Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May delivers her keynote speech on the last day of the Conservative Party Annual Conference in Manchester, Britain on Oct. 4, 2017. (Xinhua/Han Yan)
LONDON, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) --- British Prime Minister Theresa May set Britain on a course Wednesday aimed at giving new hope to the dreams of young people struggling to get a home of their own.
But her keynote speech at the end of the Conservative conference in Manchester centered on her message "building a country that works for everyone" will be remembered for a catalogue of disasters.
"Everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong in a speech designed to unite the Conservatives behind their leader," said a report in the Guardian newspaper.
A prankster managed to get through a strict security net and handed a note to May as she delivered her speech to a hall packed with thousands of delegates during liver coverage on television.
The prime minister then struggled through most of the speech, suffering for bouts of coughing, eased only a little by a cough speech handed over by the Chancellor Philip Hammond.
Then some of the letters started to drop from the backdrop screen behind her rostrum.
The prankster, comedian Simon Brodkin handed May a fake P45 form, the official letter handed to people when they lose their jobs.
He was bundled away by security staff and later handcuffed as police carried out a body search.
May was given a rousing reception from her audience after managing to complete her speech.
The chain of disastrous events captured the headlines in newspapers and in broadcast media.
Reaction to her speech was swift from the rival opposition Labour Party as well as the business world.
Shadow Chancellor, Labour's John McDonnell said: "By the time the current leader of the Conservative Party eventually finished speaking, she had a total of 15 billion pounds in spending commitments just in this parliament without a single reference to how the money will be found to pay for them. The Conservative magical money tree returns."
Carolyn Fairbairn, head of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said: "In response to the profound challenges and opportunities of Brexit and creating a fairer and more prosperous economy, the Prime Minister planted important stakes in the ground.
"She has recognised the fundamental importance of good government working in partnership with responsible business to improve lives. The Prime Minister's praise for the risk takers, innovators and entrepreneurs and business, large and small, was refreshing and important to hear. But markets are not perfect and the UK's business community recognises the power of effective state intervention."
Fairbairn said on Brexit it was important to see a continuation of the positive tone from May's big Florence speech.
"The next stage must be urgent action to agree the standstill transition with EU partners by the end of the year, and the shape of the final deal as early as possible in the New Year. Every day wasted is lost investment and new jobs not created."
Dr. Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: "Unequivocal backing for wealth creators, risk-takers and entrepreneurs is critical to the confidence of firms all across the UK. Firms will appreciate Theresa May's clear support for the role of business in society and for the EU nationals who contribute so much to our businesses and communities. The government must continue to underline, loudly and clearly, that EU nationals living and working in the UK are welcome, wanted and appreciated."
He added that a mission statement for growth was needed from the government, with action to fix the fundamentals, and prepare the country for a period of change."
The Daily Telegraph, which described May's speech as descending into chaos, reported that a Downing Street aid said the prankster had been arrested.
Conservative chairman Sir Patrick McLoughlin said there will be investigation into what happened.
Local media reported that the prankster had official accreditation to be at the conference.
A number of MPs at the event questioned the lapse in security, particularly after the Manchester terror bombing which occurred this year just a few hundred meters from the conference center.
