This page was last edited at 1055 Hrs GMT 1155 Hrs UK Time London Wednesday 24 September 2008/24 Ramadan 1429 AH
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In full: Ruth Kelly's speech
Times Online
This is the full text of the speech by Ruth Kelly to the 2008 Labour Party Conference
Conference, it is a pleasure to close this debate on sustainable communities.
I'd like to start by thanking all of you who've been involved in our discussions over the past year. Labour party members, trade unionists, councillors all working together on the policies we need to deliver a historic fourth Labour term.
In particular I'd like to thank Rosie, Tom and Jim for being such great ministers and such great colleagues over the past year.
Conference, I hope you will forgive me, for departing from my text for a moment.
As you may have heard on the news this morning this will be my last time addressing you as a member of the Cabinet.
I told Gordon before the summer of my decision to leave the Government for family reasons at the next reshuffle.
This was not a decision I took lightly. I was still in my 20s as Labour was given the honour of leading the country.
And I have been particularly proud as a minister at the Treasury to be able through our proposals on the Child Trust Fund. At Education, opening up school choice for parents, At Communities recasting our policies on violent extremism and devolving more power to local government.
In transport, I was delighted it was Labour that secured the deal on Crossrail.
It's also been a tremendous privilege to have worked with both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown - two towering figures in the Labour Party, Government and on the world stage.
But Conference, as well as a front line politician, I am also proud to be a mother and wife. To be able to hold these jobs, I have relied on the support of my husband and family.
So I ask for your understanding when I say that I now owe it to my children and family to put them first. If I do not, then I know that this is something I will come to regret deeply.
Conference, while we have not a lways agreed on every issue, I am enormously proud of all that we have achieved together over the past decade.
And I am confident that Labour has the values, vision and determination to see this country through difficult times.
There are some who claim that there would be no difference between a Conservative and a Labour government.
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But Conference, tell that to the pensioner using her free bus pass, not just in her own neighbourhood but now right across the country.
Tell that to the young mum who can now rely on a brand new bus service to take her to the local shops.
Tell that to the commuter, who is now benefiting from newer, more frequent and more reliable trains - the biggest investment in capacity in a generation.
Conference, never again must we allow the Tories to take the axe to our vital public infrastructure when economic conditions get tough - as they have done time after time.
To slash investment when the country entered a time of economic difficulty would be reckless, short-sighted and irresponsible.
So that is why the Government will stay true to its commitments - on Crossrail, on Birmingham New Street, on Reading and across the country.
And we must continue to be ambitious for the future and to put in place the right long-term framework to deliver affordable investment in transport.
So Labour will develop options for a rolling programme of electrification of our railways - potentially the largest programme of electrification in our history.
I have asked Network Rail to consider the case for new lines if passenger numbers continue to grow in the future.
And if we need new lines, of course we should be asking whether they should be high speed.
We all know that in the current climate, with high food and fuel prices, getting good value for money is more important than ever.
So I have been working to help rail passengers by ensuring that fares are simp le, fairly set, fairly sold - and readily available.
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And Conference, I can assure you that the lessons will be learned from the failure of the XL tour company so passengers can feel more secure when booking their annual holiday.
Conference, on Sunday I was privileged to take part in a ceremony naming a train in honour of Barbara Castle, one of the great Labour women of all time.
She was fearless in her determination to improve the lot of working people, full of courage and conviction, never afraid of taking the tough decisions - of doing what she thought was right.
I admire that.
The real test of the character of a politician - or a party - is how they deal with difficult times and unpopular decisions, not just the easy ones. And in transport over the past eighteen months, there have been both.
We all cherish the opportunity to visit friends and family abroad, catch up with loved ones, or take a well earned holiday.
But if we wa nt to maintain those hard-won opportunities, I truly believe we must be brave in challenging those who would ration flying and make it once more the preserve of the rich.
If London is to thrive as a major international hub, supporting the UK economy by providing good international connections, then it needs a hub airport that has sufficient capacity to serve all the regions and countries of the United Kingdom - as well as the emerging economies of China and India.
Boris may find his fantasy island airport a useful device to distract from the Tories' divisions on Heathrow.
I call it politically opportunistic, economically irresponsible and environmentally disastrous.
Conference, we must always be the party prepared to take the tough decisions, to do what is right, not just what is popular. To be the radicals in politics.
So I congratulate Sir Richard Leese and the Greater Manchester authorities for their ambition. Recognising the problems th at congestion causes. And, being prepared to argue for a congestion charge backed by a step-change in public transport to ensure that Manchester remains a world-class place to live and work.
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It is seeing strong leadership in action, as we have here in Manchester, that has convinced me that we must continue to devolve powers to local communities.
I am proud that from this autumn, councils will have new powers to plan bus routes, fares and frequencies across their borough - powers opposed by the Tories every step of the way in Parliament.
And because buses are a vital lifeline to many in our communities I am delighted to announce today an extra £25 million to Kickstart new bus services, in both urban and rural areas.
Conference, this week we have set out a compelling vision for the future of our country.
This party, the Labour party, will continue to invest, to inspire and to lead.
Because Labour's values are rooted in the convictio n that by investing in our nation we are investing in our future.
This is the greatest of parties which has changed Britain for the better since 1997. It has been the greatest honour of my life to play a part in that.
I am leaving this stage today, but I will be with this great party all the way in the battle to keep improving our country. We can and must do even better - and Conference, I will always be with you in our great mission.
Thank you.
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