WHAT to make of David Cameron’s speech to the Conservative party conference yesterday?

The prime minister took centre stage after a few days that had seen those who aim to replace him – primarily George Osborne, Theresa May and Boris Johnson – setting out their leadership credentials.

Mr Osborne went big on his handling of the economy, as you would expect.

Mr Johnson accused his own government, and by implication Mr Osborne, of nicking all his best ideas.

Mrs May, meanwhile, used her time at the lectern to announce tougher measures on immigration. In doing so, she managed to incur the wrath of the Institute of Directors (hardly Britain’s most left-wing organisation) who accused her of “irresponsible rhetoric and pandering to anti-immigration sentiment”.

She also appeared to forget she has been Home Secretary, and therefore in charge of immigration policy, since 2010.

But, anyway, back to Dave.

Yesterday was, let us not forget, his first speech to the faithful as the prime minister of a majority Conservative government and whatever he said was only ever going to be greeted with a standing ovation from a grateful party.

But what he did say was firmly centrist, bordering on centre-left. It may not have been what some on the right of the Tory party wanted to hear.

He talked about eradicating divisive policies, of making this Britain’s turnaround decade, of helping the poor and vulnerable, and of not having “the luxury of unlimited time” to “finish the job” he believes voters have put him in power to do.

The reference to time came, of course, because he has reiterated his intention to stand down as Tory leader before the next general election in 2020.

Two terms is enough for any prime minister, he believes, and – rather like a second-term US president – he seems to be attempting to find his legacy for himself.

Housing was at the forefront of his speech, as was social mobility (though he appeared to redefine that as the ability to move from the middle to the top which seemed a trifle discriminatory).

Echoing the early years of Thatcherism, the prime minister clearly wants to position the Tories as the party of home ownership.

As is often the case in modern-day politics, Mr Cameron’s big announcement of a ‘national crusade’ to build 200,000 affordable starter homes for first-time buyers under the age of 40 was a re-hash of an old announcement.

The policy - initially for 100,000 homes - was first announced at last year’s Tory conference and then extended in March.

Whether it is the right thing to do is a matter of debate.

There are millions of people renting homes who will not be helped by the policy simply because they cannot afford to buy.

Nevertheless, there is no doubt that making it easier to take the first step on the housing ladder will help many young people in employment who are still remain living with their parents until well into their thirties.

It was pretty obvious from Mr Cameron’s speech that he is not a convert to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s kinder style of politics. Unless, of course, describing Mr Corbyn as “security-threatening, terrorist-sympathising, Britain-hating” is the prime minister’s idea of being kind.

There was reference to the European Union in what Mr Cameron had to say, but it was not the centre piece of his speech.

That will undoubtedly change in the coming months as the EU referendum will be a defining moment in his premiership.

He will be in charge when the nation decides whether to remain in the union or not.

Yesterday was the speech of a man confident that he has a mandate from the British people, although there are many who would dispute that.

It was the speech of a man who wants to rid his party of its ‘nasty’ image, although those bidding to succeed him might well pursue more extreme policies in order to win the support of certain Tory factions.

And it was the speech of a man who wants to go down in history for something that he doesn’t quite appear to have thought up yet.