We will do for Britain’s port cities now what we did for the Docklands then, while also boosting the competitiveness of great British exports. We all know that Liverpool grew rich from trade to the USA, about Teesside’s close links to the Pacific, and the rich fishing trade that is the lifeblood

Wednesday saw Britain turn the page to a new chapter of optimism and success. Our new Prime Minister embodies a nation with renewed self-confidence, one that’s not afraid to do things differently. And there couldn’t be a better example of that than trade.

No one should be in any doubt that this is a serious moment for our nation.

The failure to deliver Brexit has led to investment being put on hold and confidence in our political process undermined. 

We have a massive task ahead of us over the next six months. We must leave the European Union, deal or no deal, by October 31. At the same time, we must unleash the dynamism and talent of Britain to make a huge success of our economy by taking full advantage of the new freedom we will have.

After years of flirting with the idea, we’ve finally seen Labour’s plans to renationalise the energy industry. As always, far from being a panacea, this shiny, expensive policy would turn out to be a disaster.

Neo-puritanism is in danger of holding us back. Instead of wagging a finger at people enjoying themselves and doing things differently, we should celebrate the potential of our freedom and individual choices.

Get some boomerangs,’ Liz Truss says to her aides. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury isn’t looking for something to throw — she is referring to the short videos on Instagram for which she is becoming famous.

As Chief Secretary to the Treasury, my first responsibility is to the taxpayer. Every pound that comes into the Exchequer was earned by someone through hard work, and could have been used for a new car, a holiday or a treat for the children.

Liz Truss has a claim to be the most outspoken member of the cabinet. “I just took a decision a while ago that I was going to say what I like and wear what I like,” she says with a smile.

2019 is a big year for British politics. As we leave the European Union, we have an opportunity to set out a new economic agenda, leaving the era of post-crash consolidation and recovery behind and entering a new era of growth and opportunity for Britain.