Nicky Morgan: Equality is a core Conservative philosophy
Equalities minister Nicky Morgan has hit out at the Labour Party’s approach to equalities issues.
The Secretary of State for Education made the remarks today in her speech to Conservative Party Conference, where she joked about her dual role as Minister for Women and Equalities.
She said: “I hold not one but two jobs in government. You know what they say – if you want a job done well, ask a busy man. They also say, if you want two jobs done well, ask a busy woman.
“It’s the same philosophy – the belief that everyone should have the same chances in life, that underpins my other job as Minister for Women and Equalities.
“Equality for us isn’t about quotas, pink vans or separate train carriages. Instead it’s about that core Conservative philosophy, which says the fact you happen to be a woman, to be gay, to be from an ethnic minority, should never be a barrier to you achieving your all.
“Unlike the Labour party, we practice what we preach – because women are the backbone of this party, and unlike Jeremy Corbyn, we have put them at the forefront of this government. That belief in equality of opportunity has been our guiding principle for the past five years.”
Thanking her ministers in education and equalities, she said: “I want to thank my team – Nick Gibb, Nick Boles. Edward Timpson, John Nash, Sam Gyimah Caroline Dinenage, as well as [whip] Margot James, Robin Walker, Anne Marie Morris, Stephen Metcalfe, and Natalie Evans,”
Speaking earlier at conference, Mrs Morgan slammed people who ‘can’t accept’ that she now supports LGBT rights over her voting history.
She said: “What I am surprised about is the people who don’t want to accept that someone can change their minds.”
