Theresa May speech - as it happened: PM's speech overshadowed by protester handing over fake P45 and coughing fit
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Welcome to The Independent’s liveblog on the final day of the Conservative party conference.
It was supposed to be one of the most significant speeches of Theresa May's political career – her first address to the party faithful since gambling away the Conservatives’ majority at the snap election in June. But instead it was overshadowed by a series of unfortunate events. In one instance, a protestor breached security and handed the PM a P45 notice, claiming Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, had asked him to do so. Then she lost her voice on multiple occasions and part of the set - “a country that works for everyone” - fell apart.
While there were some significant policy announcements in the speech – notably on organ donation, mental health, and a new mission to build more homes in Britain – they will undoubtedly be largely absent from any commentary. It is likely to go down as one of the most painfully agonising political speeches to watch in recent history.
Simon Brodkin, a comedian who performs under the stage name Lee Nelson, was bundled into a security tent to shield him from the press before being cuffed and escorted out of the Manchester conference centre.
He made no comment to The Independent as security guards rushed him outside but earlier shouted: "Boris made me do it. He's left me in the lurch."
Around the same time he also tweeted: "Hi Boris Johnson, I gave Theresa her P45 just like you asked."
The Prime Minister's major speech descended into chaos when Mr Brodkin handed her the form, which gave its 'Reason for termination' as: "Neither strong or stable. We're a bit worried about Jezza." The prankster rose to fame after gate crashing a Fifa press conference and throwing dollar bills at the outgoing president Sepp Blatter.
The PM has started speaking - she says she signed up to be a member of the Conservative party almost 40 years. She says because of the members hard work the party got the highest vote share in 34 years.
"But we did not get the victory we wanted because our campaign fell short - it was too presidential. I hold my hands up. I led the campaign. I am sorry."
The choice is now clear, she says, do we give up or do our duty. "This is country will judge us harshly if we get this decision wrong," she says. "The dream that for decades has inspired people to come to Britain.. the dream that means that the son of bus driver from Pakistan serves in the Cabinet... that dream is my story too... I know that people think I'm not very emotional."
The PM says for whenever we are tested as a nation, the Conservatives "step up to the plate" - referring to "Labour's great recession" inherited by the party in 2010.
She's now citing achievements of the Conservatives... higher income rate for tax... free childcare... 1.8m more children in good or outstanding schools... crime down by a third... more disadvantaged children going to university than ever before.... countering terrorism.... same sex marriage on the statue book... and a national living wage giving a pay rise to lowest earners...
"Let us never allow the left to pretend they have a monopoly on compassion," she says. "This is the good a Conservative government can do and we should not let anyone forget it."
May says the agenda she set out in July 2016 when she became Prime Minister still "burns inside" her. "How far you go in life should depend on you and your hard work." she adds. "That's why I've always taken on vested interests - called out those who have abused their positions of power.
"I do it to root out injustice and give everyone in our country a voice... the things that make me proud are not the positions I held... is knowing I've made a difference, helping those who couldn't be heard."
The PM says one of her first acts as PM was establish the racial disparity audit. We know members of the BAME community have a higher risk of illness.
To address the challenge of organ donation, May says she will shift the balance of presumption in favour of organ donation.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments