Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Campaign Diary - Day Eight

The day the manifesto was launched. You might think this is all a bit obvious because I'm hardly likely to have a pop at my own party's manfisto, or you might think this makes me a political geek, but I am really excited by it.

I not wild about the title, nor its publishing in hardback, but the political content could be the most radical approach to government we have seen in a very long time. The solutions to the problems that this country faces are unlikely to come from a government pronouncement, diktat or regulation. They come from local people - like you and me - taking action and having the power to change things. Yes the government is there for advice and as en enabler; so those who say these plans leave people adrift are wrong.

For those of us who joined the party because we believe in liberty, freedom, small government, low taxes, responsive and excellent public services this ticks all the boxes. It is relentlessly positive; a real contrast with Labour.

Many people nowdays, when confronted with an issue, ask - what is the government doing about this, what action is the council taking, where's the EU when you need them? Depending on this issue, this might not be the way to solve your problems.

So what can do under the Conservative manifesto plans?

It’s an invitation to...
· be your own boss
· sack your MP
· run your own school
· own your own home
· veto council tax rises
· vote for your police
· save your local pub or post office.

Our manifesto sets out our plans to change Britain:
· Our school reform plan will raise standards and improve discipline.
· Our welfare reform plan will make sure that everyone who can work does work.
· Strong families are the bedrock of a strong society, so we are setting out plans to help make Britain the most family-friendly country in Europe.
· We will cut government waste to stop Labour’s jobs tax, which will kill the recovery.
· It reaffirms our support for the NHS.
· It includes the boldest and most ambitious set of green measures ever put before the electorate by a mainstream party.

Ever wanted to do something about the problems in this country? You can - you, your neighbours, society as a whole and with the government backing you all the way.

This manifesto has given me real fire in my belly about the party. I haven't felt this way about a political idea, perhaps ever. Roll on the candidate debates, roll on the election.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've voted Conservative locally three times in a row.

This conservative manefesto really turns me off, its hollow, it shows the Conservaives haven't changed; whilst appealing change is the right medicines. We don't need change, not drastic change. Education, health, police need to be left alone at the front line; not more Gove gimmicks in parent power. Not impressed.

The more I look, the less I like.

Green policies, greenwash more like. Producers of waste ewntering a downwatered "voluntary" agreement. What a laugh. Cutting the independence of the Environmental Agency, of WRAP. Its agenda/ideology based..not common sense. What takes the place, non expert meddling. So looks after/monitors coastal defences, flooding, air and water pollution? Who looks after the big picture on reducing waste, industry, construction and commercial inniatives?

Actually I done wish to vote my chief constable or my childs headmaster in or out. I trust those who have appointed them on my/our behalf to have made the best decision.

It is unfair on hard working and dedicated single people where kids or relationship aren't their thing. Dedicated single workers are the bedrock of our econony and getting us out of trouble. It treats them and their espiration of soleness as SECOND CLASS CITIZENS to those in relationship or married.

Unitary? I want a Unitary Norwich which brings urban services under one roof in the centre of norwich, raher than 1.5 miles on the southern bipass.

Back to Clarke or Ramsay, me thinks, sorry Antony!

Red Star said...

I have to admit I agree with the above comment. Well done to your poster. More to add later.

Red Star said...

I think the choice in Norwich South will be between Adrian Ramsay and Charles Clarke.

I do not think that the Lib Dems or the Conservatives have made a significant enough impact on the electorate here.

(1) For the Lib Dems there is a history with their brief period in Administration at Norwich City Council (which did plunge us into a whole load of problems). The local history does impact on how people look at Simon Wright. For me he may have been a brilliant party worker for Norman Lamb and was able to increase their size of the vote share in North Norfolk beating the politically challenged Iain Dale, but he isn't a brilliant PPC.

(2) For the Conservatives (where do I begin) Norwich South is an uphill struggle anyway. It has been traditionally Labour, and the Lib Dems have been a shadow of their former selves BUT in terms of impact it hasn't been promising. I do feel myself that CCHQ has placed more effort into Norwich North. The Greens are becoming stronger by the day and there is a good chance that Adrian Ramsay or Charles Clarke will represent Norwich South. Plus you have problems with the impact of Norfolk County Council cut backs and the impact to the most disadvantaged in Norfolk.

On the other comments raised by the other poster - YES I AGREE PASSIONATELY WITH A NORWICH UNITARY.

I want a Unitary Norwich to stop the asset selling and the cut backs which the Tory administration have set upon us. I want more democratic accountability, more of a say in how we run our own affairs. PLUS bring all services under one authority. It will cost less in the long term and be more democratic. I want a Democratic Socialist administration but settle for a Labour or a Green Party at City Hall which do seem to correlate more with my values and ideals.

I do not come from a traditional family background, and feel that it is going to place children at a disadvantage by a Govt saying that their family unit is not worth as much as a married couple. For a patronising £3 a week if Cameron thinks that people will stay together, he needs to think again.
All that matters is who loves you and provides a supporting and loving home. Not whether your parents are married or not. Its not going to stop violent crime in Britain by giving couples £3 a week.