Commenting on the Prime Minister's speech at Conservative Party Conference, Ryan Shorthouse, Director of Bright Blue, said: 

"The Prime Minister's speech showed that she is part of and will build upon the Tory modernising tradition. Modernisation is not a PR exercise. It is about ensuring the public understand that conservatism is more than just individualism, leaving markets and people alone, but social reform and public service.

"David Cameron stressed the importance of the Big Society. Theresa May opens a new chapter of modernisation, stressing the positive role the state can also play. This is a social market rather than free market vision.

"She rightly highlighted that most people strongly believe fairness is people's rewards being directly related to their contributions. A contributory society would clamp down on tax dodging but also build a welfare system where people get enough support in testing times if they have long work histories.

"The rhetoric is right. But the policies must match. Unfortunately, one of her flagship policies - more grammar schools - benefits only a privileged few, not everyone."