Ed Vaizey MP answers your questions...
a-tracy: "Why is there hardly any mention of you being a 'Conservative' MP on your website?"
MPs’ websites are paid from their Incidental Expenses Provision, because they are a way of keeping constituents informed of their activities in Parliament and in the constituency. The use of party political material is prohibited. That is why my web site, and indeed that of your previous correspondent Ann Widdecombe, is generally free from party political material.
I am of course very proud to be a Conservative MP. I have worked for the party in one capacity or another since I was a teenager – the majority of my life. This has included a stint at central office during my gap year, a prominent role in my University Association in the late 80s, a ward chairman and Treasurer of my Association in the 90s, a candidate in two Labour-held council seats and one Labour parliamentary seat, two years as a desk officer in CRD, being a campaign aide to Iain Duncan Smith and a year for Michael Howard as his speechwriter. That is why I am so passionate to see the party I have supported all my life adapt and change to the new electoral landscape, so that we can return to Government and set about making Britain a better place to live.
Tom Ainsworth: "I've been enjoying listening to Ed's podcasts. In one of them he says that he's a Euro-sceptic who would like the EU to become merely a free trade area. Since it hardly seems to be moving much in this direction, does he think there's any possibility in the foreseeable future of the Conservatives advocating withdrawal from the EU, and perhaps joining EFTA instead? If not, why not?"
I would not advocate withdrawal from the European Union.
I do understand why people in Britain do talk of withdrawal. Along with Sweden, we share a cultural and political confidence that is lacking in almost all other member states. Germany and France want the EU to stop them fighting each other (and also as a vehicle to pursue their narrow national interests). Spain, Portugal and Greece want it to shore up their democracies. Italy wants it because it has a fragile identity. The eastern European countries want it to embed their freedom from the old Soviet bloc. Britain does not suffer from any of these insecurities. Furthermore, we in Britain have strong cultural links with India and the Commonwealth, so we have a much broader world view than many other member states.
So of course, withdrawal is an option that can be discussed in a much more rational way in this country than in others (unless you are a member of Labour or the Liberal Democrats, and therefore devoid of any ability to think). However, I think the European Union is too important to be left to the French and the Germans. Chirac appears to have completely lost it, and his successors look no better. I do not have confidence that the new German government will push for reform. In the face of these obstacles, the temptation is simply to walk away. However, this would be precipitate. I think external pressures will begin to make the process of reform inevitable. Europe is so uncompetitive that even Gordon Brown’s Britain manages to out-perform most countries. The new Eastern European members will also want to overcome obstacles to their growth.
We have been waiting a long time for Europe to change. But we do now have an opportunity to push for real reform. This might include structural changes to make the EU more of an inter-governmental organisation, perhaps by removing the power of the Commission to initiate legislation and giving it to the Council. Scrapping moves for a European Defence Force. Forcing through further liberalisation measures. And continuing our successful resistance of the euro.
We do have to try. Ask me the same question after four years of a Conservative government.
Andrew Woodman: "If he's going to sign up to support www.ReinstateRoger.com?"
No.
Edward: "Should we pay more tax to improve public services?"
No. The recent increases in spending – which the Conservatives would not reverse – in education and health have not had the impact that they should have. The agenda now must be on reform to increase choice and competition within public services in order to raise standards. That is why it was so important to support Blair’s education bill. In doing so, the Conservatives signalled that there is a new consensus between those that favour reform that crosses party boundaries. I would expect the Blairites to support reform measures initiated by the next Conservative government, which will make reality what has so far largely been empty rhetoric from Tony Blair.
johnC: "Which of the following should be reversed by a future Conservative Government...
a) Student Tuition Fees
No, but there will obviously have to be reform. I would for example, abolish the access regulator, which was part of the deal with the Left to get tuition fees through.
b) Abolition of upper earnings limit for employee NICs
Above my pay grade – ask George Osborne.
c) Ban on hunting
I would certainly vote to repeal the hunting ban, and trust that we will maintain our pledge for a Government Bill in Government time to give MPs the opportunity to reverse the ban.
d) Abolition of married couple's tax allowance
As someone who recently got married and didn’t rely on a tax break I see no need to restore the Married Couples’ Allowance. I do not generally support tax breaks which tend to distort the tax system, but I would be open to a tax break for couples who have children.
e) Nationalisation of Railtrack
See (b), though I agree that the extension of Government control over the railways has made it far harder for them to take forward the benefits of privatisation.
f) Devolution to Scotland and Wales
No. Obviously, we have to address the West Lothian question, and I would expect measures to ensure that Scottish MPs cannot vote on measures that affect only England and Wales.
g) Abolition of dividend tax credits for pension funds and charities
See (b). We urgently need to reform the state pension system, and I have always supported Peter Lilley’s proposal for Basic Pension Plus. We need to make saving for a pension much easier and more straightforward. A pension is simply a long-term savings plan, but the system is ridiculously complicated.
h) Abolition of Grant Maintained schools
I think we are seeing their return through the Government’s proposal for trust schools. I am a huge fan of grant-maintained schools, many of which I visited in the early 90s, and would certainly support their re-introduction.
i) Abolition of Assisted Places Scheme
I would certainly support its reintroduction. Its abolition has widened the gap between independent schools and state schools, the former becoming I think more exclusive. I have no idea whether this will be Conservative policy, so this a personal view.
j) Expulsion of hereditary peers from the House of Lords
No. I favour an elected House of Lords, and I think the time has come for a written constitution. I come from the school “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Unfortunately, Labour has broken it.
k) Detention without trial for 28 days?"
I think this is a compromise which was hard fought for. While I remain uncomfortable with it, it is far better than 90 days.
Selsdon Man: "Should the Priority List selection process be extended to include current Conservative seats, i.e. reselections, to increase the number of women and ethnic MPs? If not, why?"
I am not sure what this question is aiming at. If you are suggesting that if a Conservative MP is deselected (e.g Surrey Heath before the last election) then I see no reason why such a vacancy should not be subject to the priority list. All Conservative MPs, as far as I am aware are subject to formal reselection, but I would not support a full, open reselection process in every seat as a matter of course. That would be a recipe for chaos.
Jonathan Sheppard: "What is he most proud of achieving in his short time as an MP?"
Helping my constituents. I know that probably sounds a bit sugary, but it’s true. My work in my constituency is hugely satisfying, and being able to help individuals who have been messed about by Government bureaucracy, such as by tax credits, is great, as you know you have made a real and tangible difference to their lives.
Frank Young: “It’s often said that when Blair repealed clause four the electorate realised the Labour party had changed. In reality these things are a rolling process. When will voters know that the Conservative party has changed?"
I was an advocate of all-women short lists as a signal of change, which made me wildly unpopular. I think we will really have begun to show that we have changed when we present a united front to the electorate. There is still a tendency for Conservatives to criticise each other, or to present themselves as the keepers of the “true” Conservative flame. Once we realise we are all on the same side, we will be formidable.
Henry Whitmarsh: "Who would you rather see as leader of Labour at the next election, Tony Blair or Gordon Brown?"
Gordon Brown. I do not underestimate him in any way, but I think that he is failing his current test to present himself as a future prime minister. His Budget was a flop, and I think the electorate will not feel comfortable with his leadership.
Stephen Alley: "My question would be: Boxers or briefs? The nation MUST know."
I wear both – although I know this will open me up to the charge of political cross-dressing!
