Friday, 09 July 2004
What do Conservatives stand for ?
Conservatives come from a diverse range of backgrounds, interests and concerns. We are a broad church, encouraging open debate and accepting differences of opinion. But we are united around a set of core principles:
Personal Freedom
Conservatives believe the Government interference can often do more harm than good. Constant intervention from Whitehall bureaucrats can make public services worse not better.
Example: Over-prescriptive and expensive regulation of care homes has resulted in 60,000 fewer care home beds since Labour came to power. This in turn has increased delays and waiting lists in the NHS.
Enterprise & Opportunity
Conservatives believe people want to be free to make life better for themselves and their families. We want to keep taxes low and set businesses free from red tape to help Britain compete in the global economy.
Example: Labour have imposed a £5 billion a year tax on pension funds. As a result, firms across the country have been forced to close final salary pension schemes. The end result will be more pensioners in poverty.
Safety & Stability
Conservatives stand for the rule of the law and being tough against criminals who wreck other people’s lives. We believe to promoting international security through strong defence and extending freedom, human rights and democracy across the world.
Example: Since Labour came to power, our police forces have been overwhelmed with new red-tape and bureaucracy, and police morale has plummeted. Conservatives will free the police from this, and put police officers back patrolling our streets.
Community Government
Conservatives trust local people to make better decisions than distant penpushers. Rather than trying to run public services from behind a desk in Whitehall, we believe local communities know best.
Example: The Labour Government is fuelling the destruction of our Green Belt and green spaces through national and regional building targets - including Guildford. Conservatives believe local people should have the final say over where new developments are located.
British Democracy
Conservatives recognise the importance of local and national traditions, institutions and identities. We will protect the British people’s right to choose who governs them. We want to be in Europe, but not run by Europe.
Example: We oppose scrapping the Pound – as it will mean unelected bureaucrats in Brussels, rather than the British people, will decide the level of taxes, public spending and interest rates. |
