Cameron: Tories are the party of social revival
Monday, 19 March 2007
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David Cameron told the Conservatives yesterday: "Let us have faith; this time we'll do it." Boosted by a run of favourable opinion polls, the Tory leader claimed that his party, which has been in opposition for a decade, is at last a "contender" for power.
He spent the weekend taking the Conservatives into political territory usually seen as Labour's home ground. Mr Cameron's keynote speech to the Conservatives' spring conference in Nottingham set out to rebrand the Tories as the party of "social revival", one that understood "there is more to life than money", and would be trusted to deliver good services.
Despite a ritual tribute to Margaret Thatcher in the middle of his speech, his remarks overall were in stark contrast to her free market ideology, which she once summed up in the words "there is no such thing as society".
Mr Cameron told his party representatives: "The big argument in politics today is not about a free enterprise economy; it's about our society.
"Because it's not economic breakdown that Britain now faces but social breakdown. Not businesses that aren't delivering, but public services. Not irresponsible unions; it's irresponsible parents. We're becoming the sick family of Europe."
His speech was heard in polite silence by the Tory activists, many of whom would feel more at home listening to the old Tory themes of patriotism and law and order but who are prepared to follow Mr Cameron because his poll ratings suggest that he is a winner. At the conclusion, he was given a brief but loud standing ovation.
The delegates were even treated to the unusual sound of a Tory leader telling them that one of their party's top priorities was to revive the NHS.
Mr Cameron said: "It always used to be said that Labour were the party of the NHS. Not any more. Labour have ripped the heart out of our NHS and replaced it with a computer. Today's Conservative party backs the NHS head, heart and soul.
"We will get rid of the top down, centralising, interfering, insulting targets that drive our doctors and nurses mad."
He also accused the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, who is expected to become prime minister in a few months, of being all "spin", and claimed that he - Mr Cameron - was the leader who would take unpopular decisions. He offered two examples, his proposed tax on air flights, and his promise of tax breaks for married couples.
Mr Cameron jokily claimed that his party's prospects are now looking so good that even the notoriously sombre Tory chairman, Francis Maude, was looking cheerful. "Please, Francis, leave the optimism to me," he pleaded.
He told his audience: "We have made this party a contender once again. The pace is getting quicker. In a matter of months, Blair will be gone and Brown will be here. Let us have faith this time we'll do it."
Mr Cameron's staff have displayed some irritation at a Sunday newspaper whose journalists had examined the contents of rubbish bins outside his Kensington home, and accused him of not taking proper care to recycle his household waste. Some of the nappies they found were not biodegradable.
A spokesman said the party was considering a formal complaint about the intrusion on the Cameron family's privacy. The Camerons have been unable to find biodegradable nappies for their disabled four-year-old son.
The spokesman added: "I don't think there is any doubt that this sort of thing is sharp practice. We need to have a good debate in this country and I think it's a shame that it is devalued by silly stories where people rummage through people's bins."
