04/10/2016 - Live Morning Session Conservative Party Conference

Ladies and gentlemen, pleasd welcome Tom Spilsbury. -- Spiller.

Good morning. As the Prime Linister said in her thirsty -- speech at

Downing Street, that word common unionist, is an important word to

the party. It is a precious bond between our four nations of England,

Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. We believe we are stronger

together and weaker apart. The link between our citizens, whethdr we

are, wherever we are from. We are the only party that is 100%

committed to this union and to serving all of those people. In

Scotland, we are delivering the commission agreement in full,

creating a powerhouse, Scottish creating a powerhouse, Scottish

Parliament following that hhstoric vote in the referendum. What a

fantastic ambassador that wd have in Ruth Davidson.

In Northern Ireland, we are delivering the storm on how is

agreement which opens the w`y to a more prosperous and stable `nd

secure future for everyone hn that valued part of this United Kingdom.

In Wales, we are taking leghslation through parliament which will

deliver a clearer, fairer and stronger devolution settlemdnt. In

Westminster, we are giving ` fairer say to English MPs through Dnglish

votes for English laws. At dvery turn we are making sure our policies

work every part of this United Kingdom. It is not London where we

have had the biggest growth in employment, it is Scotland. It is

not the south-east where employment has fallen fastest since thd

election, it is Wales. It is not England that is the best performing

region in the UK first attr`cting investment per head, it is Northern

Ireland. The world wants to film in Northern Ireland, drink whiskey from

Scotland and fly on aeroplane wings mailed in Wales -- made in Wales. At

this moment of national change after the vote to leave the EU, wd need to

take every opportunity to enhance that prosperity and make Brdxit work

for the whole of the UK. We have all the assets to forge a new positive

role on the world stage and first we are going to hear from someone who

is making sure Wales is a htge part of that effort, the leader of the

Welsh Conservatives for the National Assembly for Wales, Andrew Davies.

Good morning, conference. Nhce to see you all awake. I was thhnking

how I would stand when I cale to the lectern and today because I read

last week that the power poses to make sure your legs are as far apart

as possible. After re-searchers came through and said that isn't the

case, the only thing I could think about was to give you a good hernia

if I was doing that. Forgivd me for keeping my legs together because I

don't want another hernia. Ht is a pleasure to speak at our national

conference and to speak to xou, the delegates and members who m`ke up

this great party of hours. Xou are the backbone of our party. Xou are

the backbone of a united Conservative Party. It is also a

pleasure to share this sesshon with my colleague and good friend, Alun

Cairns, who is doing an outstanding job following in the footstdps of

Stephen Crabb in the Welsh office along with his colleagues. Ht is

fair to say that the last fdw months have not been without their

challenges the Conservatives in Wales. We have one -- run an

incredibly strong fighting lay's election but it wasn't good enough.

We have had to come to terms with some hard truths and many p`ssionate

discussions have been held since. Our spirits were understand`bly low,

another five years of Welsh Labour propped up by the nasty nathonalists

and the Liberal Democrats. Business as usual, some might say. Then came

June 23. Wales and the UK voted -- voted to leave the EU and this, the

Sun, was the way -- Grace one that never people thought would happen. I

often felt like a lonely vohce in the wilderness. A loud voicd but a

lone voice. As a lifelong f`rmer, I know well that hope can oftdn be a

lonely and uncertain business. I can well remember the number of times I

have been in the lambing shdd staying up through freezing nights

to nurse sickening ewe lambs to health. Where some perished, many

lips. Lambs are delicate thhngs Without Murch and belief to support

their being, they may never take their first breath. Although some in

my party did not agree with my vision of Wales outside the EU, our

response to the vote has not been defined by division, infighting or

recriminations. That is not our way in Wales. To hold different views on

such a game changing constitutional question and to be allowed the

privilege of campaigning for those views is just about the most

democratic thing can do. Whhle our fundamental beliefs will also

endure, the union, free entdrprise, the empowerment of communithes,

devolution can mean Wales steers a different course. What is good for

one isn't always right for the other. There is nothing to fear from

this. It is something that hn my eyes should be celebrated. Ht is

what localism is about. It hs what Kipling once wrote, if you can keep

your head when all about yot are losing theirs, that is exactly what

we have done. We have kept our heads, we have come together to

confront the challenges and embrace the opportunities that Brexht has to

offer and believe me, conference, there are many opportunities. Only

by coming together and accepting the Democratic will of the people of

Wales and the United Kingdol can we deliver the best deal for otr

communities. Labour and Plahd Cymru have lost their heads. The first

ministers of the leadership in the aftermath of the vote has bden

marked by a lack of ambition, clarity and repeated scaremongering.

In his recent Programme for Government, Carwyn Jones sahd Wales

is punching above its weight. It is a nice sound bite but it is sadly

untrue. Under Labour, large parts of Wales are poorer than Bulgaria or

Romania and education systel ranks in the foothills of international

standards rather than the stmmit of international excellence. The

Nationalists have shamelessly used the vote to leave as a vehicle to

renewed their calls for independence. Ambition is stpported

by a fraction of the Welsh public. This disconnect that exists between

Carwyn Jones and Liam Wood post Brexit, is amplified by the fact

that both their constituenches voted decisively to leave the European

Union. In his empowerment of the Welsh nationalism's most strident

cheerleader, Carwyn Jones rdpresents a danger which cannot be ignored. We

must continue to offer robust scrutiny and more positive visions

for Wales to counter his cynical brand of politics. We should no

longer be content to be at the sidelines. We must no longer be seen

by voters as angry oppositionists. Our message must be strong dnough to

reach out beyond our tradithonal voter base. If we are seriots about

forming a Government in 2020, the violent leftward lurch of play

would --... Brexit has greater powers from the Wales bills and are

moments for Wales. They offdr real opportunity for us to build and not

just hope for a bold new future that serves people from all backgrounds.

To wrestle control from those who wish for Brexit to fail just so they

can say, "I told you so." Countries are not built on sound bites or

empty promises. Countries are built by those who roll their sledves

knuckle down and get on with the job. Working together withott

excellent new Prime Minister, Theresa May, we will make Brexit a

success and conference, mark my words, we will make Brexit `

success. APPLAUSE. That is one word that

wasn't meant to come out like that. I will have a word with the autocue

at the back. We will forge ` bold new positive role for ourselves in

the world and secure the right deal for our country and for our people.

In 2010, we got Britain working again after the economic sh`mbles

left by Labour. In 2016, it is time for phase two. Getting the country

working for everyone. Buildhng a Wales that works for everyone, a

Wales where there are opportunities for all and when no one is left

behind. Wales needs to stop following the crowd. Conferdnce it

is time the crowd followed Wales. APPLAUSE.

It now gives me great pleastre to welcome to the stage the Secretary

of State for Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland in a panel discussion.

APPLAUSE. Hello, everyone. Now it is your turn. Hello! It is wonderful to

be here today as part of thhs session which is celebrating the

union and with me, I have a gathering of Secretary of State is.

I don't know if anyone has `ny other words for a group of Secret`ry of

States. Anybody? Union. A confidence of Secretary of States. I c`ll it a

celebration of Secretary of States. I would like to extend a warm

welcome to Arlene Foster who is in the audience. The First Minhster of

Northern Ireland. APPLAUSE. Whilst your hands warmed

up and you have been applauding please can we go straightaw`y to the

first Secretary of State who is about to speak the Northern Ireland,

James broken shire. Thank you so very much. It hs great

to see you here and we look forward to seeing you back in Westmhnster

very, very soon. It is a huge privilege to sdrve as

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. One of the reasons for that

is because as all others in the Conservative Party appreciate,

Northern Ireland is such very special part of our United Kingdom.

APPLAUSE. It is a great place to live, to

work, to visit, to invest and to do business. And, as Secretary of

State, I will never tire of talking up Northern Ireland as a pl`ce of

opportunity. And, in doing so, I am fortunate to have a great tdam, my

Ministers Chris Hopkinson and Lord Dunlop, our whip Steve Brian, and

Mike eps Oliver Colburn. As this Conservative government strhves to

build a country that works for everyone, I am committed to building

a Northern Ireland that works for everyone. That means building a

stronger economy as the foundations for hope, aspiration and all that we

seek to achieve. As a result of the tough decisions we have takdn, the

Northern Ireland economy continues to recover from the disastrous

Employment is up 55,000 since 2 10. Employment is up 55,000 since 2 10.

Unemployment is down by over 40 from its peak. We have cut hncome

taxes for over 700,000 people, and taken 110,000 of the lowest paid out

of tax altogether. Northern Ireland remains one of the most poptlar

destinations in the UK for foreign direct investment outside of London.

That is Conservative action delivering positive results for

Northern Ireland. APPLAUSE

But, we know there is more to do. That is why, in line with the

requirements of financial stability that we have set out, we relain

fully committed to the devolution of corporation tax powers to the

Northern Ireland executive. And we will be championing Northern Ireland

is a great place to do business This requires stable political

institutions, and today I c`n report that, under a Conservative

government Northern Ireland is enjoying the longest run of unbroken

devolved government since the 1 60s. That has not always been easy. Let

me pay tribute to my predecdssor, Theresa Villiers, who securdd the

Stormont house of fresh start agreements that prevented the likely

collapse of devolution. She left Northern Ireland stronger and more

stable, and we in this partx oh her aides tremendous -- oh her `

tremendous debt of gratitudd. So, this government will take no

risks with that hard-won political stability. We will stand fahthfully

by the agreements that have helped to bring it about. We will `lso

continue to discharge our responsibility to keep people safe

and secure. Tackling the threat from terrorism, and working to rhd

society of the scorch of paramilitaries. That is why we will

continue to give the fullest possible support to the brave men

and women of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and our sdcurity

services who do such an amazing job. And it includes our prison officers,

who also works under constant threat. As we saw tragicallx in

Our clear message to those Our clear message to those

terrorists who continue to pursue their objectives by the bullet and

bomb is clear. You will nevdr succeed.

Northern Ireland's future whll only ever be determined by democracy and

consent, never by violence. Tackling paramilitary groups remains a key

part of this agenda. I realhse that this is easier said than done, and

these groups use intimidation, control and paramilitary labels to

instil fear and line their own pockets. But let's be clear about

our objective. There was never any justification for these grotps in

the past. There is none tod`y. We need a concerted effort across

society to put them out of business for good.

APPLAUSE We also need to provide better

outcomes for victims and survivors of the troubles. They are the people

who suffered the most. We h`ve a duty to support them. Our m`nifesto

committed us to delivering the Stormont house agreement, including

the new body is designed to address legacy issues. We have made good

progress on the detailed work required to do just that. Btt, let

me be clear. There will be no amnesties. Their work will be fair,

balanced and proportionate. We Conservatives will never be party to

any rewrite of history that seeks to legitimise terrorism or unddrmines

the vital contribution to pdace made by our brave soldiers and police

officers. Building a Northern Ireland that

works for everyone also means making a success of the UK's democratic

decision to leave the Europdan Union. I am in no doubt that we can

and will. Northern Ireland has some world beating businesses. A hugely

talented workforce, and a great entrepreneurial spirit. We will work

to ensure that Northern Ireland s unique interests are protected and

advanced. That is particularly the case when it comes to the l`nd

border with the Republic of Ireland, and the Common travel area which has

served the UK and Ireland wdll for many decades. No one wants to see a

return to the borders of thd past. As someone who worked alongside

Theresa May for six years at the Home Office, I can testify to the

Prime Minister's commitment to all parts of our United Kingdom. As she

made clear on entering Downhng Street, we must preserve thd special

bonds that unite England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. So, we

should approach this with optimism and a positive view of what we can

achieve for Northern Ireland inside the UK, but outside the EU. That is

what we will continue to do as we seek to build a peaceful, stable and

prosperous Northern Ireland. A Northern Ireland that looks to the

future with confidence. A Northern Ireland that works for everxone

Thank you very much. APPLAUSE

James, thank you very much hndeed. Next welcome to the stage the

Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell.

It is an honour to have the chance to address you all this morning as

the Conservative and Unionist Secretary of State for Scotland I

would like to thank both Lord Dunlop and David Morris for their hard work

and support. Our new Prime Linister spoke for all of us that dax in July

on the steps of Downing Strdet, we are the Conservative and Unhonist

party. I believe with all mx heart in the preservation of the tnion. It

is indeed a precious, precious bond, and that bond has never been more

important. APPLAUSE

Because it will be that strong, stable bond on the broad shoulders

of our UK that carry the cotntry through the coming years. Wd can't

and won't provide a running commentary on exiting the ET, but on

one thing I want to be absolutely clear. We will negotiate as United

Kingdom, leave as a United Kingdom, and face the future together as a

United Kingdom. APPLAUSE

That is what I call a Team TK approach because the UK is

Scotland's vital union. Earlier this year, we passed the Scotland act

2016. This devolved new powdrs on tax, spending that will see Holyrood

become one of the most powerful devolved Parliaments in the world.

We have delivered the Smith commission in full, and I al hugely

proud to have taken that legislation successfully through the UK

Parliament. As these powers come in, the Scottish Government will have

new freedom to cut taxes or to raise them, to attract businesses in, or

drive them away, to attract people on benefits or support them into

work. I may not like that the SNP wants to tax families and btsinesses

by ?1 billion more than in Dngland, but that is their choice, and they

will have two account to it to the Scottish people at the ballot box.

The Scottish Government will have an unprecedented power and freddom to

govern Scotland's affairs btt crucially, Scotland will retain the

benefits of the UK's broad shoulders. It is the Chancellor in

the UK Treasury that can gu`rantee the future of Scotland's European

structure and investment funds project. For Scotland, that will be

worth on average ?200 million every year until we leave the EU. It is

the UK's balance sheet that keeps borrowing rates at historic lows

Wendy Scottish Parliament's deficit balloons to almost 10%. It hs the

UK's Paul Smith damage the Scottish governance can increase spending by

over 3% when the tax revenuds fall by over 5%. The UK is investing in

city deals like Glasgow, Abdrdeen and Inverness. The UK has ddlivered

the biggest boost to the oil and gas industry in over 20 years, `nd the

UK has introduced the National living wage. As we look to DU exit,

remember that Scotland tradds over four times more with the rest of the

UK van with the EU. This is a bedrock of support that can only

come from being part of the UK. The new powers are a huge opportunity

for the Scottish Government, but so far, the SNP have put their

obsession with independence above all else. They have abandondd the

price. They spend their timd doom price. They spend their timd doom

mongering about Brexit and tsing it as an excuse to threaten a second

independence referendum. Th`t is not what the people of Scotland want. It

is a sort of Damocles, the single biggest threat to Scotland's

economy. The SNP need to stop pursuing their own ideological

agenda and start governing. APPLAUSE

They have come to think that they have a divine right to hold power,

and not to be held to account. We know they don't. And now we have

Ruth Davidson and our fantastic team of 30 MSPs to prove that.

The Scottish Conservatives had a stunning result in May, and I want

to thank everyone here in this hall, and throughout the country, who

knocked on doors, made the calls, delivered the leaflets. It was a

fantastic effort. APPLAUSE

We overtook Scottish Labour as the main opposition. Not surprising

perhaps, when you heard Jerdmy Corbyn's speech in Liverpool. He did

not mention the Scottish Labour leader. He did not even went

Scottish Labour. Worse still, he did not even mention the union. The only

thing he did mention was thd Glasgow city deal, which he had not heard

that the Government in the TK had Ashley put ?500 billion into. Ladies

and gentlemen, I am telling you seriously, the Labour Party can no

longer be trusted with the tnion. Now, every day in Holyrood, it is

rude than the Conservatives holding the SNP to account.

We are strong opposition and a strong Government in Westminster.

Together, we are standing up for the union

APPLAUSE Standing up for is people who are working harder just

managing. Those with a job but no job security, those who start in

life, whose skin colour, whose poverty has denied them the

opportunities of the privildged few. We are driven by a simple vhsion.

United that supports anyone, whoever they are, to go as far as their

talent will take them. That is what this Government and this party are

about and I am very privileged to play a part in that. Thank xou very

much. Next to the stage, please c`n we

welcome Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns.

He Speaks Welsh. I trust yot agree with every word I said. It hs a

pleasure to be here at the Conservative Party conference and a

privilege to serve as the Sdcretary of State for Wales and to follow in

the excellent footsteps and the work of my predecessor, Stephen Crabb. I

want to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in the

party in Wales, particularlx my ministerial team. Also the @ssembly

team based in Cardiff Bay. Ht has been a fantastic year in Wales for

more reasons than one. We h`d an outstanding performance at this

year's Olympics and Paralympics and I must admit that in the past, I

have relished the opportunity to remind my English friends of the

success of the Wales rugby team This year, I won't do that. It

wouldn't be right because England were last year and I have ddcided to

move on to football. APPLAUSE. A brilliant performance at

the Euros earlier this year. It was a privilege to see how the whole of

the UK got behind the Welsh team as we approached the semifinals. Our

sporting triumphs are important for a number of reasons but thex also

serve to underline the UK as a special family of nations. Hn this

context, Wales has played its part in growing the UK economy. The

unemployment rate in Wales hs the lowest in the UK. Employment has

never been higher and since 201 , Wales has seen the fastest dconomic

growth across the whole of the country outside of London. Key to

that success has been a range of UK initiatives from the broadb`nd

roll-out scheme, to the electrification of the railways as

long as -- as well as the changes in our welfare system. It is hdartening

to see that the best employlent data is coming from some of the lost

deprived communities in Walds. Truly highlighting that we are a

Government that works for everyone. As a family of nations, the UK

taxpayer rightly supports all parts of the UK to stop after dec`des of

in-built does advantage of the funding formula, it took a

Conservative Government to hntroduce a funding for all in Wales. Labour

talked about it for 13 years but we delivered it within our first year

in Government. We also recognise that our role goes further. We

established the UK's larger city deal in Cardiff. ?1.2 billion that

will deliver a modern Metro for Cardiff and the wider vallexs'

communities. I working on chty and growth deals for Swansea Bax and

North Wales. I am determined to see that North Wales has plugged into

the economic opportunities hn Manchester, Liverpool and Cheshire

and the Northern Powerhouse. After all, we are all interconnected

economy is and that is why we will halve the tolls in the Severn Bridge

to improve economic opportunities between South Wales, Bristol and the

south-west. The Government on the side of working people. Another

success story has been the record-breaking years of foreign

direct investment. Last year 90 projects came to Wales with a direct

support of UK TIA. It is in this spirit I am excited by the `pproach

and enthusiasm of Liam Fox. His new Department of International trade

will be fundamental to seek out new markets and take us to the next

level of the investment. We are working closely together to build on

the successes of recent years. His department is an example of a

department that will work for all of the UK. Wales is an open, ottward

looking economy determined to make the most of post-Brexit

opportunities. There will bd challenges but there will also be a

host of new opportunities and new prospects also. The Wales Fhrst

Minister 60% Wales as a victim of the EU referendum. He seems to

forget Wales voted to leave the European Union also. Whether we like

it or not, we must work frol that instruction. There are exciting

opportunities for Wales with the UK being the global leader in free

trade. The outcome of the rdferendum has raised concerns over thd future

of what is currently considdred EU funding. That is money targdted to

support some of the poorest parts of the UK. Again, we must seizd this

moment as an opportunity to do better for those communities. After

all, European structural funds are supposed to be a temporary fix, a

similar score the most deprhved parts of the UK. In Wales in 19 9, I

remember the debate about objective one money. It was a

once-in-a-lifetime opportunhty but 16 years on, ?4 billion latdr,

Labour's mismanagement of the funds has let those communities down. So

much was their frustration that those areas have received most

European aid with the same `reas that voted in the strongest numbers

to leave the European Union. When we consider some of the projects they

funded, there is little worry that they are anger. If only the

outcomes, if they have focused on the outcomes, if they had looked the

money they were spending in those projects. Carrying on in thd way

spending like the same old way is not an option any longer. A new

structure will give us the opportunity to follow UK prhorities,

investing in a way that is tailored to the Welsh and UK economy. Now

that we are leaving the European Union, the union of the UK hs more

important than ever before. Where labour start of the devoluthon

process, it is up to us to deliver a clearer, stronger, Ferres sdttlement

that works for Wales and for our part within the union of thd United

Kingdom. That is why we will continue to work in the intdrests of

our precious union and across Government with colleagues such as

Greg Clark to seek a sustainable future for steel-maker with Karen

Bradley to develop our broadcasting industry and with Chris Graxling to

improve transport infrastructure. Across the whole of UK Government

departments to make exiting the European Union is a success for all

parts of the country. I start my contribution by talking abott the

special family of nations. @s the Prime Minister said on the steps of

Downing Street, we firmly bdlieve in the precious, precious bond between

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. I am hugely

encouraged by the performance - importance placed on the role of

Wales. The premise was in C`rdiff within days of entering Downing

Street. The message is clear. This Government will do all it c`n to

deliver a country that will work for everyone, an economy that whll work

for everyone, a society that will work for everyone, union th`t will

work for everyone. Whether xou are a farmer on the rolling hills of Powys

all like my father, a steel worker in Port Talbot, we Government that

works for you. Thank you very much. APPLAUSE. Thank you very much

indeed. Everyone of you talked about the importance of a strong tnion and

how the spotlight more than ever is on the union as we move awax from

the European Union. There are opportunities to grasp. How are we

going to make sure you do that? There are some excellent data coming

from all parts of the UK. Above all, we are an interlinked econoly. We

talked about North Wales as a powerhouse and South Wales working

together. The UK as a union in marketing all of us around the world

is an excellent example of where together we bring about mord. How

are you hearing what people are wanting and how are you reaching out

to the different parts of the debate? Since June we have been

holding 60 metres -- meetings around Scotland with groups. Fishermen

farmers, young people, all strands of society. People recognisd that

there are challenges in terls of leaving the EU but what encourages

me is that they see there are opportunities as well. People are

starting to look towards thdse opportunities. The big issud in

Scotland, which is concerning people, is the Nationalists have

used it as an opportunity to bring independence back to the table that

is the issue people won't t`ke off the table because it is the thing

that brings uncertainty and let s get together and focus on 18 UK

approach to delivering the best possible EU deal for Scotland and

the whole of our United Kingdom Certainty is a key word whether it

is an individual in the homd or a business. Where are we going, how

will we provide that certainty? It is important to look at somd of the

things the Chancellor has done. In relation to farm payments, those

direct payments which mean ` great deal for a lot of industry hn

Northern Ireland. To give that certainty until 2020, there has been

a really important thing. There is the responsibility that we `ll feel

as secretaries of State in going out across our communities, Scotland,

Wales and Northern Ireland, listening but also giving that

assurance, that assurance of the objectives of this Government

getting the best possible ddal for the United Kingdom and all parts of

the UK. That is a feeling that we will continue to underline `nd also

in listening to some of the other comments. How we are open for

business, of the trade, open for investment. That is something that

Liam Fox is championing and how we as secretaries of State are playing

our part in underlining the UK and all parts of the UK are open for

business and we want to see and encourage that. I didn't want to

stop and applause. I heard ` rumble of applause there. They would never

forgive me. There are sensitivities as well and that are challenges

particularly in Northern Irdland and you have got to deal with those as

well. We have had this unbroken period of devolved Government in

Northern Ireland for the longest period since the 1960s and H am very

focused on how we continue to see that political progression, continue

to follow through on the colmitments that we have made. It is important

to stress the strong support for those political institutions and the

political settlement that h`s not been changed as a consequence of the

vote in relation to the refdrendum. It is their sense of opporttnity,

that benefit that we can sed to take Northern Ireland further but also

how we do need to deal with a number of these issues that I touched on in

my speech around paramilitaries safety and security and that, in my

role as secretary of state, something I'm determined to take

forward. It is such a beautiful union.

Whether you are going to Anglesey, as I did as a kid, but Scotland to,

and we have had a bumper ye`r for visitors, so how will we continue

with that? One of the things that has happened is that we havd had,

for example, a record Edinbtrgh Festival. I would argue, thd

Edinburgh Festival is one of the UK's Premier cultural event, and to

me it sums up the fact that, although we are leaving the EU, we

are still very much part of Europe, and very much part of that wider

world, and there are signifhcant opportunities out there for us,

there our business opportunhties, but their results of the opportunity

to get people to come to our country and sample its beautiful waxs, not

least of course in Scotland. And Bushmills in Northern Ireland! I

like the way you are working together, healthy competition

between one another. Again, bringing up healthy competition, we have got

sporting references in therd. Again, we do need to praise, you know,

think our praises and talk `bout our virtues. We are needing to sell

ourselves to the rest of thd world. We are the fifth largest economy in

the world, so on that basis the clout that we will have in our

negotiating is a much stronger than if we were independent nations. We

have attracted 90 projects that came as a direct intervention of UK TIA

and Aston Martin is one of them and they are now establishing a new

factory in my constituency. That demonstrates a global brand within

the UK, but not only in England also in Wales, Scotland and Northern

Ireland. And that strong history of trading needs to be exploitdd and

worked upon. Yes, absolutelx, and those special characteristics of all

parts of the UK, you have hdard of some of the tourism issues `nd that

matters very much in Northern Ireland, getting them to experience

the Titanic experience in Bdlfast, how it has been transformed as a

city, so how we look outwards and how we encourage that. But `lso

together as Secretaries of State, we are working together as arotnd all

of this for all parts of thd United Kingdom. I remember the first

Cabinet meeting that the three of us went to, we went in together, and

that underlined that strength of unity between all of us, between all

parts of the United Kingdom, coming together and how we are detdrmined

to get the best possible de`l for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

as part of the United Kingdom. You talk about a country that works for

everyone, and a union that works for everyone, and each of you

highlighted the employment hssues, and that is key because it does need

to spread to those most deprived areas, those difficult areas. Wales

has the lowest and implement in the whole of the UK. If we go b`ck a

decade ago, we'd never have dreams of that. In large part it is the

welfare reforms that you were instrumental in delivering `s a

Minister in Parliament, so H thank you for your part in that.

APPLAUSE It is important to continue to point

out that trade within the United Kingdom is so important. Scotland's

trade with the rest of the TK is more than four times as much is the

trade with the European Union, and so I find it incredible that some

people are so concerned abott losing the trading link with the ET, but

are quite happy to just walk away from that trading link with the

United Kingdom. It is ridictlous. That is our real strong union with

the rest of the UK. I think David highlight this right point `bout the

economy, how we will continte as a government to ensure that wd support

entrepreneurs, we support that open economic approach and our driving

enterprise, and it is that sense of what we can be, but also wh`t that

means in the lives of so people In Northern Ireland, employment

increased by 50 55,000 sincd he came into power and water differdnce that

makes in the lives of peopld, and we are determined to continue that as

we work to create a country, a union, that works for everyone. That

is what we need to get across, that the Conservatives are for absolutely

everyone, the little man on the street, the businessmen, thd leader

of an organisation, we are there for everyone. And with a party that is

absolutely committed to keeping our United Kingdom together.

APPLAUSE Ladies and gentlemen, this hs the

team that has got the vision for the union. This is a government that

will deliver that vision for the union. James, David, Alun C`irns,

thank you very much indeed. Ladies and gentlemen, pleasd welcome

Andrew Sharp. APPLAUSE

Good morning, conference. I am one of the vice presiddnts of

the National Convention. It is a great privilege to be introducing

this session on the most important duty of government. Our country s

safety and security. We havd long been considered the party of law and

order, and the party of defdnce Ever the last six years in

government we have proven that reputation to be correct. Kdeping

our Nato commitment that 2% of GDP, renewing our nuclear deterrdnt,

reforming our judicial systdm, overhauling prisons, and cutting

crime by a quarter to its lowest level since records began.

APPLAUSE As we reflect on that record, we

must remember that it is people brave, hard-working, dedicated men

and women who make it all h`ppen. Like, for example, the police

officers who keep us safe everyday. I would like to take the opportunity

to thank West Midlands Police for the excellent job they are doing

here at the conference. APPLAUSE

Like our courtroom staff, prison officers, probation officers, and

those who work with young offenders and victims, sometimes dealhng with

the most tragic and harrowing of cases. Of course, we must not forget

the men and women of our Arled Forces, almost 200,000 of them.

Right now, there are servicd personnel deployed right across the

world. In the air, protecting our skies, on land, training troops and

keeping the peace and at se`, protecting our territories `nd

saving migrants attempting to make perilous journeys. They do our duty

by us, and we will do our dtty by them. Our party has been undquivocal

about that. Shortly before his from the Justice Secretary, Liz Truss,

and the Home Secretary, Ambdr Rudd. Two people in two new jobs, jobs

that are crucial when there are so many threats facing us here at home,

from extremism to cyber crile, and when reoffending rates are still too

high. Before that, we will hear from somebody who has been in his job a

little longer and garnered ` reputation as a firm supporter of

those who preserve our freedoms and protect us from aggression `nd

injustice. It is the Defencd Secretary, Michael Fallon. Before we

hear from him, I would like to hand over to someone who I find very

impressive and I think you will too. Good morning. My name is Ash Ahmed

and I stand here today as a former member of the British Army, and the

Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Rochdale last year. My journey

from a listed Muslim family in Manchester to this stage is an

unusual one. I came from working in my family about shop to becoming one

of the first women to go through the rigorous SAS selection training

APPLAUSE As you can imagine, there are plenty

of raised eyebrows when I w`lked into the army barracks. Thotgh

ultimately the time for womdn to serve on the front line had not yet

come when I was marching through the Brecon Beacons, the experience was

gruelling. But, taking that opportunity made me who I al today.

I am a conservative because I want this to be a country where dveryone

has those opportunities, to get on and succeed, regardless of their

background. My journey shows how this c`n be a

country that works for everxone where people are not judged on what

they look like or where thex come from. That is why I am so proud

that, under this government, women can now serve on the front line

because if you are good enotgh to do the job, nothing else should matter.

This is the party of opporttnity, and the party of defence. This

government is increasing thd defence budget so that our troops h`ve

equipment that they need to keep this country safe. I am delhghted to

introduce the man who is le`ding this vital work, helping us to stand

tall as a proud, outward looking nation that has the best Arled

Forces in the world. Ladies and gentlemen, pleasd join me

in welcoming our Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon.

APPLAUSE Thank you for that kind

introduction. Your story is an inspirational reminder of how our

Armed Forces extend opportunity and tear down artificial barriers and it

is an honour to have you here today alongside my ministerial te`m. All

of them who do so much to m`ke sure our Armed Forces have what they need

to keep this country safe. This week, our party is putting forward a

vision of our country that works for everyone. Where you can go `s far as

your talents can take you. Ultimately, the opportunity to get

on depends on the security provided by our Armed Forces. Today, British

forces are fighting terrorism, countering aggression, training

troops and democracies as f`r apart as Ukraine, Nigeria and Afghanistan.

Here at home, they are patrolling our skies and our seas. Thex are

serving around the world, round-the-clock, to keep our country

safe and every single one of them deserves our thanks.

APPLAUSE. Into Reza may we have a leader who puts security first. Her

very first act as Prime Minhster was to win a majority in parlialent to

build the new nuclear submarines that will deter the most extreme

threats through to the 20 60s. - Theresa May. That sends a mdssage

about Britain's commitment to defend our way of life than that of our

allies. Let me tell you that tomorrow I will go from herd to

Barrow, to cut steel on the first new successor Trident submarine

APPLAUSE. ?1 billion investlent programme that will benefit

businesses from Barrow to Bdrkshire from the north of Scotland to

Tyneside. What a contrast whth the Labour Party be? By getting on with

the success of the programmd, they can't agree with the successor to

Jeremy Corbyn. Instead they have re-elected leader who wants to scrap

our nuclear weapons, who wants to leave Nato, who wants to talk to

terrorists. Let me tell you that waving a white flag will not keep us

safe. APPLAUSE. Labour would risk our

defence for their... That is why they can never be trusted whth

Britain's security. Today wd face terrorism, a resurgent Russha, cyber

attacks, North Korea illegally testing nuclear weapons but unlike

Labour, we have the will to respond to those threats. We are investing

in more ships, more planes, a 5 ,000 strong division. Better equhpment

and stronger cyber defence. All paid for by a defence budget that will

grow every year of this Parliament. Our party.

APPLAUSE. Our party putting defence first. Leaving the European Union

does not mean that we are stepping back from our commitments. Our

commitments to the security of our, -- continent. We will continue to

have the biggest defence budget in Europe. Meeting that 2% Nato

spending targets. We will ldad in Nato, the cornerstone of our defence

by putting troops on to its eastern border next year. But we will go on

blocking an EU army that was simply undermine Nato.

APPLAUSE. Around the world we will step up, not step away from our

global responsibilities. Our Armed Forces are already playing the

second biggest part in the international coalition agahnst

Daesh. Last month I had the privilege of meeting our troops in

Iraq who are training Iraqi and Kurdish forces. We are doubling the

number of British troops we have there. The Royal Air Force hs out

there striking Daesh day and night. Royal Navy frigates and destroyers

help guard coalition aircraft carriers. Defeating Daesh whll help

keep Britain's streets safe and two years into this campaign, I ask you

to pay tribute to all that our military are doing to defeat this

terrible menace. APPLAUSE. We are also incre`sing our

troop numbers in Afghanistan. We are doubling our contribution to the

United Nations, peacekeeping missions in Africa. With new

aircraft carriers, new maritime patrol aircraft, new attack

helicopters and armoured vehicles and the fifth biggest defence budget

in the world, we remain ready to defend freedom and the rule of law,

to advance democracy and protects human rights. It is the man and

women of our Armed Forces who put themselves in danger to provide the

security that is essential for a country that works for everxbody.

The Armed Forces themselves can be a remarkable engine of social

mobility. Look at cadet, now left tenant. On Tottenham estate, the

school system failed him but the army turned him into the best

officer graduating from Sandhurst this year. Look at how the @rmed

Forces provided the most apprenticeships in our country of

any organisation helping people to develop the skills that bendfit our

military but also setting them up for better careers in civilhan life

after they leave. I am setthng a target to deliver 50,000 military

apprenticeships over this Parliament. Look also at thd young

cadets who learn in school the skills and confidence they need to

thrive. Today I am announcing the first 25 of 150 new cadet units we

are creating in state schools. APPLAUSE. And they include one I

want to tell you about. At Rockwood Academy in this city that I shall be

visiting this afternoon. Wh`t would Academy used to be a Trojan horse

school. It has been turned round completely and instead of promoting

religious segregation, todax as a new academy, it is instilling

British values with a school cadet parade this afternoon serving Queen

and country. Look at how we help service personnel to

buy their own homes. Last ydar I told you I wanted our forces' help

to Help to Buy scheme. I want more of our service men and women to have

the chance to buy their own homes so I am extending the scheme through to

2018. More homes for heroes. We aren't just helping servicelen and

women get on the housing ladder We are selling Ministry of Defdnce land

that we don't need to build the homes that we do. Thanks to the

experienced -- experience g`ined, most veterans find good jobs. But,

inevitably, if you are scarred by their service and we are dohng more

to support them, particularly those with mental health issues. But I

also know how much stress is caused by legal claims. Years after

conflicts have ended. It is right that we should investigate serious

allegations, but we have sedn our legal system abused to falsdly

accused our Armed Forces. Wd are doing something about it.

APPLAUSE. Let me tell you what we are doing. More than 3000 claims

originally lodged about half have already been discontinued. @nother

thousand cases will be thrown out by January. One of the firms that are

filed thousands of these cl`ims a so-called public lawyer has had his

contract terminated and shut down in August and it won't be missdd.

APPLAUSE. We are working hard to get the claims thrown out and wd are

taking action to draw up a new time limit for bringing claims and to

tackle no-win, no fee deals. Much of the litigation that we face comes

from the extension of the Etropean Convention on Human Rights to the

battlefield. That is being damaging our troops, undermining milhtary

operations and costing the taxpayer millions that should be invdsted in

defence itself. APPLAUSE. I can announce today that

in future conference, we intend to derogate from that European

Convention. APPLAUSE. That will protect in

future our Armed Forces frol many of the industrial scale claims we have

seen arising out of Iraq and Afghanistan. I want to be clear

this is not about putting otr Armed Forces above the law. They wouldn't

want that. They have to comply with the criminal law this entry and the

Geneva conventions. Serious claims must be investigated but cl`ims will

be stopped and our Armed Forces will now be able to do their job fighting

the enemy and not the lawyers. APPLAUSE. As Defence Secret`ry, I

have been lucky enough to sde around our country and where they serve

abroad how our Armed Forces give people chances they never thought

they would have. I want to do more to attract the brightest and the

best to our ranks and to move through those ranks. I want to do

more to ensure that any young man or woman can aim for Sandhurst,

Dartmouth. I want to see more recruits from ethnic minorities and

I want to see more women in our Armed Forces. I have challenged our

service chiefs to get at le`st 0% of our new recruits from a black,

Asian or minority background by 2020. I have opened up all combat

roles to women so it is ability and not gender that defines how far you

can go. APPLAUSE.

This isn't about tokenism. Ht is about talent and we want to make

sure that our Armed Forces can recruit the best in our sochety and

whatever their background. Playing their part as Armed Forces hn a

country that works for everxone Our Armed Forces keep us safe every day,

every night. Providing the security that underpins our freedom,

promoting opportunity in our country and enabling Britain to be ` force

for good in the world. This party, this Government will go on backing

them. Supporting the nuclear deterrent, giving the equiplent they

need, remaining committed to Nato. We will always put the security of

Britain first. Thank you. APPLAUSE.

Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me very great pleasure to introduce the

Justice Secretary, but also, and I think this says a good deal about

our great country, the first female Lord Chancellor in the 1000 year

history of the role, ladies and gentlemen, Liz Truss.

I am Liz Truss, the Secretary of State.

APPLAUSE I am Liz Truss, MP for South West

Yorkshire. There is beautiful countryshde. I

love walking around Norfolk. We have also got most advanced fighter jets

in the world, and I am excited about that.

Fellow Conservatives, on August 17, a female prison governor was called

to the segregation unit to deal with a situation that was getting out of

hand, and offender serving ten years for GBH and wounding with intent was

told that he was not being loved out of segregation. The prisoner reacted

violently, punching the wom`n in the face. It took for prison officers to

restrain the attacker. The governor suffered severe bruising. She had to

be taken to hospital, and the other officers were all injured. The next

day, she was back in work. That is just one story of everyday life for

our prison staff, and what people they are.

APPLAUSE I came into politics becausd I care

about our public services. I want to change things, and I want

to reform the way our country works for the better. I am proud to be

appointed Justice Secretary, in charge of the most far-reaching

reforms of our prisons for ` generation. I am proud to bd part of

Theresa May's team, deliverhng on a society that works for everxone

Fellow Conservatives, this government is going to take on the

problem of Britain's prisons, and we are going to make prisons work. Can

there be a place where the values of modern conservatism I needed more?

Our hard-headed conservativd belief that crime must not pay, our

determination to take on those who say nothing can ever change, our

optimism that helps us see that a better future is possible. The other

party for this moment, and H ask you, join with me as champions of

change. Dash-macro we are the party. Prisons need to be places of reform.

The facts speak for themselves. Almost half of prisoners will

reoffend within the first 12 months of release. This cycle of prison

release reoffending, and prhson again, is costing taxpayers ?15

billion every year. That is the equivalent of ?1.7 million for every

single hour of every day. The human cost is higher still. Your home

burgled to feed a junkie's habits. Your phone ripped from your hand as

you walk down the street will stop assaulted for simply being hn the

wrong place at the wrong tile. That is what is being a victim of crime

means. That is why this party says we want fewer victims, we w`nt less

crime, we are going to cut reoffending. I am not starrx eyed

about prisons or the people in them. I don't excuse the crimes prisoners

have committed, and they must pay their debt to society. But we need

to face facts. In all but a few cases, everyone we lock up will one

day have served their time `nd be back in our communities. So, would

we rather offenders ordered squandered their days in jahl, or

use them instead on purposeful activity? I am under no illtsion

about the scale of the challenge, or the time it will take to deliver

reform. Prisoners are often the most damaging people in our socidty, but

they are also often the most damaged. More than half cannot read

or write to a basic standard. Half have mental health problems, and

nearly two thirds are women offenders that are victims of abuse.

Reform is the only way we c`n break the cycle, to cut the cost to

society, and to spare more people the misery of being a fit of crime.

I know that most people are capable of reform. I know that prisons can

help reform them. We don't need to be fatalist, I believe that we can

do something, and I know th`t this party does too. So,

help me in this task, I am pleased to have Doctor Philip Lee, `nd

Minister Sam. My team also hncludes my fantastic PPS Rob, and the

excellent guy Opperman as otr wit. So, here is what we are going to do

to reform our prisons, workhng on the great work of my predecdssor

Michael Gove. We are going to invest ?1.3 billion in sweeping aw`y our

decaying Victorian jails and putting in place new modern prisons. We are

going to give governors gre`ter control over their budgets, to bring

in education and employment schemes that deliver real results, officers

will be given the authority there deserve and the resources they need

to do their jobs. Every prisoner will have a dedicated officdr to

support them as they quit drugs get back to learning, and break the

cycle of reoffending. In thd coming weeks, I will be launching ly vision

for prison reform to 2020 and beyond. The white paper will be the

biggest blueprint in the ovdrhaul of our prisons in a generation, and we

will legislate for these reforms early next year.

APPLAUSE We are going to make sure that

offenders come out of prison better able to work, better able to support

their families, and ready to turn their lives around. We are going to

make prisons work. Real reform needs our prisons to be places of safety.

Like our soldiers, our prison officers and our firefighters, our

staff work on the front lind protecting the public every day All

too often, they suffer abusd, intimidation and violence, fuelled

by the rise in dangerous new psychoactive substances. In the last

year, there were 5423 attacks on prison officers. That is allost 15

everyday. So, I say to prison staff, you do a vital job keeping our

streets safe, supporting and reforming offenders, and I promise

you this, I will do everythhng in my power to protect you. We have

made a start. We have introduced new laws and rolled out tests to

crackdown on psycho act if drugs like Spies and camera crew lanner. I

have given staff extra authorities to tackle gangs and extremists in

our jails, and I am working with Amber Rudd and Jeremy Wright to make

sure assault against prison staff are punished to the full extent of

the law. We will treat attacks on prison officers for what thdy are,

serious crimes. We will go further. Officers tell me that their numbers

are stretched too thin, that without more front line staff, who `re

better deployed, they cannot deliver prisons that are places of safety

and reform. They have told le this, and I have listened. So I c`n

announce today that we will begin thing staff more time to directly

supervise offenders. This one support, which will be rolldd out in

every prison, is vital to bringing down levels of violence, and

reforming offenders. I will take immediate action to support

governors and staff in our ten most challenging prisons, from Exeter and

leads to Nottingham and Livdrpool. We will be investing ?40 million to

provide more than 400 extra staff in prisons that have seen sharp rises

in violence in recent years. This investment will strengthen the front

line. It will help us win the battle against drugs, gangs and violence,

but are standing in the way of real prison reform. This transformation

will take time for our rave prison staff, and our data catered --

dedicated prison officers. But we need to stay the course. Together we

can make change happen. I h`ve one more thing to add on our prhson

programme. This country is fortunate that we can draw on another

disciplined and courageous group, our Armed Forces. Today, I can

announce a new Ministry of Justice programme to increase the ntmber of

former armed service personnel becoming prison officers. Who better

to instil the virtues of discipline? Who better to show what you can

achieve in life with couragd and integrity? They will help otr prison

officers lead the change. S`fety on our streets, and safety in our

prisons, that is the policy of this government. Fellow Conservatives, I

am proud to be addressing you for the first time as Lord Chancellor.

The fundamentals of our nathon depend on the rule of law. Ht is our

safeguard against extremism, oppression and dictatorship. It is

the basis of our prosperity, which has sustained by secure contracts

and free trade. It is the f`bric of our free society, the order, the

stability, the equality, thd individual freedoms that we all love

and respect. We have inherited the finest legal tradition in the world

from our dedicated magistrates to our judges, who are rightly

celebrated for their independence. From our barristers and solhcitors,

who as a global reputation that is second to none, to everyone who

works in the legal services industry that contributes ?25 billion

annually to the British economy I am delighted to be working with

Minister Sir Oliver Heald, `n experienced legal reformer, and Lord

Keane, an outstanding advoc`te. Together with the Lord Chief

Justice, Lord Thomas, we will modernise our justice systel so we

can truly say, here are world leading courts. Here is a jtstice

system that is incorruptibld and swift and sure. Here is a jtstice

system that works for everyone. Here is British justice, the best in the

world. APPLAUSE

This Government is investing ?1 billion in a more modern justice

system. All vulnerable victhms and witnesses will have their

cross-examination pre-recorded before trial. I believe that no

child who has shown incredible bravery of coming forward should

ever have to relive terribld experiences in an intimidathng"

APPLAUSE Further reforms will deliver justice system that is

efficient, just on straightforward. A modern justice system is not just

reflected in its practices `nd processes but also its people.

Currently only one in seven QCs and one in three partners in law firms

are women. Fewer than one in ten judges come from ethnic minorities

and only a quarter went to state school. This is modern glob`l

Britain. We can do better than that. We need to open up our legal system

so it draws on all the talents in our society. The Prime Minister has

outlined her vision for a country where merits matter more th`n

background. If we are to tr`nsform this great nation into work great

meritocracy, our judiciary should be leading the field. The Suprdme Court

is a vital part of constitution and I cherish its independence. Can it

be right that out of 12 judges in the Supreme Court, only one is a

woman and not a single one hs from ethnic minority? This would be

difficult to justify in a boardroom or around the Cabinet table. We will

be working to break down barriers to make sure people from all

backgrounds can rise through the profession and that merits wins out.

We are going to open up the justice system. Were going to have ` justice

system for the talents. We're going to have a justice system th`t works

for everyone. APPLAUSE.

Our justice system is based on human rights. Despite what Labour thinks,

human rights were not invented in 1998. From Magna Carta to the Bill

of Rights, for more than a thousand years, this country has led the

world on protecting individtal freedoms. Our proposal on a British

Bill of Rights will be the next step forward. Building on our ancient

liberties of democracy, the rule of law and trial by jury. I am

immensely proud to be given the responsibility to uphold thd rule of

law. To make sure our legal system continues to be the envy of the

world under champion English law across the globe. The centuries we

have let the world with a jtdiciary that is independent, imparthal and

incorruptible. As we chart ` course to a new global Britain, thdse

fundamental rights and ancidnt liberties will remain at thd heart

of everything we do. In a modern global Britain, we cannot accept a

prison system that fails society and allows offenders to fester. We

cannot accept courts that h`ve slowed down by inefficiencids or

hardened to the needs of victims. We cannot accept a justice system that

does not reflect the best Britain has to offer. We will transform our

prisons into places of safety and reform. We will modernise otr courts

and open up the legal profession. We will continue to lead the world in

the fundamental freedoms th`t have shaped our great nation. Safety on

our streets. Reform in our prisons. Liberty under the law. Justhce for

all. A country that works for everyone.

APPLAUSE. Thank you. Conference, it gives me verx great

pleasure to introduce somebody who won't need very much introdtction to

this audience. He was a previous Secretary of State for Commtnities

and Local Government. Ladies and gentlemen, Sir Eric Pickles.

It is great to be here with you I hope you didn't think that `fter

leaving the Cabinet that I had gone off to some kind of genteel

retirement. Writing my memohrs and making a bob or two. I have been

busy. As the Government anti-corruption champion, as we

prepare to leave the Europe`n Community, tackling corrupthon will

be as important as ever. Thd UK is rated by transparency

internationally as one of the ten least corrupt countries in the

world. That is just a good start. It makes our nation and attractive

place for business, for fordign investment will stop our laws give

the foreign investor in the same protection as the domestic firms.

That is a great plus. Corruption knows no boundaries. It unddrmines

business, it undermines Govdrnment and it makes the very poorest even

poorer. Corruption is this friend of the extremist and the terrorist and

it's the enemy of social justice. On our own doorstep, we have sden the

corruption of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It resulted hn a

rigged elections and funds for deprived communities being diverted

to partisan payments. Our ddmocracy is worth protecting and we will make

sure that our ballot boxes `re secure.

APPLAUSE. I was appointed the special envoy for post-Holocaust

issues last year. It is a job that often leaves me humbled by the sheer

resilience of the human spirit. It is also serving as a stark reminder

of the terrible consequences of allowing hatred and extremism to

fester in communities. Very sadly anti-Semitism has not yet bden

extinguished from our country. We must never stop sending out the

message that religious motivated crimes have no place in Britain

APPLAUSE. It undermines daily life and as Theresa May said last year,

Jewish identity along with the other communities is an intrinsic part of

British identity. We will not leave extremist ideology unchallenged We

will not leave high -- hate crime unpolished. I think it is f`ir to

say that the last Home Secrdtary did a very good job.

It is not easy for anybody to take over your boss' job. I have seen a

fair bit of the Home Office with my responsibilities and I am vdry

impressed with the way in which our new Home Secretary has taken command

and got to grips with some of the vital issues facing our country

Amber is one of the real st`rs of this Government and I am very proud

to call her my chum. Conferdnce let's welcome Amber Rudd.

Thank you, Eric and thank you conference that welcome. I succeed

one of the most successful home secretaries of modern times. You may

define success as holding the post for longer than any prior

Conservative incumbent sincd World War II to stop you may judgd it by

introducing the Modern Slavdry Bill act which has delivered tough new

penalties to put slave mastdrs behind bars. Or you may judge it by

the eventual hard-won deportation of Abu Qatada and the message that

sent. Theresa May is now Prhme Minister. I am honoured to be Home

Secretary in her Conservative only Government. It is no signet --

secret that early this year I compound on the part of the remain

side in the EU referendum. H travelled the country setting up my

views and reasons. I sparred with the Foreign Secretary live on

television. He keeps on offdring me lifts in his car. But it coles down

to the fact that the British people made their wishes very clear. I

absolutely accept the result. APPLAUSE. Our country does this very

well. We debate, we argue, we can disagree, but as a proud delocratic

country, we know the result is binding on that we must respect the

will of the people. APPLAUSE. This is my undert`king to

you today that as we leave the European Union, my department will

play its part in fighting for and securing the best possible outcome

for our country. When Theresa May spoke at the first time as Prime

Minister, she outlined her desire to tackle the persistent injustices of

poverty, the persistent equ`lities based on race and lingering class

division. This Government is determined to build a society that

works for everyone. It is why with Theresa May as our Prime Minister,

we will drive through ambithous social reforms. Social reforms that

will deliver equality. Reforms that define us Conservative principle

that the things that matter the most are the talent you have hard work

you prepared to do. For me `s Home Secretary, building a society that

works for everyone means we must help those right at the verx bottom.

I am supported in this by mx excellent team of Brandon Ldwis Ben

Wallace, Robert Goodwill, S`rah Newton, Susan Williams, Joanna

Shields, Victoria Atkins, Andrew Griffiths. Thank you all for what

you do. Conference, I want to talk about vulnerable people and how we

as a society look after thel. I have met victims of domestic violence,

victims and survivors of chhld sexual abuse and I have met victims

of Modern Slavery Bill. I know they carry scars you can see and the ones

that you can't. I feel very strongly that as we work to deliver ` Britain

that works for everyone, it is our duty to help the less fortunate

APPLAUSE. This means we havd to discuss issues that can makd us feel

uncomfortable. Domestic abuse is still a huge problem. It can mean

that home isn't a place of safety and comfort. There is some progress.

The volume of prosecution and conviction is both domestic violence

are at their highest levels. More victims get justice than evdr before

will stop the same can be s`id of prosecutions from rape. It hs a

crime that society understands far better. Victims are starting to feel

more able to come forward and believe they will receive the proper

support. We have allocated ?80 million to stop violence ag`inst

women and girls, to fund rape support centres, national hdlplines

and operations to promote e`rly intervention and prevention.

But many women and but many women and girls still find themselves in

circumstances where they don't feel they can say no. What should be a

clear line still often isn't. There is absolutely no excuse. We and the

police have more work to do. It is as much about being clear what

behaviours are accessed double as it is about investigation and

persecution. As I said at the outset, my predecessor was

responsible for putting in place the first major piece of legisl`tion of

its kind in Europe, aimed at eradicating modern slavery. It is a

barbaric crime, perpetrated by individuals who prey on vulnerable

men, women, intimidating thdm into a state of extreme fear, trafficking

them from one country to another, ripping them away from their loved

ones, stealing any money earned and reducing benefits in's dignhty to

nothing. The fact is, that we are an affluent country and we do not know,

or do not see, the people who have effectively been kidnapped, placed

miles from home in squalid conditions, forced into prostitution

or backbreaking domestic servitude. If we are really honest, we simply

struggle to comprehend that it happens, and that it happens here.

This inhuman treatment can be much closer to your homes and work than

you think, or want to think. As a country, we has to wake up to the

reality of modern slavery, `nd we will continue to lead the global

fight to eradicate it. APPLAUSE

Child sexual abuse has been forced onto the news agenda by Rather,

saddle, and a litany of othdr awful crimes. It is something we can no

longer be in denial of. As ` society we fail gravely if we cannot say

that we did, and are doing, our art is to defeat it. In that sphrit we

should be deeply angry when our children are failed by government

agencies. That is why the independent inquiry into chhld

sexual abuse is essential. We must confront the truth of these

distressing failings, and ldarn the lessons that makes sure that this

never happens again. We need answers to questions that have, for decades

been swept under the carpet. As a country we have led the global

effort in responding to the online threat of child sexual exportation.

Our method not never stop evolving if we are to keep fighting ht

effectively. By technology hs concerned, what worked for ts

yesterday will rarely work for us tomorrow. We must protect all those

who are vulnerable, and protect them from every kind of abuse. I am not

interested in people using cultural differences as an excuse, tdlling us

that so-called honour -based violence is something not to be

interfered with. This is thd United Kingdom.

APPLAUSE This is the United Kingdom, it has

an unequivocal rule of law. If you want to live here, you abidd by it,

no matter where you come from. And, by the way, that includes

forced marriage and female genital mutilation. Ending this brutal

practice is a priority. We have strengthened the law, introduced a

new mandatory reporting dutx and tougher penalties for perpetrators.

These are things I campaigndd on years ago, and now as Home Secretary

I am determined that this government should be the one to see thd first

successful prosecution for FGM, and to see its perpetrators punhshed.

But our compassion does not stop at the border. There are vulnerable

unaccompanied children in C`lais at risk of people trafficking `nd

abuse. Where those children have a relative in the UK, or it is in

their best interest to come to the UK, we are doing all we can to bring

them over here. APPLAUSE

Conference, we can only stand up and look at ourselves with true

self-respect if we are doing our best for those less fortunate, for

those that have fallen on h`rd times, for those that have no one

else to stand up for them. We will not let them suffer behind closed

doors. The British people sdnt a clear message in the referendum

There can be no question th`t recent levels of immigration motiv`ted a

large part of the vote, but concerns about immigration did not jtst

spring out of nowhere. 20 ydars ago, levels of immigration were not

really an issue in British politics. As net migration has risen, that has

changed. I have seen why, as a neighbour of Parliament for the

beautiful towns of Hastings and I FGM. Hastings is a seaside town that

has experienced relatively high levels of migration. That h`s put

pressures on housing and wages. The prime Ministers took action to

reduce net migration in the areas she could when she was in mx

position. Now as Home Secretary it is my responsibility to do the same

and make sure concerns are addressed. As you know, the

Conservative Party was elected on a manifesto commitment to redtce net

migration to sustainable levels That means tens of thousands, not

the one to hundreds -- hundreds of thousands. I will be working with

colleagues across government to deliver this, but I am also here to

level with you. This will not happen overnight. Leaving the EU is just

one part of the strategy. Wd have to look at all sources of immigration

if we mean business. A lot has improved since 2010, from annual net

migration under labour rockdting, almost fivefold, the Conservative

led coalition stopped 875 bogus colleges bring in overseas students,

faculty abuse of student visas, and reformed the family system. I would

like to recognise my predecdssor's actions in driving these ch`nges

through. Since then, she has been freed from the shackles of the

coalition. Without Nick Clegg and Vince Cable there to hold hdr back,

she passed new Conservative legislation to make sure th`t

immigrants heading to these shores are going to make a positivd

contribution, and my job is to press on with incrementing this

legislation. Today, I am announcing that, from December, landlords that

knowingly rent out property to people who have no right to be here

will be committing a crimin`l offence. They could go to prison.

Furthermore, from December, immigration checks will be `

mandatory requirement for those wanting to get a licence to drive a

taxi. And from next autumn, banks will have to do regular checks to

ensure a not providing essential banking services to illegal

migrants. Money drives behaviour, and cutting off its supply will have

an impact. However, the difference between those arriving and those

believing it still too substantial. I believe immigration has brought

many benefits to the nation. It has enhanced our economy, our society

and our culture. That is whx I want to reduce net migration while

continuing to ensure we attract the brightest and the best to this

country. Because it is only by reducing the numbers back down to

sustainable levels that we can change the tide of public opinion.

Once again, immigration is something that we can all welcome. I can

announce today that we will shortly be consulting on the next steps

needed to control immigration. We will be looking across work and

study groups. This will include examining whether we should tighten

the test companies have to take before recruiting from abro`d.

British businesses have driven the economic recovery in this country,

with employment at record ldvels. However, we still need to do more,

so all British people get the opportunities they need to get on in

life. The tests should ensure people coming here are filling gaps in the

labour market not taking jobs that British people could do. It has

become a tick box exercise, allowing some firms to get away with not

training local people. We won't win in the world if we don't do more to

upscale our workforce. It is not fair on companies doing the right

thing, so I want us to look again at whether our immigration system

provides the right incentivds for businesses to invest in British

workers. APPLAUSE

We will also look for the fhrst time at whether our student immigration

rules should be tailored to the quality of the course, and the

quality of the educational institution. I am proud that we have

world leading centres of ac`demic excellence. It is a testament to our

country's proud history, and our top university's ability to evolve. At

the current system allows all students, irrespective of their

talents and the university's quality, favourable employmdnt

prospects when they stop sttdying. While an international studdnt is

studying here, their family members can do any form of work, and foreign

students, even those studying English language degrees, don't even

have to be proficient in spdaking English. We need to look at whether

this one size fits all approach really is right for the hundreds of

different universities provhding thousands of different courses

across the country. And we need to look at whether this generots offer

for all universities is Willie adding value to our economy. I am

passionately committed to m`king sure our world leading insthtutions

can attract the brightest and the best, but a student immigration

system that treat every student in University as equal only punishes

those we should want to help. Our consultation will look at what more

we can do to support our best universities, and those that stick

to the rules to attract the best talent, while looking at totgher

rules for students on lower quality courses. This is not about pulling

up the drawbridge. It is about making sure that students who come

here come to study. We are consulting because we want to work

with businesses and univershties to get the next stage of our rdforms

right. But I also come here today with a warning to those that simply

oppose any steps to reduce net migration. This government will not

waver in its commitment to put the interests of the British people

first. Reducing net migration back down to sustainable levels will not

be easy but I am committed to delivering it on behalf of the

British people. So, work with us, not against us, and we will better

control immigration and protect our economy. Systems evolve, we have two

adapt. Our consultation will do that. While we are still melbers of

the EU, there are things we can get on with immediately, and thdre are

things which the EU is currdntly considering which we can support,

particularly those measures to tackle crime and terrorism. Many of

them were our idea in the fhrst place. We are going to overhaul our

legislation to make it easidr to deport criminals and those who abuse

our laws. By setting out in legislation what is in the

fundamental interests of thd UK we will make it easier to deport EU

criminals, and lining their fortunes more closely with those frol outside

the EU, and, going one step further, for the first time we will deport EU

nationals that Peterlee comlit so-called minor crimes in this

country -- repeatedly commit. So-called minor crime is sthll

crime. It's pain is still fdlt deeply by victims. Those crhminals

will face being banned from coming back to the country for between five

and ten years. APPLAUSE

That delivers on a very dear manifesto pledge, and today I can

tell you I will deliver on `nother. You might have heard that Jdremy

Corbyn wants the Government to bring back a migration fund Gordon Brown

introduced after Labour let immigration spiral out of control.

Jeremy Corbyn seems to think it is a substitute for tackling acthon

against immigration. It is one thing we don't need, policy advicd from

the man who almost bankruptdd Britain and the man who was to do it

all over again. Labour's fund was ineffective, and focused funding on

migrants, rather than the problems caused by migration. Money was not

spent on English lessons cotncils were given money to provide

recycling, rather than the support to ease the housing crisis hs that

we will deliver on our manifesto commitment and deliver a new ?1 0

million controlling migration fund designed to specifically ease the

pressures on public services in areas of high migration.

APPLAUSE At the same time, it will ilplement

strategies to reduce illegal immigration. The fund will build on

work we have done to support local authorities, to stop giving housing

benefit to people that have no right to be in the country, to reduce

rough sleeping by a legal in and is, and to crack down on the rogue

landlords whose illegal migrants are housed in the most appalling

conditions. And, for those that are here legally, we will provide more

English language support, and with it, obvious benefits of being able

to join the way of life in the country they have chosen to call

home. So, today I'm setting out how we will get immigration unddr

control. In the long term, by reducing the numbers that come from

Europe. In the mid-term, by reforming the student and work route

entry, and in the short terl, taking action to help communities `ffected

by high levels of immigration and stopping people coming here that

threaten our security. As your Home Secretary, our primary concdrn is

protecting our way of life `nd delivering the security measures we

require to ensure this. In ` fast moving world, we need to move in

concert with new technologids and the threats they compose ad`pting

our responses rapidly. I want people who seek to damage our way of life

to know that we are tireless in supporting the police and sdcurity

and intelligence services that keep us safe. The people who do these

jobs work long hours in challenging conditions, often with little praise

or fans, frequently at risk to themselves and for all our benefit.

This is the definition of ptblic service. A service that we should

all be extremely grateful for. The intelligence we gain on a daily

basis tells us how threat the danger from Dhash really is. Our sdcurity

services have prevented the kind of awful attacks we see too often on

the world stage. My first statement in Parliament as Home Secretary

followed the attack on Nice, a crude and primitive act where innocent

people were murdered by radhcalised individual. Lives were ruindd,

families broken, France scored for ever. It could have been anx of us

at a different place at a dhfferent time in a different place. The one

clear lesson from this is that international cooperation and

intelligence sharing must continue, and continue to improve. My

counterparts and other countries and I have spoken about this. Wd have

strong cooperation with our European partners, and we are in agrdement

that there cannot be any letup in pursuit of those people tryhng to

ruin our way of life, or thd freedom that defines our society. I spoke

earlier about evolving thre`ts, and later this year I will be ptblishing

the next phase of our counterterrorism strategy.

If you think about the statd of technology years ago, there were no

phones and Internet moved a fraction of today's speeds. In anothdr ten

years, it is hard to imagind how powerful it will be. We must keep

changing and updating our approach and with this in mind, the best to

treat Powers Bill will be crucial. It will ensure our police and

security and intelligence agencies have the powers they need to keep us

safe in an uncertain world. It also provides for greater transp`rency.

It is protection is the privacy If fundamentally reforms the

authorisation of the most sdnsitive investor tree Powers with the

introduction of the double lock of both Secretary of State and judicial

authorisation. It creates one of the most senior and powerful judicial

oversight boards in the country with the creation of the investor tree

Powers Commissioner. We are making huge investment in our police and

security services both in monetary terms and with the recruitmdnt of

nearly 2000 additional staff. MI5, MI6 and GCHQ. This is as well as

strengthening our vital network of counterterrorism experts in the

Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. From

wherever they emerge as it hs our duty to fight the threats of today.

And to predict the emergencx of tomorrow's dangerous. I want to tell

you that we are taking steps to deliver on another manifesto

commitment. We want to tackle those terrorism cases where judges got the

sentence wrong. We are extending our unduly lenient sentencing scheme to

cover all terrorism cases hdard in the choir -- Crown Court.

APPLAUSE. To give you, the public, if you believe an error has been

made, the writer asked the @ttorney General to look again at those

sentences. Let us talk about money and the role it plays in funding

terrorism and organised crile. In the UK come much of the mondy

originates from anonymous donations. Of the donated by people un`ware of

where it is really going. Wd are seeking to expand our work on

greater transparency with the Charity commission and in the

financial services sector to stem the flow to extremists. I c`nnot

exaggerate how crucial it is to turn off the funding tap to thosd who

would attack our way of lifd. I will be introducing legislation hn

Parliament that will tackle criminal finances. It is an obvious point

that financial profit is thd principal driver for almost all

Serious Organised Crime Agency our new legislation will give ndw powers

to law enforcement agencies to track the criminals involved down.

Criminals while laundering some -- laundering trillions of dollars

every year. At that level, services of the financial and legal `nd

accountancy sectors are in play Laundering the volume of money

seriously undermines the integrity and reputation about financhal

markets. It includes the very institutions that hard-workhng

taxpayers like you depend on free pensions and savings. We owd it to

you to keep those houses in order and beyond reproach. As crile

evolves and threats change, we have made available significant resources

to the police so they can transform a com innovate and stay ahe`d. As we

develop our capabilities to tackle modern crime, we must finish the

task of reforming our polichng system and make a reality of the

reforms to the far and rescte service. Police and Crime

Commissioner 's will play a vital role. Where it makes sense to do so,

we will enable them to take responsibility for their far and

rescue services. They have demonstrated they have the scope of

authority to look beyond policing to join a local criminal Justice and

emergency services and to ilprove services for victims and I would

like to thank them for their work across the country.

APPLAUSE. At the end of a long, challenging day in this post, I

sometimes reflect on some of the turbulent times that my predecessors

faced in office. From the IRA, the Cold War and over the years, the

numerous other threats from terrorism, espionage and organised

crime. They must in their thme have seemed insurmountable with the

gravest consequences if we had faulted in facing them. We `dapted

and we met those challenges head on. Now we have a strong conservative

only Government. APPLAUSE. One that puts the greatest

value on protecting our way of life and one that will do whatevdr it

takes to defend it from those who seek to destroy it. In this we are

supported by some of the most professional and competent public

servants in the world, workhng hard to keep us safe. We have a

conservative only Government that is 100% committed to putting Britain's

interests first. Delivering both the security of our borders and control

of who comes in and stop it is this Government that will work threlessly

to protect our society and some of the most vulnerable in it. We are

ready to take on the challenges and tackle any threats we face. So that

all people across our country have the certainty of safety and security

and can get on with their lhves in a Britain actually works for dveryone.

In the knowledge that we will keep putting them and Britain's hnterests

first. APPLAUSE.