His Bill may be held up in the Lords as he continues to insists that his Government will stop the boats. The only means of squaring the two would be an election with illegal migration centre-stage.
Monday’s speech and today’s announcement show them choosing their ground for the next election. And since Hunt may find no money for further tax cuts next spring, the option of a May general election is opening up.
In the absence of a convincing change narrative, the Prime Minister fell back yesterday on trying to frighten voters with a Labour government.
Not only would it be another shot in the arm to the burgeoning black market, but the real long-term pressures on the NHS arise from obesity and an ageing population.
We don’t want our children to grow up in a stultified, caste society where the only way to wealth and opportunity is to inherit it from parents.
Some projects that had previously been announced were included, as were some projects that had even been completed. Some of the announcements related to local projects for which the decision to proceed rested with regional mayors not central government.
Also: the Scottish Conservatives were one of the few genuinely chipper groups at conference; they seem widely to expect to pick up several seats from the SNP next year.
His three big preoccupations are a bit remote from the public. But his new approach has one unmissable virtue to it – namely, that he really believes in it.
The audience loved this story of a Prime Minister who finds true love by taking long-term decisions for a brighter future.
“Our political system is too focused on short-term advantage, not long-term success,” declared the Prime Minister. “Our mission is to fundamentally change our country.”
We are hosting 40 events featuring over 150 speakers – including Oliver Dowden, Michael Gove, Grant Shapps, Gillian Keegan, Mark Harper, Michelle Donelan, Lucy Frazer, Andrew Mitchell, Tom Tugendhat, Lord Frost, Liam Fox, Paul Scully, Ben Houchen and Andy Street.
With breathtaking audacity she quoted Shelley, long a poet the Labour Party assumed was on their side.
So does Sunak, proudly smiling and clapping as the Chancellor spoke.
On education, high speed rail and smoking, he will allow our country to pursue an ambitious and optimistic future for people, whoever they are and wherever they come from.