Quote of the Week

From Anne Treneman, writing a sketch in The Times on DC's conference speech:


"The most impressive moment of the speech, for me, was when Dave was talking about how the working poor are hurt by the tax system. He said that a single mum with two kids who earns £150 a week will be able to keep just 4p for every extra pound she earns.

“Thirty years ago this party won an election fighting against 98 per cent tax rates on the richest,” he said. “Today I want us to show even more anger about 96 per cent tax rates on the poorest.” As he said this, the hall jumped up as one, cheering. It was at that moment that I realised that Dave really had changed his party."

Comments

Jane said…
Unfortunately I missed the Conservative Party Conference because I was in Malta. However, I was able to follow it in the Telegraph. It was hugely impressive. George Osborne’s down to earth realism and honesty regarding the economy, followed by Dave Cameron’s upbeat but pragmatic approach to the country’s economic problems demonstrated what modern progressive Conservatism is about.

It also dispelled the myth that the Conservative Party does not care about the poor. The gap between rich and poor has increased under Labour whilst simultaneously social mobility has decreased. Labour has hurt the people it purports to represent like the single working mother on £150 a week, who is allowed to keep just 4p of every extra pound she earns. This is no incentive for people to work and take individual responsibility.

The great message that came over was also padded out with detail and strategy. Labour can no longer accuse the Conservatives of not putting flesh on the bones of its policies. George Osborne described what he was going to do. Spending cuts are inevitable and the forthcoming austerity will affect everybody. Despite this targeted and planned spending cuts can be imposed, cutting out the QUANGOs and red tape, while maintaining a commitment to the delivery of essential frontline services, through the likes of hospitals and schools. It may have upset the some of the unions, but these cuts will have to be made. It is payback time and money cannot be spent indefinitely. Labour has admitted it. This is reality not the words of the 'nasty party'. The Conservatives have shown blunt honesty about how they are going to deal with the debt legacy that they have inherited from Labour. At the same time it is framed in a highly moral and compassionate manner.

It was also pleasing to note the commitment to providing the troops in Afghanistan with proper support and equipment.

Role on the General Election, responsible public spending and genuine concern for the poor, by facilitating the means by which they can raise themselves out of poverty.

The true voice of modern progressive Conservatism has been heard. Returning power to the people from the over centralised and controlling state.
Stephen said…
I don't see the party as having chaged too much from that statement. The Conservatives are simply a party that wants fair taxation for all, as low as possible across the board, to alow people to prosper.

An impressive conference speech which has set an interesting general election race in motion.

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