We’ve never had it so good in Britain...

Being born British is to win the lottery of life.

This country remains one of the richest in the world.

Unemployment has fallen, and continues to do so – more people are working than ever before, and the opportunities are as good as they have ever been for those who want to work hard and make the best of themselves.

So, when people tell me this country is going to hell in a handcart, it is a situation I do not recognise.

When we look elsewhere in Europe and see the high rates of unemployment, we see Britain remains a land of opportunity.

Having grown up in Sheffield at a time when 68 people chased every job vacancy, I can’t see that this country was ever in a better state than it is now.

Some people seem to look back at a golden era I don’t believe ever existed.

There is an unpleasantness creeping into our political debate which must be resisted.

Britain has always been a liberal and tolerant country.

It is not surprising that many want to come to our shores to make the best of
themselves.

We need to manage that ambition in the interest of our society. We should not
allow concern about immigration to compromise the integrity of our values by giving in to prejudice.

We will still need to make spending cuts to reduce Government borrowing.

In doing so, we make sure our children and grandchildren do not pay through their
taxes for past Government excesses.

We owe it to future generations to make sure the country lives within its means
so their future is bright.

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