PM vows her "commitment to change Britain is undimmed"

Theresa May will this week mark her anniversary of becoming Prime Minister by vowing to build a stronger, fairer country as the UK leaves the European Union, saying: “My commitment to change Britain is undimmed.” 

 

The Prime Minister will say that her determination to build a country that works for everyone has not changed since she set out her vision on the steps of Downing Street a year ago. 

 

Reflecting on the general election, the Prime Minister will say that while it did not produce the result she wanted, Britain faces a period of "great national change" which requires a leader who is prepared to address difficult issues. 

 

Describing it as a choice between playing it safe or striking out "with renewed confidence and vigour", Theresa May will promise to "take big decisions in the long-term interests of Britain". 

 

She will challenge other political parties to help tackle the major issues facing the country, urging them to “contribute, not just criticise”. 

 

And vowing to “make the case for our politics and values and win the battle of ideas”, Theresa May will say her Government will “take the bold action necessary to secure a better future for Britain”.

 

Speaking at an event on Tuesday to launch the Matthew Taylor report on modern employment practices – which she commissioned soon after taking office – the Prime Minister will say:

 

‘A year ago, I stood outside Downing Street for the first time as Prime Minister, and I set out the defining characteristics of the Government I was determined to lead.

A clear understanding that the EU referendum result was not just a vote to leave the European Union, but a deeper and more profound call for change across our country.

A belief that at the heart of that change must lie a commitment to greater fairness in our country as we tackle the injustice and vested interests that threaten to hold us back, and make Britain a country that works for everyone, not just a privileged few.

And a determination to address difficult issues and take big decisions in the long-term interests of Britain, so that we emerge from this period of great national change stronger and better able to seize the opportunities ahead as we fulfil the promise of Brexit together.

And though the result of last month’s general election was not what I wanted, those defining beliefs remain, my commitment to change in Britain is undimmed; my belief in the potential of the British people and what we can achieve together as a nation remains steadfast; and the determination I have to get to grips with the challenges posed by a changing world never more sure.

I am convinced that the path that I set out in that first speech outside Number 10 and upon which we have set ourselves as a government remains the right one. It will lead to the stronger, fairer Britain that we need. It will deliver the change people want. It will ensure we make the most of this opportunity to ask ourselves what kind of country we want to be and to answer that question with confidence, optimism and hope.

That is why I am so grateful to Matthew for the report he is publishing.

Because the issues it confronts go right to the heart of this Government’s agenda and right to the heart of our values as a people."

 

And she will add:

 

“When I commissioned this report I led a majority government in the House of Commons. The reality I now face as Prime Minister is rather different.

In this new context, it will be even more important to make the case for our policies and our values, and to win the battle of ideas both in Parliament as well as in the country.

So I say to the other parties in the House of Commons… come forward with your own views and ideas about how we can tackle these challenges as a country.

We may not agree on everything, but through debate and discussion – the hallmarks of our Parliamentary democracy – ideas can be clarified and improved and a better way forward found.

It is in that spirit that we will take this agenda forward in the months ahead.

And this new context presents us as a government with a wider choice. 

At this critical time in our history, we can either be timid or we can be bold.

We can play it safe or we can strike out with renewed courage and vigour, making the case for our ideas and values and challenging our opponents to contribute, not just criticise.

I think this country needs a government that is prepared to take the bold action necessary to secure a better future for Britain and we are determined to be that government.

In everything we do, we will act with an unshakeable sense of purpose to build the better, fairer Britain which we all want to see."

 

Ends