B&NES Council Leader, Cllr.

The number of workers on low pay in the UK has fallen by more than 300,000 following the Conservatives’ introduction of the national living wage, a think tank says.

THE GENERAL ELECTION
“A little over forty years ago in a small village in Oxfordshire, I signed up to be a member of the Conservative Party.
 

“In 2010, our economy faced a crisis. 
 
We were borrowing more than at any time in our peace time history.
Unemployment had risen by nearly 850,000 in the previous two years, we had just under 4 million workless households. 
 

Good afternoon conference,
 
If a week in politics is a long time, then a year can seem like a lifetime.
 
As you can see, the months have etched themselves into my forehead…
 

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are just fifteen hundred yards away from the site of the worst terrorist atrocity seen in this country since 7/7.
An attack that was aimed at children.
But, the next day in Albert Square, I saw something that makes me so very proud to be British.

Good Afternoon Conference.
 
I’m delighted that we are in Manchester once again.
 
As Andrew highlighted. Just over four months ago, this city and its people were the victims of a horrendous terror attack. Aimed particularly at young people. 
 

Conference, as you've just heard in that typically passionate, powerful and inspiring speech from Ruth Davidson.... as Conservatives we are proud in our United Kingdom and resolute in support of the special bonds that bind us together.... 
 

Conference, good afternoon, it’s fantastic to be here in Manchester.
 
For our country to prosper and succeed in the future, we need to make it a country that works for everyone.
 
Education and skills are right at the very heart of that ambition.
 

On increasing the threshold where graduates pay back their student loan:

“This will save many lower and middle earning graduates £1,000s … Every single graduates earning over £21,000 a year will pay less. And it has a long term progressive benefit too."