Theresa May has declared "austerity is over" in her keynote address to the Conservative conference, where she also warns splits over Brexit risked derailing Britain's departure from the EU.
In what was one of the most important speeches of her political career, the prime minister borrowed Jeremy Corbyn's "for the many, not the few," slogan, declaring the Conservatives are a "party not for the few, not even the many, but for everyone who is willing to work hard and do their best."
The prime minister strutted onto the stage to Abba's Dancing Queen - to mock herself grooving on a recent trip to Africa - and also included a self-deprecating joke about last year's disastrous conference address.
Brexit could still be stopped if warring Conservatives don’t stop fighting, says Theresa May
'If we all go off in different directions, in pursuit of our own visions of the perfect Brexit, we risk ending up with no Brexit at all'
Theresa May just danced her way on to the stage for her major conference speech
The prime minister recently caught headlines when she danced during a diplomatic trip to Africa
Tory London mayoral candidate claimed celebrating Hindu and Muslim festivals has turned Britain into 'cesspool of crime'
Shaun Bailey claimed celebrating other religions 'robs Britain of its community'
Theresa May declares 'austerity is over' after eight years of devastating cuts
Prime minister tells public 'the end is in sight' and there are 'better days ahead'Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable said he was "pleased" the PM had promised to lift the borrowing cap on councils.
He tweeted: "Pleased to see Mrs May has finally lifted the borrowing cap on councils so they can build more housing. The Conservatives' long-held resistance to this @LibDems policy only deepened the housing crisis."
But Labour MP and former Cabinet minister Yvette Cooper said the PM and Conservative Party was destroying the very principles it claimed to uphold.
She tweeted: "So much for TMay claim her Tory values are security, freedom, opportunity.
"Tory Govt is delivering greater insecurity (child poverty rising, homelessness soaring), undermining freedom (locking up Windrush pensioners) & destroying opportunities (500 Sure Starts closed)."
Theresa May lifts borrowing cap on local councils to 'solve housing crisis'
'Solving the housing crisis is the biggest domestic policy challenge of our generation - it doesn’t make sense to stop councils from playing their part'Alok Sharma, Conservative MP for Reading and minister of state for employment, said it was "the best speech I have heard @theresa-maygive."
"Personal, strong, determined. Authentic. And a v(ery) positive vision for the future," he added.
The Isle of Wight's Conservative MP Bob Seely praised the speech but stressed the need for "the best Brexit deal" the government can get.
He wrote: "She nailed it! Really good speech from the ŁPM, now let's ensure we get the best Brexit deal & focus on the issues concern our constituents, like mine in the ŁIsleofWight."
And Steve Double, Tory MP for St Austell and Newquay, said the speech was among the best the Prime Minister had delivered.
He tweeted: "This is turning into @theresa-may best speech by a very long way. Clear, passionate and above all Conservative. This is the PM we need to see much more of!"
Theresa May declares 'austerity is over' after eight years of devastating cuts
Theresa May just announced a new festival to be held after Britain leaves the EU
The prime minister said the event comes at a moment of “national renewal”
The Independent has launched its #FinalSay campaign to demand that voters are given a voice on the final Brexit deal.
Sign our petition here
