Search

Mr Speaker,

As I stand here, men, women and children are huddled in basements across Ukraine seeking protection.

Soldiers and citizens alike have taken up arms to defend their land and families.

The sorrow we feel for their suffering, and admiration for their bravery…

Good morning, everybody. 

It's absolutely fantastic to be back here in Blackpool.

I first spoke here 25 years ago, 1997. I was the freshly defeated candidate for Clwyd South. And I did the appeal. But I didn't think they could get Jeffrey Archer that day.

Good morning Conference.

Before I begin, can you all join me in giving a very warm welcome to the Ukrainian Ambassador – Vadym Prystaiko.

Vadym, we are extremely pleased to welcome you here today.

As we meet here in Blackpool, we face a different world from the one we have known over the past decades.

Putin’s illegal, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has shattered the notion that freedom is free.

It’s shattered our post-Cold War complacency.

Fellow Conservatives... Friends... 

Two weeks ago I was in Poland - in Mediyka to be exact. On the border of Poland and Ukraine.

What I saw was a human tragedy on an epic and heartbreaking scale.

Friends,

Around 6 months ago I addressed you from the main conference hall in Manchester - in my 3rd week as the Secretary of State for International Trade.

And let me tell you – what a six months it has been since then….

Well isn’t it fantastic to be back in Blackpool!

Our first conference here for fifteen years.

It was here in 1946 that Anthony Eden first spoke of the ‘property owning democracy.’

Mr Speaker, with permission I will make a statement on our strategy for living with Covid.

And before I begin, I know the whole House will join me in sending our best wishes to Her Majesty the Queen for a full and swift recovery.