I was first elected as a Councillor in Welwyn Hatfield in May 1999. I became Conservative Group Leader in 2001, and from 2002 until 2005 I was Leader of the Council. One more year as a Councillor before stepping down, and that was the end of my political career. And if I say so myself, a reasonably distinguished career. But a career carried on entirely against the background of a Labour government.
Those 7 or 8 years of intense political activity (my now ex-wife, but then wife, also stood for Parliament in 2001 and 2005) were carried on not just while we were in opposition at Westminster, but when hope of victory at a General Election seemed impossible. People spoke of the end of the Party, of a permanent realignment to the left in British politics. Many believed that Conservatives could never win again.
Yet, four years on from my retirement, we have a Conservative Prime Minister, a Conservative Chancellor, a Conservative government. Yes, we share that government with the Liberal Democrats, and it is a coalition, but anyone who doubts that this is a radical government on the centre right is a fool. It has been miserable being on the right since Black Wednesday in 1992, an entire generation ago. Now, finally, it is a good time to be a Conservative; finally we have government that doesn’t believe that the State has the answers, finally we have a fiscally responsible Treasury.
Conservatives should gather in Birmingham, jubilant, buoyant, strong. They should be determined to carry through their plans for government, united in a belief that they have a chance to recast the agreement between state and individual, and that they have the ability to fix the financial mess bequeathed by Labour. But from my position, now very much on the outside of Conservative politics, I have a sense that as Conference begins Conservatives are disgruntled, grumbling, miserable. They have a list of complaints; why didn’t we win an outright majority? Why aren’t we supporting the armed forces more strongly? Why is Vince Cable in a position of power? Why is Labour ahead in the polls?
To those people I ask, have you forgotten so soon, is your memory so short, and are your expectations so unrealistic? We won; not as clearly as we might have liked, but we won. Our government is on the right, not as much on the right as we might like, but on the right. Our policies are sound, not as sound as we might dream, but sound nevertheless. Today George Osbourne announces an end to universal child benefit; Thatcher didn’t dare, Lamont didn’t do it.
The moody blues should get real and realise how good things are. Last time I attended Party conference it mattered little what was said on stage or at fringe meetings. Policy pamphlets were pointless. In 2010 what goes on at Conference matters, Conservatives have power. So unite, be strong, rejoice – we’re winning.