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Full text: Geoffrey Cox’s Onward speech – ‘if I can raise any humour tonight it’s going to be gallows humour’

When Geoffrey Cox stood on stage at Conservative conference and gave a speech to introduce Theresa May, the newly appointed Attorney General managed to steal the show. Cox managed to bring the house down with his Mufasa-inspired routine – quoting poetry as he called on members to get behind the Prime Minister.

At Tuesday night’s Onward event – to celebrate the Conservative think tank’s first year – Cox cut a more sombre figure. The Cabinet minister used his speech to address the problems the party finds itself in – deploying some gallows humour along the way:

‘This is the first time I’ve ever addressed a think tank and I’m a bit nonplussed by the experience of seeing so many distinguished, intelligent, intellectually profound…  journalists in the audience.

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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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