Positivity of Boris has set a fresh tone and a vision for the Government

Managed decline: the two dire words that have underpinned too much of government policy since the Second World War. With the glorious exception of Margaret Thatcher, the machinery of the state seemed to accept that the nation would never be as successful in the future as it had been in the past. This downbeat view of the world underpinned our membership of the European Union. Poor little Blighty could not cope on her own, so needed “big brother” to provide protection. At its worst, it led us to neglect democracy for fear that we would be left behind.

Boris Johnson has magnificently rejected this depressing view in his tremendous article in defence of Brexit. He has set a new tone for the debate and a vision for the government. Since that day of legend and song when we voted to leave the EU, the administrative approach has been to promise competence in negotiation to achieve the best in difficult circumstances. In the general election campaign, all that was promised was managerial efficiency, not a revivification of the British economy. The policy seemed to be directed by reluctance rather than enthusiasm and was phrased in terms of the process of leaving rather than the benefits once we had left. Boris has changed that, and has made the Government and Mrs May stronger by so doing. Brexit is a generational opportunity. The UK remains one of the world’s most important nations, a major economy, an important military power and a global financial centre. This has not been entirely dissipated by being in the EU, but our prospects

‘A small, but noisy, group see this as a leadership bid, but in truth it helps the Government and Mrs May

were limited by the failings of the narrow European sphere, while the next century’s growth seemed certain to come from other parts of the world. Europe is the past and the future belongs to India and China, among others. To meet this challenge the UK needs to be free to make our own independent agreements with those nations and remove restrictions on our own economy. As Boris points out, even Peter Mandelson once claimed that EU regulation cost us four per cent of GDP, while others, less Europhile in view, have suggested higher figures. As he also says, we will have great opportunities to improve our agriculture, fishing and indirect taxation. The latter is of importance throughout the economy, as the Eu-mandated VAT system is complex and arbitrary.

The positivity of Boris Johnson uses the settling of our account with the EU to boost public services. He wants to deliver on the promise to ensure better funding of the NHS by using the money we will save by leaving the EU, £10billion, or nearly £200million a week. That will come straight away as long as we do not agree some unnecessary divorce payout, and the next £150million, which was implied if not formally pledged by the Leave campaign, can be found if we can grow our economy. The tax reform that Boris suggests is the way to achieve this. As the cuts in corporation tax so far show, revenue can increase sharply at lower rates. In addition to the extra funding, control of our own regulations will enhance the ability of the UK to lead the world in areas such as biosciences.

Needless to say, Boris’ critics, a small but noisy group, see this as a leadership bid, but in truth it helps the Government and boosts Mrs May. As the foreign secretary he is quite reasonably setting out an enthusiastic case for Britain’s future position in the world. That is what he ought to do; it is part of his job. He is loyally putting forward Government policy as outlined by the Prime Minister in her Lancaster House speech, and is doing so with panache to explain why this approach will benefit the nation. Not for Boris snide anonymous briefings allegedly by friends; instead a double page spread in The Daily Telegraph promoting the cause of conservatism in the nation. Good and successful governments need a variety of talents. It is essential they manage the job of administering well, that routine decisions are implemented effectively. But in addition they must spell out their message to maintain the support of their nation and the confidence of the electorate. Boris has given a lift to us all. It will help us negotiate from a position of strength and shows that the Government has a true vision of where the country is going. It is an excellent preparation for the party conference season, as it shows the Conservatives are leading the Brexit agenda, not just responding to its critics. It helps Mrs May, for he is her choice for foreign secretary and is promoting her policy.

Finally, it shows that the melancholic desire to “manage decline” has been cast aside at last, and could put this government on a par with Mrs Thatcher’s.