Michael Gove's speech to the Conservative Party Spring Conference

The Rt. Hon. Michael Gove MP said in a speech to Conservative Party Spring Conference in Blackpool:

It is particularly nice to be back here on the Lancashire coast for this Conservative conference.

The first Conservative conference I came to as an MP was here in Blackpool in 2005. 

There was another speech I remember by a young MP called David Cameron on that occasion. I wonder what happened to him. 

Anyway. It is wonderful to be here. And the reason we are all here is because we are democrats. That's what defines us.

We believe in playing our part to make our country, and our world, a better place through the battle of ideas. 

That's what we do when we fight elections. 

That's what we do when we put ourselves forward as candidates or as their supporters. 

And it is that commitment to democracy that unites us. Which means even as we meet here in Blackpool, our eyes are turned eastwards. 

On our continent today a war is raging between two nations – one fighting for survival, for democracy, against the aggression of another.

Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine have shocked the world.

But they have galvanised all of us who believe in the values of freedom and democracy.

Those haunting images on our television screens of innocent citizens in a peaceful European country facing the brutal destruction of their homes have moved us terribly. 

Children's hospitals, maternity hospitals. Men and women, wholly innocent, facing the destruction of their lives and homes. These images sear our souls. 

We can be proud that the United Kingdom has done more than any country to aid our Ukrainian allies in this fight.

But we all know that we want to do more to help.

And that's why the Government launched our Homes for Ukraine scheme on Monday. When I launched that scheme I was in no doubt about the generous hearts of the British people.

I knew they would be ready to step up and play their part and to welcome those fleeing persecution

But the sheer outpouring of support for people in need has been overwhelming.

Within hours we had 40,000 registrations.

Within a day in was 100,000.

Today, it stands at over 150,000.

Ordinary people, the length and breadth of our United Kingdom, willing to open their homes and their hearts to people in desperate need.

It says everything you need to know about Britain. That we are a kind, generous, outward-looking country and we can be proud of our nation at this time of trial. 

We are working with communities across the country to make sure we offer a warm welcome to everyone who comes to our shores from Ukraine. 

It will be a team effort – north and south; from East Anglia to the West Country; Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

All of us working together as one United Kingdom, united in our desire to help.

Because decency and compassion are the hallmark of our country. They exist in every community just as talent and potential are spread across the United Kingdom.

But at the heart of our guiding mission of  levelling up is the understanding and appreciation that whilst talent is spread equally across the United Kingdom, opportunity is not. And that has to change.

Take this great borough of Blackpool, which has welcomed us warmly today. It has so much potential. 

A beautiful coastline. A world-famous tourist destination. Friendly, welcoming people.

Blackpool has two of the best MP's in the House of Commons. Conservative MPs, Paul Maynard and Scott Benton, are tireless champions for their communities. 

They fought for Blackpool’s Town Deal – a near-£40 million investment that was never there during the previous Labour government. 

And yesterday, thanks to their campaigning, I announced a new package of support for Blackpool – to help regenerate the town centre, to build good new homes, and to boost tourism. 

But they know and we know Blackpool faces long-term challenges.

Social deprivation. Poor housing quality. Poor health outcomes.

And Blackpool is not alone.

Britain is an unparalleled success story, but there are far too many communities that don't share in that success. 

We need to reverse the inequality that is limiting so many horizons. 

Governments have said this before. 

And yes we have heard politicians say that before.

But this time it has to be different.

This time it will be different. 

Because this is a moment unlike any before in our history.

Thanks to our Prime Minister, we have got Brexit done.

We are out of the EU, into the world, and ready as Jacob reminded us earlier today, that we are ready to make the most of the opportunities that exist.

Thanks to our scientists and medics, our NHS staff and volunteers, we also delivered the world’s best and fastest vaccine campaign. Which helped liberate us from Covid before other countries.

Those jabs in arms have put fuel in the tank of our economy – and we are now roaring forward with the fastest growth in the G7.

All of that was due to the leadership of our Prime Minister, the energy of those in the NHS, and the courage and conviction of our cabinet. 

That provides us with a fresh start for our country and an opportunity now to do things better.

We have to close the gap between much of the south-east and the rest of the country in productivity, health outcomes, wages, school results and job opportunities. And we do that because we are one nation Conservatives and we believe in making opportunity more equal for everyone. 

But we do it not by slowing down London, not by dampening the animal spirits of the South-East but by turbocharging places like Blackpool. And if we do that. If we make sure that every part of this United kingdom is firing up economically, then the prize for success is enormous. 

If places that are struggling today were levelled up towards the UK average when it comes to productivity and job growth, we would boost aggregate GDP by tens of billions of pounds. That is why levelling up is not just a social and moral imperative 

If we back businesses to open new markets. 

If we invest in science and innovation; improve infrastructure and connectivity; and extend opportunities in education and skills…

…we can transform this country.

And we have already seen how a dedicated Conservative determination to improve education can transform the lives of the next generation .

In the levelling up White Paper we published earlier this year, we held ourselves to account. We said, this is what we are going to do this is our timetable, this is how you can judge us by results. Because we are conservatives and we want to be held accountable because the promises we make are not there to fill an hour or fill a vacant soundbite. They are there so that you can be certain we deliver. 

So we said on pay, employment and productivity up in every area of the UK – and the gap between top performing areas and the bottom would be closed. 

Public investment in research and development outside the south-east up by at least a third, with private sector investment boosted too. 

We said that every part if the country need to have a public transport system like that enjoyed in London.

We said we needed gigabit-capable broadband for everyone, and 5G coverage for almost everyone.

We said illiteracy and innumeracy had to be effectively eradicated in every classroom and there needed to be high quality skills training for those not going to university but whose lives, futures and talents matter every bit as much to all of those in our country. 

And we said that life expectancy, where there are terrible gaps between rich and poor, north and south had to be closed so that everyone has the chance to live a fulfilling life. 

We also said that critically we needed a property revolution and that we needed the number of first-time home buyers increasing everywhere, as well as increasing the quality of social housing and the dreadfully poor quality of housing in the private rented sector as well. 

We also said we needed to get violent crime falling, with the worst affected places benefiting most. And nothing matters more to the quality of life of any community than knowing that women and girls can be safe on the streets and that is why our determination to tackle violent crime and particular violence against women and girls is at the heart of the Prime Minister's mission and is why it is so important that we have a Home Secretary in Priti Patel who is determined to put the fear in the hearts of our criminals and eliminate fear from the hearts of Women and Girls.

In all of the ambitious missions that I have put forward, government will play it's part. We will be providing that additional funding for research and development, for bus services, for new academies and free schools and for urban regeneration projects, starting in Wolverhampton, Sheffield, and right here in Blackpool. 

And as well as those funds, it is also the case that we will be channeling funds through the new levelling-up fund, the Community Ownership Fund and our new UK Shared Prosperity Fund – taking back control of the money that the European Union used to spend on our behalf and spending it on the people's priorities, determined by local leaders. 

And we know, that while money makes a difference, it is those local leaders, particularly if they are business oriented, who make a difference still. 

So, we are building on the success of brilliant Conservative Metro Mayors like Andy Street and Ben Houchen.

I am working with Andy on a new deal to give more power to Conservative politicians and local communities in the West-Midlands.

And we also recognise that pushing power away from Westminster and Whitehall into the hands of local communities isn't something that should just happen to mayors and shouldn't just happen in cities. 

So, that is why we are giving powers to local government leaders in Cornwall to County Durham and across England to deliver better for those whom we serve. 

Levelling up as you can tell is a long-term plan. it covers a range of issues and involves trysting more and ore individuals with the power to shape our future. 

But it also depends critically on the private sector. Levelling up will only work if we make sure we get the high quality, well paid jobs that can transform the lives of individuals. 

And the only way that we can do that is by having a pro-enterprise, de-regulated, low tax, pro-growth economy and that is why the leadership of Rishi Sunak and the steps that he has taken in order to put our economy on the right course for the future is so important. We are supremely lucky to have in Rishi a Chancellor who believes in Conservative values, who delivers with passion and effectiveness and is simply the best person to lead through the challenges ahead to a bright economic future. 

So we need to be on our mettle not for those challenges ahead but also for the local government elections in May. 

As the Secretary of State with responsibility for local government, I see the difference Conservative councillors make every day.

We saw it throughout the COVID pandemic. 

We saw the way in which councillors and local government were helping the most vulnerable. 

During the shielding programme those who needed help most, those who needed shopping, it was local government, Conservative local government that was keeping in touch with isolated residents,  working with community groups supporting those most in need and making a dramatic difference in the lives of individuals who needed help.

And during that Covid pandemic, as we accelerated our response and accelerated our vaccination programme. Who again was in the front line. Opening up vaccination centres. Allowing council premises to be used in order to beat our way out of this pandemic by using the power of science. 

It was local government. 

And of course, when businesses were facing tough times during those Covid months, who was it that was there in order to support our small and medium size enterprises that are the backbone of our economy. Again it was local government who was supporting business through that difficult time. 

And perhaps the most vulnerable of all, the homeless and those sleeping rough. Those who at a time when we were being advised to stay at home to save lives, had no home to stay in. WHo was it that helped them off the street, got everybody in and put a roof over their head. Conservatives in local government. In the last two years, local government has faced tests and trials the likes of which we never could have imagined, but local government, Conservatoire councillors and people in this hall, met those tests, rose to that trial and delivered for the people that we love. And for that reason I just want to say thank you to all of those in this room who serve their local government and serves their community as a councillor. 

And it is an amazing thing and a reflection of your commitment that after 12 years of Conservative-led national government, Conservatives are still the largest party in local government. More councillors than any other party. Running more local authorities than any other party. It is an amazing political achievement. More than that is is an amazing achievement of social action.  And the reason why Conservatives are in power in so many authorities is because Conservative councils deliver.

Conservative councils cost you less – with lower council tax. 

They provide better, more efficient services. 

They always put people – not politics – first.

And that is why I will be campaigning everyday from now until May in order to ensure we can return Conservative councils, Conservatives councillors and we can have Conservative victory in May. 

We have the team, the record, and the vision for the future to win through in May. 

Of course one of the reasons that we will win is because at this time of testing, at this time of trial, we have shown faith in our convictions and determinations in our values. 

We have a new offer to people the length and breadth of the country.

Under Boris Johnson we are leading on the world stage.

At home, the team he leads is uniting and levelling up our country – spreading opportunity as broadly and evenly as our talent and potential.

And Boris and the Cabinet and the entire parliamentary party rest on the work of thousands of councillors and activists across the country. 

Delivering in local communities - putting people first, spending money wisely, taking the right decisions for the long-term.

We know that at this time of test and trial that Conservative leadership offers the brightest and best hope for the future.

Let’s go out confidently and make that case in the weeks ahead.

And let’s win for the communities we serve and love.