Tonight the Conservative Party held the National Excellence Awards. This is the one occasion during the year when the Party Leader is able to thank in a nationally recognised way all those hard working volunteers who give their time to the service of their Party and the Nation.

The brainchild of Party vice-chairman Don Porter, and organised by my fellow vice-president Emma Pidding, this was a chance for us all the say thank you, something that we so rarely do in society at all, let alone in politics.

Amongst those being recognised were Exeter University Conservative Future who increased their membership from 70 to 370 this year. We also recognised campaigners and communicators, social action project leaders, and the Conservative Women's Organisation which, under the redoubtable leadership of Fiona Hodgson, has transformed itself and is an inspirational example of campaigning and leadership for the voluntary Party.

But the highlight of the evening was the Lifetime Achievement Awards. New this year, these celebrated the previously unrecognised: hard working loyal Party members who have never been elected to office, but have given their time, commitment, and energy over, in some cases, sixty years. To all of them, thank you. You're all a shining example of how wonderful Conservatives can be.