May’s Day: Prime Minister to fight back in key conference speech
Theresa May will attempt take back control of the Conservative conference today with a keynote speech attacking Labour and talking up the UK's post-Brexit future.
After three days of her party conference being dominated by the twin spectres of Brexit and Jeremy Corbyn, the Prime Minister will try to convince Tory members to back her plan for the negotiations with Brussels.
Read more: Theresa May hits back at Boris Johnson in Brexit row at Tory conference
She will also use her speech to set out her vision for the country once the UK has left the EU, telling delegates Britain has "everything we need to succeed."
Her speech will come a day after former foreign secretary Boris Johnson received a rapturous ovation from 1,500 Tories as he called on May to "chuck Chequers" during a packed out fringe meeting.
In response to claims that May's leadership lacks optimism and passion, the PM is expected to tell delegates in Birmingham: “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.”
In a conference where the policy agenda put forward by Corbyn and his shadow Cabinet has received more comment than ever before, May will attack her opposite number's leadership call for a return to decency in political discourse.
“Millions of people who have never supported our party in the past are appalled by what Jeremy Corbyn has done to Labour,” she will say.
“They want to support a party that is decent, moderate and patriotic. One that puts the national interest first. Delivers on the issues they care about. And is comfortable with modern Britain in all its diversity.
“We must show everyone in this country that we are that party.
“A party that conserves the best of our inheritance but is not afraid of change. A party of patriotism but not nationalism. A party that believes in business but is not afraid to hold businesses to account.
Read more: Boris Johnson savages Theresa May's Brexit plan
“A party that believes in the good that government can do but knows that government will never have all the answers. A party that believes your success in life should not be defined by who you love, your faith, the colour of your skin, who your parents were, or where you were raised – but by your talent and hard work.
“Above all a party of Unionism, not just of four proud nations, but of all our people.
“A party not for the few, not even for the many, but for everyone who is willing to work hard and do their best.”