The Conservative Conference of 2018 drew to a close on Wednesday, after Prime Minister Theresa May delivered her keynote speech.
The Prime Minister walked onto the stage to Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’, a nod to her awkward dancing episode during an official trip to Africa, which went viral on social media.
Subsequently, May opened her speech by making a quip about her speech last year at the party conference, apologising ahead for any coughing.
Theresa May dances her way onto the stage for her big speech at #CPC18, as Abba’s Dancing Queen plays in the background ?
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— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) October 3, 2018
Despite the jovial start to her speech, the Prime Minister turned to more sombre topics, calling for remembrance for the efforts of world war soldiers and the sacrifices they had undertaken for the country.
In her speech, Theresa May also emphasised that the party needed to ensure it was “the party for everyone” and not just the few.
Moreover, she condemned the polarised state of UK politics, in particular calling for an end to “the bitterness and bile which is poisoning our politics”.
May also said that her government intends to step up its efforts to fight cancer. She outlined plans to improve how cancer is diagnosed to increase early detection.
The Prime Minister also turned to Brexit, the issue that has continued to define her premiership.
Adopting a optimistic tone, the PM said:
“I passionately believe that our best days lie ahead of us and that our future is full of promise.
“Don’t let anyone tell you we don’t have what it takes: we have everything we need to succeed.”
Moreover, May also focused on addressing the housing crisis in the UK, committing the Conservatives to building further social housing.
May also announced plans to raise stamp duty for individuals buying properties in the UK who live abroad.
The additional money would be put to fund efforts to end rough sleeping, May added.
Just ahead of her conservative conference speech, a Tory MP submitted a letter of no confidence, urging for May to resign.
James Dunbridge, the MP for Rochford and Southend East said in the letter:
“I am normally a loyalist, served in the Whip’s Office for nearly five years and have never voted against the government.
“However, there comes a point that blind loyalty is not the right way forward.
“We need a strong leader, someone who believes in Brexit and someone to deliver what the electorate voted for. The Prime Minister seems incapable of doing this.”
Dunbridge instead articulated his support for the former foreign secretary Boris Johnson to succeed May as Prime Minister.
He said:
“Boris yesterday was inspirational, motivational and rallied the troops, rallied politicians, something you could get behind and that’s what we need.
“We need a leader not a chief executive, an administrator, we need a vision to go forward and that’s what Boris presented yesterday.”
Yesterday Johnson delivered a speech at a conservative party rally, in which he heavily criticised May’s chequers plan.
The Conservative Conference took place in Birmingham, and saw the likes of chancellor Philip Hammond and home secretary Sajid Javid take to the stage