Conservative Achievements

When the Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls welcomes the news that the UK economy has seen the fastest growth for three years, you know that Britain is on the right track! To add to the good Friday feeling vibe here is a summary of what the Conservatives have achieved since 2010…

• Deficit cut by a third
• 1 million more people employed
• Crime down by more than 10% 
• Car manufacturing up 10%
• 25 million people's income tax cut
• 1.4 million new private sector jobs created
• More than 1.5 million apprenticeships created
• Benefits capped
• Net immigration down a third
• Penny off the price of a pint
• Freezing and cutting fuel duty

Remember that we're on the right track and that Labour is the same old Labour who have opposed EVERYTHING we have done to turn our economy around. 

By opposing every single measure the Conservatives have taken to turn the country around, Ed Miliband has shown what a weak leader he is who cannot stand up for hardworking people. 

Don't let him lie about our achievements and remember to remind everyone the damage that a Labour government would do to Britain. 

http://sharethefacts.conservatives.com/

A Truly Conservative Conference for a Tory Majority

With a general election under two years away, Manchester 2013 will be remembered as a landmark conference, where the Conservative Party focussed not only on what it has to do for the country, but why it is doing it. In the conference hall and exhibition space, banners hung from the roof rafters reminding delegates of our record in office. We have cut income tax for 25 million people, capped welfare and created 1.4 million new private sector jobs. The message to members and to the wider public was simple, we are proud of our deficit reduction strategy and are on the side of hardworking people who play by the rules. 

It is very easy for the Labour Party to sit back and attack the ‘cost of living crisis – but the fact they ignore is that this very crisis was created by Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband with their ludicrous over-spending and poor management. The Conservatives are cleaning up the mess and opinion polls demonstrate that the public see that the tough decisions are working and also see that these decisions are being taken in the national interest for the good of the country. 

Under the direction of George Osborne and David Cameron, the British economy is growing at the fastest rate in the developed world. There have been huge savings made across all government departments, with welfare rebalanced to ensure it pays to work instead of spending a life on benefits. The private sector is growing fast, and more and more people are getting into work. Added to this, the Help to Buy scheme is designed to ensure more and more people can own their own home, carrying on a key policy implemented previously by the late Margaret Thatcher. 

As we head closer to a general election, Conservative Party members need to heed the words of Liam Fox who recently spoke at a Blue Collar Conservatives event saying, “We have got to have more faith in ourselves and be proud of what we have achieved and if we are proud of ourselves it shows.” 

The Conservative Party has a record of which we can be truly proud, now we need to make the case to voters in the lead up to 2015.

Rewarding hard work

Cameron’s Religious Christmas Message Shows Britain has Regained its Confidence

David’s Cameron’s Christmas message comes at the end of one of the most patriotic and heartwarming years for our country in recent memory. In his address, it is fitting that Cameron should choose to reference our Christian heritage by using quotes from the bible, a signal of his personal faith, but also his love for Britain’s history and identity. Although those on the left will undoubtedly claim that these references are offensive and divisive, they are actually a signal that Britain is at peace with itself, and more confident and passionate about its religious and cultural history and the rich and diverse society in which we now live.

There is no better example of our country’s diverse talents than the Olympics, a towering example of Britain at its best. Our heroes who achieved extraordinary athletic achievements came from different backgrounds, religions and cultures, but above all they were British. The same can be said from the wonderful Jubilee party I attended in my ward of Waddon, so many people had come out in the early hours to prepare the bunting, bake the cakes and set up the tables, for everyone to enjoy the day. 

2012 will be remembered as the year not simply where Britain excelled itself but the year that we re-discovered what being British was all about. Our ability to finally celebrate our historic religious identity is a sign that our county once again believes in itself, and a country that believes in itself will believe in and support every individual, whatever their religion and whatever their background. 

 

Croydon North Needs Andy Stranack

Tomorrow voters in Croydon North will go to the polls with a very clear choice about the future of their community. They can choose a complacent Labour candidate from another Borough or a dedicated community and charity worker in Conservative candidate Andy Stranack.

I know Andy well and I know how much respect he commands from his work on the ground with residents in Croydon North. Andy is a fighter with a strong heart who puts his community first and would make an excellent representative for Croydon North. When he was just five years old, he was told he would never be able to walk due to his cerebral palsy, just two years later he proved them wrong. Andy also rises above petty party politics, working closely with his friend, the late Croydon North MP Malcolm Wicks to set up the Croydon Disability Forum in 1995.

Tomorrow, Croydon North needs to select a representative that lives in and knows the area. Croydon North needs someone that will fight for residents and support them through thick and thin.

Vote Andy Stranack for Croydon North.

To view his five priorities please click here                      

The Iconic Lady

After seeing the teaser trailers and the TV promotions, I was very much looking forward to seeing Meryl Streep’s performance as Margret Thatcher in much hyped film The Iron Lady. Taking my seat in London’s Odeon cinema in Leicester Square on Saturday evening with a group of friends, the audience sat with excited anticipation as the introductory credits began to roll.  The opening scene features a frail old woman, walking across London’s streets to the local corner shop to purchase a pint of milk. The proceeding shots paint Britain’s greatest peace time Prime Minister as a woman consumed by dementia, confused, vulnerable and alone in the world.

Having personal experience of a family member suffering from dementia, the on screen pain as the frail former Prime Minister becomes forgetful and confused is particularly difficult – and realistic. Yet the film itself repeatedly reminds the audience of this condition, scene after scene to a point where the lingering on the condition verges on gratuitous. This is an aspect of the film most viewers have also criticised, and rightly so.

Nevertheless, despite the uncomfortable viewing, the film has several moments of magic. Watching the young, vulnerable Miss Roberts fend off and triumph over sexism and snobbery over her humble background working in a grocer’s store is a delight. As is her meteoric rise to power, with her straight talking, no nonsense approach captures the imagination of voters, delivering her into the position of Prime Minister.

Thatcher reminds us all of the dangers of dithering when it comes to policy. In an era when politicians are fixated with being ‘liked’ instead of respected, her approach illustrates perfectly how a commitment to beliefs and actions can raise unprecedented and sometimes unexpected support from the electorate. Whilst Labour’s Ed Miliband refuses to admit that Labour spent too much, as Conservatives we must stand firm on our commitment to cut the deficit and get our country back on track. It is our moral duty to reduce the toxic amounts of debt saddling our country and help get Britain firmly on the road to recovery.

This approach will undoubtedly trigger criticism, smears and attacks from those on the left, but as Meryl Streep’s character says in her booming voice, “We will stand on principle or we will not stand at all.”