The UK made a strategic mistake in dismissing the Messina Conference in 1955. This moment is not as seismic – but the UK should not pass up the opportunity to shape the post-Brexit, post-Ukraine, Europe where it can.
It is important to note that real wage growth is a feature, not a bug, of Brexit and one Conservatives should be vocal about. Put simply, leaving the EU has begun to deliver on its promise to give greater economic power to the British worker.
Labour like to say we are the only major economy whose GDP has not recovered to prepandemic levels. But looking at GDP at constant prices in national currency the UK economy in 2022, according to the IMF, was one per cent bigger than in 2019.
Over this period, the UK’s economic growth was level with the US’s and exceeded the other five members of the G7. In other words, on international comparisons, we did well.
The risk is that without international coordination, the world could descend into ‘green’ protectionism – and Britain would be trapped on the outside.
Be it getting Brexit done or record job numbers and mega manufacturing investment, Johnson has delivered here.
The pandemic has destroyed the idea that macroeconomic problems can be solved by throwing more stimulus at things.
Those who wish to act against us or without us noticing, use these times of looking inward to act.
We need to break away from a culture that sees politics as some sort of X Factor contest.
Starmer claims that granting visas to European drivers is the answer – even though EU countries are having the same issue.
The AUKUS alliance will merely push away France, which has been one of the most sanguine countries to oppose China’s influence.
Putin’s Russia is closer to home – remember the Salisbury attack – and Islamist extremism is already here.
Delivering our popular and bold programme will require better instrumentation, clearer goals and new ways of working.
Earth has been a very giving, even forgiving planet, and we must allow nature to ensure our survival for future generations.
Those who claim the Conservatives would benefit from a spell in opposition to ‘rest and detox’ are misguided. My first nine years in Parliament were spent in opposition, and it was a frustrating experience.