LET me put my cards on the table.
I support the new Prime Minister and her direction of travel.
The alternative to a small state, low taxes and deregulation is further decline, recession, unemployment and misery.
Listening to the biased coverage of our conference, you would think the UK is the only country facing massive challenges.
Yes, interest rates have risen, but they were always going to and the Bank of England should have acted far sooner.
Inflation has spiralled courtesy of years of cheap money and Putin’s war, which has seen food and fuel prices soar throughout Europe.
The EU’s Eurostat estimates eurozone inflation at 10 per cent, with the Netherlands and Baltic States at 17 and 22 per cent, respectively.
Under such conditions, any responsible government should immediately safeguard its energy and food supplies, incentivise business and get people back to work.
Despite record employment figures, and job vacancies, there are a staggering 5.3 million adults currently on out-of-work benefits.
Supply-side initiatives, like more training, will ease this burden on government expenditure.
The Chancellor sees all this too.
This is why policies are aimed at growing the private sector, whose taxes pay for the NHS, schools, Armed Forces, police and public services.
And, having spent billions of pounds on an energy cap, he’s right to focus on future energy security, including new exploration opportunities.
Increased supply will lower prices and help to reduce inflation.
By encouraging the business community, entrusting people with more of their own money, and working together, we can hopefully avoid recession and all that accompanies it.
To break the mould takes courage.
The ship won’t turn immediately, but I’m certainly on the bridge with the Captain, who is learning that leadership can be a lonely place.