Lots of good policies are now tumbling out of the Tory cupboard and that's hugely to be welcomed. I plan to make a list of my favourite ten doorstep pledges by the end of the week.
I think the Conference still lacks a big theme, however. I'm not convinced that 'It's time for change' quite works. The video we highlighted yesterday may come closest to what we need. It suggested that Labour is yesterday's party. The Conservatives, in contrast, are the party that understands tomorrow's challenges: globalisation, social breakdown, security, the environment.
Labour's big theme is Gordon Brown. He will present himself as strong and serious. David Cameron's speech tomorrow must provide our party with its big theme. He needs to convey the idea that 'Britain can be so much better'. I expect optimism, hope, tomorrow and change to be words that appear throughout the leader's big speech. David Cameron will struggle to appear stronger than Gordon Brown. He may be able to show that he's much more in tune with our times. I'm glad I'm not writing the speech!
Not seen all the debates but whats happening in the two big areas
1. The EU. Note Mr Frattini is about to put forward new directives in October to circulate
up to 20 million extra migrants around the EU.
2. Do I get the impression that the fight against the EU constitution is just going through the formalities? Will a single Tory leader sacrifice one jot of their pay and perks to oppose the EU reform treaty?
3.As for immigration the IPPR has got away with a biased piece of research misleadingly exagerating the contribution of immigrants to the economy and the Tories are where?
Posted by: anthony scholefield | October 02, 2007 at 10:50
Here's a theme:
Conservatives: Giving people choice.
Choose:
An identifiably different alternative to Labour.
Choose an EU referendum. The people have the right to decide how our lives will be managed.
Choose not to have a death tax that taxes taxed income at a threshold of supposed wealth directly caused by the restriction of housing supply.
Choose not to start wars based upon deception and cynically exploiting an under resourced and over stretched military.
Choose to be English in an England afforded the same right to choose as the other constituent parts of the UK.
Choose to put people before government.
It is your vote. It is your right to choose.
Choose to make a difference.
Posted by: englandism | October 02, 2007 at 11:09
How about "honesty"?
Posted by: Patriot | October 02, 2007 at 11:31
I like honesty, Patriot. A very good idea.
Posted by: Jennifer Wells | October 02, 2007 at 12:37
I thought the big theme was going to be about giving peope more control over their lives; trusting people - that sort of thing.
The things i've heard broadly follow this theme, but I don't think it has been explicity stated often enough.
Freedom from the nanny state, that's what we're about.
Posted by: EML | October 02, 2007 at 13:19
"The Conference still needs a big theme "
how about proclaiming for that which is staring you in the face and will preserve the United Kingdom
an English Parliament for England
ie none of this EVOEM rubbish
and an effectively federal British state .
Posted by: Jake | October 02, 2007 at 13:40
15 years or so the Cheltenham&Gloucester Building Society ran a series of ads whose tagline I really think we could repurpose.
It simply said Run to make you Richer.
If that's not a fundamental theme we as Conservatives can all rally round, I don't know what is.
Posted by: Tanuki | October 02, 2007 at 14:47
Jennifer Wells @ 12.37 - The trouble is that the word 'honesty' or Brown's version 'openness' has been debased by this government, which is why the Freedom of Information act has been used so frequently, AND more importantly why some MP's have been trying to reduce its scope.
No, I don't think that the word 'honesty' on its own would impress me very much. 'Honesty' as a buzz word, can become waffle and we have had enough of that to last a life time - and are still getting it from Brown. And 'waffle' becomes a smokescreen to hide lack of action, and difficult problems NOT actually tackled.
Straightforward 'speak', like the speeches that we have had already, with facts and figures where possible, is all that is needed, coupled with enthusiasm and conviction!!
Posted by: Patsy Sergeant | October 02, 2007 at 15:01
EML - how about "Let's Fire Nanny"
Posted by: Bexie | October 02, 2007 at 16:57
If you want a big idea or theme to bring this thing alive, check out 'bonfire of Blairism' on eursoc.com
Posted by: Ranoush | October 02, 2007 at 20:34
Sometimes it is better not to try to sum up the theme yourselves. Looking at the speeches I think the top team are clear about a theme, I think David Cameron will string it together tomorrow. It is clear to everyone Conservative or not which of the policy groups has been the most influential on Conservative Policy, that headed by Iain Duncan Smith.
Posted by: James Burdett | October 02, 2007 at 22:16
Putting the "Great" back into Great Britain is tempting as a theme. Want to see a forward looking approach, regenerating our towns and communities, capturing peoples aspirations for their families and the need for social responsibility. Pull those elements into a strong message and you've got a good Conservative platform suited to the times,
Matt
Posted by: Matt Wright | October 02, 2007 at 22:42