suffer from poverty, not only to the

people in those countries suffer and those countries become vulnerable to

insecurity and terrorism, but the problem is that they have come

closer to our shores. Conflicts in Syria and South Sudan not only help

the people who live there, they destabilise the rest of the world

and create opportunities for terrorists and people smugglers to

inflict more misery and suffering, and puts pressures on this country

also. That is why it is in our national interest to invest in those

areas in the world in alleviating poverty and suffering, and to

support stability and security in countries where people are

threatened and vulnerable. As our Prime Minister made clear at the

United Nations last month, our aid budget has a huge role to play in

creating jobs and opportunities for people in the world's least well off

country, give an alternative to risking the journey to Europe. If we

were not meeting the world with our assistance to Syria, how many more

people would already have made that risky journey across the

Mediterranean? How many more people would have died at the hands of the

people smugglers? We are using both humanitarian support and financing

economic development to build hope for millions more people affected by

conflict and poverty and in doing so we are reducing the pressure is for

mass migration. Conference, that is aid working in the national

interest. APPLAUSE 35 years ago Margaret Thatcher said,

we want to help as much as we can and we should help in ways which are

mutually beneficial to both developing and developed countries.

We all depend on one another for our prosperity. Conference, that is as

true today as it was in 1981. I am proud that our aid programme forms a

crucial part of Britain's soft power around the world. When people in

refugee camps or remote communities see the Union Jack displayed proudly

on our emergency supplies, they know they have a fly and and an ally in

Britain. -- a friend and an ally in Britain. Conference, today I want to

talk about a specific example of how we can use our aid to champion our

national interest. The UK's presence in Afghanistan over the last decade

has helped destabilise that country and prevent it from becoming a base

for terrorists that would threaten the streets of Britain. We have

improved the lives of ordinary Afghans with millions more girls in

schools, better health care and greater prosperity. But challenges

remain not least in the continuing threat of the Taliban and when

things get difficult we need to remain strong and constant. Not just

by supporting the Afghan security forces to protect the people, but by

supporting the economy and the state of Afghanistan. Today I can announce

that we will commit up to ?750 million to Afghanistan between 2017

and 2020 from the aid budget to promote stability and ensure that

their Government continues to function. The money will be spent on

health and education, particularly for women and girls. We will help to

protect internally displaced people who have fled their homes in

persecution and we will help to clear the deadly landmines. Reducing

the human suffering brought about by years of conflict, and letting

children go back to school, and people gets back to their daily

lives. And crucially, our support will help build a viable long-term

state in the face of Taliban aggression. APPLAUSE

We are making this come at us because it will make us safer and

demonstrates to everyone that the international community will not

walk away from Afghanistan. By making this clear commitment we are

keeping the UTC and B are helping to do justice to the sacrifices made by

our brave Armed Forces. -- keeping the UK safe and we are helping.

Conference, it is also in our interests to support developing

countries to grow stronger and more prosperous. As we look to redefine

our place in the world following the EU referendum we need to establish

new trade and economic links. Countries who we are providing aid

to today will be the markets that we can trade with tomorrow. Access to

the markets of developed countries can provide opportunities for the

world's least well off people to work their way out of poverty. We

want to deliver for the working people in Britain and the least well

off across the globe also. APPLAUSE Finally, I want to be clear, just as

Labour have the wrong ideas for helping people in this country, they

have the wrong ideas of helping people other countries too. People

undereestimate the risk they. They are in their own words, an

international Socialist Party. They are deeply commit an ideology which

has failed again and again. An ideology which has failed the

poorest people in the world the most. An ideology which throughout

the 20th Senatorurery inspired left-wing economic policies which

held back growth and stopped countries from developing. Even

today n places like Venezuela, we can see the disastrous effects of

this philosophy. We see harrowing images of malnourished children who

cannot get east sten shall supply -- essential supplies.

Conference, just as Jeremy Corbyn has nothing to offer this country,

he has nothing to offer the rest of the world.

Look at our two parties and our two leaders. Who do we want running the

country, the strong proven leadership of Theresa May, leading a

Government which is putting the interests of ordinary working people

before those of a privileged few? Who is changing, championing a bold,

confident role for Britain on the world stage, driven by clear,

Conservative values, which are creating prosperity at home and

abroad, and who is using our development policies to deliver

value for money and greater security for working people.

Or the divides, discredited Labour Party, led by Jeremy Corbyn, who

would weaken Britain on the world stage and pursue failed policies

that would hurt the poorest the most? Conference, the answer is

clear. Only with Theresa May and the Conservatives can we seize the

opportunities of Brexit and build a better country for working people

and a better world for us all. Thank you.

Conference, I have now been asked to introduce someone who I know you'll

all be looking forward to speaking. I heard him speak about three weeks

ago at a dinner in York. He spent the morning in Italy, the afternoon

in Arnhem, before coming to us in York. The constitution and stamina

demonstrated then will, I expect, be needed in the coming months and

years. And it gives me therefore great

pleasure to introduce your last speaker for today, to our new

Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson. Thank you everybody. Thank you,

Jerry. Thanks to everybody. Thank you very

much. I have been travelling around, conference and the other day I was

at the UN General Assembly in New York and I was talking to the

Foreign Minister of another country, and I won't say which one, since I

must preserve my reputation for diplomacy, but, let's just say that

they have an economy about the size of Australia. They are getting

smaller, alas. Plenty of snow, nuclear missiles, oligarchs, leader

who strips to the waist... You get the picture... After a few tense

exchanges, my counterpart gave a sigh and said that any difficulties

in our relationship were all Britain's fault. It was you guys who

imposed democracy on us. In 1990, he said. I was a bit startled by this.

And I said, hang on, Sergei... Sorry!

Aren't you in favour of democracy? I asked for a show of hands in the

room. All those in favour of democracy, please show. And you

would have thought that this was a bit like asking Mariia Von Trapp

whether she was in favour of rain drops on roses and whiskers on

kittens and the entire UK side of the room raised their hands as one

to show that democracy was indeed one of our favourite things.

But much to my amazement, our opposite numbers just kept their

hands on the table and gave us what we diplomats call, the hairy

eyeball." And of course it was a bit of fun. I was winding them up. There

was a sense in which my question was semi satirical, but the exchange was

also deeply serious and revealing about the way in which the world has

changed, or perhaps the way in which it has failed to change.

Since that moment of exsiration in 1990, when the Berlin Wall came down

and the Soviet Union was coming to an end and some of us, and I was

certainly one, really believed that we had come to a moment of

ideological resolution. And that after seven frozen decades

of comunist totalitarian rule, the oppression of eastern Europe, all

the things which had been conven aniently forgotten by those singing

Lenin's red flag last week at the Labour Party Conference, we

genuinely thought we were seeing the final triumph of that that lib

western values that unite people in this room. Not just free markets,

but all the things that we then believed in that brief shining

moment at the end of the cold war w the essential free market

capitalism. Rule of law. Human rights, independent judiciary,

equalities of race and gender, and sexual orientation. The eternal

right of the media to make fun of politicians.

We assumed... APPLAUSE We assumed that this

political freedom, social freedom, went hand in hand with economic

freedom, like buying an ice cream Snickers bar. Only the free market

could produce something as ingenious as that. And a copy of Private Eye,

free speech of a kind still unknown in many parts of the world, in a

two-for-one deal. Like two sides of liberty's golden coin.

And yet I have to tell you, that both sides of that coin of freedom

have been tarnished over the last two decades. And we must be humble

and realistic enough to accept that in many eyes, the notion that we

would endlessly expand the realm of liberal democracy was badly damaged,

alas by the invasion of Iraq in 2003. And emettrically our model of

free market Anglo-Saxon capitalism was practiced in London and New York

was seriously discredited by the crash of 2008 and the global

suspicion of bankers. And we have taken those twin blows, like punches

to the mid-drift. I think we've been winded. And sometimes lacking in

confidence in those ideals. And if you look at the course of

events in the last ten years, then I am afraid you can make the case that

it is partly as a result of that lack of western self-confidence,

political, military, economic, that in some material ways the world has

got less safe, more dangerous and more worrying. After a long post war

period in which the world was getting broadly more peaceful, the

number of deaths in conflict has risen from 49,000 in 2010, to

167,000 last year. The global number of refugees is up by 30% on 2013, up

to 46 million last year. Of course much of that crisis in

refugees can be attributed to the war in Syria. It is part of a wider

arc of instability that sweeps across from Iraq to Libya. And this

matters profoundly to our country. Because it is the continuing save

ragery of the Assad regime against the people of Aleppo. And committing

war crimes, bombing hospitals when they know they are hospitals and

nothing but hospitals. That is making it impossible for

peace negotiations to resume and it is prolonging a migration crisis

that last year overwhelmed Europe's ability to cope.

When the violence is erupted across the Middle East we are seeing the

contagion spread to cities in Germany, France and Belgium and of

course here to our country as well. And if that threat to travel

continues to have a palpable chilling effect on terrorism,

perhaps even on trade, then for a great trading nation like Britain,

that is a matter of deep concern then there is a more pen fishous

phenomenon, steaming however unfairly from the disastrous defence

in Iraq. And that is the temptation of Governments to take this

instability and insecurity which we cannot deny and use it as an excuse

to move away from democracy. Across Africa. You can see for the

first time in decades, that Governments are gradually becoming

more authoritarian. The number of African countries rated free or

partly free has fallen from 34-29 n the last ten years. There are four

African President, who are currently rewriting their national

constitutions. To tighten their grip on power. And without going into

details, since you all know them, there are plenty of countries, large

and small, where the idea of multi-party representative democracy

in which we believe is failing to catch on.

And I think that is because there is also a view that has gained ground

over the last few years, that F it was wrong and

there is no real symmetry in the golden coin that I described.

There's a cynical view going around that you can have economic

prosperity without social freedom. There is a view now in many parts of

the world that the only way to ensure prosperity and stability is

to suppress freedom, to crack down on pesky NGOs and civil society and

liquidate irritating journalists and compromise independent judges and

generally the liberal western consensus about how a society should

be ordered. So, if I have one message for you this afternoon, it

is that this ill-liberal analysis is deeply and dangerously wrong and

these social political freements, as well as economic freedoms r not

just, they are essential for sustained growth. I can prove that

point, you know, I will not make reference to the difficulties of

other countries. I think that would be wrong I ask you to look at the

society we live in. A 21st century Britain that incarnates that

symmetry. Why have we got more Tech wizards

than any other place than in Europe? Is it because we embarked on a so

yacht-style programme of training people to do tech? I like to say it

did. In fact I used to claim I invented... Nothing to do with me.

It was all started, because London acquired a deserved reputation of

being the greatest city on earth. A great jiving, Metropolitan melting

pot, where providing you did nothing to damage the interests of others

and providing you obeyed the law you could make of your life pretty much

what you wanted. That is why we lead in all those creative and cultural

sectors and why we have the best universities on earth.

Because the best minds from around the world are meeting in some of the

best pubs and bars and nightclubs. We have the best cultural life on

the planet. They are like subatomic particles colliding and creating

flashes of innovation. Innovation that is essential for long-term

economic success. It will not surprise you to know that Britain is

one of the top three most innovative places in the world. America is

number four, by the way. China... APPLAUSE

I promised I would not be competitive but China is 25. To get

back to my central point, the entire top ten innovative societies in the

world are three markets liberal democracies. It is because we have

both those values at once symmetrically in this country that

we are still the fastest growing economy in Europe, with record

unemployment and fantastic achievements by this Government, and

it is this new dynamic Government led by Theresa May that is working

not just to ensure that this country's success is felt by the

few, but felt by absolutely everybody. We should have no shame

or embarrassment in championing those ideals. The symmetry in our

thought around the world. In this user of delivering the message of

global Britain should be that we stick up as vigorously for democracy

and for human rights as we do for three markets and when all is said

and done, I know this will not please everybody, I think that vote

on June 23, that was a vote for economic and political freedom, and

freedom for this country. APPLAUSE And it was a liberation. Over the

last couple of months I have sat in all kinds of meetings, vast feasts

washed down with the finest wine known to man, and on one occasion a

splendid breakfast that seemed to stretch from eight o'clock until 11

o'clock and I enjoyed all of them, and I made friends and alliances, I

have struck up all sorts of relationships. Wonderful

conversations. But I have two till any lingering gloomy thinkers that

never once have I felt that this country would be in any way

disadvantaged by extricating ourselves from the EU treaties. On

the contrary I think there are many reasons which we will be liberated,

liberated. To be more active, more visible, more energetic on the world