What a privilege to be introduced by the Conservative Mayor of a north-east city region. Ben Houchen, Ladies and Gentlemen, the living proof that our party is working for people in every part of Britain!
And what a privilege to be here: In Manchester City, but 100 percent United! And we have all been with Manchester in spirit as it has stood united in the face of adversity this year. Conference, 40 years ago this week here in the North West a 16 year old speaker from Yorkshire warned his fellow Conservative delegates about Labour’s plans for an irreversible shift of power allegedly to the people but in reality to the State. He urged them to reject the socialist argument that the government knows what is good for us better than we do ourselves.
He spoke with the passion of youth about people’s inherent desire to be free and he underlined how free markets underpin free societies.
Well, the young William Hague was right then and his powerful arguments still resonate down the decades even if his hairstyle didn’t last quite that long.
I am not 16, sadly.
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