Collins: No fees, no half measures

Speech to the National Association of Head Teachers Conference at the Telford International Centre

"On Thursday the country has the chance to vote for change.

Michael Howard has given me clear and specific orders on what he expects me to deliver as the education part of that change. And he ...

Collins: Conservative action on literacy

Speech outlining Conservative action to tackle the growing problem of illiteracy

"When Mr Blair was first elected he told us that education was his 'number one priority' . The following year he said 'there is no greater injustice to inflict upon a child than a poor education' . But after eight years ...

Collins: Action on schools

Speech to Conservative Party Conference 2004

"There is much to celebrate in British education.

Teachers who are dedicated and caring. Universities with some of the best research and learning environments in the world. Children with energy and enthusiasm.

But there is also much that can be better.

Conservatives win when ...

Collins: A fair deal on transport

Speech to Conservative Party Conference 2003

"Someone told me a story the other day. A man arrives at the pearly gates, and sees a clock above his name.

He asks the angel what it signifies. This, he is told, is a clock whose second hand moves forward every time he ...

Collins: Time to call off Labour's war on the motorist

Speech to Conservative Spring Conference

Nearly six months ago, at our Party Conference, I warned that transport was this Government's greatest failure - and that their policies could only make things worse.

That prediction has sadly come all too true.

On our rail network, one in four trains now run ...

Collins: A Modern Transport System

Speech to Conservative Party Conference

"Transport is the greatest failure and the most serious indictment of this Government.

We are the nation of Stephenson and Brunel, the land which invented tarmac and the jet engine, the people who brought the world its first iron bridges and railways. Yet Britain today ...