Cameron launches local election campaign: Vote Blue Go Green... and Save Money

David Cameron was in Dewsbury this morning to launch the local election campaign. His key messages are:

• Vote Blue: Local elections are a chance to vote and send a message to the Labour Government, both locally and nationally.
• Go Green: Conservative councils are greener. They are leading the way in the fight against climate change.
• Save Money: Local people and communities expect their councils to deliver good service and value for money. Wasting public money is a slap in the face to people who live on tight budgets because council tax can swallow a significant part of their disposable income. Conservatives are on the side of hard-pressed taxpayers. We never forget that it's your money we're spending.
• Be Safe: Conservative councils are also safer. Our councillors are totally committed to fighting the crime, anti-social behaviour, and vandalism that ruins people's quality of life.

11.30am update: The Conservatives have produced a document detailing a large number of initiatives that show that Conservative councils are greener, cleaner and safer. Click here for the pdf version and here for the online flash version.

4pm update:

Comments

[Cleethorpes Rock]

VOTE BLUE GO GREEN

We're so committed to re-cycling that we've even re-cycled our election slogan from last time! Why not? We did alright last time!

[Paul D]

It's been the same slogan for all 3 local election campaigns we've fought under Cameron - I suppose at least it illustrates a commitment to the issue rather than a "look, we've changed" PR stunt that was dropped like a hot spud when something else became en vogue

[englandism.com]

You mix blue with yellow to go green.

Unfortunately we are cowardy custarding on so many core Tory values that the alternative we present is NuLabour Lite rather than Conservative 100% proof with big cahones.

'Vote Blue: Local elections are a chance to vote and send a message to the Labour Government, both locally and nationally.'

The message there is 'anyone but Labour' not vote Tory if you want meaningful change.

And the green thing is inceasingly looking like socialism for socialists without a cause. Tax and control because we say it is good for you. They even divide in upon themselves like wings of Trots and Marxists with biofuel wars as the latest example.

[Cleethorpes Rock]

How can you say that this isn't traditional Tory values. Cameron's speech was all about how our councils set lower council tax and run better services.

And what's so socialist about not wanting to live in areas strewn with litter and covered with graffiti? I thought being a Conservative was about conserving things- like the environment.

I think it takes some Cojones to go against the dinosaurs in the party and actually come up with a theme that has seen us do pretty well.

[Peter Turner]

As my wife said - Vote Blue, Go Green, See Red. Just as the current vogue of Green with everything is beginning to unravel at last, Mr Cameron still persists in bringing it to the fore.

Of course we want a clean environment, that goes without saying, but too often what is meant with going Green is the adoption of Gore like environmental approach involving hyperbole and scare mongering. The present obsession with Carbon may well be completely wrong yet its persistance will certainly not save us money. Mr. Cameron needs a long discussion with the Lords Moncton and Lawson and soon.

[englandism.com]

A dinosaur speaks:

Name an initiative/policy that is readily discernable to the average voter as being significantly different to the Labour alternative?

Name a tub thumpingly popular statement of clear intent? Not the esoteric and arcane nuances of difference floating around the cafes of Westminster upon Thames but a real crowd pleaser that appeals to the mass vote.

Example: Inheritance tax? Just another episode in the cynical tit for tat exchange of interchangeable policy that ultimately produces tat.

[Derek W. Buxton]

I have to agree with "englandism", there is no coherent policy to change things. Part of the problem is that we are governed from Brussels so that our politicians only have the little bits to fiddle with. Unfortunately this means they jump onto any bandwagon that looks feasible but inevitably means they can be in control of us and tax us to the hilt. They have forgotten who is the servant and who the master. Local politics is a farce worthy only of the Whitehall theatre, it would flop there too.

[Ken Creek]

I was at the launch. David Cameron was on form, as was Eric Pickles, who gave one of the reporters very short shrift over a pathetic question regarding how there can be an estate like Dewsbury Moor in such a leading authority.

At least we have ideas, and a proven track record. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

A small gang of labour supporters were trying to protest outside, with age old slogans such as Save the NHS from the Tories and 4 million unemployed under the Tories. Talk about recycling. It is more like a broken record.

[David]

"I have to agree with "englandism", there is no coherent policy to change things. Part of the problem is that we are governed from Brussels so that our politicians only have the little bits to fiddle with. Unfortunately this means they jump onto any bandwagon that looks feasible but inevitably means they can be in control of us and tax us to the hilt. They have forgotten who is the servant and who the master. Local politics is a farce worthy only of the Whitehall theatre, it would flop there too."
WELL SAID!

[Jim Carr]

Unfortunately with Windmill Dave Cameron at the helm with his watermelon politics, it'll be Vote Blue Get Red.

[Richard Calhoun]

Englandism

You are missing the fact that after only 2 years as Leader, Cameron is the first Tory leader since Maggie to change the political fortunes of the Conservative Party.

I would be delighted if they came forward with radical policies in the near future, but lets give credit where its due

[Annabel Herriott]

Yes Ken Creek, I was at the launch as well. Having been folding leaflets all through Question time and beyond, have only just come on line on the way to bed!!
What was fun about Zanulabs little demo,was this idiot with a cardboard cut out of a nurse, life size, with NHS cuts bla bla over her front, so I stood in front of her. Idiot moves nurse, so I moved too, and resumed standing in front of her.He remonstrated, so I told this twit, I am a nurse, and these "cuts" are not true. So he started about education. Sadly for him, Andy Percy (PPC hull) told him " I am a teacher, and it is not true," getting into a good argument with him. DC arrived then, so our sport finished. It was a brilliant launch, and you
are quite right about that outrageous question from that dodgy press man. The room hushed when he asked it. Anyway, we have William Hague at the Cedar Court Friday 12 - 1.30pm. Ainly top ( lindley) Are you coming to it? So am off to bed.

[Cleethorpes Rock]

Blah blah "Brussels" blah "Brussels". I thought we had a go at that tactic with the election on "Save the £" in 2001, resulting in a gain of ONE seat.

Your point may be valid, Derek, but the remedy isn't. I concede that there isn't aas much between the parties as we'd like, but it's difficult to come up with anything ground-breaking in a local election when local government has so little power. For God's sake, last year, the main election arguments were over how many times the bins should be emptied!