I have been in Birmingham attending the Conservative Party Conference this week.

I write before the speech by Prime Minister Liz Truss on Wednesday, but this Conference has provided her first opportunity to expand on her policy priorities to members and the public.

We live in extraordinary times. There is war in mainland Europe, which most people reading this column have never experienced before. The consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are most immediately and obviously felt by the tragedy he is inflicting on the people of Ukraine.

But the impact is being felt by us all, as energy costs have soared around the world.

Rising energy costs have led to inflation levels which we have not seen for 40 years, which in turn has led to the Bank of England raising interest rates to attempt to get inflation under control. This is impacting mortgages and will reduce economic activity.

These were the main issues which I was discussing in Birmingham, taking part in several panel discussions on how to bring down the cost of energy for households and businesses through accelerating take-up of renewable energy systems. 

The Prime Minister is clearly committed to achieving Net Zero Britain. She has commissioned a review how best to get there. This includes stimulating energy security to make the country less dependent on both imported fossil fuels and high energy costs.

As a result of the current energy crisis, there is huge interest in how to accelerate the transition to renewable energies, whether for energy efficiency measures or electrification through heat pumps or solar PV systems and battery storage for our homes or business premises.

While I was banging the environmental drum, I was reassured by the significance of nature and importance to maintain environmental commitments in the comments that Ministers made.

I have experienced sufficient changes in administration and reshuffles under both Conservative and Labour governments to recognise that there is always some nervousness about new Ministers getting to know their portfolios and the potential for changes in direction or focus.

My message from the last few days in Birmingham, contrary to much reporting, is that there is a sense of realism at the heart of Government about the challenges the country faces, while war continues in Ukraine. 

I am encouraged that for all the present uncertainties we shall provide the leadership to get the country through these difficulties and emerge in a better state, less dependent on other nations, or fossil fuels, for our future prosperity.