Good morning to you and thank you Ian for that introduction.

Colleagues, I can’t tell you how proud I am to stand before you as your National Chair.

Now this is probably the last time you’ll hear me quote Theresa May…..

“The second woman to hold the role but not the last”

And I have 100% confidence that any female successor of mine in this role will be more effective in the job than the female Prime Minister who followed Mrs May.

It’s so fantastic to see so many of you today. To those of you here in the room, and the thousands joining us online today and watching the recording of this event from forces across England and Wales. A big thank you to you all.

Welcome to FedConnect. An event for you – about you – and shaped by your experiences.

This is your chance to tell us what matters. To hold us to account. To give you a platform to get your views and your voice heard.

And it’s a voice that’s heard by those who matter. When we speak as one to government, to media or to the public, our voice matters.

Today it’s a voice joined by a range of expert external guests. I want to thank them for their time and for sharing their experience with us.

Together we’ll touch on topics familiar and new. Some of what you hear today will be reassuring. Some of it will challenge your thinking.

And no doubt, some of it will be quite surprising – because when you bring frontline officers, national leaders, policymakers and campaigners into the same space, you get conversations that are real, raw, and ready to make a difference.

Colleagues, you’ll hear me say this a lot. My job isn’t about being seen. It’s about getting the job done.

So I say to you that we will be bold, unapologetic, and relentless in fighting for what you need to do your job – and in defending the vital public service you provide.

We’ll stand up against damaging media narratives. We’ll challenge laws that don’t work. We’ll face down those who seek to use you and the work you do as a political football.

We will talk every day about the amazing, brave, intelligent, sensitive work you do. And the unrivalled way you take care of each other.

Through our Copped Enough campaign we’ll raise awareness and advocacy to advance the causes that matter to you. Making sure that government knows that police pay restoration has to come with police reform.

I’m not going to touch much on national politics too much today. Fed Connect is about us and our shared learning and experiences.

But I’d be foolish not to touch on the government’s spending review and what it means for policing.

The Chancellor has done a great job, hasn’t she? She’s brought the Police Superintendents’ Association, the NPCC, and individual chief constables on to our page.

United at last! They’re saying what we’ve been saying for years.

Well, it’s about time.

Chiefs are now saying out loud what frontline officers have known for years: want to know when policing will be broken?

LOOK BEHIND YOU.

Now in recent weeks we’ve seen some senior policing figures in a race to see who can write off the past 15 years quickest. Well, I’ve got a message for them today.

Let’s be clear: officers aren’t choosing to spend time on bureaucracy instead of burglary. They’re not choosing to ignore shoplifting.

They are following the priorities, training, and culture shaped directly by the very leaders now criticising the results.

So my question is this: where was this clarity five years ago? Ten years ago? Fifteen years ago?

If you now see that the ship is off course, don’t stand on deck pointing at the crew. Grab the wheel. Own your legacy. And help us chart a better one. Don’t just be blown by the political winds of the day.

Because what rank-and-file officers cannot do – and should not be expected to do – is fix a broken system alone.

That’s not leadership. That’s abdication.

So whether together with others or on our own, we will be resolutely on your side. We will never waver, never shirk, never avoid the necessary conversations and demonstrations about what you want and need to keep you safe and our communities safe.

Today isn’t a day to preach to you. We need your voice too.

And, just as with the member poll that was sent out last week asking you about issues you want us to focus on, today allows us to get your feedback and shapes our strategic direction.

So let’s make today count. We’ve got interactive sessions and at the end of the day a big chunk of time for your questions.

Let’s have the honest conversations, share the hard truths, and spark the ideas that will shape the Federation’s fight ahead and help and improve the system as a whole.

You’ve told us what matters — fair pay, real reform, and leadership that doesn’t look the other way.

You know what works. You know what doesn’t work. We’ve heard you. And we’re acting.

This is your Federation.

So, speak up, challenge us, shape the change — and let’s prove that when we stand together, no one speaks louder.

Thank you — and let’s start getting the job done.