One of the key highlights of Tuesday is always the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson’s speech. Last year he was remembered for ‘the brick’. Seeing Boris waving a brick about always sticks in my mind. Of course we also remember that it wasn’t any old brick either – it was one which was made in my home county, Staffordshire. In Cannock we also remember when Boris, a former Express and Star reporter, came to visit us on Pancake Day visit. I am sure many readers will remember the front page of Boris, the frying pan and the pancake. In this conference speech it was the message that we all need to keep the Olympic spirit alive and get involved in sports. While the Olympics is over its influence must be remembered. Boris cited a timely example of this when he pointed out that every protestor missed when they threw an egg and water balloons at him yesterday. Clearly they need to get more involved in practicing their Olympic sports.
Before Boris’s speech, Teresa May the Home Secretary was on stage. I know that one of the key concerns on the doorstep in the run up to the election was immigration. She outlined important changes to the system to tackle excessive immigration and the swift measures that will be implemented to reform the abuse of the asylum system. I am sure many readers will welcome her proposals and the tough steps outlined by her.
Over conference we have had many speeches that talk about young people, skills and apprenticeships. As you may know I am a keen supporter of apprenticeships, and the importance of them is something I share with these speakers. Both pre and post-election I have been doing a lot of work both in Westminster and in the constituency regarding apprenticeships. We all agree that apprenticeships offer a great opportunity for young people to develop and grow.
The news that 3 million apprenticeships are to be created in the next few years is very popular with the Conservatives present at Conference. Personally I have been meeting with various organisations over the last few days so that I can better understand what we need to do to achieve this target, both at a national level and how we can play our part here in the West Midlands.