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A turning tide?

An optimistic if rather stiff Alan Duncan reports from the Conservative conference on the day he addressed the party faithful

My legs are stiff this morning. I guess that's what you get for running 13 miles the day before! The Great North Run is a slog but it's all for a good cause. By completing the race I raised nearly £500 for Own It, a charity based in Newcastle, which helps disengaged students into work placements.

I was more nervous before the race then I was before my speech today. Apart from the fact that it was my first half-marathon and my umpteenth speech, I felt ready to stick it to Gordon. And stick it to him I did! The speech went down well with the faithful with plenty of applause, and unlike the Labour conference speeches last week, plenty of laughs.

The economic session couldn't have gone any better. George's speech was exceptional, along with Phillip and Theresa's contribution, and set the tone for what promises to be a memorable conference. The tax proposals made today has created a buzz around the conference and there is a real sense that the tide is turning. We are the party with the policies to face what George called the new economic revolution. Roll on David Cameron's speech. We are ready to serve our country.

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