Time for Boris to give substance to slogans

ONE of the most appealing qualities of our Prime Minister is his boundless optimism and unwavering belief that this country can overcome any obstacle and succeed.

For a man of Boris Johnson’s lofty ambition simply returning to the status quo before the Covid pandemic is not nearly good enough, although many people would be satisfied just to achieve that after almost two years of misery.

For Mr Johnson, the disaster of the pandemic is not a ruin to fix, it has provided a new foundation from which to create greater success than before.

Contrast that to the dreary Labour Party conference in Brighton last week and its uninspiring leader Sir Keir Starmer who seemed to be more interested in arguing about whether a woman has a cervix or not.

Mr Johnson’s unerring confidence that we can excel lifts the spirits.

It makes us want to reach higher as a nation and, in his words, build back better.

Certainly, the interview given by the new Chief Treasury Secretary Simon Clarke – a red wall MP – to this newspaper underlines the soaring aspiration of this Government.

The country can as he says “reset” after the pandemic and “exceed expectations”.

But for this to happen the Prime Minister must listen to his backbenchers.

Phrases like “build back better” and

“levelling up” need to be explained, have meaning and come with substance.

They cannot just be vague catchy slogans.

This must mean a spreading of wealth and opportunity, good education and health services wherever people live, and skilled jobs in all areas.

That feeling of hope and aspiration articulated by the Prime Minister needs to be felt by young and old all around the Uk.there cannot be any more left-behind communities.

If Mr Johnson fulfils his agenda then he will be remembered as one of the great occupants of Number 10 Downing Street.

This week, at the Conservative Party conference, will set the tone for success.