Prime Minister United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, led the Conservative Party conference to close with a speech focused on reviving momentum within the party and addressing its fiercest critics. The Prime Minister, who also serves as the Conservative leader, presented himself as a decisive figure ready to make unpopular short-term choices for the country’s long-term benefit. The address aimed to set the course for the year ahead and reassure both allies and skeptics that steady, practical governance is possible even in a challenging political climate.
“We have lived for 30 years in a political system that rewarded easy decisions over right ones,” he said. He defended recent policy adjustments, including a pause on the green agenda and the halt in the construction of part of the HS2 high-speed line between London and Manchester due to the project’s high costs. To counterbalance those fiscal decisions, the government announced a substantial investment plan of ȼ36,000 million to improve transport connections between major northern cities and strengthen regional mobility.
The Prime Minister also sought to steady morale within the party, including its more liberal flank led by former leaders. He called for a lower tax burden on businesses as a lever for growth, while acknowledging that tax relief alone is not enough in the current inflationary environment. He stressed that the goal remains to drive inflation toward a target near 5 percent by year-end, noting that the rate was still above the post-pandemic low of 6.7 percent in August.
radical right
In outlining the party’s direction, the Prime Minister reaffirmed a tough stance on immigration and a commitment to reduce irregular arrivals. He cited higher migrant crossings in the English Channel compared with the previous year and reiterated the aim to end the boats crossing the Channel. He signaled willingness to consider strong measures, including changes to international conventions on the protection of human rights, if necessary to protect national borders and security. He added that decisive steps would be taken to address immigration and border enforcement if existing systems fail to meet stated goals. He also emphasized that the government would do whatever it takes to limit illegal crossings.
Despite this hardline rhetoric, Sunak pushed back against accusations that the Conservative approach is hostile to immigrants. He shared his own family history as a child of Indian immigrants and framed his story as a testament to the inclusive nature of the United Kingdom. He described his family’s journey across three generations and asserted that the party’s immigration policies are about security and orderly processing rather than prejudice.
Beyond border controls, the Prime Minister presented himself as the protector of national security and domestic order. He pledged strong counterterrorism measures and insisted on a firm stance against violent crime, including proposals to legislate for life imprisonment for the most heinous offenders. In his view, national strength requires a balanced approach that defends citizens at home while maintaining a credible stance abroad.
public health care
The conference also featured discussions aimed at addressing the public health system. The Prime Minister acknowledged concerns about waiting times in the National Health Service and framed them as symptoms of broader pressures facing the system. He attributed the delays to a variety of factors and signaled readiness to reform pay structures for doctors in order to attract and retain top talent, while arguing that the government’s pay proposals must be seen in the context of fiscal responsibility. He insisted that the debate over pay rises was connected to patient care and the timely delivery of services, insisting that political posturing should give way to a pragmatic plan that helps patients now.
Prevention and long-term health resilience featured prominently in the PM’s speech. A notable proposal would gradually restrict the sale of tobacco to future generations, so that individuals born after 2009 would face limitations on tobacco purchases even as adults. The plan, which would require parliamentary approval, was presented as a bold public health measure designed to curb smoking-related disease over time. The Prime Minister indicated that he would let Parliament vote freely on the policy, reflecting a confidence in democratic processes to adjudicate this ambitious reform.
The overall message underscored a government intent on steady governance, prioritizing practical outcomes for residents while preserving broader national values. The speech framed policy shifts as necessary responses to an evolving economic and global landscape, with a clear emphasis on inflation control, security, and a resilient health system. It was delivered in a packed conference hall, with ministers and supporters listening for assurances that the Conservative platform could deliver stability and growth in the near term.