Menu
03/10/2005
‘Compelling vision’ needed for Conservatives
The Conservatives need more than a new leader in order to get back into government, the party chairman has warned.
Speaking at the opening day of the Conservative party conference in Blackpool, Francis Maude said: “We need much more than a new leader. We need to show that we know and understand and can reflect today’s Britain. We need to offer a compelling vision of tomorrow’s Britain that inspires the young who are Britain’s future.
“We’ve succeeded in the past because those who went before had the courage and the vision to embrace change, to confront the world as it is, and to resolve to make it better.”
The main focus of the Conservatives’ annual conference will be who will replace Michael Howard as party leader. Sir Malcolm Rifkind, Liam Fox, David Cameron, David Davis and Kenneth Clarke have all announced their intention to run for party leadership.
However, newspaper polls on Monday suggested the leadership race might be a two-horse race, between Shadow Home Secretary David Davis and former Chancellor Kenneth Clarke.
Sir Malcolm Rifkind was the first of the declared leadership contenders to speak at the Blackpool conference and he appealed for a return to ‘One Nation Conservatism’.
The Shadow Secretary for Work and Pensions told the Conference that the Labour party was “deteriorating” and criticised the Cabinet as “political pygmies” who imitated Conservative ideas and values.
He said: “We need to have confidence in our beliefs. I believe our basic beliefs and values remain sound. I joined the party because I saw it as a unique combination of patriotism and principle and, through these, being able to provide liberty, equality and opportunity and improvements to the condition of the people.
“That is our challenge. Maybe we do have a mountain to climb, but let’s set our sights high.”
Mr Clarke used a fringe meeting at Monday lunchtime to tell party members that fears that he would take the UK into the single European currency were “paranoid”.
Shadow Culture and Family Secretary Theresa May also stressed the need for reform during her conference speech. She said that the Conservatives needed to win back the respect and support of the British electorate by being “less opportunistic, scrupulously honest and painfully reasonable”.
Mrs May said that the party needed to show that it was a party that was “comfortable with Britain as it is today”. She said: “We have to show we are a party representative of men and women, of every age, race and religion; a party as at home in the cities as it is in the country; a party as confident about the future as it is about the past. And we must reflect that, not just in our words, but in our attitudes.”
(KMcA/SP)
Speaking at the opening day of the Conservative party conference in Blackpool, Francis Maude said: “We need much more than a new leader. We need to show that we know and understand and can reflect today’s Britain. We need to offer a compelling vision of tomorrow’s Britain that inspires the young who are Britain’s future.
“We’ve succeeded in the past because those who went before had the courage and the vision to embrace change, to confront the world as it is, and to resolve to make it better.”
The main focus of the Conservatives’ annual conference will be who will replace Michael Howard as party leader. Sir Malcolm Rifkind, Liam Fox, David Cameron, David Davis and Kenneth Clarke have all announced their intention to run for party leadership.
However, newspaper polls on Monday suggested the leadership race might be a two-horse race, between Shadow Home Secretary David Davis and former Chancellor Kenneth Clarke.
Sir Malcolm Rifkind was the first of the declared leadership contenders to speak at the Blackpool conference and he appealed for a return to ‘One Nation Conservatism’.
The Shadow Secretary for Work and Pensions told the Conference that the Labour party was “deteriorating” and criticised the Cabinet as “political pygmies” who imitated Conservative ideas and values.
He said: “We need to have confidence in our beliefs. I believe our basic beliefs and values remain sound. I joined the party because I saw it as a unique combination of patriotism and principle and, through these, being able to provide liberty, equality and opportunity and improvements to the condition of the people.
“That is our challenge. Maybe we do have a mountain to climb, but let’s set our sights high.”
Mr Clarke used a fringe meeting at Monday lunchtime to tell party members that fears that he would take the UK into the single European currency were “paranoid”.
Shadow Culture and Family Secretary Theresa May also stressed the need for reform during her conference speech. She said that the Conservatives needed to win back the respect and support of the British electorate by being “less opportunistic, scrupulously honest and painfully reasonable”.
Mrs May said that the party needed to show that it was a party that was “comfortable with Britain as it is today”. She said: “We have to show we are a party representative of men and women, of every age, race and religion; a party as at home in the cities as it is in the country; a party as confident about the future as it is about the past. And we must reflect that, not just in our words, but in our attitudes.”
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 October 2011
Council Tenants 'Right To Buy' Gets Boost
As the Conservative Party Conference got underway yesterday, the Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to boost the 'right to buy' council house scheme - as introduced under Margaret Thatcher's government in the 1980s.
Council Tenants 'Right To Buy' Gets Boost
As the Conservative Party Conference got underway yesterday, the Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to boost the 'right to buy' council house scheme - as introduced under Margaret Thatcher's government in the 1980s.
15 June 2005
Tory MPs to vote on leadership election changes
Conservatives MPs are due to vote tonight on how the leader of the party should be elected.
Tory MPs to vote on leadership election changes
Conservatives MPs are due to vote tonight on how the leader of the party should be elected.
23 June 2003
Disarray in UUP as three MPs resign party whip
The resignation of three of the Ulster Unionist Party's MPs from the parliamentary whip earlier today was quickly follows by calls for party leader David Trimble to change party policy or resign.
Disarray in UUP as three MPs resign party whip
The resignation of three of the Ulster Unionist Party's MPs from the parliamentary whip earlier today was quickly follows by calls for party leader David Trimble to change party policy or resign.
03 October 2006
Conservatives focus on families
The Conservatives have focused on the family on the third day of the party's conference in Bournemouth, with leader David Cameron suggesting that a Tory government would consider easing the tax burden on couples with children.
Conservatives focus on families
The Conservatives have focused on the family on the third day of the party's conference in Bournemouth, with leader David Cameron suggesting that a Tory government would consider easing the tax burden on couples with children.
03 October 2011
Councils To Be Offered Tax Freeze: Osborne
The Conservative Party Conference, today featuring speeches from the Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne, in Manchester is now in progress. Running from October 2-5, already, a council tax freeze in England to 2012-13 has been unveiled by Chancellor George Osborne at the event.
Councils To Be Offered Tax Freeze: Osborne
The Conservative Party Conference, today featuring speeches from the Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne, in Manchester is now in progress. Running from October 2-5, already, a council tax freeze in England to 2012-13 has been unveiled by Chancellor George Osborne at the event.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
