I was in my early twenties when, two decades ago, the Conservative Party welcomed a raft of new constituency associations into its ranks. From North Down, Lagan Valley, Strangford...indeed from right across Northern Ireland...new Conservative Associations were welcomed into the Party. And rightly so.
The people who got involved in these Associations were Conservatives, like Conservatives anywhere else in the UK. They included people from all walks of life who believed, passionately, that if Northern Ireland was to progress it had to do so in a normal political environment. They recognised that Northern Ireland's local political parties could never provide a Prime Minister or a cabinet Minister. And aspiring to high political office is elemental to democracy.
Initially, the Conservatives in Northern Ireland had political success. However, normalising a political system that was a century in the making is no easy task. While our Party organisation in Northern Ireland is still highly valued, and an integral part of the Party, it's open-minded and realistic in its approach to politics. It recognises that political success and relationship-building is critical to sustain any movement.
We also recognise that many members of local political parties share our view that Northern Ireland's political system needs to move on. Polling has shown that there is a big overlap between the type of people who might vote Conservative in Great Britain and the people who vote Ulster Unionist here. But many who vote Alliance, SDLP, and those who don't vote at all, share our view. But they also recognise that change is required to convince them.
When Sir Reg Empey and I made our joint statement back in July we made clear that we wanted to create a new Conservative and Unionist force that would challenge the convention of Northern Ireland politics. It would challenge the notion that Northern Ireland politics always has to be dominated by the constitutional issue. A vast majority of Ulster Unionists recognise that we need to establish a Conservative and Unionist led movement for change that welcomes all who share our values.
Last week we entered into a partnership that will see joint Conservative and Unionist candidates standing for election to Westminster and to the European parliament. If candidates are successful they will take the Conservative whip. If, as a Party, we form the next government of the United Kingdom, local Conservative and Unionist MPs will take their rightful places on the government benches and, potentially, in government itself.
The developing relationship with the Ulster Unionists has caused something of a stir in certain circles. That is to be expected. We are challenging the received wisdom of some people about what Unionism really stands for. Voters will now be offered a Conservative version of Unionism firmly rooted in a modern, pluralist United Kingdom.
On Saturday I will address the Ulster Unionist Party annual conference. And I will be addressing a Party that overwhelmingly endorsed our agreement to join forces for future elections. In the audience will be members of the Conservative Party in Northern Ireland - as well as our Shadow Secretary of State, Owen Paterson, who has worked tirelessly with a senior team of local Conservatives, and the UUP Executive, to make this event a reality.
Also in the audience will be Jim Nicholson MEP, who will be our first joint candidate for Europe.
We're making great progress. I call on the people of Northern Ireland to support us. It's time for change.