Casual new star of show has audience in his pocket

A BARRISTER who took a pay cut to join the Cabinet emerged as the surprise star of the final day of the Conservative party conference.

Sir Geoffrey Cox, the Attorney General, was asked by the Prime Minister to deliver her warm-up speech on Tuesday. Overnight he memorised a 1,000-word speech and delighted party members with a relentlessly positive vision of the life after Brexit.

With one hand in his pocket and another on the lectern, Sir Geoffrey set out why Brexit was a “precious prize”.

The legal basis of Brexit was clear – that 544 MPS voted to have the referendum, and 498 MPS voted to trigger Article 50.

“We have now reached the critical moment when I am convinced we must resolve to put aside our differences and unite behind the Prime Minister. The premise and principle of Brexit is based on hope not fear. We need not fear.”