The Rt Hon MP is delivering a keynote speech
tonight (Wednesday 8th May 2019) organised
by Politeia at 18:30hrs, titled “Change with
Confidence”. Dr Fox is expected to say:
STARTS
...why is it that so many people seem to be inconsolably
pessimistic about this country’s future?...
...Undoubtedly for some, Britain’s exit from the European Union
is of great concern, especially those who have been unable to
reconcile themselves to the democratic will expressed in the 2016
referendum. They seem to believe that Britain cannot have
an optimistic, prosperous and secure future without being
subsumed into the supranational entity that the EU represents.
Others believe that the era of globalisation may not work for us
or that the challenge of rapidly changing technology is a threat
to the social stability and economic predictability that we have
taken for granted for many years. What is this Britain that
the pessimists describe or fear? Are we retreating from the world
stage, abdicating our international influence are embracing
protectionist concepts of economic nationalism? No we are
not. We are not surrendering our permanent seat on the UN
Security Council or leaving the G7 or G20. We are at the very
heart of NATO. We remain in the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe, the OECD, the World Trade Organization,
the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. We are not
abandoning the Commonwealth where we hold a pivotal influence.
Our special relationship with the United States holds firm. Not
only do we support the WTO but we will soon take up our
independent seat for the first time in over four decades.
Yet still the voices of pessimism take on an almost “end of days”
tone. Some may think it is irrelevant but I believe it matters
because it damages us at home and abroad...
...Not only do I believe such pessimism is unfounded and both
defeatist and self-defeating, but I believe that there is every
reason for the UK to be confident and optimistic about the
future. Change is coming a-plenty but it is something we should
embrace, not fear...
...Let’s start with a reality check about the state of our
economy and our comparative international performance. UK
unemployment is at a 45-year low. Our rate of 3.9% compares with
7.9% for the Eurozone, 8.8% for France and 14.5% for Spain...
...Last year UK exports of goods and services rose to a new
record of £634.1bn...
...Last year Britain was the third top global destination and the
top European destination for foreign direct investment...
...As long as we maintain an open, liberal, market economy with
relatively benign tax and regulatory environments our economic
fundamentals will remain strong and our country an attractive
one. That is why issues such as Brexit are not nearly so worrying
to investors as the potential election of a hard Left,
anti-wealth, high borrowing and irresponsibly spending Labour
government...
...The automotive industry is changing in ways that are
transforming our understanding of mobility. These changes are
facilitated by new technology and driven by consumer demands for
a mobility experience that is connected, automated and
sustainable...
...Britain has a new opportunity to bring significant part of
opportunity the next generation mobility ecosystem...
...Nowhere is this clearer than in Eastern Europe and Germany.
British companies have developed new technical capabilities in
the UK automotive supply chain management and many are looking to
continental supply chains for growth...
...Our tech – based export and investment has proven most
resilient to the dampening effects of Brexit and the UK tech
ecosystem equips us to play a leading role in the 5G world. 5G
will lead to a boom in data use and data use intensity correlates
directly with per capita GDP growth...
...In Europe, the U.K. is leading the way with substantial
investment in 5G testbeds an extensive network of catapult
centres bring industry and academia together to address problems
at scale...
...All of these things matter because they are an antidote to the
corrosive pessimism that masquerades for some as a narrative of
contemporary Britain. The examples that I have given
represent empirical data rather than downbeat propaganda.
There is a world beyond Europe and there will be a time beyond
Brexit and we must be ready to face the challenges, accept the
challenges and reap the rewards that the coming year will
bring. Change is not an option. The lesson from the natural
world is that adaptation is necessary for survival. We have
the talent, the ingenuity and the experience as an outward
-looking nation to navigate the fourth Industrial Revolution as
well as, if not better than, many of our competitor nations....
