Town MP Maria Miller set for key Tory conference speech (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Town MP Maria Miller set for key Tory conference speech

7:30am Wednesday 10th October 2012 in Local By Adam Richards

BASINGSTOKE MP Maria Miller will be in the national spotlight today when she gives a headline speech at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham.

The newly-promoted Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport, will appear on stage just before Prime Minister David Cameron on the last day of the conference.

Her speech will celebrate what she herself has called “the most incredible summer of British sport”. It is titled: “Celebrating the UK”.

Speaking to The Gazette, Mrs Miller said she is looking forward to the occasion.

“The plan is going to be to talk about the fantastic summer we have had in Britain, and to highlight all the things that that have been happening in terms of culture, the Olympics, and the Paralympics,” she said.

“And I want to highlight the fact that the pride in Britain has been amazing in the last few months. I am very excited. It will be an honour for me.”

It is believed that part of her 45-minute speech – which kicks off at 10.30am – will involve her welcoming a number of Team GB Olympic and Paralympic heroes to the stage.

Her speech is set to be one of the most high-profile public speeches ever given by a Basingstoke politician.

Organisers expect up to 13,500 people will come to Birmingham’s International Conference Centre over the four-day conference.

Mrs Miller, who has been Basingstoke’s MP since 2005, was promoted to the political frontline following the Prime Ministerial reshuffle on September 4. As well as her Culture, Media and Sport role, she is also Minister for Women and Equalities.