in a moment. the party could, genuinely, face a possible defeat here. this must be weighing on their mind? the next election coming up. what is the mood like among conservative mps where you are? it’s conservative mps where you are? it's not conservative mps where you are? it�*s not great. chatting to some of them last night, away from the conference hall, which is where the most interesting conversations happen, i think there is a sense that they really want to rishi sunak to give the party rocket boosters over the next few days. the tories are well behind in the polls. they are really trailing to labour. they are struggling to get back on the front foot and because of that, there is a sense that something really needs to change. that is what rishi sunak i think is going to try to do in his big set piece speech on wednesday. also chatting to tory activists last night, i think there was a bit of a sense yesterday that they weren't really sure what the thing they are supposed to be celebrating so far is. when the prime minister was on laura kuenssberg's programme

yesterday, he was largely responding to pressure from backbenchers. we are going to have liz truss rocking up are going to have liz truss rocking up here in about 90 minutes�* time to give a big speech on her tax vision. yes, it is very similar to the one that she had last year that ended very badly for her spell as prime minister. but she has not gone away, she is still popular with some elements of the conservative party. she is still seeking to put pressure on the prime minister.— on the prime minister. nick, we're 'ust auoin on the prime minister. nick, we're just going to _ on the prime minister. nick, we're just going to cross _ on the prime minister. nick, we're just going to cross live _ on the prime minister. nick, we're just going to cross live now - on the prime minister. nick, we're just going to cross live now as - on the prime minister. nick, we're just going to cross live now as you | just going to cross live now as you are speaking to the speech being given by claire cortina. let's drop in now. $5 given by claire cortina. let's drop in now. �* , ., ., ., in now. as we look to a general election. _ in now. as we look to a general election. in _ in now. as we look to a general election, in 2019 _ in now. as we look to a general election, in 2019 we _ in now. as we look to a general election, in 2019 we were - election, in 2019 we were responsible for four out of seven of the winning — responsible for four out of seven of the winning manifesto ideas. seven out of— the winning manifesto ideas. seven out of eight cpf members actively campaign — out of eight cpf members actively campaign. 0ur largest consultations are always _ campaign. 0ur largest consultations are always those on ideas for the next _ are always those on ideas for the next manifesto. and thank you to our incredible _ next manifesto. and thank you to our incredible membership for the time and commitment they spend in sharing

their vision_ and commitment they spend in sharing their vision through policy ideas for our— their vision through policy ideas for our fantastic party. people are keen_ for our fantastic party. people are keen to _ for our fantastic party. people are keen to engage. 0ur for our fantastic party. people are keen to engage. our membership has increased _ keen to engage. our membership has increased by two and a half thousand increased by two and a half thousand in the _ increased by two and a half thousand in the past _ increased by two and a half thousand in the past 12 months, to thousand. number— in the past 12 months, to thousand. number of— in the past 12 months, to thousand. number of active cpf association groups— number of active cpf association groups has tripled. that is because we at _ groups has tripled. that is because we at cpf — groups has tripled. that is because we at cpf are listening. we are listening — we at cpf are listening. we are listening to the need to campaign with our— listening to the need to campaign with our winning wednesdays. we are listening _ with our winning wednesdays. we are listening to _ with our winning wednesdays. we are listening to the voices of our rural communities, to our barnstorming initiative _ communities, to our barnstorming initiative where we have joined with the conservative rural forum, to ensure _ the conservative rural forum, to ensure that _ the conservative rural forum, to ensure that rural voices are truly heard~ _ ensure that rural voices are truly heard~ we — ensure that rural voices are truly heard. we are listening to our youth vote, _ heard. we are listening to our youth vote, with _ heard. we are listening to our youth vote, with our ambition for a conservative policy youth ambassador within _ conservative policy youth ambassador within each _ conservative policy youth ambassador within each region, and joint initiatives _ within each region, and joint initiatives with the young conservatives and young conservative women _ conservatives and young conservative women all _ conservatives and young conservative women. all of you are members of cpf through— women. all of you are members of cpf through your _ women. all of you are members of cpf through your party membership. become — through your party membership. become an active member today... we become an active member today. .. we are become an active member today... we are 'ust

become an active member today... are just going become an active member today... - are just going to leave the stage there. that is not claire courtinho there. that is not claire courtinho the secretary, we will be crossing to her life when she does come on stage. what are we expecting her to focus on. green issues are really a huge contentious issue, and often a way to get younger voters. you huge contentious issue, and often a way to get younger voters.- way to get younger voters. you are absolutely right. _ way to get younger voters. you are absolutely right. i _ way to get younger voters. you are absolutely right. i think— way to get younger voters. you are absolutely right. i think the - way to get younger voters. you are absolutely right. i think the way . absolutely right. i think the way the conservatives are looking at it at the moment is they want clear water between themselves and labour, when it comes to how they are pitching on green issues. we know that labour have made a big thing of their green credentials. when we go to the conference next week i suspect they will be talking a lot more about their green industrial plans that are at the heart of their economic strategy. the conservatives aren't giving up on net zero. we should point out that the 2050 policy still remains in place. it is a legally binding target. what has changed is that there are many

conservatives around here, who look at the result at the by—election in london a few weeks ago, where the tories won against the odds on the subject of the low emission zone that has been extended in london, and they think, maybe we are onto something. maybe some people are prone net zero but they are not pro policies that will cost them money. so what i think we will hear claire courtinho saying, over the next few minutes, is that she is still committed to net zero, she is still committed to net zero, she is still committed to net zero, she is still committed to lower output when it comes to energy, but she wants to do it in a way that takes people with her. that is controversial, that is going to come under a lot of criticism. there are a lot of people here from the energy sector, lobbyists who are pretty frustrated at the way the government have dealt with this over the past few weeks. in political terms, and this is a political conference, the conservatives think they are onto something and that a lot of people, evenif something and that a lot of people, even if they are pro—net zero, aren't necessary lee pro some of the policies that have been in place

recently. i policies that have been in place recentl . ~ , ., ., recently. i think if you look at what we are _ recently. i think if you look at what we are expecting - recently. i think if you look at what we are expecting from l recently. i think if you look at - what we are expecting from claire courtinho, but then you look at what rishi sunak was saying a little earlier, his u—turn on banning the sale of diesel cars. as we were talking we are now going to head to claire courtinho, the secretary for energy security and net zero, who was speaking now. it energy security and net zero, who was speaking now.— was speaking now. if we get this riaht was speaking now. if we get this ri . ht the was speaking now. if we get this right the british _ was speaking now. if we get this right the british people - was speaking now. if we get this right the british people will- was speaking now. if we get this| right the british people will enjoy greater— right the british people will enjoy greater prosperity in the decades ahead~ _ greater prosperity in the decades ahead it— greater prosperity in the decades ahead. if we don't, we lose jobs and investment, — ahead. if we don't, we lose jobs and investment, and our path to a greener— investment, and our path to a greener future. investment, and our path to a greenerfuture. i investment, and our path to a greener future. i first want to pay tribute _ greener future. i first want to pay tribute to — greener future. i first want to pay tribute to my predecessor, grant shapps. — tribute to my predecessor, grant shapps, who was relentless in making the case _ shapps, who was relentless in making the case for— shapps, who was relentless in making the case for energy security. he rightly _ the case for energy security. he rightly said that we cannot be at the mercy— rightly said that we cannot be at the mercy of tyrants like vladimir putin _ the mercy of tyrants like vladimir putin who — the mercy of tyrants like vladimir putin, who seek to weaponised oil and gas _ putin, who seek to weaponised oil and gas against us. our best defence

is in ensuring our own energy independence. that energy independence. that energy independence is exactly what the conservatives are delivering. we don't _ conservatives are delivering. we don'tiust— conservatives are delivering. we don'tjust have the world's conservatives are delivering. we don't just have the world's largest offshore _ don't just have the world's largest offshore wind farm, we have the second _ offshore wind farm, we have the second largest, and the third, and, yes, we _ second largest, and the third, and, yes, we have — second largest, and the third, and, yes, we have the fourth and imminently the fifth—largest, too. all built _ imminently the fifth—largest, too. all built under our watch. we are investing — all built under our watch. we are investing in — all built under our watch. we are investing in solar, infusion, and in hydrogen — investing in solar, infusion, and in hydrogen, and rather than relying on imports, _ hydrogen, and rather than relying on imports, as— hydrogen, and rather than relying on imports, as keir starmer would have it, imports, as keir starmer would have it. we _ imports, as keir starmer would have it. we are _ imports, as keir starmer would have it, we are backing our own northey. we are _ it, we are backing our own northey. we are delivering the first large—scale nuclear project since margaret — large—scale nuclear project since margaret thatcher's government. in fact, each _ margaret thatcher's government. in fact, each and every operational nuclear— fact, each and every operational nuclear power plant in britain began its life _ nuclear power plant in britain began its life under a conservative government. applause

. we have done this all the while meeting our climate change ambitions and growing the economy. {lager meeting our climate change ambitions and growing the economy.— and growing the economy. over the last 30 years _ and growing the economy. over the last 30 years we — and growing the economy. over the last 30 years we have _ and growing the economy. over the last 30 years we have cut _ and growing the economy. over the last 30 years we have cut our - last 30 years we have cut our emissions _ last 30 years we have cut our emissions by half. we now get close to half— emissions by half. we now get close to half of— emissions by half. we now get close to half of our power from renewables, up from just 7% when labour— renewables, up from just 7% when labour left — renewables, up from just 7% when labour left office. let's never forget, — labour left office. let's never forget, ed miliband described the idea of— forget, ed miliband described the idea of the uk getting to 40% renewables as pie in sky. it is this conservative party, delivering for our people and our environment. our leadership— our people and our environment. our leadership is— our people and our environment. our leadership is also bringing wealth to our— leadership is also bringing wealth to our economy and to british workers _ to our economy and to british workers. since 2010, we have secured £200 _ workers. since 2010, we have secured £200 billion— workers. since 2010, we have secured £200 billion in low carbon investments, with up to 375 billion

on the _ investments, with up to 375 billion on the wav~ — investments, with up to 375 billion on the way. carbon capture will see 50,000 _ on the way. carbon capture will see 50,000 high skilled britishjobs in places— 50,000 high skilled britishjobs in places like teesside and the come by. places like teesside and the come bv 0ur— places like teesside and the come by. 0urworld places like teesside and the come by. our world leading offshore wind farms _ by. 0ur world leading offshore wind farms witt— by. our world leading offshore wind farms will see 100,000 jobs by 2030, from aberdeen to cornwall. 0ur pioneering hydrogen industry is bringing — pioneering hydrogen industry is bringing jobs right here in the north—west of england and over the border— north—west of england and over the border in _ north—west of england and over the border in north wales. in conference we are _ border in north wales. in conference we are not— border in north wales. in conference we are notjust border in north wales. in conference we are not just creating energy we are saving — we are not just creating energy we are saving energy too. when labour left power. — are saving energy too. when labour left power, less than 12% of homes were considered energy—efficient. now that — were considered energy—efficient. now that figure is 50%. it is we conservatives who are delivering the practical— conservatives who are delivering the practical solutions to ensure we have _ practical solutions to ensure we have secure, cheap energy, reducing bills and _ have secure, cheap energy, reducing bills and protecting the environment. yet despite our

success, _ environment. yet despite our success, we need to be honest about the challenges ahead. the transition to clean— the challenges ahead. the transition to clean energy should be a cause of optimism _ to clean energy should be a cause of optimism for the country. it should mean _ optimism for the country. it should meanjobs — optimism for the country. it should meanjobs and optimism for the country. it should mean jobs and opportunities and pride _ mean jobs and opportunities and pride that— mean jobs and opportunities and pride that we are playing our part in a global— pride that we are playing our part in a global challenge. however for too many— in a global challenge. however for too many people, it had started to feel like _ too many people, it had started to feel like an — too many people, it had started to feel like an intolerable cost, at a time _ feel like an intolerable cost, at a time when _ feel like an intolerable cost, at a time when, after the last few years, they felt— time when, after the last few years, they felt they could least afford it. they felt they could least afford it across — they felt they could least afford it. across europe we are seeing the consequences when the public feel that they— consequences when the public feel that they are being forced into the wrong _ that they are being forced into the wrong decisions for their homes and their families. wrong decisions for their homes and theirfamilies. in wrong decisions for their homes and their families. in germany the climate — their families. in germany the climate sceptic afd is now polling. in climate sceptic afd is now polling. in france _ climate sceptic afd is now polling. in france overa climate sceptic afd is now polling. in france over a quarter of people think— in france over a quarter of people think that — in france over a quarter of people think that climate change is a conspiracy. in the netherlands the rise of— conspiracy. in the netherlands the rise of a _ conspiracy. in the netherlands the rise of a new net zero sceptic party

stormed _ rise of a new net zero sceptic party stormed their local elections. meanwhile, in the uk, only 7% of people _ meanwhile, in the uk, only 7% of people think that net zero is going to be _ people think that net zero is going to be good for them and their family in the _ to be good for them and their family in the near— to be good for them and their family in the nearterm. uxbridge to be good for them and their family in the near term. uxbridge showed us what happens when you tax people for usin- what happens when you tax people for using their— what happens when you tax people for using their cars, without thinking about— using their cars, without thinking about how— using their cars, without thinking about how they would be able to get around _ about how they would be able to get around otherwise. applause _ . conference, i have worked with families running _ . conference, i have worked with families running on _ . conference, i have worked with families running on tight - . conference, i have worked with i families running on tight budget. . conference, i have worked with l families running on tight budget. i know— families running on tight budget. i know the — families running on tight budget. i know the difference £12 50, labourmake you less tax, can make to people _ labourmake you less tax, can make to people whose finances are stretched. if we people whose finances are stretched. if we are _ people whose finances are stretched. if we are to _ people whose finances are stretched. if we are to succeed, net zero can't be something that is done to people by a privileged elite. we cannot force _ by a privileged elite. we cannot force people to make the wrong decisions — force people to make the wrong decisions for their families. and it is it moral— decisions for their families. and it is it moral to put forward policies that will— is it moral to put forward policies that will impoverish people here

when _ that will impoverish people here when emissions are rising abroad. applause — applause conference, labour or the party of tax. conference, labour or the party of tax we _ conference, labour or the party of tax we are — conference, labour or the party of tax. we are the party of aspiration and the _ tax. we are the party of aspiration and the environment. and we should be clear~ _ and the environment. and we should be clear~ in_ and the environment. and we should be clear. in the uk we account for 1% be clear. in the uk we account for l% of— be clear. in the uk we account for 1% of global emissions. whilst we have reduced rapidly, other countries are polluting more. there emissions _ countries are polluting more. there emissions are rising, and rising fast~ _ emissions are rising, and rising fast in — emissions are rising, and rising fast. in china emissions are up over 300%~ _ fast. in china emissions are up over 300%~ we — fast. in china emissions are up over 300%. we will play our part and we will support other countries to do more _ will support other countries to do more but— will support other countries to do more. but we can't do that of the backs _ more. but we can't do that of the backs of— more. but we can't do that of the backs of struggling households here at home _ at home. applause however the likes of jst stop on

applause however the likes ofjst stop on do however the likes ofjst stop 0il do not get _ however the likes ofjst stop 0il do not get it — however the likes ofjst stop 0il do not get it. for them net zero has become — not get it. for them net zero has become a — not get it. for them net zero has become a religion. for us it is a practical— become a religion. for us it is a practical mission to be achieved. they— practical mission to be achieved. they want— practical mission to be achieved. they want to force people to behave a certain _ they want to force people to behave a certain way, or face punitive taxes — a certain way, or face punitive taxes. more than that they show sheer— taxes. more than that they show sheer condescension about people's normal— sheer condescension about people's normal way of life. do you eat meat because? _ normal way of life. do you eat meat because? headache. you are flying awav _ because? headache. you are flying away for _ because? headache. you are flying away for a — because? headache. you are flying away for a week in the sun? have selfish _ away for a week in the sun? have selfish you — away for a week in the sun? have selfish. you are driving to work to put food _ selfish. you are driving to work to put food on — selfish. you are driving to work to put food on the table for your family? — put food on the table for your family? well, you should have chosen a different _ family? well, you should have chosen a differentjob. it is these zealots that would see the cause of climate change _ that would see the cause of climate change lost. they are more concerned with signalling their own purity than _ with signalling their own purity than with energising the cause of

climate _ than with energising the cause of climate change. they don't seek to persuade. — climate change. they don't seek to persuade, only to disrupt. they don't _ persuade, only to disrupt. they don't want _ persuade, only to disrupt. they don't want to engage, only to silence — don't want to engage, only to silence. conference, that is the labour— silence. conference, that is the labour party for you. applause and want we see? it is no wonder that labour— and want we see? it is no wonder that labour seems so relaxed about tax in _ that labour seems so relaxed about tax in meat. — that labour seems so relaxed about tax in meat, keir starmer doesn't eat it _ tax in meat, keir starmer doesn't eat it and — tax in meat, keir starmer doesn't eat it and ed miliband is clearly scarred — eat it and ed miliband is clearly scarred by his skirmish with a bacon sandwich _ scarred by his skirmish with a bacon sandwich. keir starmer's only green credential— sandwich. keir starmer's only green credential is his recycling of ed miliband — miliband. applause applause a man who has already been binned off once _ a man who has already been binned off once before the great british public, — off once before the great british public, a — off once before the great british public, a man who is working with just stop— public, a man who is working with just stop 0il, public, a man who is working with just stop oil, and a man who has just stop 0il, and a man who has clearly— just stop oil, and a man who has clearly radicalised keir starmer.

labour's — clearly radicalised keir starmer. labour's hated you les expansion, their— labour's hated you les expansion, their plans — labour's hated you les expansion, their plans to borrow £20 billion a year. _ their plans to borrow £20 billion a year. which — their plans to borrow £20 billion a year, which would drive up inflation _ year, which would drive up inflation, which were taken much faster— inflation, which were taken much faster than— inflation, which were taken much faster than any other country, no matter— faster than any other country, no matter the — faster than any other country, no matter the cost of the people, their plans— matter the cost of the people, their plans are _ matter the cost of the people, their plans are toxic and would collapse popular _ plans are toxic and would collapse popular support for net zero. simply put it— popular support for net zero. simply put it is— popular support for net zero. simply put it is not— popular support for net zero. simply put it is not the climate change deniers — put it is not the climate change deniers who threaten zero, it is keir— deniers who threaten zero, it is keir starmer's labour party. applause they choose ideology over reason at every _ they choose ideology over reason at every turn — they choose ideology over reason at every turn. alongside the snp, the labour— every turn. alongside the snp, the labour party opposed further development of the north sea. a plan that would _ development of the north sea. a plan that would export 200,000 oil and -as that would export 200,000 oil and gasjobs _ that would export 200,000 oil and gasjobs abroad. a

plan, as we have set the toughest targets _ plan, as we have set the toughest

targets and exceeded all of them. we are raising _ targets and exceeded all of them. we are raising our ambitions and clean energy— are raising our ambitions and clean energy and — are raising our ambitions and clean energy and innovation, but making it financially— energy and innovation, but making it financially easier for people to change — financially easier for people to change the boilers, and crucially, this will— change the boilers, and crucially, this will be — change the boilers, and crucially, this will be by choice, not coercion _ this will be by choice, not coercion. gone are bans for those in rural— coercion. gone are bans for those in rural communities, for whom there is no realistic— rural communities, for whom there is no realistic alternative to the boiler~ — no realistic alternative to the boiler. and for those who can convert. _ boiler. and for those who can convert, we are increasing the grant for cleaner— convert, we are increasing the grant for cleaner heating, to one of the most _ for cleaner heating, to one of the most generous schemes in europe. we are also— most generous schemes in europe. we are also moving to a phase—out of petrol— are also moving to a phase—out of petrol and — are also moving to a phase—out of petrol and diesel engines, which is in line _ petrol and diesel engines, which is in line with — petrol and diesel engines, which is in line with france, germany, spain, italy. _ in line with france, germany, spain, italy. canada — in line with france, germany, spain, italy, canada and california. 0ur carbon— italy, canada and california. 0ur carbon emissions will continue to fall, but— carbon emissions will continue to fall, but people will be able to make — fall, but people will be able to make the transition when the price is right— make the transition when the price is right for— make the transition when the price is right for them. applause we have taken these bold decisions because _ we have taken these bold decisions because they are the right ones for

our people — because they are the right ones for our people. we will be ambitious. we can also— our people. we will be ambitious. we can also be _ our people. we will be ambitious. we can also be practical, and above all, can also be practical, and above all. we — can also be practical, and above all, we must be compassionate. it is we conservatives who will deliver, both for _ we conservatives who will deliver, both for our people today, and for generations to come. this is a decades— generations to come. this is a decades long endeavour and we are in it for the _ decades long endeavour and we are in it for the long haul. applause as part of this long—term strategy, one that _ as part of this long—term strategy, one that focuses on energy security, lower— one that focuses on energy security, lower bills, — one that focuses on energy security, lower bills, and decarbonisation, i am today— lower bills, and decarbonisation, i am today announcing the next phase of our _ am today announcing the next phase of our new. — am today announcing the next phase of our new, practical approach. firstly— of our new, practical approach. firstly we — of our new, practical approach. firstly we are boosting our long—term resilience and will set out our— long—term resilience and will set out our nuclear road map this autumn _ out our nuclear road map this autumn a_ out our nuclear road map this autumn. a crucial element of this will be _ autumn. a crucial element of this will be how— autumn. a crucial element of this will be how we deploy the exciting new technology of small modular nuclear _ new technology of small modular nuclear reactors. i am therefore pleased — nuclear reactors. i am therefore pleased to — nuclear reactors. i am therefore pleased to announce today, the six companies — pleased to announce today, the six companies we have shortlisted to build _ companies we have shortlisted to build these reactors. rolls—royce,

an iconic— build these reactors. rolls—royce, an iconic british company, a company founded _ an iconic british company, a company founded by— an iconic british company, a company founded by the genius of our union of nations, — founded by the genius of our union of nations, formed by the welshman, charles— of nations, formed by the welshman, charles rolls, an english apprentice, henry royce, who formed apprentice, henry royce, who formed a partnership right here in the midland — a partnership right here in the midland hotel in manchester, 120 years— midland hotel in manchester, 120 years ago. they have been selected, alongside _ years ago. they have been selected, alongside five other world leading companies, each with cutting edge technology, including hitachi, edf, whole _ technology, including hitachi, edf, whole tech and western, house, with a final— whole tech and western, house, with a final decision to be taken next vear~ _ a final decision to be taken next year. together with our commitment to celebrate emerging technologies and bring _ to celebrate emerging technologies and bring them to market, it is we conservatives who are acting now to secure _ conservatives who are acting now to secure our _ conservatives who are acting now to secure our future. our quest to tackle _ secure our future. our quest to tackle climate change means taking people _ tackle climate change means taking people with us. we know that many are hesitant, for example, about

solar— are hesitant, for example, about solar farms — are hesitant, for example, about solar farms covering our countryside. conserving our green and pleasant land is a personal priority— and pleasant land is a personal priority for me, from the surrey hills _ priority for me, from the surrey hills to— priority for me, from the surrey hills to the _ priority for me, from the surrey hills to the derbyshire dales. we are therefore working to reduce pressure — are therefore working to reduce pressure on rural communities, by making _ pressure on rural communities, by making it — pressure on rural communities, by making it easier for solar panels to be installed on industrial rooftops, warehouses, car parks and factories. we will— warehouses, car parks and factories. we will cut— warehouses, car parks and factories. we will cut through the planning red tape that— we will cut through the planning red tape that limits the amount of solar business _ tape that limits the amount of solar business can currently install. protecting the countryside, boosting renewables and, according to industry. _ renewables and, according to industry, saving businesses up to £3 billion— industry, saving businesses up to £3 billion a _ industry, saving businesses up to £3 billion a year. and finally, maintaining public support for net zero also — maintaining public support for net zero also means showing compassion. rather— zero also means showing compassion. rather than— zero also means showing compassion. rather than clobbering the public, and forcing them to make the wrong choices— and forcing them to make the wrong choices for— and forcing them to make the wrong choices for their families, this government is supporting people as we reduce _ government is supporting people as we reduce emissions. that is why my last announcement is targeted at those _ last announcement is targeted at those least able to make the transition. today i can announce we

are allocating a further £80 million to insulate thousands of social homes, — to insulate thousands of social homes, saving families on average £240 _ homes, saving families on average £240 each — homes, saving families on average £240 each year, supporting the most vulnerable. _ £240 each year, supporting the most vulnerable, reducing their bills, protecting our environment. today's announcement taken together, new nuclear, _ announcement taken together, new nuclear, sensible solar, investment, it is the— nuclear, sensible solar, investment, it is the conservatives with a practical. _ it is the conservatives with a practical, long—term solutions for our countrv — our country. applause and the contrast with labour could not be _ and the contrast with labour could not be starker. their approach concerns — not be starker. their approach concerns me, because it risks public support— concerns me, because it risks public support in— concerns me, because it risks public support in the very endeavour they claim _ support in the very endeavour they claim to _ support in the very endeavour they claim to champion. it also imperils our mission — claim to champion. it also imperils our mission is conservatives. i am a conservative — our mission is conservatives. i am a conservative because i believe that we are _ conservative because i believe that we are custodians of the things that we are custodians of the things that we cherish — we are custodians of the things that we cherish. we must deliver abundant, cheap energy, so that the

next generation can benefit, like we did. next generation can benefit, like we did we _ next generation can benefit, like we did. we must conserve and protect the environment for those yet to be born _ the environment for those yet to be born since — the environment for those yet to be born. since mrs thatcher stood up at the united _ born. since mrs thatcher stood up at the united nations in 1989, it has been _ the united nations in 1989, it has been this— the united nations in 1989, it has been this country that has reduced emissions — been this country that has reduced emissions faster than any of our competitors. i believe that if we place _ competitors. i believe that if we place ourselves at the forefront of the latest — place ourselves at the forefront of the latest energy revolution we will reap the _ the latest energy revolution we will reap the rewards just as we did in the industrial revolution 200 years a-o. the industrial revolution 200 years ago we _ the industrial revolution 200 years ago. we will be ambitious. we will be innovative, and we will be pragmatic. these are, after all, the attributes— pragmatic. these are, after all, the attributes that the world associate with britain. let's take the fight to short—term keir starmer, let's not allow— to short—term keir starmer, let's not allow labour to play politics with our— not allow labour to play politics with our energy security, for it is only— with our energy security, for it is only the — with our energy security, for it is only the conservatives who can save our environment, grow our economy, and secure _ our environment, grow our economy, and secure our— our environment, grow our economy, and secure our children's future. thank— and secure our children's future. thank you — thank you.

applause that was the speech from claire coutinho, the secretary for energy security and net zero. they are saying that if we don't get this right, if we don't get our policy is right, if we don't get our policy is right, we are going to lose jobs and investment and our path to a greener future. now let's cross over to mark harper who is on stage and just beginning his speech, too. two i am roud to beginning his speech, too. two i am proud to lead _ beginning his speech, too. two i am proud to lead a _ beginning his speech, too. two i am proud to lead a team _ beginning his speech, too. two i —.n proud to lead a team working every day to keep britain moving forward. i would also like to welcome two special guests, our newest member of parliament, steve tuckwell. steve's

campaigned to stop labour inspired us all. and also joining campaigned to stop labour inspired us all. and alsojoining us susan hall, the conservative candidate for mayor of london, the only person who can defeat sadik khan, cancel his ulez expansion, and turn london blue again. susan, you are very welcome. when we arrived in the department last october, we faced industrial action across our railways. by march we had resolve the dispute at network rail, meaning the rail infrastructure is always available, crucial for moving freight. the unions at the rmt and aslef have refused to let their members have a say on the fair offers on the table. they don't care how many thousands of pounds their members lose in pay, as long as mick whelan still sits on

labour�*s national executive committee, pulling keir starmer�*s strings. that is why labour refused to criticise the continued industrial action which achieves nothing but disrupting hard—working businesses and people who just want to get on. they take money from the pockets of ordinary people who could never dream of a train driver's wage. the union barons seek to inconvenience people, but all they do is risk resentment towards rail workers and they put their own industry at risk. make no mistake, i am proud of what we conservatives have done to support our railways. we have invested over £100 billion to transform services, with millions of passengers across the country, travelling on new trains on upgraded tracks. in 13 years labour electrified to just 63 miles of railway track. we have delivered

over 1200 miles. the choice is clear. labour backed strikes, or conservative investment. applause either we make the hard, but necessary, long—term decisions, to get a financially sustainable modern railway, orwe get a financially sustainable modern railway, or we follow labour�*s lazy, ideological approach, forking out yet more money from the public purse for no benefit to passengers. conference, for people in my rural constituency, and indeed across our country, buses are the backbone of public transport, and this conservative government is backing our buses. we have invested over three and pounds on our bus network since march 2020, including over £1 billion to help local areas make bus services more frequent, more reliable, betterand services more frequent, more reliable, better and cheaper. the

evidence is clear. in labour run wales and london, bus fares increased last year. in scotland the snp put them up. in england, outside london, thanks to our conservative fair cap, bus fares actually went down, helping with the cost of living. the maritime sector, which carries 95% of uk goods, we are investing to guarantee its sustainable future. in aviation, with ourjet zero, we are ensuring we can cut pollution while still growing our economy and helping people go on well—deserved holidays. with the prime minister's clear commitment last month to no new punitive taxes that discourage people from flying. conference, for most people, the most important mode of transport remains the car, the van, the lorry, or motorbike. from listening to certain corners of the

metropolitan bubble, you would think that only a car was immoral. a dirty habit, an optional extra in people's lives. politicians like to keir starmer, sadiq khan, and mark drake fit, are only interested in the short—term, taking the easy way out and making decisions that hammer motorists to seek praise from the social media and london newspapers. it's the conservative party which is proudly pro—car. applause we are on track to a future where zero emission vehicles powered by batteries, hydrogen or other clean technologies, mean we keep driving, but powered in a way that is fit for the future. this conservative government will make the hard but necessary long—term decisions to get the country on the right path for the country on the right path for the future, even if some people don't like it. what a contrast with labour. in london, sadik khan's ulez

expansion is a labour tax on the poorest drivers. he wants to go further. his plans for road pricing would sit every driver pay per mile driven, no matter how clean their carpets. in labour run wales, sir keir starmer�*s blueprint for labour, there are blankets 20 mile an hour speed limits, an ideological ban on road building, and plans to charge people to drive on the m4. just last week, they let slip their plans for road charging across wales. it isn't just in wales or in london. right across our country there is a labour backed movement to make cars harder to use, to make driving more expensive, and to remove your freedom to get from a to b however you want. conference, it is time for conservatives to act. today i am proud to announce a comprehensive

plan to back drivers. this will i'm calling time on the misuse of so—called 50 minute cities. there is nothing wrong with making sure people can walk or cycle to the shops or school. that is traditional town planning. what is different, what is sinister, and what we shouldn't tolerate, is the idea that local councils can decide how often you go to the shops, and that they ration who uses the roads and when, and they police at all with cctv. today i am announcing that the government will investigate what options we have in our tool box, to restrict overzealous use of traffic management measures, including cutting off councils from the dvla database, if they don't follow the rules. the prime minister has already

passed me to look into low traffic neighbourhoods, building on my decision to make sure that no government money funds them. it can be right that these schemes are imposed to the proper local input, so we will change the guidance to make sure that local councils listen to what local people say. 20 mile an hour zones are a good way to protect schools, for quiet residential streets, for areas that are becoming rat runs, but for some councils and indeed some countries, it is yet another way to punish drivers as blanket measures. the evidence is clear. this makes little difference, it may actually increase pollution and risks motorists ignoring 20 miles an hour zones where they are needed, so it will change the department for transport guidance requiring councils to only use 20 miles an hour zones where there is a good reason and underlining that 30

mph is