David Cameron: Conservatives should take some pride in what we have achieved these past twelve months

It’s a year since Conservatives and Liberal Democrats came together in the national interest to provide this country with the strong, stable government it needed. So it’s a good time to take stock – and I think Conservatives should take some pride in what we have achieved these past twelve months.

Of course, we haven’t been able to do everything we wanted to do, but that’s the nature of coalitions – you have to compromise and accommodate. But let’s keep our eyes fixed on the bigger picture. After thirteen years of Labour – and their waste, debt and taxes; spinning, smearing and briefing; and patronising, old-fashioned, top-down way of doing things – we are finally bringing some good Conservative common sense and values to this country.

Nowhere was our common sense and values needed more than in dealing with the deficit. ConservativeHome readers know well why we need to cut spending. They become clearer with every Eurozone country that applies for a bailout. But let’s be clear about how we’re doing it as well. Yes, we’ve been decisive– remember George Osborne saved £6 billion last year and we’re on course to balance the books within four years. But we’re also making these cuts in a way that protects the most vulnerable. We’ve protected the families with the least – with an extra £180 in child tax credits this year. We’ve protected the lowest earners – taking a million out of tax altogether. And because we’ve restored the pensions link to earnings, we’re making sure our elderly get an extra £15,000 over their retirement than would otherwise have been the case. In opposition, we said we’d get Britain back into the black in a way that is fair and responsible. And now we’re in government, we’re making good on that promise.

David Cameron MP: Proud to be British

David Cameron is Leader of the Conservative Party.  He replies to last week's open letter from ConservativeHome Editor Tim Montgomerie; 'A patriotic plea to David Cameron'.

Thank you for the open letter on ToryDiary. It made a thoughtful point and seemed to start quite a debate, so I wanted to offer a response.

Britain is a great country that has shaped the world
I very much agree with the spirit of your argument – that patriotism is important and that we need to strengthen our national identity. We must never forget that Britain is a great country with a history we can be truly proud of. Our culture, language and inventiveness has shaped the modern world, and ensures we are still a significant player on the world stage.

But whilst Britain has so much to celebrate in every field of endeavour, we seem to be better at achieving greatness than at celebrating it. I think this sense of understatement is itself an intrinsic part of being British. So whilst we should do more to celebrate our national identity, I think how exactly we do that as a political party - and as a country - is up for debate.

As a political party, we Conservatives are patriotic to the core - I don't think anyone doubts that. Yes we have embedded the Union Flag into many of our banners and backdrops. But more than that, we have worked hard to put our belief in the United Kingdom into action.

Conservatives believe in the unity of the United Kingdom
We are the only party that has representation in every region of the UK - including Northern Ireland. We will fight the SNP every inch of the way over their attempts to break our Union apart. And when it comes to the EU, we will always be a strong voice for national sovereignty.

But I don’t think politicians should claim patriotism exclusively for one party or one political tradition. Patriotism should transcend politics. Its value is as a unifying force, not a divisive one. So we’re not going to get into a “my flag is bigger than yours” contest with Gordon Brown.

David Cameron MP: The state must not disown asylum seekers

At yesterday's press conference Tim Montgomerie asked David Cameron for his reaction to the Centre for Social Justice's report on asylum seekers.  The Conservative leader promised to answer via a post on ConservativeHome.  Here it is...

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to Tim’s question more fully. ConservativeHome is a great source of news and commentary for Conservatives and I welcome the robust debate it brings.

Let’s be clear straight away that there is a difference between economic migrants and asylum seekers. Too often politicians and journalists casually conflate these two very different things. Asylum seekers account for just 4% of our total immigration figures, and they are usually motivated by social issues rather than economic incentives.

The report identifies the key fact that the current system is failing everyone involved because of the delays in coming to a final decision. As things are, just 3% leave the country within three months of the determination of their case and 23% of those initial decisions end up getting reversed after lengthy appeals processes. Many end up working illegally to survive, and some are left in limbo for several years.

Our priority in Government would be to minimise these delays, to the advantage of both the taxpayer and the genuine refugee. If you can get the vast majority of cases decided in six months then the issue of being temporarily allowed to work or receive benefits becomes much less important.

I naturally want people to work and contribute to our society if they can, and I’m uncomfortable with the state completely disowning asylum seekers to the extent that in a developed country like ours 26,000 of them are reliant on Red Cross parcels. After all, these statistics represent real people who understandably want to live their lives in safety and comfort.

Like the CSJ I want both an efficient and humane asylum policy, and this report is a typically compassionate and innovative contribution to the debate. The Government’s approach is neither firm nor fair, and ineffective as a result.

David Cameron: We need to change course in Afghanistan

David Cameron is Leader of the Conservative Party.

Once again, British forces have performed superbly in Afghanistan, re-capturing – with their US and Afghan allies - the key town of Musa Qala in the teeth of stiff opposition from the Taliban.

But the success of our forces should not blind us to the broader picture across the country. Things are not going well in Afghanistan. We face a clear choice: act now, or risk failure in the country where the Taliban helped produce 9/11.

When I returned from my second visit there in July, I warned that we needed to wake up to the danger that we could end up winning the war, but still lose the country.

We needed to learn from the mistakes of Iraq and make some urgent course corrections before it was too late.

David Cameron on his first 100 days: A new mood of confidence and optimism

One of the biggest challenges facing all of us in politics today is cynicism. Too many people think there’s no point in voting because you can’t believe a word that politicians say and, if elected, they’ll ignore the wishes of the electorate and do whatever they like.

I want to change that.  But I know that the only way to change the perception is to change the reality first.  Britain can’t afford another government that doesn’t deliver on its promises.  That’s why I’ve been careful, in my first 100 days as Leader of the Opposition, not to promise the earth.

I’m an idealist but I’m also determined that every policy the Conservative Party creates will be hard-headed, practical and durable.  We’re not aiming to win a general election for the sake of grabbing power – we intend to govern well, make Britain a better place and leave office with the reputation of politics and politicians enhanced.

Some Tories are impatient for a comprehensive set of policies.  I understand that.  After all, no one is going to vote for a manifesto consisting of mood music.  However, my aim is to build our platform on solid foundations.  That’s why I’ve set up a series of policy groups to examine the key issues in depth.  The participants are people with real credibility and expertise in their fields and I’m confident that they will deliver ideas we can unite around and be proud of.

We’re working on the details of policy but I’ve already set out a clear direction.  There are a number of ways in which the next Conservative government will be different to – and better than – Labour.

Society will be fairer.  Widening opportunity for those who need it most is a vital part of my Conservatism.  Gordon Brown thinks it’s enough to keep the disadvantaged on a drip feed of handouts.  I don’t.  Of course those in poverty must have financial help but they deserve much more.  Under Labour, social mobility has actually decreased.  Our policies will be aimed at the least well off and will address the need to support vulnerable families, provide proper education, tackle the epidemic of debt, fight crime and drug abuse and give people a decent environment to live in.

Britain will be safer. Our security requires strong armed forces with high morale and a relentless determination to beat terrorism.  We need practical steps - like proper border controls - to combat terror, rather than expensive and ineffective measures like ID cards. And so that’s why we will be hard-nosed defenders of freedom and security. Crime must also be tackled.  Labour’s proposals to cut sentences for serious offences like rape will be rejected and reversed.

The environment will be greener.  Climate change is the single biggest challenge facing our planet.  As Britain’s prime minister, I will work ceaselessly to gain international support to tackle it.  On a smaller scale our policies will be directed at energy saving, locally produced food, better air quality and conserving our landscape.

Power will be closer to the people.  I’m determined to bring decision making nearer to the people.  That means reversing Labour’s centralising, big government approach and an end to regionalisation by the back door and no EU constitution.

The economy will be richer.  Britain’s competitiveness has declined since 1997.  As other countries have woken up to the need to win business, our companies are burdened by a growing mountain of red tape and regulation.  Conservatives are proud to be the party of enterprise.  And we won’t put that at risk – which is why we’ve pledged to put stability before tax cuts.

People will be healthier.  The National Health Service is underperforming under Labour.  A wall of bureaucracy stands between patients and the treatment they need.  We want our health service to be run by doctors, nurses and other professionals.  Alongside this, a Tory government will promote a much greater awareness of the importance of good diet and exercise.  We’ll encourage but we won’t nanny.

And all of this will be underpinned by my core belief of trusting people.  If you trust people, then you also empower them and their communities. I know that I don’t have all the answers – nobody can say that. I realise that we’re all in this together – government, business, the voluntary sector, families and individuals. And by realising that we have a shared responsibility for our future then we can be much more positive about the challenges that we face.

Conservatism is not, and never has been, a dogma.  Our values are enduring but our party has thrived for 200 years because we always evolve to meet the challenges of each new era.  There’s a new mood of confidence and optimism around and, when the moment comes, we’ll be ready.

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ConservativeHome.com's last post on David Cameron's first 100 days will be written tomorrow by The Taxpayers' Alliance.