Britain has benefited from the leadership only Boris can provide

THE Prime Minister was right to apologise onwednesday for the goings-on in Downing Street during lockdown.

Although it would be a mistake to pre-empt Sue Gray’s report, it is clear that there is a drinking culture in Downing Street that would be questionable in ordinary times, let alone during a period of restriction.

That Sir Keir Starmer has been pictured drinking at an indoor gathering when there were restrictions is equally troubling, as is his failure to declare it when questioning the Prime Minister.

This approach to drinking and working was commonplace in other businesses in previous decades – the City, journalism and boardrooms – but it has faded away.

This makes the stories of excess drinking more shocking and ensures the need for change. However, it is not fundamental to the business of Government.

Over the last two years the country has benefited from the leadership that only Boris Johnson himself could have provided.

Though the pandemic has been an immense strain on the country, it was only this Prime Minister who had the vision to protect the structures of the economy with the furlough scheme and other efforts that cost over £400billion.

Nobody else would have had the courage to abandon the EU’S scheme and establish thevaccinestaskforce, which provided tens of millions vaccines, before knowing they worked, saving countless British lives.thanks to this, we have been able to get Britain inoculated with a world-leading booster programme, which undoubtedly prevented another Christmas lockdown.

The booster programme is already paying Britain great dividends.

Experts say the UK will be the first country to exit the pandemic and that economic growth in 2021 was stronger than previously estimated.

Thanks to the Prime Minister making the correct decision to avoid lockdown over Omicron – in the face of immense pressure – Britain is in pole position as we start 2022.

We have seen record job growth, a dynamic economy and a pay rise for many of the UK’S workers.these fundamental strengths will help Britain weather the potential storms of 2022. This year is, as usual, bringing challenges and opportunities. High energy prices and inflation are a problem, but the return to normality that seems to be beginning is an opportunity.

This will allow the Government to go full steam ahead with its manifesto, much of which has been delayed with political energy focused on Covid.

A particular area of interest must be the Brexit freedoms that we must use energetically. It is essential to remove the inefficiencies in the economy that make us less competitive and slow growth, as well as the regulations that self-impose costs on consumers without concomitant benefits.

As Conservatives we know there is no such thing as public money, only taxpayers’ money.

It is only through economic growth that we will be able to afford the tax cuts promised and the public services wanted.

Although 11,000 police officers have been taken on, public services are also only affordable as we get richer.

Not all government policy requires hard cash – legislation can help solve problems too.

The overweening rights culture that has mocked our borders enforcement is being reformed through the Home Secretary’s Borders Bill and there is plenty to do to rebalance the constitutional settlement thattony Blair left the nation.

We should never forget the Prime Minister’s qualities as a leader. He is the man who broke the deadlock to deliver Brexit, and the Prime Minister who will get Britain’s economy firing this year. His opponents simply lack the dynamism and charisma to take risks and lead the country where it needs to go.

I have total faith in his leadership and I know that in their wisdom the readers of the Sunday Express will do so, too.

‘There is no such thing

as public money – only taxpayers’

money’