Dangerous world
When the Cold War ended, we all hoped that our children and grandchildren would grow up in a safer world.
That hope was shattered on September 11th 2001.
Our world changed. Taking a plane, going on the Tube - all these things suddenly carried a new risk.
Meanwhile, we face the spread of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.
How do we confront this sense of insecurity? How do we tackle these threats?
First, people need to be told the truth about the threats we face. And if we consider the threat to our freedom and our interests merit military action, we should not flinch.
Every day British servicemen and women face great danger in Iraq. The way they carry out their duties does Britain proud, and makes Britain proud.
I believe it was right to go to war. That's a controversial view. Many people would prefer me to say something else. But that is how I see it. And I owe it to you to tell you how I see it.
The world is a better place without Saddam Hussein.
Saddam had provoked two wars in the Gulf. He had used chemical weapons against other nations and against his own people. No one knew if and when he would get his hands on more weapons of mass destruction.
So I think it was right to go to war. But I also think it's right to tell the truth.
In the run-up to the war, Tony Blair did not tell the truth. He did not give a truthful account of the intelligence he received. He did not behave as a British Prime Minister should.
Tony Blair has said that mistakes were made. He has said he accepts responsibility. But it is not a question of responsibility. It is a question of credibility.
I hope that we will not face another war.
But the world is a very dangerous place, and you can never be sure.
What if this Prime Minister asks people to trust him again? Could the British people trust him a second time?
Conservative beliefs
If you want people to trust you, you must trust them.
Of course, I don't believe that we are right about everything and Labour politicians are wrong about everything.
Neither party has a monopoly on virtue.
But I do believe that there are times in our history when Conservative ideas are more relevant to the challenges Britain faces. And we have reached one of those times today.
I am a Conservative because I believe that if people are given a choice, they will make the right decision for themselves and their families.
I am a Conservative because I understand that families are better at spending their hard earned cash than governments are.
I am a Conservative because I want people to be big, and the State to be small.
I am a Conservative because I know that government should be accountable to the people, not people to the government.
And I am a Conservative because I have an inherent belief in fair play - no-one should be over mighty, not the trade unions, not the State, not corporations, not the European Union - not even the Prime Minister.
We want to live in a society where people have the freedom to get on in life and get on with their lives, safe in the knowledge that government will provide them with security. Freedom and security: two timeless Conservative ambitions.
This is what makes me a Conservative. And I believe it's what makes all of you Conservatives.
Full text of this speech at
http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=news.story.page&obj_id=116340&speeches=1
Regards, Ivan
As I said, if elected, his position on Iraq will be the measure of the man.
I'll bet he will take a much different, though not totally-opposite position he had at the time of the speech.
We'll see. I'm not holding my breath that he will be a pro-Iraq firebrand.
What position he takes will show if he was privately "luke-warm" at a prior time or not.
Leni