“Last week I was in Birmingham at the Conservative Party conference. The mood was unusual, with the week being rather overshadowed by the financial crisis. All in all though it was a good conference and I felt that David Cameron hit the right notes, addressing some of the key issues facing the UK and making an excellent speech on Wednesday that set out his own personal philosophy and the direction in which the Party is moving. It was also very useful to meet members of the Shadow Cabinet, such as William Hague, who were keen to hear about my work in Stockton South.”
North East Reception On Monday evening, hundreds of people attended the Yorkshire and North East Reception at the ICC. Party Chairman Caroline Spelman welcomed everyone to the event, sponsored for the North East by Northumbrian Water and the Association of North East Councils. Shadow Foreign Secretary and Chairman of The Northern Board, William Hague, then spoke about the progress being made across the North East.
David Cameron’s Speech The week at the ICC in Birmingham was concluded with the speech from David Cameron. Speaking in the Symphony Hall to a crowd of thousands, Mr Cameron promised that a Conservative Government would rebuild our battered economy, renew our bureaucratised NHS and repair our broken society.
Council Tax Freeze One of the highlights of George Osborne’s speech to Conference was his announcement of a freeze on council tax. The Shadow Chancellor said its aim was to help families cope with the rising cost of living.
Schools Michael Gove has outlined proposals to free hundreds of good Comprehensives from bureaucratic control by allowing them to become autonomous, non-selective Academies.
Crime & Anti-Social Behaviour In his speech, Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve accused Labour of having “lost sight of whose side they’re on” when it comes to crime. He promised to eradicate the ‘walk-on-by’ culture created by Labour and free police officers to do their duty.
The NHS Andrew Lansley unveiled his plan for a better NHS, and pledged to give every patient access to a single room if they need or want it.
Our Broken Society Chris Grayling promised to put an end to the situation where welfare is an entitlement and instead make it a two-way contract.
Foreign Affairs William Hague promised that Afghanistan and Pakistan will be the “single most urgent focus” of a Conservative Government’s foreign policy. The Shadow Foreign Secretary stressed, “Failure there would leave the world, ourselves included, much more open to terrorist attack.”
