Conservative policy
Cameron to invoke Thatcher to attack striking unions
In a speech later on today David Cameron will invoke the spirit of Margaret Thatcher’s government to continue his attack on striking unions, and increase the pressure on Gordon Brown.
Following the collapse of last ditch talks between Unite and BA, along with the announcement that the RMT will hold the first national railway strike in 16 years, the Conservative leader will accuse Brown of being “feeble” and too willing to give into vested interests.
Speaking in London he will say:
“Margaret Thatcher’s government was defined by taking the side of the people against the powerful, the vested interest – those whose survival depended on keeping things as they were. Take her union reforms.
Jeffrey Sachs Endorses Osborne
George Osborne has won the endorsement of Jeffrey Sachs, the director of Columbia Universities Earth Institute. The world renowned economist has signed a joint op-ed in tomorrow’s Financial Times with the shadow chancellor.
Here are come of the key excerpts:
“Virtually all policy analysts agree that the path to renewed prosperity in Europe and the US depends on a credible plan to re-establish sound public finances. Without such a plan, the travails which have hit Greece and which are threatening Portugal and Spain will soon enough threaten the UK, US, and other deficit-ridden countries. In the recent duel of macroeconomists, one camp has called for early budget consolidation, followed by further measures over five years. We agree. Others want more fiscal stimulus, delaying deficit reduction. We believe delaying the start of deficit reduction would put long-term recovery at risk. Such an approach misjudges politics, financial markets, and underlying economic realities.”
Baroness Neville-Jones attacks governments cyber security policies
In a speech later on today the Conservatives will expose the Government’s ignorance when it comes to cyber-security.
Appearing at Cityforum’s ‘Nations and Cyber Warfare’ event, the first round table discussion aimed at examining how vulnerable the UK is to cyber attacks, the Shadow Security Minister will say:
“Cyber attacks are happening at this very moment and the UK is incredibly vulnerable to them. The Government is failing to recognise the extent of the threat of these cyber attacks. It must immediately face up to it and take urgent action. For our cyber defence to be effective it must involve offensive tactics.”
Value for money in local government
In a speech to the Conservative Councillors’ Association today David Cameron will outline his plans for local government.
The Conservatives will give more power, discretion and autonomy to local councils, but greater power must be backed up with greater accountability to local taxpayers. Under Conservative plans councils will be require to publish online:
- The full remuneration package of all senior staff, earning above £58,500, including name and post.
- All items of expenditure above £500, and publish contracts and tender documents in full.
- Information on councillors’ expenses in open and standardised format so the public can compare councillor expenses across the country.
Bellow are some key extracts from David Cameron’s speech:
Conservatives to end political control of A levels
Earlier today Michael Gove announce that the Conservatives will end the political interference exerted over A Levels by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Authority.
Instead of government departments and quango’s dictating how the exams are designed, there content and structure will be the responsibility of the experts including: universities, exam boards, and learned societies such as the Royal Society and Institute of Physics. This will reverse the devaluation of the A Level’s reputation across the world and help restore world-leading exams to Britain.
Andrew Lansley Spring Conference speech in full
“Thank you.
Do you know when is the hardest time to speak to a Conservative conference?
Right after William Hague.
He’s not just a fabulous speaker. He’s a fantastic colleague in the Shadow Cabinet.
And, electorate willing, we know he will make a great Foreign Secretary.
Before I start, let me introduce our team and guests here this afternoon:
First, from my own team. Two of our extremely hard-working health team.
Anne Milton, who leads on nursing, maternity and long-term conditions.
William Hague Spring Conference speech in full
“In Brighton this weekend, we, the Conservative Party, come together firm in our conviction, confident in our purpose and resolute in our determination that we will provide the change, the new direction and the new government that this country so urgently needs.
This is a party, out of government for these long years, that has once again planted its roots deep in the soil of Britain; a party that stands unambiguously for family and community, for facing problems together, for responsibility and backing those who do the right thing, for hard work and for saving, for aspiration and optimism, for opening up our own party to people of every background, for releasing the enterprise of a bold and ingenious nation, for giving people more control over their own lives, for giving people the belief they have lost – that they can once again respect their own country and know the rest of the world will do the same.
