Rishi Sunak: Now is the time for the Conservative Party to come together
3 min read
This year has been a difficult one for the Conservative Party. We have had disappointing election results both nationally and locally. Too many good Conservatives have lost their seats. But I know that with our values and the determination of our members, we can win back the trust of the British people. We can and will deliver for our country once more.
This conference will be an important moment for our party. Our leadership candidates will get to make their case directly to our members. I have sat round the Cabinet table with all four candidates and know that they are good Conservatives, determined to stand up for our values. I know that they will take this chance to tell our members where they want to take our party and our country.
This is our first conference in opposition since 2009. Of course, we need to learn the lessons of our defeat: we did not get everything right in government – no government ever does – and we do now need to reflect on that. But we should not forget what we have achieved since 2010.
The last Labour government left us a note saying there is no money left. We left behind the fastest growing economy in the G7, inflation under control, interest rates coming down and education reforms that have made our children the best readers in the Western world.
We, the Conservative Party, are a family and once this contest is over, we must come together to support our new leader
In the last 14 years, we steered the country through the storms created by the aftermath of the financial crash, Covid and the energy price spike. We created alliances with friends old and new, we led the world in support for Ukraine and we got Brexit done.
Our country is more prosperous, fairer and more resilient than it was in 2010. It is a record we should all be proud of.
It is now our duty to fulfil our role as the official opposition professionally and effectively. When Labour makes the wrong choice, we must not be afraid to say so.
Whether it is in opposing the disastrous decision to axe the Winter Fuel Payment or holding ministers to pledges Labour made during the campaign to not raise taxes, we will always hold the new government to account and expose when their actions fall short of what they promised the British people.
I will always be sorry that I could not deliver the results that everyone’s efforts deserved
Above all, we will continue to stand for the values that unite us all and argue for the policies that will make our country stronger and more united.
Conference will be a unique opportunity to debate and reflect on the future of the Conservative Party. But, just as importantly for many going, it will also be one to catch up with old friends and make new ones. We, the Conservative Party, are a family and, once this contest is over, we must come together to support our new leader.
This will be my last conference as leader, and I want to thank everyone in the party for their support. I will always be sorry that I could not deliver the results that everyone’s efforts deserved, but I will always be grateful for everyone’s hard work and commitment.
I will always be proud to have been the leader of the Conservative Party and the prime minister of our great country.
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