Theresa May spoke of her determination to make Britain into a "Great Meritocracy" based on the values of "fairness and opportunity".
Gareth Wallace, Executive Director of the Conservative Christian Fellowship, told Premier's News Hour he was impressed by the PM.
He said: "I'm encouraged by what Theresa [May] has said today and I look forward to how all of that is unpacked and unfolded."
I want to be absolutely clear. There will be no unnecessary delays in invoking Article 50. pic.twitter.com/xSmfzhiGTn
— Theresa May (@theresa_may) October 2, 2016
Ms May has vowed that "change is going to come" as she set out her plan for the Conservatives to occupy the centre ground of British politics and create "a country that works for everyone".
She spoke about Brexit, the tax system, schools and big decisions such as the Hinkley Point nuclear plant in Somerset and the High Speed 2 railway.
The PM hailed the example of triathlete Alistair Brownlee, who helped his exhausted brother Jonny across the finishing line, as a demonstration of the "essential truth, that we succeed or fail together, we achieve together or fall short together".
Gareth Wallace said the Mrs May, a vicar's daughter, has taken some tips from her father when it comes to giving a speech.
He said: "The Prime Minister's maybe learned a thing or two from her dad about delivering a very good sermon, so I think it had an uplifting message and a positive message for the country.
"I loved the little example about the Brownlee brothers - seeing his brother struggle, he didn't pass by, but carried him home - I think that's a fantastic message."
Gareth Wallace said he thinks the Prime Minister will "really get to the root cause of disadvantage and education, that people have enormous potential that sometimes lies untapped."I think that's a really important Christian principle, about everyone achieving what God has created us to do."
In her 59-minute speech it was notable that Mrs May warmly praised institutions like the NHS and BBC, which have often faced particular scrutiny or criticism from other conservatives.
The party leader restated her support for expanding grammar schools as well as faith schools.
Theresa May concluded saying: "I want us to be a country where it doesn't matter where you were born, who your parents are, where you went to school, what your accent sounds like, what god you worship, whether you're a man or a woman, gay or straight, or black or white.
"All that should matter is the talent you have and how hard you're prepared to work."
Listen to Premier's Aaron James speak to Gareth Wallace here:
