Tag: Speeches

Simon Clarke – 2022 Speech to Conservative Party Conference

The speech made by Simon Clarke, the Secretary of State for Levelling up, Housing and Communities, in Birmingham on 4 October 2022.

Hello conference, I’m delighted to be with you virtually today in my new role as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities.

I’m sorry I cannot be there in person as I would like, but I hope over the coming weeks and months I will get a chance to meet and talk to as many of you as possible as we work to deliver for our country, and earn the chance to do so again at the next general election.

I want to start with a single, core proposition.

Levelling up matters.

It matters economically.

It matters politically.

It matters morally.

This spring I visited St Pius X Catholic Primary in Park End in my constituency.

Park End is a ward in Middlesbrough, not far from where I grew up.

It is one of the most deprived communities not just on Teesside, but in the whole of the UK.

But it is also home to people who are determined, resilient and proud of their community, their town and their country.

I had lunch with the pupils at St Pius’. You could not find and a nicer, more thoughtful, polite and friendly group of children.

They were an absolute credit to their headteacher Mrs Walker, their parents and each other.

And it was a visit that has stayed with me.

Because delivering on levelling up is about transforming the life chances of those children and children across the country.

For too long, Middlesbrough has been one of the scores of places across this country that have been associated with economic decline, and all the social ills that come with that…

High unemployment…

Higher crime, and lives blighted by the fear of it…

And lower life expectancy.

I’ll return to the Teesside story in a moment.

But it has much wider applicability.

For Middlesbrough read Blackpool, or Burnley, or other northern towns.

And not just to towns and cities in the North.

I could equally well be speaking of parts of Glasgow, or the Welsh Valleys, or Jaywick in Essex, or Hastings on the south coast.

Levelling up matters to all these places and more.

The task of delivering it is the work of a generation.

The prize of delivering it is enormous.

If the performance of the bottom-performing quarter of places by productivity were to be “levelled up” to the median, the boost to productivity would be equivalent to a pay rise of around £2,300 for individuals in the poorest areas.

Levelling up is about kickstarting growth in the areas where it is hardest, the areas of our country that have been left behind in previous pushes for growth.

We want to turbocharge success, but to do that we must recognise that we are not working on a level playing field.

It is my job and that of this Government and our Party to address this.

And here I would say one thing above all else: we have no lessons to learn here from the Labour Party.

The legacy of the last Labour government on these questions was one of failure.

Their solution to a lack of jobs was an unsustainable expansion of the public sector, that did nothing to deliver economic opportunity or resilience.

They squandered the opportunities of a time of global stability and affluence on gimmickry, ducking the hard challenges of public service reform.

Labour ignored the Midlands and the North when they were in power. For every ten private sector jobs created in the London and the South between 1998 and 2008, only one was created in the Midlands and the North.

And they patronised and ignored the voices of Britain’s left behind communities in a way that reached its logical nadir in their arrogant response to the people’s decision to leave the European Union, that was embodied by no one more than Sir Keir Starmer.

Labour is no longer trusted by the places that need levelling up the most.

Instead, we have been given the chance to deliver for them – and so far, our Conservative government and Conservative local leaders across the UK have made excellent strides in this direction.

The work done by my predecessors to get the levelling up mission off the ground means that we are already seeing tangible change, from Stoke to Teesside.

And I am absolutely determined that we should continue in this fashion. But we must also go further, be bolder, and more ambitious.

We must continue to help rejuvenate our local areas, support our high streets, and re-instil a sense of community.

But we must also take more fundamental action, to unleash our local economies, drive growth and boost opportunity too.

In delivering this agenda, I am fortunate to have the support of a truly brilliant ministerial team…

Paul Scully as Local Government Minister and Minister for London…

Andrew Stephenson taking the lead on vital issues like homelessness and supporting Ukrainian refugees…

Lee Rowley as Housing Minister, working tirelessly to unlock the homes we need…

Dehenna Davison, my near neighbour in the North East, as Levelling Up Minister…

Baroness Jane Scott, our champion in the House of Lords…

As well as our whips Nigel Huddleston and Olivia Bloomfield, and our excellent PPSs Jason McCartney and Simon Jupp.

I could not be more glad to have their support and advice, and I could not be more grateful to our Prime Minister for making it so clear how much of a personal priority this work is for her.

Recent weeks should have quelled any doubts about this Government’s appetite for bold action.

Last month’s fiscal statement was defined by its ambition and scope and at DLUHC, we really are hitting the ground running.

I am proud that our work on Investment Zones holds its place among so many exciting announcements that fire the starting gun on our mission to grow our economy.

Investment Zones represent an amazing opportunity for every corner of our country, and illustrate perfectly how this government intends to go further on levelling up.

A truly exciting and meaningful offer to help accelerate homes, development and enterprise across the UK.

They will bring jobs and opportunities to the areas that need them most, boosting growth on local people’s terms.

They will roll back the bureaucracy that shackles our local economies to bring homes and jobs to families across the UK.

We remain committed to the same outcomes we always have been clear on, on the environment and beyond, but are determined to speed up processes to get growth going.

Investment Zones are ultimately defined by three things.

The first is consent. We are absolutely clear that these zones must be led by the people who know best what their area needs and what it does not.

There will be no top-down imposition of these arrangements on anywhere that does not want them.

Don’t get me wrong, I am passionate about the benefits that these zones can bring and will advocate for them wherever I can.

But ultimately if local people decide an investment zone isn’t for them – then that will be the final word.

The second principle is of targeted and precise action.

Investment Zones will target specific and effective sites that would benefit from accelerated development and a tax structure that incentivises investment.

This is a practical proposal for change.

Which brings me to the third principle – of pragmatic acceleration. This is an outcomes-focused policy that seeks to accelerate investment, development and growth.

That means finding where things can be sped up and doing it, not revisiting already shovel-ready projects, slowing them down.

I am delighted that we have already got the portal open for local areas to submit their applications to get an investment zone in their area…

And let me give you a sneak preview conference – the reception from MPs, councils and Mayors alike has been fantastic.

Investment Zones are the first major step that we have taken in this new look government to deliver on our promise to level up in a Conservative way.

This conservatism will guide our agenda across the department’s portfolio. Which is why I am also steadfastly committed to increasing home ownership.

Getting more people on the housing ladder, to give people security, a stake in society, and somewhere to call their own, is a fundamentally conservative goal.

Investment Zones will help deliver many of the homes that we need, but we must go further.

I want to reassure those hoping to get on the housing ladder, that you remain at the heart of our agenda for Government.

In the coming weeks I will be fleshing out how we intend to get more homes on the market, and improve access to those homes.

This will build on the work of both this government’s recent measures to lift the worst of the Stamp Duty burden, and of previous Conservative administrations, which is paying dividends in the form of record numbers of homes being built today.

I want, like the Prime Minister, to build more houses, and to do so in the right way.

Accelerating development of brownfield sites is of the upmost importance, as is building beautifully. We want to grow organic communities, not impose cardboard boxes across our shires. As with investment zones, local consent will sit at the heart of our plans.

Because it is not the case that either home ownership, investment zones, or the wider challenge of levelling up, can be addressed from Whitehall.

We know as Conservatives that decisions are best taken as close as possible to the people that they affect.

I am proud and passionate about what devolution has brought to many of our regions and want to build on those successes.

The people of Birmingham don’t need me to tell them that.

Andy Street has truly led the way here in the West Midlands and we meet in a city and a region transformed by his leadership.

His leadership and championing of this region are a fine example of the good that mayors can do.

I want to create many more mayors, in areas like the East Midlands where Ben Bradley is leading the way, but also in the south of our country – where even if the title may differ, the principle of strong, directly-elected leadership is central to enabling the highest level of devolved government.

I also want to strengthen and deepen the powers of our existing mayors, so that they can crack on with the work of delivery.

People like Tees Valley’s Ben Houchen.

I want to return for a moment to what has been happening on Teesside.

I talked earlier in my speech about the challenges that my home area faces.

But there are also huge opportunities, which Ben is helping to unlock.

In so doing, he is showing just why elected Mayors can make such an extraordinary difference.

Whether it be in saving Teesside Airport from closure…

Securing thousands of new jobs in clean energy on sites like Teesworks, right next to our new Freeport…

Ben champions our area both to central Government and to investors at home and abroad…

Delivering opportunities that until recently, few would have dreamed of.

He has shown what Conservatives can do locally when we are empowered to.

And as we deliver, so we unlock pride and purpose.

Teesside is becoming somewhere that successful people are moving to, rather than move from.

And somewhere where a child studying today at a school like St Pius Primary can realise a bright future.

So there is so much we can enable through devolution – and this is why I care so much about it.

The flipside of devolving and empowering local government is that strengthening accountability is vital.

I intend to support the Local Authority sector and be an advocate for it, but I will also crack down on mismanagement wherever I find it, such as in Thurrock, Nottingham or Croydon.

I believe in local government because I believe that it delivers for our people, the taxpayers.

Where it does not, there must be effective scrutiny, turnaround programmes and consequences – and I will say more about this in the weeks ahead.

Conference, there is so much else that I am charged with delivering, and on which I will expand over the months ahead.

When it comes to building safety, I want to finish what my predecessors started to fix our system for the long term, to protect leaseholders and ensure the industry fixes the problems it created.

I will push on with pragmatic, common-sense reform that protects leaseholders…

Facilitates an operable insurance industry…

And ensures we never have to face a tragedy like Grenfell again.

The legacy of Grenfell must be better standards and safer homes for everyone.

That is why I am resolved to fix the cladding issue as soon as possible.

As we enter into Autumn and Winter, the Government also remains focused on protecting the most vulnerable from rising energy costs and the wider cost of living in a world turned upside down by Putin’s aggression.

Our measures to protect households during the pandemic worked, and to help those facing cost of living pressures now we are delivering thousands of pounds worth of support to households and businesses – as well as our new energy price guarantee.

We remain committed as a Department, and I as a Secretary of State, to doing all that we can to limit homelessness and rough sleeping.

I will be working closely with my new colleague Andrew Stephenson on this.

Together, we will work to ensure that we build upon the fantastic support and dedication that this Government has already given to tackle the scourge of homelessness.

I know I will have the support of you all in delivering on this work.

And that is why I want to end this speech by saying thank you.

I know the importance of the grassroots of our party to what we are trying to achieve.

You, the boots on the ground, the activists and volunteers, the canvassers, the candidates and the Councillors, are the backbone of our great party.

It is because of your delivery – of leaflets through doors, local services from our Conservative Councils, and our message of optimism and patriotism to every corner of the country, that we have the platform and ability to deliver for the country in Government.

And as Secretary of State responsible for levelling up, for local government, and for communities, I want to ensure I am always working with and for you to deliver on the extraordinary opportunities that lie ahead.

04/10/2022
Jacob Rees-Mogg – 2022 Speech to Conservative Party Conference

The speech made by Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Business Secretary, in Birmingham on 3 October 2022.

Well, Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you.

Congratulations on arriving at the conference.

In spite of the best efforts of Mick Lynch, who seemed to wish to get in the way.

But thank you for being here, because you are the beating heart of the Conservative Party, you’re the stalwarts who do all the work for us and ensure people like me get elected.

So, I thank you for all you do for conservatism, and supporting us so much. And you make it work, you ensure we have Conservative governments, and your getting here is proof of that.

I must say, I think the unions need some of my little calling cards saying “I look forward to seeing you back at work soon”.

Because actually, we have a tireless quest for productivity in this country, and we need to make sure that everyone is working efficiently, and we obviously want them to be working in their proper places of work.

Also, thank you for giving me almost as warm a welcome as I got outside the hall.

I think that’s rather marvellous. I happen to think that having a democracy where you can actually walk through the streets and people can exercise their right to peacefully protest, shows the strength of our society.

And if people want to call me “Tory scum”, I don’t mind!

And it has to be said, walking through the beautiful streets of Birmingham, turned blue once again- or turning blue once again- thanks to the great efforts of Andy Street; is a great privilege, and it’s lovely to be here, and to be here with this fantastic audience, and to be speaking to you as Business Secretary.

I’m going to reintroduce a great tradition that Secretaries of State used to have when they came to the Conference, by introducing my brilliant ministerial team.

So, my fellow Cabinet member Graham Stuart, Minister for Climate; Jackie Doyle-Price, who is here as Minister for Industry; Nusrat Ghani, Minister for Science and Investment Security; Dean Russell, Minister for Enterprise and Markets; and Lord Callanan, who I can’t actually see here but is nonetheless a great man, is Minister for Business, Energy and Corporate Responsibility.

I am so lucky to be supported by what I think is the ‘A-Team’ of ministers, and you can tell that to all the other departments who only have ‘B-Teams’. So, let’s be clear that I have the ‘A-Team’ supporting me.

It’s also quite fun to be speaking, for the first time in all the years I’ve been a Member of Parliament, from the main stage. I did once in the old days, when I was the candidate in Wrekin, get up to the main stage, but that was only for about three minutes, and I’ve got a bit longer now.

It makes a change, I used to do the rounds of the fringes. Sometimes, I wasn’t entirely in line with what the Government was doing, and leaving the fringes to certain other Right Honourable Friends of mine, who seem to be having a jolly time.

Instead, I am here in full support, and honoured to serve a first-class Prime Minister.

And the Prime Minister, since she took office, has completed about a years’ Government business in a fortnight. And I’m glad to say I think the Prime Minister- and I say this as the Minister for Energy- is a genuine dynamo and is producing electric fields that are making sure things get done.

And she knows how urgent the challenges we face are.

Energy

And the challenges are particularly in energy: first, affordability this winter; second, securing energy supplies; and third, what I would like to call Intelligent Net Zero.

And how we are tackling those challenges? Rapidly is the answer.

While the Opposition sniped, and cat-called, and did what it usually does, we got on with it.

We worked properly, night and day. And actually, the Civil Servants in BEIS worked incredibly hard to create the Energy Price Guarantee for households and the Energy Bill Relief Scheme for businesses.

We have ensured that the British people – families and businesses
– will get help now, form the First of October with the energy price support that took effect on Saturday, regardless of where they live in the United Kingdom and however they get their energy.

His Majesty’s Government has acted with speed and foresight to deliver this protection for households throughout the entire Kingdom.

Thank you, somebody agrees with me! You’ve all been here a very long time so the fact that one person is paying attention is a great relief.

The same is true for businesses, and we have averted genuine economic disaster by protecting businesses, charities and public services including schools and hospitals, and particularly care homes, from catastrophic rises in their energy costs.

We did this because of Putin’s monstrous invasion of Ukraine. He seems to want to make Ivan the Terrible look like Padre Pio.

His wicked acts forced up the price of gas to an extent that would have ruined almost every business and left virtually every family unable to afford their energy. I actually said a journalist from the Sun, the only person who could have afforded an energy bill this winter would’ve been the proprietor of the Sun, and everybody else would’ve been in penury.

And that’s why, ladies and gentlemen, we have done what we have done, not some blunt instrument that our socialist counterparts would have used.

But a well-designed, and effective way, of getting support to all. And a support that will decline as the energy price normalises.

Now, you are proper conservatives, aren’t you? You are the bluest of the blue.

And there may be some of you who think it’s not conservative to intervene in this way.

But I would say that there was no question that we had to come to the British people’s aid. We could not let the people face this winter alone.

This is actually what the state fundamentally is there for: to do things that people cannot do themselves.

Some burdens are too great for individuals and families to bear and these must be borne by the nation herself – these are the burdens of security, of policing, of defence.

This intervention is an act of defence for our people, every bit as much as making munitions or tanks.

And our great hero, and I’m sure this man is a great hero of many of you: Adam Smith himself, the father of free marketeers, the pater familias of economic theory, put the defence of the nation above all else.

He told that the Navigation Acts, which you’ll all recall from your O-Level history, against the Dutch.

It’s quite interesting, you know all those things we say about ‘Dutch courage’ and so on all come from the 17th century wars we fought against the Dutch.

But he said the Navigation Acts were “wisest of all the commercial regulations of England” because they stopped a then-hostile nation – and just for the record, we are now very friendly with the Dutch- harming Britain.

Defence

“Defence”, Adam Smith said, was “of much more importance than opulence”. He meant it was worth the short-term cost to defend Britain from “national animosity”.

And as so often what was true in the 18th century is true today.

The war may not be on our shores, but we will defend the United Kingdom against Mr Putin’s evil.

Our decisive action will save millions of families and businesses from penury.

And do you know what, imitation is the greatest form of flattery– we’re being imitated by our German friends who have rolled out almost a carbon copy scheme.

So, this intervention helping families across the country from falling into debt and misery through crippling energy costs imposed on them by a tyrant in Moscow, has averted a disaster for Britain’s small businesses this winter, salvaging the livelihoods that would have been destroyed.

So this winter, we are once again standing together with the British people.

But there is more to do, because we have to make sure that this does not occur again.

We must act to provide energy security, and to use our energy better.

But the more we produce, the more affordable our scheme will become.

Energy supply, cheap energy, is the foundation of our prosperity.

Our reserves of coal and the pursuit of new technologies to dig it out,

I’m going back to history; I’m not advocating going back to coal now,

Digging it out of the ground spurred the Industrial Revolution.

The discovery of North Sea oil and gas, combined with Mrs Thatcher’s visionary leadership, turbocharged the British economy in the 1980s.

Now our future prosperity depends on our ability to secure affordable energy in abundance.

High energy costs have made our industries uncompetitive and increased the cost of building roads and railways.

They have often meant the difference between businesses choosing to invest in the UK or turning their backs.

So the Energy Supply Taskforce, led by the esteemed Maddie McTernan, who delivered the vaccines that rescued us from the Covid pandemic, and she is moving to secure our energy supply in the coming months.

Our aim is to secure cheap and plentiful supplies of energy, the veritable engine of economic growth.

Now that may lead Socialist commentators to paint me as a fossil fuel junky.

But I am neither a fossil fuel junky, nor a junky of any other variety.

Let me reassure you. I am committed to Net Zero by 2050.

But the green agenda does not mean an agenda of poverty. It does not contradict the growth agenda.

We will go green in a way that makes the British people better off not worse off, drives growth instead of hindering it, and levels-up, by boosting industries in our regions instead of imposing costs that drive them to the brink of ruin.

The faddish, Islingtonian Labour Party was happy to destroy industries like steel by imposing needless costs on their energy: this wasn’t just unfair, it was un-green, and simply forced manufacturing overseas, making us import more polluting products.

We need intelligent greenery not religious zealotry.

As for the socialist ideas of a nationalised energy dream:

it will lead to nothing but shortages, rationing and intermittency.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m sure you’ve heard me called the Right Honourable Member for the Eighteenth Century. But it’s not an insult to me.

The Georgians were pioneers, innovators, inventors of the power loom and the spinning jenny, the fathers of the industrial revolution.

Think of Jethro Tull, whose seed drill transformed agriculture – some of you thought I was talking about a pop star but actually I was talking about agricultural innovation.

Or of Matthew Boulton of this great city, who with James Watt developed the steam engine that powered the Industrial Revolution.

It is that same spirit of progress this government must capture.

That is why we are moving full steam ahead with carbon capture and storage, expanding the world’s biggest windfarm at Dogger Bank, developing hydrogen and nuclear, including modular nuclear reactors.

But perhaps the most exciting is fusion.

Now, bear in mind, Isaac Newton believed in the Philosophers Stone and thought you could turn base metals into gold, so fusion is a great hope, a potential ace up our sleeve, but it would be silly of me to pretend it’s not difficult.

It offers unparalleled potential for clean power production, promising a future of inexhaustible energy that could unshackle us from hydrocarbons,

and make us truly self-sufficient and secure.

The technological hurdles are big –

fusion reactors must sustain a temperature 10 times hotter than our sun,

Which whether you use Centigrade or like me use Fahrenheit is nonetheless very hot,

the containment of which requires magnets so strong they could lift an aircraft carrier clean out of the ocean.

We could get one of those and make Mr. Putin’s life rather difficult.

But over decades we have established ourselves as pioneers in fusion science,

and as a country, our capability to surmount these obstacles is unparalleled.

I am delighted to make an announcement on the next step in that mission.

We will build the UK’s first prototype fusion energy plant in Nottinghamshire,

replacing the West Burton coal-fired power station with a beacon of bountiful green energy.

This plant will be the first of its kind, built by 2040 and capable of putting energy on the grid,

and in doing so, proving the commercial viability of fusion energy to the world.

It will create thousands of high-skilled jobs throughout its lifetime,

it will underpin an industry expected to be worth billions to the UK economy,

and position the UK to design, manufacture and export the first fleet of fusion plants,

placing us at the vanguard of a market with the potential to be worth trillions of pounds a year.

But never fear, in the meantime, we got enough hot air from the Socialist conference to keep the turbines spinning for decades to come.

From this year, the future of environmentalism will be about prosperity, about opportunity, not lectures.

Now, we’ve been having a discussion about shale gas, and I know not everybody is keen on it and we have to get community support.

Lord Deben wrote to my predecessor, saying that shale gas can provide 2 to 63 grams per kilowatt hour of carbon dioxide equivalent less, than from LNG being imported.

This is what I mean about intelligent net zero. It’s about making decisions that reduce carbon but make us more prosperous. It doesn’t mean that everything I say will happen tomorrow,

But it’s about having a programme that makes sure we don’t harm our industry, so we go green in a way that create, rather than destroy, prosperity.

Cheap energy is essential to a flourishing economy, but this is only one part of our supply side reforms that go much further.

At this conference we have announced that the definition of small and medium sized enterprises will expand from 250 employees to 500, extricating them from a host of regulatory burdens, including costly non-financial reporting requirements which are simply paper shuffling.

Which in my case is not so much paper as parchment.

The structural reforms we are about to deliver include the Brexit Freedoms Bill, a fantastic piece of legislation, a defining constitutional piece of legislation,

… which is going to prize the dead hand of the EU from our statute book once and for all.

As we review, repeal or amend the 2,400 pieces of European law on our books, any EU regulation which remains will no longer apply to these SMEs of up to 500 employees.

And thanks to this Prime Minister, we will get it done by the end of 2023.

This will take even more businesses out of the clutches of overbearing regulation,

freeing the British economy still further.

And while we’re talking about getting Britain moving, we will deal with strikes.

We’ve got to keep Britain moving.

In her campaign, the Prime Minister was clear that we would legislate for minimum service levels for essential services to ensure the modernisation of our economy is not held to ransom by union militancy.

And bear in mind, Owen Jones came up to me today and had a go about the funders of the Tory Party.

But the funders of the Tory Party don’t buy the right to have a say in the leadership. But in the socialist party they hold the leadership to ransom.

Minimum service levels will make that reality harder, and we will be introducing that bill soon.

And if I may use a rude word, it is a great modernisation.

My department spends billions on research and development each year.

And that must be a focus for value for money and turning our innovations into inventions.

We wouldn’t have our nuclear technologies without this.

But we need to make sure that every pound spent delivers.

I’m delighted that Aria has such strong leadership, ensuring we can turn seed capital in R&D to real investment capital for the nation.

Ladies and gentlemen, we know these are difficult times.

And historic mistakes in energy policy have led us to where we are, but it’s always the Conservatives who are always best at dealing with difficult situations,

And make us take those tough decisions that aren’t necessarily initially popular.

This doesn’t matter whether its in nuclear, or shale, or deregulation.

It is cheap energy and supply side reforms will provide us with economic growth – and the pressure of difficult times is forcing us in the direction we need to go.

You, ladies and gentlemen, are so fundamental as advocates and ambassadors for that, because you are the Toriest of the Tory, and you know how the country should be governed,

And it’s why we need your support.

We have a nation-defining mission to complete, and I hope you will all join us in completing it.

04/10/2022
Michelle Donelan – 2022 Speech to Conservative Party Conference

The speech made by Michelle Donelan, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in Birmingham on 3 October 2022.

Thank you Conference,

It is an honour to be here as the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport working with such a fantastic team of ministers and back in Birmingham which this year became the second biggest tech city in the UK outside London. It is also a city that encapsulates every aspect of what I will deliver. Whether it is promoting British sporting excellence on the world stage by hosting the Commonwealth Games or helping to fuel our tech industry in the West Midlands, where an extra 52,000 new tech jobs will exist by 2025.This success is being seen across the country and will be turbo charged under the boldest Conservative government we have seen for a generation.

And I will be ensuring my department is at the heart of this as a true engine of growth in the UK. And while the areas we cover at DCMS may seem at opposite ends of the policy spectrum, actually, my priorities in all of these areas boil down to a few common sense goals. In everything we do, I want us to create, connect and protect. Create more highly paid tech, digital and creative jobs that will provide genuine opportunities for you and your children – this will be the beating heart of our mission to grow the economy. I will also work to connect communities up and down the country to better deliver broadband, phone signal and 5G. It is fundamentally wrong that in today’s age people living in rural homes can still struggle to get a phone signal to call their loved ones, this is going to change.

And finally, I will protect our children, our values and our history. That is why I am coming forward with strong, common sense, conservative, solutions that deliver on these priorities.

And at the heart of everything I do, making people’s lives better by driving up economic growth will be my priority. But to create jobs, connect communities and protect British values, we have to be unashamedly conservative.

As the Prime Minister has said from day one, we are the party that understands the need to grow the economic pie rather than simply slicing it up into thinner pieces. Where Labour are busy squabbling over how to divide wealth, we, the Conservatives, are getting on with the job of creating wealth.

This includes creating more wealth and prosperity through our tech, digital, cyber, creative, cultural and arts sectors.

But there remains a significant amount of red tape in our way, red tape that, as a newly independent nation free of EU bureaucracy, we can tailor to fit our country’s needs. One example of this is on data.

We inherited GDPR from the EU, and its bureaucratic nature is still limiting the potential of our businesses. So much so that researchers at Oxford University estimated that it has directly caused businesses to lose over 8% of their profits. In a survey by my Department, 50% of businesses told us that the EU’s mainly one-size-fits-all GDPR scheme, had led to excessive caution amongst staff in the handling of data. We’ve even had churches write to the department, pleading for us to do something, so that they can send newsletters out to their communities without worrying about breaching data rules.

Many of these smaller organisations and businesses only employ a few people each. They don’t have the resources or money to navigate the regulatory minefield that GDPR puts in their way. And yet right now, in the main, they’re forced to follow the same one-size-fits-all approach as a multinational corporation. That’s just not right, and it is certainly not conservative.

That is why today Conference, I am announcing that we will be replacing GDPR with our own business and consumer-friendly, British data protection system. Our plan will protect consumer privacy and keep their data safe, whilst retaining our data adequacy so businesses can trade freely. And I can promise you here today, Conference, that it will be simpler and clearer for businesses to navigate.

No longer will our businesses be shackled by unnecessary red tape. At the moment, even though we have shortages of electricians and plumbers, GDPR ties them in knots with clunky bureaucracy. In its place, we will co-design with business a new system of data protection. We will look to those countries who achieve data adequacy without having GDPR, like Israel, Japan, South Korea, Canada and New Zealand.

Our new data protection plan will focus on growth and common sense, helping to prevent losses from cyber attacks and data breaches, while protecting data privacy. This will allow us to reduce the needless regulations and business-stifling elements, while taking the best bits from others around the world to form a truly bespoke, British system of data protection.

Let me be clear, Conference, this is not another wave of legislation on business. Businesses won’t have to wrap their heads around complicated legislation – this is about simplification. In fact, it is this government seizing the opportunity to support our job creators. And I will be involving them right from the start in the design of a tailored, business-friendly British system of data protection. One that, protects the consumer, protects data adequacy and increases the trade that good data protection enables, whilst increasing productivity and also avoids the pitfalls of a one-size-fits-all system. It is time we seize this post Brexit opportunity fully, and unleash the full growth potential of British business. We can be the bridge across the Atlantic and operate as the world’s data hub.

But Conference as you know, there is so much more to DCMS. As someone who is passionate about grassroots sport, especially having seen the impact that Chippenham Town and Melksham Town Football Clubs have had on my local community, I could not be happier to be the Secretary of State in charge of sport at a time where British sporting excellence is all around us. Our heroic Lionesses inspired millions of young girls and football fans this Summer, kicking off a new era in women’s football. The world also watched in awe as the Commonwealth Games took the nation by storm, exhibiting the very best of British talent and culture.

What’s more, this Conservative Government didn’t just deliver the games on time and on budget, but delivered it on time and under budget – over 60 million under in fact. And today, I am delighted to announce that we are going to invest that money to really cement the legacy of the games – right back here in the West Midlands. Investing in pro-growth legacy projects for the people of the West Midlands, working with our driven, passionate, delivery machine for the West Midlands.

So, while Labour try to choke growth in the West Midlands by backing crippling rail strikes, we are getting on with the job of injecting investment and producing growth not just here but around the country.

This is also a Government that is connecting a new household to full fibre broadband every 7 seconds. And rolling out good broadband and 5G has the potential to revolutionise our country’s economy, accelerating growth, jobs and improving the quality of life for millions of people.

For some people, better broadband and 5G will mean they are finally able to access streaming services on a stable connection in their home. For others, it might mean that they can get access to 5G connected mobile health scanners, bringing next generation healthcare to their local town. Or for farmers, it could enable them to use live sensors to detect in real time, about the fertilisation and moisture needed for their crops. The possibilities are endless, and the benefits extend far beyond simply loading up web pages faster. That’s why I will soon be announcing a package of measures in Parliament, that will make it easier for us to rollout fast broadband across the country, and that will massively accelerate progress.

There are also huge opportunities for our growth agenda with the cultural, arts and creative industries including media and we want to continue this trend, ensuring that we accelerate it with the right skills – and let me take this opportunity to thank the BBC and all broadcasters for the excellent coverage and tribute they gave to Her late Majesty the Queen.

Another area of growth is tourism, which we are also boosting, by re-introducing VAT-free shopping for overseas visitors. And we will replace the old paper-based system with a modern, digital system that will come into place very soon.

The final part of my plan for DCMS is built on the soundly conservative principles of protecting the things that we love rather than tearing them down.

As a former Children and Families Minister, I know first-hand that there is no greater duty than protecting our children, especially as they browse online. Our party, is founded on the principle that stronger families mean a stronger country, and a basic building block of a strong family is ensuring the safety of children.

For too long, have social media giants been chipping away at children’s innocence by feeding them dangerous content contrary to their own terms and conditions. Which has led to devasting tragedies.

Last week the inquest into the death of Molly Russell further highlighted the horrific failure of social media platforms to put the welfare of children first. We owe it, to Ian Russell and all of Molly’s family to do everything in our power to stop this happening again. Our online safety bill must be the answer and I will make sure that the bill’s key objective is ensuring social media firms protect children and young people. Conference, I can confirm that the bill will be returning to Parliament – and my dedicated ministerial team and I are working flat out to ensure the bill is delivered and we are strengthening the protections in place for children.

But rest assured Conference that I am making changes to the Bill in relation to freedom of speech for adults. I am the Minister who brought forward the Higher Education Freedom of Speech Bill and so I know just how vital it is that we get this right and ensure that our rights to freedom of expression and free speech are protected. And there needs to be more accountability and transparency for users, so I will be bringing forward measures in the Bill to ensure that this is the case.

Free speech underpins our British democracy – we are in fact a country with a long history of supporting and exporting free speech ideas. In many ways, Britain is the home of free speech. It is the beating heart on which all of our other freedoms rest. But – let’s remember, protecting children online and protecting free speech for adults do not need to be at odds with one another. As you can see fairness, honesty and common sense are the values that I rely on to tackle the big issues.

I am an evidence-based politician and over the coming months you will see that I am not afraid to make tough decisions, and will stick to our conservative principles to make people’s lives better and fairer.

Because, we are the party that delivers high paid jobs in tech and digital so that our economy grows. We are the party that connects our country to fast broadband and 5G so that families and businesses can prosper. And we are the party that protects British culture and institutions with common sense values. This bold Conservative Government is going to accelerate our delivery and stand true to our principles.

Thank you, Conference.

03/10/2022
Ranil Jayawardena – 2022 Speech to Conservative Party Conference

The speech made by Ranil Jayawardena, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in Birmingham on 3 October 2022.

I am delighted to be standing before you today, as your Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

And it is a great privilege to serve you in this role because I was raised in a rural county, the county that my family and I still live in, the fine county of Hampshire, the north east of which I represent today.

It was when I was at Hook Infant School that I learnt how soap used to be made and began to speak up against whaling, which loopholes sadly still allow today.

It was at Hook Junior School that I championed recycling, before separate kerbside collections existed, and everything was going to landfill.

Like our Prime Minister, I am proud to say I was an environmentalist before it was fashionable.

Having grown up in North East Hampshire, I understand the issues faced by those in rural communities too.

I will be a champion for people who live in the countryside the length and breadth of our nation.

And I look forward to visiting to farms, businesses and charities across the country, including PDM Produce in Shropshire where I was yesterday, and Mondelez in Bourneville, who I will be visiting on Wednesday.

Thanks to everyone who has given me such a warm welcome already, here in Birmingham and across the West Midlands, even if the same can’t be said for Twitter.

There is much to do.

And I have been put here by the Prime Minister to deliver.

At DEFRA, we’re all about EFG.

The Environment.

Food.

And Growth.

I am delighted to have a great team who are already getting on with the job –

Trudy Harrison as your Minister for the Environment;

Mark Spencer as your Minister for Food;

and Scott Mann as your Minister for Growth;

all ably supported by Lord Benyon as Minister for International Nature and Biosecurity,

and Lord Harlech, Darren Henry, Laura Farris and Antony Higginbotham in the Whips Offices and as my Parliamentary Private Secretaries.

And as we all get on with the job, top of the list – key to unlocking everything else we want – is growing our economy.

Though our opponents would like to pretend otherwise, a strong, healthy environment and a strong, healthy economy are not incompatible.

In fact, they are perfect partners.

A strong environment and a strong economy is how we deliver in a Conservative way.

That’s why I can assure you all today that my Department should no longer be seen as one that follows the EU, imposes rules and impedes innovation.

Instead of being a regulatory department, we are now an economic growth department.

Food and drink is our largest manufacturing sector.

It is bigger than automotive and aerospace put together, with a presence in every constituency in this country.

The opportunity for growth in the sector is enormous – and it will bring jobs, skills and prosperity across the nation.

More than ever, we know the importance of food security – it is crucial for our national resilience and we must boost it further still.

British food and British farming are the best in the world – premium products that should not just be enjoyed at home – rather they should be championed around the world.

Here at home, we should be able to buy British with confidence and pride.

But, to do that, we need to tighten up our labelling.

We have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world.

Shoppers vote with their feet and choose to buy British for just that reason.

And yet, did you know that Danish pork processed in Britain can be sold as British?

But we don’t have to bow the knee to every bureaucratic Bonaparte in Brussels anymore.

Haven’t we taken back control?

That’s why we will be working with supermarkets and producers to improve the data they collect on where our food comes from – and we will launch new British labelling, so that the people of our great nation can have confidence that anything labelled as British IS British.

And this has an extra Brexit bonus.

Instead of keeping the world’s best food and drink a secret, we will sell more of it around the globe,

with the Union Flag symbolising once again the quality that people around the world want to buy.

Whilst at the Department for International Trade, the Prime Minister and I were determined to open new markets and we succeeded.

British beef is back in America…

… we are selling chicken to Mongolia.

We are shipping Scottish salmon to Saudi Arabia…

And our friends in Canada are enjoying Scotch Whisky too…

This is just the beginning.

Like the Prime Minister when she was Environment Secretary,

in a fortnight, I will be in Paris at the world’s largest food fair…

… bigging up British products.

I will be working closely with my friends at Trade…

… to make sure we are capitalising on every export opportunity for our premium produce to the world…

… at the premium prices our farmers, fishermen and food producers deserve.

We have huge opportunities – lamb to the Gulf, dairy to the Far East, the list goes on.

The opportunity isn’t just demand-led though.

Supply-side reforms are crucial.

Now that we have left the EU, I am delighted to tell you that we are going to free our farmers, and we are listening to all sides for new ideas to get Britain growing, such as the review undertaken by Baroness Rock to back our tenant farmers.

Unlike the Labour Party, we trust our farmers, so we will cut through the red tape that has held back our farms for too long.

We announced in our growth plan that we would review farming regulations but – contrary to what you might have read in some corners of the media – we remain committed to our environmental schemes that support our farmers as they look after our countryside.

Some rules in the past didn’t do what they set out to. The three-crop rule and greening requirements are already gone and we will be announcing more in the coming weeks.

I bulldozed 400 trade barriers in my time at Trade and I will continue to get things done.

We must look to the future too.

We will use our new grant schemes to support farmers and food producers to invest in the technology that will boost their productivity and profitability.

The technological advancements being made in the agricultural and horticultural sectors are astounding,

producing more food whilst using fewer resources, including water.

And using less water is vital.

It’s been a long, hot summer.

With crop failure being a very real worry, we need a little rain.

And when the rain comes, we need our flood defences to be strong, to protect life and property, and we need our watercourses and beaches to be safe and sewage-free.

I believe in private enterprise.

We all do.

It’s business that creates jobs, secures our prosperity and pays for public services.

Private enterprise is intrinsic to our Conservative DNA.

And yet

we all know that government must step in if there is market failure.

Our water companies have a lot to answer for.

Too much water is wasted through leaks each year when we should be conserving it, and, in 2022,

we still find sewage in our rivers

and on our beaches.

That is not on.

On my first day in office, I met Water Company bosses to give them their report card.

They caused 62 serious pollution incidents in 2021.

I’ll be polite: could do better.

I asked them to write to me with their plans to accelerate investment in infrastructure.

They did –

and now they must deliver.

Privatisation has put in £170billion of investment into our water infrastructure already,

and the private sector will now put in another £56billion more.

And, if they don’t deliver, there will be consequences.

I can confirm to you today that I will be taking forward plans to lift the Environment Agency’s maximum civil fine for each individual breach of the rules from up to just 250,000 pounds, to up to 250 million.

This doesn’t only affect families going to our beautiful British lakes, rivers and beaches in the summer,

or surfers braving the cold winter swells.

It has repercussions for our environment,

at a time when our biodiversity is seriously under threat.

Biodiversity is declining faster than at any time in human history.

We rely on nature to provide us with food, water and clean air,

and biodiversity is crucial to enabling nature to be productive and resilient.

More than half of global GDP is estimated to be dependent on biodiversity and nature.

That’s over £40 trillion.

When I was first elected, I founded the All Party Parliamentary Group on Endangered Species.

I believe in halting the decline.

Except, I should say, my friends, for the decline of the lesser but still too often spotted: the so-called Liberal Democrat.

That’s a species I would be happy to see remain on the endangered list.

I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you, my friends.

Like you, I have fought the Lib Dems and the Socialists in communities across the country –

as an Association Officer,

as a Councillor,

and as a Member of Parliament.

And, in this brief,

at DEFRA,

I will work day and night to preserve our green and pleasant land.

Our rural landscapes – the clouded hills, the mountains green – are precious to all of
us, and we have a duty to our children and our children’s children to protect them.

I will honour that duty and I will not let leftists who seek to divide us undermine that
collective responsibility we all share to protect our environment.

It is this Conservative Government that has put in place world leading targets to halt the decline in nature by 2030, with particular thanks to the hard work of my immediate predecessors, George Eustice and Theresa Villiers.

This is a challenge, and one that requires action by many to be achieved.

But achieve it we must, for it is critical to the growth we want to see, the Conservative environmentalism we believe in.

We are going for growth, where a strong, healthy environment, is part of a strong, healthy economy.

This is a huge task.

There is much to do.

And we are determined to deliver.

03/10/2022
Volodymyr Zelenskyy – 2022 Statement on the Situation in Ukraine (03/10/2022) – 222 days

The statement made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 3 October 2022.

Dear Ukrainians! I wish you health!

Important events took place today in Turkey during a visit of the First Lady of Ukraine, the head of the President’s Office and other our representatives.

In the presence of Olena, the first corvette for our country from those, which will be built by the Turkish side, was launched. It is corvette Hetman Ivan Mazepa.

Its building began in 2021 and will be completed in due time. I consider it very symbolic that it got this name. Despite a century of Russian false propaganda, historical truth and justice still prevail.

And there is no reason for our project to build a new fleet for Ukraine to fail. We will implement all the shaped plans. Our goal is to create a full-fledged base for ship maintenance and building in Ukraine.

Today, Andriy Yermak together with the Ukrainian delegation visited the facilities of the Baykar company, which produces, in particular, well-known Bayraktar UCAVs for us. On behalf of all Ukrainians, Andriy thanked the company’s managers and presented Selçuk Bayraktar, the chairman of the Baykar’s Board, with the Order of Merit, which was awarded to him on the anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence.

However, this meeting is not symbolic, it is quite practical. We are preparing to create a training center and a plant of the Baykar company in Ukraine, as well as joint manufacturing of aircraft engines. We will definitely implement these projects.

Ukraine has always been and will be one of the European centers of the military and aviation industry. And I am proud that I can say these words with absolute confidence and justification based on the results of the 221st day of Russia’s full-scale war against our state.

Something went wrong with someone…

And these meetings are not the end of our diplomatic activity today.

There was also a meeting of the first ladies of Ukraine and Turkey – and I thank President Erdoğan and his wife Emine for their continued support of our efforts to restore peace.

The First Lady of Ukraine and our delegation met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Patriarch Bartholomew’s view on the war unleashed by Russia and his position on supporting our state are well known. And today they sounded again – very powerfully. I thank you for this, thank you for understanding the needs of our people.

The head of the Office held talks with the advisors to the President of the United States and the President of Turkey – Jake Sullivan and İbrahim Kalın. Very substantive negotiations. Absolutely in the interests of Ukraine. To strengthen our security.

Today, I held talks with President of France Emmanuel Macron. We discussed in detail the situation on the front line, our successes at the front. President Macron clearly supported our state and condemned the Russian pseudo-referendums and the attempt to annex our territory. The strengthening of sanctions against Russia was discussed.

We also discussed the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and the abduction of Director General of the ZNPP Ihor Murashov by the Russian occupiers. This is another manifestation of completely frank Russian terror, for which the terrorist state must bear an ever-increasing punishment.

Today, we have a powerful joint statement from the leaders of nine NATO states: the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. They condemned Russia’s escalating moves and, most importantly, supported our aspiration to become a full member of NATO. We are moving in this direction. I am sure that we will implement this project.

At least twice a day – in the morning and in the evening – I receive reports from our military. This week, the largest part of the reports is the list of settlements liberated from the enemy as part of our defense operation. The story of the liberation of Lyman in Donetsk region has now become the most popular in the media. But the successes of our soldiers are not limited to Lyman.

This, you know, is the trend… Recently, someone somewhere held pseudo-referendums, and when the Ukrainian flag is returned, no one remembers the Russian farce with some pieces of paper and some annexations. Except, of course, law enforcement agencies of Ukraine. Because everyone who is involved in any elements of aggression against our state will be accountable for it.

And I thank everyone who brings these moments of victory closer, who returns the Ukrainian flag to its rightful place on Ukrainian land. I thank everyone: from generals to ordinary soldiers, from professional soldiers, intelligence and special forces to volunteers and everyone who helps defend our state.

And I would especially like to mention the 25th, 80th, 81st, and 95th brigades of amphibious assault troops for their successes in the east of our country; 14th and 92nd separate mechanized brigades; 1st, 4th and 17th tank brigades; Special Operations Forces; units of the National Guard and the National Police; SBU employees; and our intelligence – Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense. Thank you, warriors!

And one more thing.

Today, two professional holidays are celebrated in Ukraine – Teacher’s Day (Educator’s Day) and Territorial Defense Forces Day. Of course, a lot of kind and warm words have already been said to both educators and our Territorial Defense Forces men. But I want to add something.

Effective defense is impossible without good national education. And there will be no good national education without effective defense. Fortunately, we have both of these elements. Thanks to the professionalism and conscientiousness of Ukrainian educators, teachers, and professors, we have soldiers who know what humanity is and appreciate everything that Ukraine represents. And thanks to our brave soldiers, Ukrainian education on Ukrainian land will transmit our values to all generations of our people.

I thank every Ukrainian educator, teacher and lecturer! I thank each of our defenders!

I’m thankful to the soldiers of the 127th Territorial Defense Brigade for defending the city of Kharkiv and liberating the territory of Kharkiv region. To the soldiers of the 110th brigade, who bravely repulsed the invaders in the Zaporizhzhia direction. To the soldiers of the 129th brigade of my native Kryvy Rih, who distinguished themselves with good results and liberated, in particular, Arkhanhelske and Myroliubivka. To the soldiers of the 115th Territorial Defense Brigade, who made a significant contribution to the defense of Zhytomyr region. And also to the soldiers of the 117th brigade, who defend the north-eastern direction in Sumy region.

Ukraine will win!

Glory to Ukraine!

03/10/2022
Volodymyr Zelenskyy – 2022 Statement on the Situation in Ukraine (02/10/2022) – 221 days

The statement made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 2 October 2022.

Dear Ukrainians!

Dear all our defenders!

Another week of our war for our independence comes to an end.

The week that the enemy really wanted to make especially hard for us, but he made it really hard, but for himself. For Russia itself.

Today, even more voices in the world have joined in condemning the pseudo-referendums and Russia’s attempt to annex our territory – the territory of Ukraine.

I am grateful for every such voice.

As a result, we already have dozens of statements that clearly support Ukraine and international law and condemn Russia for this new aggressive step.

I would like to especially note the statement of UN Secretary General António Guterres.

He bluntly said that Russia violates the goals and principles of the UN, the UN Charter and that the pseudo-referendums and attempted annexation will have no legal force.

When such words are heard at the highest level in the UN, everyone in the world understands everything.

And Russia has no such veto right that can stop or cancel this understanding of the world.

Russia is losing the fight for the international community. The world will not allow a return to the times of colonial conquests, criminal annexations and total arbitrariness instead of international law.

And the main thing… The main thing is our resistance with you, our protection with you, our movement with you towards the liberation of the entire Ukrainian territory.

It is our movement that puts everything in its place.

Russia has staged a farce in Donbas. An absolute farce, which it wanted to present as an alleged referendum.

They depicted something there, drove machine gunners around the houses, carried pieces of paper, the propagandists filmed all this in the part of Donbas they controlled.

And now a Ukrainian flag is there.

During this week, there were more Ukrainian flags in Donbas. It will be even more in a week.

What then is a pseudo-referendum? Are there two Donetsk regions? Two villages of Yampil, Donetsk region? Are there two villages of Torske?

The Ukrainian movement will continue.

The Ukrainian flag is already in Lyman, Donetsk region. Fighting is still going on there. But there is no trace of any pseudo-referendum there.

It is logical for Ukraine. And for the enemy, there will be more and more such “mismatches.”

By the way, they have already started biting each other there: they are looking for the culprits, accusing some generals of failures…

This is the first bell that should be heard at all levels of the Russian government.

Until you all solve the problem with the one who started it all, who started this senseless for Russia war against Ukraine, you will be killed one by one, making scapegoats, so as not to admit that this war is a historical mistake for Russia.

Ukraine will return its own. Both in the east and in the south. And what they tried to annex now, and Crimea, which has been called annexed since 2014.

Our flag will be everywhere.

There will be punishment for those who committed this crime of aggression against our independent state.

On October 1, 76 years ago, the Nuremberg Tribunal ended its work.

In many ways, it was this process that laid the foundations of the modern world – the legal foundations of justice. Everything that ruscism is trying to destroy.

Therefore, another tribunal will inevitably take place, which will put an end to the careers of all those responsible for this Russian “special operation” against the international system, which began in 2014 and became full-scale on February 24, and will end thanks to the heroism of our people.

Today, we still do not know on which day it will happen. But we know that the day of our victory will come. It will definitely be. And after it the day of judgment for the ruscists will be. It will definitely be.

I thank everyone who brings this time closer. Who is approaching it daily.

Thanks to everyone who fights and works for our victory! Thanks to everyone who helps!

Thank you to President Biden and the US Congress for providing more than $12 billion in supplemental support. It will definitely strengthen our common freedom.

Glory to the invincible people of Ukraine!

Glory to our soldiers!

Glory to Ukraine!

03/10/2022
Volodymyr Zelenskyy – 2022 Statement on the Situation in Ukraine (01/10/2022) – 220 days

The statement made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 1 October 2022.

Dear Ukrainians!

The enemy started this day with a deliberate and absolutely premeditated murder of Ukrainians in Zaporizhzhia. A missile attack on a civilian convoy of cars.

As of now, 30 dead are reported. Almost a hundred wounded and traumatized.

The Russian military knew where their missiles would hit. Non-humans did it. From the first to the last. From the one who gave this order and to everyone who executed this order. They will answer. For sure. Before the law and before people. People!

That is why we are confident of our victory. That is why we took the initiative in the war. That is why we’re getting tangible results on the battlefield right now… and that’s very important. Congratulations to the heroes!

As we remain human and gain support from people – from all the people of the world. From everyone who feels pain when they learn about the deliberate killing of innocent people.

Another farce took place in Moscow today. Something was celebrated there. They were chanting something there. They sang in the square. They were talking about Zaporizhzhia… When they themselves arranged such a thing in Zaporizhzhia. They are non-humans. Eternal memory to all those killed in Russian terrorist attacks!

Today, Ukraine made decisions to defend itself. All of them will be implemented. Decisions of the National Security and Defense Council and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Headquarters.

I already reported in detail this afternoon about our request for an accelerated accession to join NATO. And about the obvious readiness of Ukraine for negotiations with the Russian Federation – but with another President of Russia, who will understand what is happening.

Now, I want to add something about the decision of the National Security and Defense Council regarding sanctions against Russian individuals and legal entities. There is a really long list, quite famous names.

However, we are not focused on volume, but on actually dismantling Russian influence and at the same time influencing the state of affairs in the Russian Federation itself.

Therefore, restrictions are introduced against several thousand individuals and entities. Sanctions of Ukraine and our partners are synchronized. New sanctions are being introduced against key persons and significant Russian enterprises.

Of course, sanctions will also be applied to those citizens of other countries who took part in the Russian farce on the occupied territory of our country.

Pseudo-referendums are elements of aggression against a sovereign state, and anyone involved in organizing or conducting this farce will be held accountable.

Today, I spoke with the Prime Ministers of Japan and Denmark. Of course, they condemned the new Russian steps towards escalation. Thanks to them for their support!

Thanks also to all the leaders of the partner states, to all the political and public figures of the world, who have already quite promptly spoken out in defense of Ukraine and international law!

I personally thank President Biden, Congress, our friends in Europe and everyone who is already strengthening sanctions against Russia and is already taking powerful steps to increase defense and financial support for Ukraine!

We must liberate our entire land, and this will be the best proof that international law and human values cannot be broken by any terrorist state, even one as insolent as Russia.

We have substantial results in the east of our country. There is already enough public information about this. Everyone has heard what is happening in Lyman, Donetsk region. These are steps that mean a lot to us.

And I am thankful to all our fighters for implementing this element of our defense plan! It is very important.

Today, I especially want to recognize the fighters of the 10th separate mountain assault brigade and the 54th separate mechanized brigade for their constant bravery and heroism in the Siversky and Bakhmut areas. And also our servicemen of the 214th separate rifle battalion, the Special Operations Forces and the 103rd separate ground defense brigade for the liberation of Yampil.

I am also thankful to our intelligence units – Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense, as well as the Security Service of Ukraine.

The path of our country is difficult. The path is clear. This is the path of independence, territorial integrity, integration with the civilized world and social development. The path of our enemy is also completely clear – defeat, shame and condemnation.

And one more. Every year on the last day of September, Ukraine celebrates Adoption Day. This, in my opinion, is an important day.

It is a day of special respect for those whose hearts are big enough to give family warmth to children left without parental care.

Today, I thank all such Ukrainian men and women! I dream that we will come to such a result, when every child of Ukraine will feel family warmth, no matter what the circumstances of life are.

Eternal glory to our beautiful people! Eternal glory to everyone who fights for Ukraine! We work for one thing – victory!

Glory to Ukraine!

03/10/2022
Volodymyr Zelenskyy – 2022 Statement on the Situation in Ukraine (30/09/2022) – 219 days

The statement made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 30 September 2022.

Ukrainians!

And all our friends and allies!

De facto allies. Today, here in Kyiv, in the heart of our country, we are taking a decisive step for the security of the entire community of free nations.

We see who threatens us. Who is ready to kill and maim. Who in order to expand his zone of control does not stop at any savagery.

On February 24, the first full-scale attack on Ukraine was carried out. The first!

Russia would not have stopped at our borders if we had not stopped it. Other states would have been under attack. The Baltic countries, Poland, Moldova and Georgia, Kazakhstan…

Russia claimed to subjugate various nations of Europe and Asia. Claimed six months ago. This criminal ambition is breaking down in Ukraine. It was broken down in the suburbs of Kyiv and Chernihiv. In “Azovstal”. In the Sumy region and Kharkiv region. On Zmiinyi Island. It will be broken down in Donbas and in the south of Ukraine when we liberate them. Definitely – in Crimea, in the free Ukrainian Crimea.

The entire territory of our country will be liberated from this enemy – the enemy not only of Ukraine, but also of life itself, humanity, law and truth.

Russia already knows this. It feels our power. It sees that it is here, in Ukraine, that we prove the strength of our values. And that is why it is in a hurry. Organizes this farce with the attempted annexation. Tries to steal something that does not belong to it. Wants to rewrite history and redraw borders with murders, torture, blackmail and lies.

Ukraine will not allow that.

Today I held a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. The meeting of the National Security and Defense Council has just ended. We have a decision.

First – it is only the path of strengthening Ukraine and ousting the occupiers from our entire territory that restores peace. We will complete this path.

Second – Ukraine was and remains a leader in negotiation efforts. It was our state that always offered Russia to reach an agreement on coexistence on equal, honest, decent and fair terms. It is obvious that this is impossible with this Russian president. He does not know what dignity and honesty are. Therefore, we are ready for a dialogue with Russia, but already with another president of Russia.

And third – we must de jure record everything we have already achieved de facto. It is in Ukraine that the fate of democracy in the confrontation with tyranny is being decided. It is here, with the firmness of our state borders, that we can secure the firmness of the borders of all European states. We can guarantee that no one else will dare to bring war back to our continent.

It is here, in Ukraine, that the values of our Euro-Atlantic community have obtained real vital energy. The strength of the nation that fights for freedom, and the strength of the nations that help in this fight.

We are de facto allies. This has already been achieved. De facto, we have already completed our path to NATO. De facto, we have already proven interoperability with the Alliance’s standards, they are real for Ukraine – real on the battlefield and in all aspects of our interaction.

We trust each other, we help each other and we protect each other. This is what the Alliance is. De facto.

Today, Ukraine is applying to make it de jure. Under a procedure consistent with our significance for the protection of our entire community. Under an accelerated procedure.

We know it’s possible. We have seen Finland and Sweden start accession to the Alliance this year without a Membership Action Plan.

This is fair. This is also fair for Ukraine. This is the consolidation at the level of the treaty of what has already been achieved in life and what are our values.

We understand that this requires the consensus of all members of the Alliance. We understand that it is necessary to reach such a consensus. And therefore, while this is happening, we offer to implement our proposals regarding security guarantees for Ukraine and all of Europe in accordance with the Kyiv Security Compact, which was developed and presented to our partners.

Security has no alternatives. But determination is needed to guarantee it.

We are taking our decisive step by signing Ukraine’s application for accelerated accession to NATO.

Today, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine adopted a decision to impose sanctions on significant individuals and legal entities of Russia who did not have the courage to speak out in defense of humanity and international law, or who in one way or another are involved in aggressive steps against Ukraine and the community of democratic nations.

And at the same time, I am addressing the people’s deputies of Ukraine: at the next session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, a draft law on the nationalization of all Russian assets will be considered, which should significantly simplify this procedure. Please endorse this bill without delay.

We are completing the dismantling of Russian influence on Ukraine, Europe and the world.

Glory to Ukraine!

03/10/2022
Volodymyr Zelenskyy – 2022 Statement on the Situation in Ukraine (29/09/2022) – 218 days

The statement made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 29 September 2022.

Ukrainians!

We continue our diplomatic activity to ensure that all partners of Ukraine and the countries of the world understand what new steps towards escalation are being taken by the terrorist state these days.

I spoke today with President of Poland Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister of Italy Mario Draghi. I had a meeting with the President of the National Assembly of France. I am grateful to our partners for clearly condemning the Russian sham referenda, for condemning the attempted annexation of our territory, which the Kremlin is currently preparing.

I am grateful to our Polish brothers for their invaluable defense support and our cooperation for the sake of common security. And today, in a conversation with Andrzej Duda, with Mr. President, we discussed how we can further strengthen our relations.

We also discussed cross-border cooperation. We must do everything so that our nations face no obstacles for economic and any other relations.

I would like to thank Prime Minister Draghi for his principled condemnation of Russia’s steps towards escalation. We exchanged views on further steps in our bilateral relations with Italy and in multilateral relations at the EU level that could give all of us in Europe more protection.

The first ever visit to Ukraine by the President of the National Assembly of France is taking place at a truly historic time. At a time when solidarity between leaders at all levels is critical to the future of a democratic world. I thanked Mrs. President of the National Assembly of France and her fellow parliamentarians for their willingness to continue to help us defend the independence of Ukraine and the freedom of the whole of Europe.

I talked today with the university community and public figures of Switzerland on the basis of the University of Zurich. It is very important that Switzerland and its citizens do not remain neutral, and support our aspiration to live – to live freely and in peace.

Everyone in the world understands well what such an attempted annexation would actually mean. It will not mean what the Kremlin hopes for.

Today I explained this to the peoples of the Caucasus, Siberia, and other indigenous peoples of Russia. And now I repeat for everyone in this country: Russia will not get a new territory of Ukraine. Russia will annex itself to the catastrophe that it has brought to the occupied territory of our country. Russia will equate itself with the so-called “DPR” and “LPR”, and will completely finish off those institutions of normal statehood that still remained in Russia.

The occupier fills the occupied territory of Ukraine with graves, and there are more and more graves on the territory of Russia itself. The occupier sets up torture chambers in the occupied territory – and will fill the entire territory of Russia with torture chambers. This is the only way the Russian police and Russian special services will work now. The law in Russia has been obliterated. And those who brought all these deaths, torture, rape from Russia will take them home.

Everywhere in the seized territory, the occupier destroys any basis for life – economy, social sphere, culture…

Depriving the entire Russian society of a normal economy, a decent life and respect for any human value will be the price for the fact that one person in Russia wants this war to continue.

This can still be stopped. But to stop it, you have to stop that one in Russia who wants war more than life. Your life, citizens of Russia.

Today, the Russian army inflicted another vile attack on civilians in Mykolaiv – a shell exploded near a public transport stop. There are dead, there are wounded… Again shelling of Kharkiv, the Sumy region, fierce shelling in Donbas, in the south of Ukraine.

All this can be stopped in only one way: liberation. And before Russia came, there was normal life everywhere on Ukrainian land. And when Russia leaves, when we oust it, normal life will return. This is the only way. This is the way to our victory.

We cannot know how long it will take to complete this path. But we know that no Russian manipulation and no Russian crime can push us off this path.

Today we managed to release six more of our citizens from Russian captivity. I am thankful to everyone who ensures this work!

Today we have new results on the frontline.

Today we received additional elements of aid from partners.

It will continue to be so.

Tomorrow is another day of our struggle, another day on the path to victory. Will it be special for us? It will be another day that will bring us closer to security and peace, to restoration of our territorial integrity. Because millions of Ukrainians fight and work for this.

A special meeting of the National Security and Defense Council, which I convened, will take place tomorrow. There will be decisions.

We know how to react to any Russian actions.

And finally. This morning I honored the memory of all the victims of the Babyn Yar. Eternal memory to the victims of Nazism! Eternal damnation to those who repeat the crimes of the Nazis!

Glory to Ukraine!

03/10/2022
Kwasi Kwarteng – 2022 Speech to the Conservative Party Conference

The speech made by Kwasi Kwarteng, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in Birmingham on 3 October 2022.

Thank you, conference.

What a day!

It has been tough, but we need to focus on the job in hand.

We need to move forward.

No more distractions. We have a plan, and we need to get on and deliver it.

That’s what the public expect from their government.

But first conference, welcome back to Birmingham.

This is a remarkable city.

It has a history of great brilliance

Joseph Chamberlain in the nineteenth century was an extraordinary civic leader who led Birmingham and the world through the industrial revolution.

And today Andy Street is following in that great tradition.

Grafts and grit turned this small town first into a thriving industrial market.

Then into one of the centres of the industrial revolution…

Which powered and grew not just the British economy,

But provided the new technologies that changed the world forever.

The Industrial Revolution was one of the most monumental transformations in human history.

And it began here.

With determination and application

Those Britons built a thriving economy.

They inspire me today.

They remind us that in Britain, with the British people, absolutely anything is possible.

Our Plan today focuses on the same, bold sentiment.

The same inspiration

To deal with the challenges of today by giving people the tools they need to thrive tomorrow.

To get Britain moving.

We have great ideas

We have the same inspirational people

And I know we have the same determination.

Our Growth Plan set out ten days ago will ensure we focus relentlessly on economic growth.

Because we must face up to the fact that for too long our economy has not grown enough.

The path ahead of us was one of slow, managed decline.

But I refuse to accept that it is somehow Britain’s destiny to fall back into middle league status…

…or that the tax burden reaching a 70-year-high is somehow inevitable.

It isn’t, and it shouldn’t be.

Conference we needed a new approach, focused on raising economic growth.

Because that is the only real way to deliver opportunities, to deliver higher wages, to deliver more jobs, and crucially, to deliver that revenue to fund our precious public services…

…and it is the best and only way of achieving long-term fiscal sustainability.

Because it is only by raising economic growth that we will spread opportunity and prosperity to every corner of our country.

With economic growth, everybody benefits.

And I mean everybody.

Whilst we all believe in growth

We as Conservatives also believe, it is an important principle that people should keep more of the money they earn.

I don’t need to tell you that. That isn’t radical. That isn’t irresponsible.

It is a deeply held belief that we all share as Conservatives.

We were faced with a 70-year high tax burden,

… we were confronted with low growth

… and the path we were on was clearly unsustainable.

So that’s why we are cutting taxes for working people.

That’s why we will reverse the National Insurance hike on the 6th November.

And that’s why we will bring forward the 1p cut to the basic rate of Income Tax by one year.

And that’s why we will take 200,000 people out of paying Stamp Duty altogether.

Taken together … this is what our support will do for all our people.

Thanks to our energy intervention, a typical person in a semi-detached property will save £1,150 on their energy bills this winter.

On top of the £400 discount.

And if they are earning an average salary, they will benefit from an additional tax cut of around £400.

That is almost a TWO-THOUSAND-POUNDS saving this year alone.

But I can be frank, I know the plan put forward only ten days ago has caused a little turbulence.

I get it. We are listening and have listened.

And now want to focus on delivering the major parts of our growth package because with…

Energy bills skyrocketing

A painful Covid aftermath

War on our continent

A 70-year high tax burden

Slowing global growth rates

And glacially slow infrastructure delivery:

We couldn’t simply do nothing.

We can’t sit idly by.

What Britain needs more than ever is economic growth…

And a government wholly committed to economic growth.

That is why we will forge a new economic deal for Britain…

…backed by an ironclad commitment to fiscal discipline.

More businesses. More jobs. Higher pay. More money for public services.

Because we cannot have a strong NHS without a strong economy.

We can’t have good schools without a strong economy.

We cannot fund our Armed Forces without a strong economy.

So growing our economy should be our central and guiding mission.

With this plan, we are aiming for two and a half percent annual trend growth.

We have done it before, and we can do it again.

And even in the face of extreme volatility in global markets…

…with major currencies wrestling an incredibly strong US dollar…

…and longer-term trends from demographic change to climate change…

…we will show that our plan is sound, that it is credible and that it will increase growth.

That is our pledge to the people of this country.

However, there is an immediate challenge facing not just our country, not just our people, but the whole of Europe…

The high cost of energy driven by Putin’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine.

Cast your mind back just four weeks ago.

We had dire warnings of extreme energy prices to come.

Corner shops to heavy industry predicted unprecedented disruption.

Business groups feared mass unemployment.

Entire livelihoods were on the line.

Make no mistake, this was a very real prospect for our country.

So, within 48 hours of taking office, we announced one of the most significant interventions ever conceived by the British state…

Annual energy bills of up to £6,500 from next year were staring us in the face.

Everybody was worried.

Now, we are holding down the price at an average of £2,500.

Not just this winter like the Labour Party promised… but next winter too.

Two years of significant taxpayer support to protect our people.

Because THIS government will always be on the side of those who need help the most.

For our businesses too, Conference, help is on its way.

A local pub could save £3,100 a month, cutting their bills by 40 per cent.

And we have also frozen Alcohol Duty!

Make no mistake, this is a monumental support package to protect millions of families and businesses from devastating price hikes unleashed by Vladimir Putin.

There is no doubt that this is a substantial intervention, but we had no choice.

Doing nothing was simply not an option.

We couldn’t just cross our fingers and hope for the best.

The price of inaction would have been far greater than the cost of the scheme.

We will deal with the short-term shocks caused by Putin…

But we must also go for growth to ensure we are much more self-sufficient.

We will tackle the mistakes of the past to ensure the UK can NEVER again be blackmailed by people such as Putin and his like.

When Covid hit our shores, we were right to intervene to protect lives and livelihoods.

And I can say – in all sincerity – that we went into that crisis in a much better position because of the action we have taken over the last decade.

Because of successive Conservative governments, the UK now has the second lowest debt to GDP ratio in the G7.

And throughout this urgent endeavour of ours to protect Britain from high energy costs… and in response to…

… the urgent need to grow our economy… we have taken the appropriate action.

Our entire approach will be underpinned by a strong institutional framework, which enhances growth in our country…

…including our independent Bank of England and Office for Budget Responsibility.

We will have a strong fiscal anchor with debt falling as a proportion of GDP over the medium term.

That is the Conservative way.

But today, we face new challenges.

And in addressing those challenges, we will act in a fiscally sustainable and responsible way.

That is why, shortly, we will publish our Medium-Term Fiscal Plan setting out our approach more fully.

It will set out how we plan to get debt falling as a percentage of GDP over the medium term.

And I have asked the OBR to publish a full economic and fiscal forecast alongside our Medium Term Fiscal Plan.

There is no path to higher sustainable economic growth without fiscal responsibility.

Conservatives have always known this and we know it still.

And it is because we are Conservatives, that we must remain absolutely committed to being serious custodians of the public purse.

This is what defines us – and separates us from the Labour Party

But conference, to grow the economy we really do need to do things differently.

We know that it is our towns and cities which drive much of our economic growth today.

Business investment, skills, science and technology, infrastructure, housing, energy supply, strong financial services…

…these are the key ingredients for higher economic growth and well-funded public services.

I had the great privilege of being Business Secretary for nearly 2 years.

I visited every corner of this country.

I saw the creativity, the drive, the entrepreneurial spirit.

We have to celebrate our entrepreneurs, our business people, our job creators, people who are taking risks…

But I also saw where government got in the way of progress.

My job now is to free that potential.

This starts with Investment Zones.

We will empower local areas to do things differently, just as here in Birmingham.

We will liberalise planning rules, releasing land and accelerating development.

We will cut taxes for business in these zones.

We will accelerate tax reliefs for new structures and buildings.

We will provide relief on investments on plant and machinery.

We will lower taxes which stop businesses hiring and skilling up their workforce.

That is an unprecedented set of incentives for business to invest, to build, and to create jobs right across the country.

And it will start right now.

Conference, we will…get… Britain… moving.

But too often regulation holds business and Britain back.

Stifling red tape puts up too many barriers for entrepreneurs looking to scale up…

…there are too many rules for the small business owner who wants to take on an apprentice

… there are too many burdens on our finance sector stopping it from investing in key projects

And when Britain’s innovators, job creators, entrepreneurs and risk takers are held back…

…so is Britain.

That is why we will review, replace or repeal retained EU law holding our country back.

We will also speed up the delivery of infrastructure and promote house building to create a true home owning, shareholding democracy.

Unapologetically, and emphatically we will get out the way to get Britain building and on its feet.

Over the coming days and weeks, we will forge ahead and break down the barriers that have held our country back for too long.

On childcare, agriculture, immigration, planning, energy, broadband, business, financial services…

Sensible, economic reforms to produce more of the products and services we need to drive down costs.

To create jobs

And generate higher pay and productivity.

And when it comes to those who would hold us back, we will act.

Pernicious strike action disrupts the lives of the British people and it slows down our economy.

It stops children going to school.

It stops parents from going to work.

And it stops people from getting the vital care they need.

Action which slows down our economy cannot be the policy of any serious party serious about growth.

And a party which is not serious about growth, can never be considered fit for office.

So, we will introduce important reforms to stop strike action from derailing our daily lives.

Reform to get Britain moving.

Conference, I am unashamedly a pro-business Conservative.

I know that the interests of businesses and hardworking families are not in conflict. They are aligned.

When businesses thrive, they create more jobs, they raise wages, and they contribute more for our public services.

Rather than bashing business, we’re backing it.

That is why we need to make our tax system simpler, more competitive and pro-growth.

So, we will reverse the planned increase in Corporation Tax, ensuring we have the lowest rate in the G20.

This will plough almost £19bn a year back into the economy.

That’s £19bn for businesses to reinvest, to create jobs and raise wages.

We will reverse the reforms to IR35 that have added unnecessary complexity and cost for so many businesses.

We will maintain the £1 million Annual Investment Allowance, giving 100% tax relief on investments in plant and machinery.

For over a decade, the Conservative Party has stood up for working people in this country.

Since 2010, we have delivered:

● The lowest unemployment since the 1970s

● A million new businesses

● More than doubling the tax-free personal allowance

● We have taken 2 million of the lowest paid OUT of paying tax altogether.

● The National Living Wage, boosting the pay packets of the lowest paid

● Fuel duty, frozen for 12 years.

● The £1,000 uplift in Universal Credit, making sure work always pays.

These are great achievements. Conservative achievements.

And let us not forget…

When this Party came into Government – we were met with the full force of Labour’s economic incompetence.

● ‘No money left’

● Taxes raised

● Record unemployment.

We reversed that story of national decline.

But even after three election defeats, they still haven’t learned their lesson.

The Labour Party would have you believe that every penny you earn should go straight into the Government’s coffers.

The Labour Party believe that they know how to spend your money better than you do.

The Labour Party believe that you can tax your way to growth.

We don’t believe that.

We believe in low tax, high growth and fiscal discipline. We are Conservatives.

And that’s what our growth plan delivers.

Last week we saw a Labour Party with the same old ideas

Renationalisation

… empty slogans

… and no plan for growth.

But we as Conservatives believe in Britain.

We love this country, our patriotism, isn’t something that we turn on and off and negotiate like the Labour Party

It goes to the core of what it is to be a Conservative… it is an unyielding quality.

Yes we have challenges to face.

But our plan will take this country forward.

We will get Britain moving.

We will deliver lower taxes for you and your family.

And we will grow our economy.

I know we can achieve that goal.

With grit, with drive and with determination

We can meet the challenges of this new era.

Thank you.

03/10/2022