David Cameron today set out policies to help mend Britain's Broken Society, including the creation of a new "neighbourhood army" of 5,000 professional community organisers that would give communities the help they need to work together and tackle their problems.
Conservatives seek to build a ‘Big Society’ based on responsibility and respect, in stark contrast with Labour's Big Government built on paternalism and waste.
Speaking at a conference on the Big Society today, David Cameron set out how a Conservative government would give power to neighbourhood groups and boost social action.
"It is a guiding philosophy", Cameron said, "a society where the leading force for progress is social responsibility, not state control".
"It includes a whole set of unifying approaches – breaking state monopolies, allowing charities, social enterprises and companies to provide public services, devolving power down to neighbourhoods, making government more accountable".
"And it’s the thread that runs consistently through our whole policy programme – our plans to reform public services, mend our broken society, and rebuild trust in politics."
The new policies announced as part of the Big Society plan include:
• Neighbourhood army” of 5,000 full-time, professional community organisers who will be trained with the skills they need to identify local community leaders, bring communities together, help people start their own neighbourhood groups, and give communities the help they need to take control and tackle their problems
• A Big Society Bank, funded from unclaimed bank assets, which will leverage private sector investment to provide hundreds of millions of pounds of new finance for neighbourhood groups, charities, social enterprises and other non-governmental bodies.
• Neighbourhood grants for the UK’s poorest areas to encourage people to come together to form neighbourhood groups and support social enterprises and charities in these poorest areas.
• Transforming the civil service into a ‘civic service’ by making regular community service a key element in civil servant staff appraisals.
• Launching an annual national ‘Big Society Day’ to celebrate the work of neighbourhood groups and encourage more people to take part in social action projects.
• Providing new funding to support the next generation of social entrepreneurs, and helping successful social enterprises to expand and succeed.
I very much welcome these plans set out today. They will provide a background for improving the lives of many people here in Brighton Kemptown.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
WE WILL STOP LABOUR'S NI INCREASE!
George Osborne has today announced that a Conservative Government will stop Labour's tax rise on jobs by cutting waste. Stopping the planned increases in National Insurance Contributions will result in 7 out of 10 working people being better off.
A Conservative Government will take immediate action to start cutting Government waste, in order to spend £6 billion less in 2010-11 than Labour’s plans. "The re-election of a Labour Government under Gordon Brown – with more debt, waste and taxes – will bring us a new recession", George Osborne said.
"Labour will kill the recovery with their tax on jobs. We will cut Labour waste to stop it."
Former Government advisers Sir Peter Gershon and Dr Martin Read, now members of the Conservatives’ Public Sector Productivity Advisory Board, advise that savings of £12 billion across all departmental spending are possible in-year without affecting the quality of front line services. Having identified these savings the Conservatives can now commit to stop Labour’s tax rise on working people and jobs at the same time as reducing the deficit faster:
Labour are planning to raise Employees National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for everyone earning over £20,000. We will stop this increase altogether for everyone earning under £35,000 by raising the primary threshold at which people start paying NICs by £24 a week, and raising the Upper Earnings Limit by £29 a week.
Relative to Labour’s plans everyone liable for Employees NICs earning between £7,100 and £45,400 – which is 7 out of 10 working people – will be up to £150 better off a year under the Conservatives. Lower earners will get the greatest benefit as a percentage of their earnings. Nobody will be worse off.
Labour are also planning to raise Employers NICs for everyone earning over £5,700. This is a tax on jobs that will undermine the recovery. We will raise the secondary threshold at which employers start paying NICs by £21 a week, saving employers up to £150 for every person they employ relative to Labour’s plans. This will reduce the cost of Labour’s tax rise on employers by more than half.
I very much welcome George Osborne’s proposals today. Nothing could be worse for job creation and the recovery from Labour’s recession, than to have the recovery damaged by labour’s tax increases on employment. In Brighton Kemptown we need to promote the creation of new jobs, and these proposals will help with that job creation.
A Conservative Government will take immediate action to start cutting Government waste, in order to spend £6 billion less in 2010-11 than Labour’s plans. "The re-election of a Labour Government under Gordon Brown – with more debt, waste and taxes – will bring us a new recession", George Osborne said.
"Labour will kill the recovery with their tax on jobs. We will cut Labour waste to stop it."
Former Government advisers Sir Peter Gershon and Dr Martin Read, now members of the Conservatives’ Public Sector Productivity Advisory Board, advise that savings of £12 billion across all departmental spending are possible in-year without affecting the quality of front line services. Having identified these savings the Conservatives can now commit to stop Labour’s tax rise on working people and jobs at the same time as reducing the deficit faster:
Labour are planning to raise Employees National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for everyone earning over £20,000. We will stop this increase altogether for everyone earning under £35,000 by raising the primary threshold at which people start paying NICs by £24 a week, and raising the Upper Earnings Limit by £29 a week.
Relative to Labour’s plans everyone liable for Employees NICs earning between £7,100 and £45,400 – which is 7 out of 10 working people – will be up to £150 better off a year under the Conservatives. Lower earners will get the greatest benefit as a percentage of their earnings. Nobody will be worse off.
Labour are also planning to raise Employers NICs for everyone earning over £5,700. This is a tax on jobs that will undermine the recovery. We will raise the secondary threshold at which employers start paying NICs by £21 a week, saving employers up to £150 for every person they employ relative to Labour’s plans. This will reduce the cost of Labour’s tax rise on employers by more than half.
I very much welcome George Osborne’s proposals today. Nothing could be worse for job creation and the recovery from Labour’s recession, than to have the recovery damaged by labour’s tax increases on employment. In Brighton Kemptown we need to promote the creation of new jobs, and these proposals will help with that job creation.
Friday, March 26, 2010
CONSERVATIVE PENSIONERS PLEDGE
David Cameron today outlined the Conservatives’ pensioner pledge for the General Election campaign.
The pledge includes a personal promise to protect the Winter Fuel Payment, free bus passes and TV licences, and the pension credit.
DAVID CAMERON'S PLEDGE TO PENSIONERS
The Government I lead will make sure that older and retired people are treated with dignity and given the quality of life they deserve. This is my pledge to support pensioners.
My Government will:
• Increase the value of the basic state pension for all pensioners and help to stop the spread of the means test by linking pensions to earnings. You won’t get a repeat of Labour’s mean 75p rise with us.
• Freeze council tax for the next two years, in partnership with your council.
• Make it worthwhile to save for a personal pension and get rid of the rules that force people to get a compulsory annuity.
• Help people protect their home rather than have to sell it to pay for care.
• Take all family homes worth less than £1 million out of inheritance tax.
• Increase spending on the NHS every year, which is our number one priority.
• Cut paperwork so we get more police out on the beat fighting crime.
Our opponents are trying to scare older people by telling deliberate lies about our plans. So here is a personal promise, from me, about the things we will protect.
• I will protect your Winter Fuel Payment.
• I will protect your free bus pass and your free TV licence.
• I will protect the pension credit.
These vital benefits will not be cut under the Conservatives. You have my word on it.
I fully agree with David Cameron and welcome this pledge to pensioners here in Brighton Kemptown.
The pledge includes a personal promise to protect the Winter Fuel Payment, free bus passes and TV licences, and the pension credit.
DAVID CAMERON'S PLEDGE TO PENSIONERS
The Government I lead will make sure that older and retired people are treated with dignity and given the quality of life they deserve. This is my pledge to support pensioners.
My Government will:
• Increase the value of the basic state pension for all pensioners and help to stop the spread of the means test by linking pensions to earnings. You won’t get a repeat of Labour’s mean 75p rise with us.
• Freeze council tax for the next two years, in partnership with your council.
• Make it worthwhile to save for a personal pension and get rid of the rules that force people to get a compulsory annuity.
• Help people protect their home rather than have to sell it to pay for care.
• Take all family homes worth less than £1 million out of inheritance tax.
• Increase spending on the NHS every year, which is our number one priority.
• Cut paperwork so we get more police out on the beat fighting crime.
Our opponents are trying to scare older people by telling deliberate lies about our plans. So here is a personal promise, from me, about the things we will protect.
• I will protect your Winter Fuel Payment.
• I will protect your free bus pass and your free TV licence.
• I will protect the pension credit.
These vital benefits will not be cut under the Conservatives. You have my word on it.
I fully agree with David Cameron and welcome this pledge to pensioners here in Brighton Kemptown.
KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON
News that energy company E.on is considering building a major offshore wind farm 8 miles off the coast of Brighton could be good news in helping to tackle Britain's looming energy deficit.
Conservatives have been concerned for some years now that Labour's failure on improving energy security could lead to power cuts in the next decade. The Party has been thinking hard on this issue and recently published a 12 point plan to improve Britain's energy security and make sure we keep the lights on!
Our 12-point plan is set out below:
1. Ensure that Britain has a clear, consistent and stable energy policy
• A Department leading on energy policy. A streamlined Department for Energy and Climate Change will deliver an Annual Energy Statement to Parliament that sets a clear strategic direction for energy policy – and therefore energy investment – in the years ahead.
• Reform of Ofgem. We will reform Ofgem to focus it on executing, not developing, policy. Its competition powers will be transferred to the Office of Fair Trading.
2. Establish a capacity guarantee in the electricity market
• An Electricity Capacity Guarantee. We believe that developers should be incentivised to build enough generating capacity to provide a reliable electricity supply at times of peak demand. The energy regulator should where necessary, long-term contracts for the provision of new capacity. This would allow investments to be planned in advance (thereby assuring security of supply) and at low risk (thereby cutting costs).
3. Establish a security guarantee for gas supply
• A Gas Capacity Guarantee. A Conservative government will ensure that, like France and Germany, we have enough gas storage or equivalent capacity to guarantee supplies throughout the year.
• An active role in a global market. North Sea production is in decline and we must maximise the diversity, reliability and affordability of the imported gas we will need in the years ahead. Therefore, a Conservative government will:
o Promote reliable long-term supply contracts.
o Maintain and deepen our international trading relationships.
o Press for the liberalisation of international energy markets.
4. Reform the Climate Change Levy to provide a floor price for carbon
• A floor price for carbon. The Government’s ineffectual Climate Change Levy is a tax on energy use, not emissions. We will fulfil our commitment to reform the CCL by turning it into a rebateable carbon levy that would act as a floor price for carbon in the energy sector.
5. Operate a streamlined planning process for large infrastructure investments
• Improving the planning system. We will speed up the planning process and ensure there are proper democratic checks and balances. We will retain recently made provisions for a streamlined, fast-track planning process and the National Policy Statements, but demand they be ratified by Parliament.
6. Facilitate nuclear power
• Facilitating nuclear power. We support the long overdue National Policy Statements on energy infrastructure, which are of critical importance to nuclear power. We agree with the nuclear industry that taxpayer and consumer subsidies should not and will not be provided – in particular there must be no public underwriting of construction cost overruns.
• Dealing with nuclear waste. We will work closely with the industry to identify a long-term repository for nuclear waste and establish a fair allocation of costs for the use new nuclear power stations will make of the facility.
7. Accelerate the demonstration of carbon capture and storage
• Action on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). We will bring the current CCS competition to a rapid conclusion and expand the demonstration programme to at least four facilities. We will ensure that CCS pipelines are planned and located where the greatest capacity for growth can be provided at the lowest costs.
• An Emissions Performance Standard. Under Conservative plans, all new coal-fired power stations would have to incorporate CCS technology from the outset and an emissions performance standard would be used to underpin progress on the level of carbon capture and efficiency of each plant.
8. Promote renewable energy
• Feed-in Tariffs. We will reduce costs to consumers and risks to investors by allowing feed-in tariffs to be used for future investments wherever this would offer better value for money to the public and reduce the cost of capital for investors.
• Facilitating development. We will put in place the offshore grid to reduce the uncertainty over grid connections that impacts on investment in offshore wind and marine renewables. And marine park facilities will be developed alongside the offshore grid to accelerate the development and demonstration of wave and tidal power systems.
• Allowing communities to benefit from wind power. We will help take the poison out of many of the planning battles surrounding onshore wind by promoting community ownership of appropriately sited wind farms and allowing communities that chose to host wind farms to keep the additional business rates they generate for six years.
9. Revolutionise supply and demand by building an energy internet
• Accelerating the roll-out of Smart Meters. We will accelerate the roll-out of smart meters, where the data belongs to the consumer, setting a deadline of the end of 2016 for the completion.
• Developing a Smart Grid. We will promote smart grid investment across our energy networks, setting ‘smartness’ criteria for the renewal and replacement of our existing transmission and distribution infrastructure.
10. Reduce demand by offering every household a Green Deal on energy efficiency
• The Green Deal. We will give every household in Britain a Green Deal - the right to have home energy efficiency improvements worth up to £6,500. The upfront costs will be financed by the commercial sector; and repaid over a period of up to 25 years through the savings on energy bills.
11. Electrify transport to reduce dependence on oil
• Reducing dependence on oil. A Conservative government will accelerate progress towards building the type of high-speed rail that has been available across Europe for decades.
• The electrification of road transport. The widespread adoption of electric vehicles depends on a national network of recharging points, as in Brighton; we will designate these as a regulated asset – enabling investment ahead of need.
• Making the most of our North Sea reserves, through reforms to the taxation, licensing and infrastructure arrangements for oil and gas exploration.
12. Create a Green Investment Bank
• A Green Investment Bank. A Conservative government would act to help mobilise investment by creating a Green Investment Bank. The Bank will consolidate within a single institution the existing disparate sources of public investment.
Conservatives have been concerned for some years now that Labour's failure on improving energy security could lead to power cuts in the next decade. The Party has been thinking hard on this issue and recently published a 12 point plan to improve Britain's energy security and make sure we keep the lights on!
Our 12-point plan is set out below:
1. Ensure that Britain has a clear, consistent and stable energy policy
• A Department leading on energy policy. A streamlined Department for Energy and Climate Change will deliver an Annual Energy Statement to Parliament that sets a clear strategic direction for energy policy – and therefore energy investment – in the years ahead.
• Reform of Ofgem. We will reform Ofgem to focus it on executing, not developing, policy. Its competition powers will be transferred to the Office of Fair Trading.
2. Establish a capacity guarantee in the electricity market
• An Electricity Capacity Guarantee. We believe that developers should be incentivised to build enough generating capacity to provide a reliable electricity supply at times of peak demand. The energy regulator should where necessary, long-term contracts for the provision of new capacity. This would allow investments to be planned in advance (thereby assuring security of supply) and at low risk (thereby cutting costs).
3. Establish a security guarantee for gas supply
• A Gas Capacity Guarantee. A Conservative government will ensure that, like France and Germany, we have enough gas storage or equivalent capacity to guarantee supplies throughout the year.
• An active role in a global market. North Sea production is in decline and we must maximise the diversity, reliability and affordability of the imported gas we will need in the years ahead. Therefore, a Conservative government will:
o Promote reliable long-term supply contracts.
o Maintain and deepen our international trading relationships.
o Press for the liberalisation of international energy markets.
4. Reform the Climate Change Levy to provide a floor price for carbon
• A floor price for carbon. The Government’s ineffectual Climate Change Levy is a tax on energy use, not emissions. We will fulfil our commitment to reform the CCL by turning it into a rebateable carbon levy that would act as a floor price for carbon in the energy sector.
5. Operate a streamlined planning process for large infrastructure investments
• Improving the planning system. We will speed up the planning process and ensure there are proper democratic checks and balances. We will retain recently made provisions for a streamlined, fast-track planning process and the National Policy Statements, but demand they be ratified by Parliament.
6. Facilitate nuclear power
• Facilitating nuclear power. We support the long overdue National Policy Statements on energy infrastructure, which are of critical importance to nuclear power. We agree with the nuclear industry that taxpayer and consumer subsidies should not and will not be provided – in particular there must be no public underwriting of construction cost overruns.
• Dealing with nuclear waste. We will work closely with the industry to identify a long-term repository for nuclear waste and establish a fair allocation of costs for the use new nuclear power stations will make of the facility.
7. Accelerate the demonstration of carbon capture and storage
• Action on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). We will bring the current CCS competition to a rapid conclusion and expand the demonstration programme to at least four facilities. We will ensure that CCS pipelines are planned and located where the greatest capacity for growth can be provided at the lowest costs.
• An Emissions Performance Standard. Under Conservative plans, all new coal-fired power stations would have to incorporate CCS technology from the outset and an emissions performance standard would be used to underpin progress on the level of carbon capture and efficiency of each plant.
8. Promote renewable energy
• Feed-in Tariffs. We will reduce costs to consumers and risks to investors by allowing feed-in tariffs to be used for future investments wherever this would offer better value for money to the public and reduce the cost of capital for investors.
• Facilitating development. We will put in place the offshore grid to reduce the uncertainty over grid connections that impacts on investment in offshore wind and marine renewables. And marine park facilities will be developed alongside the offshore grid to accelerate the development and demonstration of wave and tidal power systems.
• Allowing communities to benefit from wind power. We will help take the poison out of many of the planning battles surrounding onshore wind by promoting community ownership of appropriately sited wind farms and allowing communities that chose to host wind farms to keep the additional business rates they generate for six years.
9. Revolutionise supply and demand by building an energy internet
• Accelerating the roll-out of Smart Meters. We will accelerate the roll-out of smart meters, where the data belongs to the consumer, setting a deadline of the end of 2016 for the completion.
• Developing a Smart Grid. We will promote smart grid investment across our energy networks, setting ‘smartness’ criteria for the renewal and replacement of our existing transmission and distribution infrastructure.
10. Reduce demand by offering every household a Green Deal on energy efficiency
• The Green Deal. We will give every household in Britain a Green Deal - the right to have home energy efficiency improvements worth up to £6,500. The upfront costs will be financed by the commercial sector; and repaid over a period of up to 25 years through the savings on energy bills.
11. Electrify transport to reduce dependence on oil
• Reducing dependence on oil. A Conservative government will accelerate progress towards building the type of high-speed rail that has been available across Europe for decades.
• The electrification of road transport. The widespread adoption of electric vehicles depends on a national network of recharging points, as in Brighton; we will designate these as a regulated asset – enabling investment ahead of need.
• Making the most of our North Sea reserves, through reforms to the taxation, licensing and infrastructure arrangements for oil and gas exploration.
12. Create a Green Investment Bank
• A Green Investment Bank. A Conservative government would act to help mobilise investment by creating a Green Investment Bank. The Bank will consolidate within a single institution the existing disparate sources of public investment.
TIGHTENING THE RULES
The recent lobbying revelations have once again brought to the forefront the need to clean up British politics. David Cameron said a couple of months ago that the issue of lobbying was 'next big scandal waiting to happen' and he used a recent press conference to set out a five point plan to ensure that something similar to the recent scandal does not occur again.
David Cameron announced:
• 'We’re going to make absolutely sure that ex-Ministers are not allowed to use the contacts and knowledge gained in government for their own private gain.
• We’ll double the time when it’s forbidden for ex-Ministers to lobby government from twelve months to two years.
• We’ll extend to ten years the period during which ex-Ministers must seek advice from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments.
• We’ll put that Committee on a statutory basis, so ignoring its advice will be an offence.
• And we’ve also got to put a stop to the practice of one part of government lobbying another part of government.'
Moving forward on this agenda will be a key element of a new Conservative Government's rely agenda.
David Cameron announced:
• 'We’re going to make absolutely sure that ex-Ministers are not allowed to use the contacts and knowledge gained in government for their own private gain.
• We’ll double the time when it’s forbidden for ex-Ministers to lobby government from twelve months to two years.
• We’ll extend to ten years the period during which ex-Ministers must seek advice from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments.
• We’ll put that Committee on a statutory basis, so ignoring its advice will be an offence.
• And we’ve also got to put a stop to the practice of one part of government lobbying another part of government.'
Moving forward on this agenda will be a key element of a new Conservative Government's rely agenda.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
LABOUR'S EMPTY BUDGET
David Cameron has responded in the House of Commons to the Chancellor's last Budget before the election.
He said Labour "have made a complete mess of the British economy and they are totally failing to clean it up".
Cameron set out the big argument in British politics: Labour say "don’t do anything before the election, let’s just sit tight and keep our fingers crossed", and the Conservatives say "we need real action to get our economy moving – and urgently".
Highlighting new policies that copied existing Conservative proposals, such as the stamp duty cut and new university places, he said the "only new ideas in British politics are coming from this side of the House" and that "the only thing Labour bring are debt, waste and taxes".
The figures that stands out above any other, he said, was that Labour have "doubled the national debt, and they’re going to double it again".
Outlining the Government's failure Cameron criticised "all those schemes that they launched with great fanfare" for failing to help enough people. He also drew comparisons on the state of the economy when Labour came to power to the present – including the huge increase in the debt and deficit, and a falling down the global league tables in terms of competitiveness, tax and regulation.
He said that the greatest risk to Britain's economic recovery was another Labour government. "No one has yet thought of a question to which the answer is five more years of this Prime Minister", he said.
"We need a credible plan to cut the deficit. We need an unleashing of enterprise across the nation. We need a plan to boost employment through radical welfare and school reform. If ever there was a time when this country needed a radical change of direction it is now."
He concluded that Britain needs a Conservative government "to clean up the mess made by this Labour Government".
"Britain needs new energy, leadership and values to get this country moving again. That’s the argument we’ll take to the country the moment the Prime Minister has been forced by the law of the land to call the election he has avoided for so long."
I agree with David Cameron. Bring on the election which Britain and Brighton desperately needs!
He said Labour "have made a complete mess of the British economy and they are totally failing to clean it up".
Cameron set out the big argument in British politics: Labour say "don’t do anything before the election, let’s just sit tight and keep our fingers crossed", and the Conservatives say "we need real action to get our economy moving – and urgently".
Highlighting new policies that copied existing Conservative proposals, such as the stamp duty cut and new university places, he said the "only new ideas in British politics are coming from this side of the House" and that "the only thing Labour bring are debt, waste and taxes".
The figures that stands out above any other, he said, was that Labour have "doubled the national debt, and they’re going to double it again".
Outlining the Government's failure Cameron criticised "all those schemes that they launched with great fanfare" for failing to help enough people. He also drew comparisons on the state of the economy when Labour came to power to the present – including the huge increase in the debt and deficit, and a falling down the global league tables in terms of competitiveness, tax and regulation.
He said that the greatest risk to Britain's economic recovery was another Labour government. "No one has yet thought of a question to which the answer is five more years of this Prime Minister", he said.
"We need a credible plan to cut the deficit. We need an unleashing of enterprise across the nation. We need a plan to boost employment through radical welfare and school reform. If ever there was a time when this country needed a radical change of direction it is now."
He concluded that Britain needs a Conservative government "to clean up the mess made by this Labour Government".
"Britain needs new energy, leadership and values to get this country moving again. That’s the argument we’ll take to the country the moment the Prime Minister has been forced by the law of the land to call the election he has avoided for so long."
I agree with David Cameron. Bring on the election which Britain and Brighton desperately needs!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
CONSERVATIVES IN KEMPTOWN ARE READY!
Just attended the AGM of Kemptown Conservatives.
This was the best attended meeting in years, and one thing was very clear - Conservatives are ready for the forthcoming campaign, and look forward with relish to helping bring about a Cameron government, which will usher in the change the country so desperately needs.
I spoke to the meeting and told them that I will do everything in my power to win this seat, so that David Cameron goes to Downing Street.
There is a clear choice in Kemptown between a failing government lead by Gordon Brown and 5 more years of labour, or a fresh start under David Cameron.
We are determined here in Brighton Kemptown to bring about that change.
This was the best attended meeting in years, and one thing was very clear - Conservatives are ready for the forthcoming campaign, and look forward with relish to helping bring about a Cameron government, which will usher in the change the country so desperately needs.
I spoke to the meeting and told them that I will do everything in my power to win this seat, so that David Cameron goes to Downing Street.
There is a clear choice in Kemptown between a failing government lead by Gordon Brown and 5 more years of labour, or a fresh start under David Cameron.
We are determined here in Brighton Kemptown to bring about that change.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Gordon Brown’s plans for a Death Tax
Everybody wants to give older people more support in their old age, especially the most vulnerable. That is why a Conservative government will introduce a Home Protection Scheme, a voluntary insurance programme to allow people – for a one off £8,000 payment – to make sure they never have to sell their home to pay for residential care.
After this week's House of Lords ruling Labour’s plans to extend free personal care and to introduce a National Care Service are in chaos. Gordon Brown is considering levying a death tax on every person in England. The choice is clear: a death tax under Gordon Brown or real reform through a voluntary insurance scheme under the Conservatives.
After this week's House of Lords ruling Labour’s plans to extend free personal care and to introduce a National Care Service are in chaos. Gordon Brown is considering levying a death tax on every person in England. The choice is clear: a death tax under Gordon Brown or real reform through a voluntary insurance scheme under the Conservatives.
BRITAIN'S FUTURE CREDIT RATING
One of the first duties of an incoming Conservative Government will be to put the national finances back on a proper footing. Labour's disastrous handling of the country's economy has even led to questions being raised about the country's credit worthiness!
Conservatives have set out a clear benchmark to safeguard Britain’s credit rating with a credible plan to eliminate a large part of the structural deficit over a Parliament.
Firstly, we will cut the deficit quicker and start sooner than Labour and we will make a start in 2010. As the Party said in October, the pace of cuts will be decided in co-ordination with the Bank of England which is responsible for setting interest rates. The choice is clear: Conservatives will act to deal with the deficit, Labour will delay and put recovery at risk.
Top economists, the Bank of England, OECD, CBI, IFS, and National Institute of Economic and Social Research all agree that Labour do not have a credible plan to deal with the deficit.
Our plan involves the restraining the growth of public spending and we will reduce Labour's plans if we win the General Election. Their proposals are not sustainable.
We also need a proper strategy regarding taxes. Our first priority of all Labour's tax rises is to avoid the increase in National Insurance Contributions – a tax on everyone earning over £20,000. At the moment Conservatives have not committed to reverse Labour's planned taxes until we know we can afford it. However, all the plans the Conservatives have put forward are fully funded. For example, the cut we are proposing in inheritance tax would be paid for by a levy on non-doms.
Conservatives know that Britain's spiralling debt is not the way to build a balanced, sustainable economy for the future. That the country's credit rating is a subject of discussion in international circles is a concern in terms of being able to finance the debt while it is being brought under control. Conservative plans will reassure investors that the British Government is serious about re-balancing the national finances and setting them on a path that allows economic growth and to provide the services, like the NHS, that the public rightly values and which the Conservatives Party has put at the heart of its reforming agenda.
Conservatives have set out a clear benchmark to safeguard Britain’s credit rating with a credible plan to eliminate a large part of the structural deficit over a Parliament.
Firstly, we will cut the deficit quicker and start sooner than Labour and we will make a start in 2010. As the Party said in October, the pace of cuts will be decided in co-ordination with the Bank of England which is responsible for setting interest rates. The choice is clear: Conservatives will act to deal with the deficit, Labour will delay and put recovery at risk.
Top economists, the Bank of England, OECD, CBI, IFS, and National Institute of Economic and Social Research all agree that Labour do not have a credible plan to deal with the deficit.
Our plan involves the restraining the growth of public spending and we will reduce Labour's plans if we win the General Election. Their proposals are not sustainable.
We also need a proper strategy regarding taxes. Our first priority of all Labour's tax rises is to avoid the increase in National Insurance Contributions – a tax on everyone earning over £20,000. At the moment Conservatives have not committed to reverse Labour's planned taxes until we know we can afford it. However, all the plans the Conservatives have put forward are fully funded. For example, the cut we are proposing in inheritance tax would be paid for by a levy on non-doms.
Conservatives know that Britain's spiralling debt is not the way to build a balanced, sustainable economy for the future. That the country's credit rating is a subject of discussion in international circles is a concern in terms of being able to finance the debt while it is being brought under control. Conservative plans will reassure investors that the British Government is serious about re-balancing the national finances and setting them on a path that allows economic growth and to provide the services, like the NHS, that the public rightly values and which the Conservatives Party has put at the heart of its reforming agenda.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
CONSERVATIVE TECHNOLOGY MANIFESTO
The Conservative Party has published plans to kick start the economic recovery, create new jobs, and make the British government the most technology friendly in the world.
The Conservative Technology Manifesto includes plans to legislate to introduce a powerful new "Right to Government Data" that will open up government data to the public, including detailed information on government spending.
This will not only make government more accountable and enable the public to root out wasteful spending, but will catalyse the growth of innovative new business applications and companies that can make use of this valuable public data, estimated to be worth £6 billion.
Key policies include:
• Legislating to enshrine the freedom of government data and create a powerful new ‘Right to Government Data’, enabling the public to request – and receive – government datasets. This will radically increase the amount of government data released – and will provide a multi-billion pound boost to the UK economy. President Obama’s administration has already implemented a ‘Right to Data’ policy.
• Extending superfast 100 mbps broadband across most of the population. This is 50 times faster than Labour’s planned broadband network and would make the UK a hub for the creative industries
• Publishing online every item of central government and Quango spending over £25,000 – including every contract in full. This will create new jobs by opening up government procurement to more SMEs. We will also publish online every item of local government spending over £500 – including every contract in full. In addition, detailed information on the salaries of senior civil servants and local council officials will be published online.
• Creating a level playing field for open source IT in government procurement and open up government IT contracts to SMEs by breaking up large IT projects into smaller components.
• We will also create a small IT development team in government – a ‘government skunkworks’ - that can develop low cost IT applications in-house and advise on the procurement of large projects.
Information technology businesses thrive in Brighton, and 100mbps broadband is to be welcomed. These proposals are good news for job development in our city..
The Conservative Technology Manifesto includes plans to legislate to introduce a powerful new "Right to Government Data" that will open up government data to the public, including detailed information on government spending.
This will not only make government more accountable and enable the public to root out wasteful spending, but will catalyse the growth of innovative new business applications and companies that can make use of this valuable public data, estimated to be worth £6 billion.
Key policies include:
• Legislating to enshrine the freedom of government data and create a powerful new ‘Right to Government Data’, enabling the public to request – and receive – government datasets. This will radically increase the amount of government data released – and will provide a multi-billion pound boost to the UK economy. President Obama’s administration has already implemented a ‘Right to Data’ policy.
• Extending superfast 100 mbps broadband across most of the population. This is 50 times faster than Labour’s planned broadband network and would make the UK a hub for the creative industries
• Publishing online every item of central government and Quango spending over £25,000 – including every contract in full. This will create new jobs by opening up government procurement to more SMEs. We will also publish online every item of local government spending over £500 – including every contract in full. In addition, detailed information on the salaries of senior civil servants and local council officials will be published online.
• Creating a level playing field for open source IT in government procurement and open up government IT contracts to SMEs by breaking up large IT projects into smaller components.
• We will also create a small IT development team in government – a ‘government skunkworks’ - that can develop low cost IT applications in-house and advise on the procurement of large projects.
Information technology businesses thrive in Brighton, and 100mbps broadband is to be welcomed. These proposals are good news for job development in our city..
Friday, March 12, 2010
PUBLIC MEETING IN PEACEHAVEN
I was delighted to take part in 2 meetings yesterday, between candidates for the Brighton Kemptown constituency, at the Peacehaven Community School.
The first was for pupils at the school. I was impressed by the way these young people handled the planning and organisation of the meeting, and of the incisive nature of the questions. They are indeed a credit to the Peacehaven community!
The second meeting was open to members of the public.
I welcome the opportunity I had to answer questions and to debate some of the important issues of the coming campaign.
Britain has suffered nearly 13 years of labour, and at last we can offer the change that Brighton and Britain so desperately need.
The first was for pupils at the school. I was impressed by the way these young people handled the planning and organisation of the meeting, and of the incisive nature of the questions. They are indeed a credit to the Peacehaven community!
The second meeting was open to members of the public.
I welcome the opportunity I had to answer questions and to debate some of the important issues of the coming campaign.
Britain has suffered nearly 13 years of labour, and at last we can offer the change that Brighton and Britain so desperately need.
A FRESH LOOK AT SELLING ALCOHOL
There is much concern amongst local people at the large number of outlets selling alcohol and the number of small supermarkets, often concentrated around a few chains, that seem to be able to sell alcohol at all hours of the day and night. Worries about binge-drinking and its effects are now widespread and we need to take a fresh look and a fresh view.
The reality is that under Labour’s lax licensing regime, drink fuelled violence and disorder are out of control.
Binge-drinking damages people’s health and harms society, so Conservatives will overhaul the Licensing Act to give local authorities and the police much stronger powers over licensing, including the ability to remove licences from, or refuse to grant licences to, any premises which are causing problems.
Under other Conservative plans, Councils will be allowed to shut down permanently any shop or bar found selling alcohol to children, and double the maximum fine for under-age alcohol sales to £20,000.
Tax on super-strength beers, ciders and alcopops, but not the everyday pint, will be increased.
Off-licences and supermarkets will be banned from selling alcohol below cost price.
We will also permit local councils to charge more for latenight licences to pay for additional policing.
It is time for a change on licensing and we cannot go on as we are. Labour seem to have no real idea on how to tackle the problems their 2003 law have brought forward. Conservatives, like the public, know things must change.
The reality is that under Labour’s lax licensing regime, drink fuelled violence and disorder are out of control.
Binge-drinking damages people’s health and harms society, so Conservatives will overhaul the Licensing Act to give local authorities and the police much stronger powers over licensing, including the ability to remove licences from, or refuse to grant licences to, any premises which are causing problems.
Under other Conservative plans, Councils will be allowed to shut down permanently any shop or bar found selling alcohol to children, and double the maximum fine for under-age alcohol sales to £20,000.
Tax on super-strength beers, ciders and alcopops, but not the everyday pint, will be increased.
Off-licences and supermarkets will be banned from selling alcohol below cost price.
We will also permit local councils to charge more for latenight licences to pay for additional policing.
It is time for a change on licensing and we cannot go on as we are. Labour seem to have no real idea on how to tackle the problems their 2003 law have brought forward. Conservatives, like the public, know things must change.
ANOTHER FIVE YEARS OF DRIFT?
The Conservatives have recently published 6 key policy changes that are needed in Britain. We can't go on with another 5 years of Gordon Brown. The Labour Government is exhausted with no new ideas or proposals to move Britain forward.
It is time for a change and these are our Conservative key policy areas:
1 Act now on debt to get the economy moving
Deal with the deficit more quickly than Labour so that mortgage rates stay lower for longer with the Conservatives.
2 Get Britain working by boosting enterprise
Cut corporation tax rates, abolish taxes on the first ten jobs created by new businesses, promote green jobs, and get people off welfare and into work.
3 Make Britain the most family-friendly country in Europe
Freeze council tax and raise the basic state pension, recognise marriage in the tax system and back couples in the benefits system, support young families with extra health visitors, and fightback against crime.
4 Back the NHS
Increase spending on health every year, and make the NHS work for patients not managers.
5 Raise standards in schools
Give teachers the power to restore discipline, and create new smaller schools.
6 Change politics
Reduce the number of MPs, cut Whitehall and quangos by a third, and let taxpayers see where their money is being spent.
It is time for a change and these are our Conservative key policy areas:
1 Act now on debt to get the economy moving
Deal with the deficit more quickly than Labour so that mortgage rates stay lower for longer with the Conservatives.
2 Get Britain working by boosting enterprise
Cut corporation tax rates, abolish taxes on the first ten jobs created by new businesses, promote green jobs, and get people off welfare and into work.
3 Make Britain the most family-friendly country in Europe
Freeze council tax and raise the basic state pension, recognise marriage in the tax system and back couples in the benefits system, support young families with extra health visitors, and fightback against crime.
4 Back the NHS
Increase spending on health every year, and make the NHS work for patients not managers.
5 Raise standards in schools
Give teachers the power to restore discipline, and create new smaller schools.
6 Change politics
Reduce the number of MPs, cut Whitehall and quangos by a third, and let taxpayers see where their money is being spent.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
THE BIGGEST RISK FOR BRITAIN
William Hague, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, has today argued that the biggest risk for Britain is five more years of Gordon Brown.He said that "our ability to undertake economic modernisation will be critical to Britain’s future influence".
He continued "that is why our proposals on business taxation are oriented towards attracting and maintaining investment, why our programme of education reform explicitly draws from best practice across the globe, from Alberta to Sweden to Singapore, to ensure we make the most of every young person’s talent in the future."
Hague warned that the modernisation our economy needs is not guaranteed. "If our opponents’ mistaken arguments and mistaken principles prevailed Britain will move backwards towards a ’70s style model, with a bigger say for the trade unions who want to impose rigidity and unaffordable regulation across the public and private sector”.
Hague said Gordon Brown was right to refer to the economy being "at a crossroads" in a speech he gave today. "We could continue with five more years of his debt, waste and taxes. We know where that would lead - just yesterday an international credit rating agency warned that Labour's plans would result in the loss of our credit rating. "
"That would be a catastrophe for our economy and for our reputation around the world", he said.
"So the biggest risk for Britain is five more years of Gordon Brown. The alternative is to change direction, deal with our debts more quickly and restore confidence in our economy. A new Conservative Government will be a chance to send the signal far and wide that Britain is once again open for business."
It is so important for Brighton Kemptown that we bring about the change needed to develop new jobs in the local economy.
He continued "that is why our proposals on business taxation are oriented towards attracting and maintaining investment, why our programme of education reform explicitly draws from best practice across the globe, from Alberta to Sweden to Singapore, to ensure we make the most of every young person’s talent in the future."
Hague warned that the modernisation our economy needs is not guaranteed. "If our opponents’ mistaken arguments and mistaken principles prevailed Britain will move backwards towards a ’70s style model, with a bigger say for the trade unions who want to impose rigidity and unaffordable regulation across the public and private sector”.
Hague said Gordon Brown was right to refer to the economy being "at a crossroads" in a speech he gave today. "We could continue with five more years of his debt, waste and taxes. We know where that would lead - just yesterday an international credit rating agency warned that Labour's plans would result in the loss of our credit rating. "
"That would be a catastrophe for our economy and for our reputation around the world", he said.
"So the biggest risk for Britain is five more years of Gordon Brown. The alternative is to change direction, deal with our debts more quickly and restore confidence in our economy. A new Conservative Government will be a chance to send the signal far and wide that Britain is once again open for business."
It is so important for Brighton Kemptown that we bring about the change needed to develop new jobs in the local economy.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
INGENIOUS BRITAIN
David Cameron has welcomed Sir James Dyson's Ingenious Britain report, which he commissioned from the popular designer and inventor last October, in order to seek proposals to make Britain the leading high tech exporter in Europe.
His report contains proposals to help us build this new economic model and create well paid new jobs. The Conservative Party strongly welcomes its conclusions.
"Sir James Dyson’s report represents an exciting and ambitious step forward in our desire to make Britain Europe’s leading generator of new technology", Cameron said.
In it are the ideas that will help us create new, high-paying jobs right across our country. Dyson is one of Britain’s biggest success stories and Sir James Dyson knows better than any bureaucrat how you start a business, build it up and start selling to the world – and he’s put that knowledge into this blueprint for creating a generation of innovation and enterprise."
The Review’s proposals include:
• Cultural change to develop high esteem for science and engineering, including a major national prize scheme for engineering and commitments to ‘grand projects’ such as high speed rail and nuclear power to demonstrate a Conservative Government’s ambitions for the country.
• Changes at university level to encourage more young people to choose science and engineering degrees, including: industry scholarships for engineers, where the costs of bursaries to students are shared between industry and government; greater freedom for universities, for example to develop shorter courses where appropriate, or more vocational degrees.
• Changes in the way we exploit new knowledge, so that the UK becomes world-class in taking the best new ideas out of universities and onto the market. Proposals include more focused funding for knowledge transfer in universities and new ways of promoting collaboration through public-private research institutes.
• Changes to improve financing for high tech start ups, by increasing the generosity of the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) relief for angel investors that support hi tech companies, and a government guaranteed business loan scheme to encourage more lending by banks to innovative businesses.
• Changes to support high tech companies, by refocusing R&D tax credits on high tech companies, small businesses and new start-ups, and delivering on ambitions to deliver 25% of procurement and research contracts through small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
I welcome these proposals and the opportunity they can provide for employment in Brighton, as we are already seen as an innovative place to do business.
His report contains proposals to help us build this new economic model and create well paid new jobs. The Conservative Party strongly welcomes its conclusions.
"Sir James Dyson’s report represents an exciting and ambitious step forward in our desire to make Britain Europe’s leading generator of new technology", Cameron said.
In it are the ideas that will help us create new, high-paying jobs right across our country. Dyson is one of Britain’s biggest success stories and Sir James Dyson knows better than any bureaucrat how you start a business, build it up and start selling to the world – and he’s put that knowledge into this blueprint for creating a generation of innovation and enterprise."
The Review’s proposals include:
• Cultural change to develop high esteem for science and engineering, including a major national prize scheme for engineering and commitments to ‘grand projects’ such as high speed rail and nuclear power to demonstrate a Conservative Government’s ambitions for the country.
• Changes at university level to encourage more young people to choose science and engineering degrees, including: industry scholarships for engineers, where the costs of bursaries to students are shared between industry and government; greater freedom for universities, for example to develop shorter courses where appropriate, or more vocational degrees.
• Changes in the way we exploit new knowledge, so that the UK becomes world-class in taking the best new ideas out of universities and onto the market. Proposals include more focused funding for knowledge transfer in universities and new ways of promoting collaboration through public-private research institutes.
• Changes to improve financing for high tech start ups, by increasing the generosity of the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) relief for angel investors that support hi tech companies, and a government guaranteed business loan scheme to encourage more lending by banks to innovative businesses.
• Changes to support high tech companies, by refocusing R&D tax credits on high tech companies, small businesses and new start-ups, and delivering on ambitions to deliver 25% of procurement and research contracts through small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
I welcome these proposals and the opportunity they can provide for employment in Brighton, as we are already seen as an innovative place to do business.
Monday, March 8, 2010
ARGENTINE FALKLANDS PRESSURE SHOULD BE MET WITH RESOLVE
• You may have seen the recent news reports that the Argentine Government is placing restrictions on ship movements around the Falklands and some of the nearby islands following a decision to explore for oil near the Falklands.
The Conservative position is clear:
• The Falklands Islands are sovereign to the United Kingdom, and we condemn attempts by any foreign governments to assert otherwise.
• The islanders have every right to develop the natural resources of their islands and surrounding waters. It should be made very clear that the wholly legitimate search for oil in the Falkland’s waters will not be affected by unwarranted threats or interference from Argentina.
• Good relations with Argentina are desirable and welcome Argentina must be left in no doubt once again by the British Government that the islands but will remain British territory for as long as the islanders wish it. An increased British naval presence in the area would leave no doubt as to this position.
• The British Government should state clearly that no vessel operating within the territorial waters of the Falkland Islands will require any form of permit from any other country.
• An increased British naval presence in the area would leave no doubt as to the UK’s position on the sovereignty of the Falklands. This may just be a question of one more ship visiting more regularly in the region.
The Conservative position is clear:
• The Falklands Islands are sovereign to the United Kingdom, and we condemn attempts by any foreign governments to assert otherwise.
• The islanders have every right to develop the natural resources of their islands and surrounding waters. It should be made very clear that the wholly legitimate search for oil in the Falkland’s waters will not be affected by unwarranted threats or interference from Argentina.
• Good relations with Argentina are desirable and welcome Argentina must be left in no doubt once again by the British Government that the islands but will remain British territory for as long as the islanders wish it. An increased British naval presence in the area would leave no doubt as to this position.
• The British Government should state clearly that no vessel operating within the territorial waters of the Falkland Islands will require any form of permit from any other country.
• An increased British naval presence in the area would leave no doubt as to the UK’s position on the sovereignty of the Falklands. This may just be a question of one more ship visiting more regularly in the region.
CREATING ECONOMIC STABILITY
The Conservatives are determined to ensure that the British economy is again put on a path of sustained and balanced growth. A pathway to prosperity that is based on genuine economic strength and not on unsustainable debt levels.
This is what the Conservatives will do to rebuild the British economy:
Emergency Budget
A Conservative Government will hold an emergency Budget within 50 days of taking office to set out a credible plan to eliminate in large part the structural current budget deficit over a Parliament. The first measures will start to take effect this year.
Cutting government spending.
Conservatives will protect health spending in real terms and honour our commitments on international aid, but there will be cuts in many other departmental budgets including:
• A one year public sector pay freeze in 2011 (this won’t affect the one million lowest paid workers)
• Bringing forward the date at which the state pension age starts to rise to 66 to no earlier than 2016 for men and 2020 for women
• Stopping tax credits to families with incomes over £50,000
• Cutting spending on Child Trust Funds for all but the poorest third of families and families with disabled children
• Capping the biggest public sector pensions above £50,000
• A 5% pay cut for Ministers followed by a 5 year freeze, and a 10% reduction in the number of MPs.
Creating an Independent Office for Budget Responsibility
This will restore trust in Treasury forecasts. The OBR will provide an independent audit of all Government liabilities, and hold the Government to account for its fiscal promises.
Supporting a savings culture.
We will restore our savings culture and encourage people to save more for retirement by:
• Working with employers and industry to support auto-enrollment into pensions for those on middle and lower incomes.
• Restoring the link between the state pension and average earnings.
• Rewarding those who have saved for their retirement by ending compulsory annuitisation at age 75.
• Raising the Inheritance Tax threshold to £1 million.
• Take 9 out of 10 first time buyers out of stamp duty by raising their threshold to £250,000.
• Over the longer term, reversing the effects on pension savers of the 1997 abolition of the dividend tax credit for pension funds.
• Promoting responsible consumer finance by creating a powerful Consumer Protection Agency, launching Britain’s first free national financial advice service, capping excessive store card interest rates, and ensuring that consumers are given much clearer information on credit card bills and advertising.
• Richard Branson backs Conservative spending plans. On 16 February 2010, the Evening Standard quoted Richard Branson saying:
‘I believe the UK's record budget deficit does pose a serious risk to our recovery. It would be damaging if we lost the confidence of the markets through delayed action and saw interest rates have to go up steeply. We are going to have to cut our spending and I agree with the 20 leading economists who said we need to start this year. The next government, whatever party that is, must set out a plan to reduce the bulk of the deficit over a Parliament by cutting wasteful spending and must not put off those tough decisions to next year. These factors threaten to undermine the confidence of international and UK business, UK consumers and the global financial markets. That could cost jobs and reduce investment in Britain. We must send a clear signal that we have the issues in hand and a clear strategy for UK plc.’
Sir Richard Branson’s support for Conservative economic policy of early action to deal with Britain’s debts is hugely welcome. As Britain’s best-known entrepreneur, he knows how to create jobs and build an economic recovery.
I am sure the whole country will want to pay attention to his warning that Gordon Brown’s approach could mean lost jobs, higher mortgage rates and less investment in Britain. Coming just 48 hours after the country’s 20 leading economists made exactly the same argument, the momentum for change is growing every day.
This is what the Conservatives will do to rebuild the British economy:
Emergency Budget
A Conservative Government will hold an emergency Budget within 50 days of taking office to set out a credible plan to eliminate in large part the structural current budget deficit over a Parliament. The first measures will start to take effect this year.
Cutting government spending.
Conservatives will protect health spending in real terms and honour our commitments on international aid, but there will be cuts in many other departmental budgets including:
• A one year public sector pay freeze in 2011 (this won’t affect the one million lowest paid workers)
• Bringing forward the date at which the state pension age starts to rise to 66 to no earlier than 2016 for men and 2020 for women
• Stopping tax credits to families with incomes over £50,000
• Cutting spending on Child Trust Funds for all but the poorest third of families and families with disabled children
• Capping the biggest public sector pensions above £50,000
• A 5% pay cut for Ministers followed by a 5 year freeze, and a 10% reduction in the number of MPs.
Creating an Independent Office for Budget Responsibility
This will restore trust in Treasury forecasts. The OBR will provide an independent audit of all Government liabilities, and hold the Government to account for its fiscal promises.
Supporting a savings culture.
We will restore our savings culture and encourage people to save more for retirement by:
• Working with employers and industry to support auto-enrollment into pensions for those on middle and lower incomes.
• Restoring the link between the state pension and average earnings.
• Rewarding those who have saved for their retirement by ending compulsory annuitisation at age 75.
• Raising the Inheritance Tax threshold to £1 million.
• Take 9 out of 10 first time buyers out of stamp duty by raising their threshold to £250,000.
• Over the longer term, reversing the effects on pension savers of the 1997 abolition of the dividend tax credit for pension funds.
• Promoting responsible consumer finance by creating a powerful Consumer Protection Agency, launching Britain’s first free national financial advice service, capping excessive store card interest rates, and ensuring that consumers are given much clearer information on credit card bills and advertising.
• Richard Branson backs Conservative spending plans. On 16 February 2010, the Evening Standard quoted Richard Branson saying:
‘I believe the UK's record budget deficit does pose a serious risk to our recovery. It would be damaging if we lost the confidence of the markets through delayed action and saw interest rates have to go up steeply. We are going to have to cut our spending and I agree with the 20 leading economists who said we need to start this year. The next government, whatever party that is, must set out a plan to reduce the bulk of the deficit over a Parliament by cutting wasteful spending and must not put off those tough decisions to next year. These factors threaten to undermine the confidence of international and UK business, UK consumers and the global financial markets. That could cost jobs and reduce investment in Britain. We must send a clear signal that we have the issues in hand and a clear strategy for UK plc.’
Sir Richard Branson’s support for Conservative economic policy of early action to deal with Britain’s debts is hugely welcome. As Britain’s best-known entrepreneur, he knows how to create jobs and build an economic recovery.
I am sure the whole country will want to pay attention to his warning that Gordon Brown’s approach could mean lost jobs, higher mortgage rates and less investment in Britain. Coming just 48 hours after the country’s 20 leading economists made exactly the same argument, the momentum for change is growing every day.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
EXPANDING ACADEMIES AND REFORMING OFSTED
Michael Gove, the Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, has announced that a Conservative Government will legislate immediately to expand rapidly the Academies programme.
He pledged to introduce a new Educational Bill within days of taking office, with the intention of it becoming law by the end of July 2010.
The Bill will sweep away restrictions on the creations of new Academies and radically reform Ofsted to put a new focus on saving failing school, radically reform OFSTED, and struggling primaries will be identified faster and turned around more quickly.
The announcement comes as the Conservative Party holds a conference for more than 150 heads of outstanding schools to outline their plans to spread lessons from the best schools to those that are struggling.
"Unless we act now our children will lose out in the global race for knowledge", Gove said. "We cannot afford another five years of Gordon Brown. We need a new generation of independent state schools run by teachers who know your child’s name, not by politicians."
He said that if the Conservatives win the election, we will act "within days" to raise standards:
"We will immediately change the law so we can set hundreds of good schools free from political interference and enable them to help struggling schools. We will enable them to re-open as Academies this September. And we will empower them to take over failing primaries or other schools which need their leadership."
He pledged to introduce a new Educational Bill within days of taking office, with the intention of it becoming law by the end of July 2010.
The Bill will sweep away restrictions on the creations of new Academies and radically reform Ofsted to put a new focus on saving failing school, radically reform OFSTED, and struggling primaries will be identified faster and turned around more quickly.
The announcement comes as the Conservative Party holds a conference for more than 150 heads of outstanding schools to outline their plans to spread lessons from the best schools to those that are struggling.
"Unless we act now our children will lose out in the global race for knowledge", Gove said. "We cannot afford another five years of Gordon Brown. We need a new generation of independent state schools run by teachers who know your child’s name, not by politicians."
He said that if the Conservatives win the election, we will act "within days" to raise standards:
"We will immediately change the law so we can set hundreds of good schools free from political interference and enable them to help struggling schools. We will enable them to re-open as Academies this September. And we will empower them to take over failing primaries or other schools which need their leadership."
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
LABOUR'S ECONOMIC INCOMPETENCE
Ken Clarke our Business Spokesman has said “We have been arguing for months that it is only the prospect of a Conservative victory that has been holding down interest rates and holding up sterling. This has been a very fragile position. Yesterday's and today's market movements show how nervous our foreign creditors and investors are about the prospects of a Gordon Brown victory or a hung parliament.”
The argument from a British point of view is if investors do not believe the new British Government has the political will to deal with the deficit and pay down some debt they will demand much higher interest rates before they will lend us any more money. It's a perfectly straightforward argument.
George Osborne first warned that a devalued pound could push up long-term interest rates in November of 2008. George said then: "The more you borrow as a government, the more you have to sell that debt - And the less attractive your currency seems."
This is not because of plain speaking from the Opposition, but because the markets could take fright over the prospect of the irresponsible, profligate Gordon Brown government somehow hanging onto office for another five years.
Last thing I want is the Government of this country to be at the mercy of the bond markets or international finance. That's the position Gordon Brown has put us in. We run that risk because Gordon Brown has left our country with the biggest budget deficit in peacetime history, borrowing one pound for every four we spend. I want to live in a democracy which elects a Government that regains control of events and has the mandate from the electorate to take the tough and necessary decisions. Voters must not elect themselves into a financial crisis.
In plain terms, no one should doubt that a Cameron Government will cut wasteful public spending, keep taxes as low as possible and get rid of the bulk of the structural public deficit in the lifetime of the next Parliament.
The argument from a British point of view is if investors do not believe the new British Government has the political will to deal with the deficit and pay down some debt they will demand much higher interest rates before they will lend us any more money. It's a perfectly straightforward argument.
George Osborne first warned that a devalued pound could push up long-term interest rates in November of 2008. George said then: "The more you borrow as a government, the more you have to sell that debt - And the less attractive your currency seems."
This is not because of plain speaking from the Opposition, but because the markets could take fright over the prospect of the irresponsible, profligate Gordon Brown government somehow hanging onto office for another five years.
Last thing I want is the Government of this country to be at the mercy of the bond markets or international finance. That's the position Gordon Brown has put us in. We run that risk because Gordon Brown has left our country with the biggest budget deficit in peacetime history, borrowing one pound for every four we spend. I want to live in a democracy which elects a Government that regains control of events and has the mandate from the electorate to take the tough and necessary decisions. Voters must not elect themselves into a financial crisis.
In plain terms, no one should doubt that a Cameron Government will cut wasteful public spending, keep taxes as low as possible and get rid of the bulk of the structural public deficit in the lifetime of the next Parliament.
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