That's the challenge set by Trevor Kavanagh in today's Sun. The thread below is ready and waiting for your ONE SENTENCE answers...
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Cameron's Conservatives stand for ending Labour misrule.
Posted by: bluepatriot | April 28, 2008 at 08:31
The Cameron-led Tories want to be more like Europe with the same levels of tax, public spending, inadequate defence spending and fashionable posing on the environment.
Posted by: Umbrella man | April 28, 2008 at 08:36
Cameron's Conservatives are very change to win.
Posted by: Ashton | April 28, 2008 at 09:01
They stand for mending Britain's broken society by rebuilding the family, help voluntary organisations and rehabilitating people with drug problems.
Posted by: Sammy Finn | April 28, 2008 at 09:04
Cameron's Tories are offering to paper over the widening cracks of the big government status quo with a thin veneer of change.
Posted by: Chad Noble | April 28, 2008 at 09:05
"If you give people more power and control over their lives, they become stronger, and society becomes stronger as well."
Posted by: jamie | April 28, 2008 at 09:05
A strong, free and dynamic nation-state of individuals that form a civil society, who value liberty, cherish aspiration and protect the most vulnerable in society; where the state is harnessed out of need, not want.
Posted by: Giles McNeill | April 28, 2008 at 09:05
Blair won.
Posted by: Mark Hudson | April 28, 2008 at 09:08
Compassionate, optimistic, 21st century sensibility; timeless Tory principles.
Posted by: Gordon's Missing Bottle | April 28, 2008 at 09:08
Cameron's Conservatives stand for empowering individuals and communities.
Posted by: nobody | April 28, 2008 at 09:09
"We wont let it rest there"
Posted by: Dontmakemelaugh | April 28, 2008 at 09:09
Oligarchy and wind turbines.
Posted by: Roger Bird | April 28, 2008 at 09:09
Like Blair, with lower taxes and no Gordon.
Posted by: Guido Fawkes | April 28, 2008 at 09:10
Weren't they the ones who said something about "sharing the proceeds of growth" -i.e. we'll let you have back some of your money when we get round to it?
Posted by: Mark Williams | April 28, 2008 at 09:11
Small Government
Posted by: Paul M | April 28, 2008 at 09:12
We are the heirs to Blair.
Posted by: Alan S | April 28, 2008 at 09:14
The politics of pragmatism.
Posted by: Tony Makara | April 28, 2008 at 09:15
Strengthening families, neighbourhoods and public services by controlling less and trusting more.
Posted by: Mark Fulford | April 28, 2008 at 09:15
LoL. Oh come off it Guido, I'll happily bet you £100 that Cameron does not deliver a Tax Freedom day below 31st May whilst in office.
Posted by: Chad Noble | April 28, 2008 at 09:15
Freedom from - hardship, crime & state dependence; Freedom to - spend your own money, live your own life.
Posted by: NorthernEconomist | April 28, 2008 at 09:17
Letting sunshine win the day.
Posted by: johnC | April 28, 2008 at 09:20
In 1979 we mended a broken economy, now we need to mend a broken society.
Posted by: Janice Small | April 28, 2008 at 09:23
More nurses and policeman but no more soldiers and no new taxes.
Posted by: Vince | April 28, 2008 at 09:25
Conservatives - Simple.
(I.e., simpler tax systems, return to focuses on simple social structures like marriage, simpler dealing with criminals (I.e., prison), making that simple walk to the shops safe, removing bureaucracy from police/doctors/teachers etc. In everything we do, our aim is to make life simpler and to rebuild trust and cohesion.
Posted by: Matthew | April 28, 2008 at 09:28
No one held back, no one left behind
Posted by: Adam | April 28, 2008 at 09:28
Adam: "No one held back, no one left behind"
(C) IDS 2003
Posted by: Editor | April 28, 2008 at 09:30
"small government, small taxes, freedom to choose, freedom to fail"
Posted by: Jamal | April 28, 2008 at 09:34
What we should be: "The champions of the individual and the underdog"
What we are: "The compassion of the fortunate for the betterment of the many"
Posted by: Andrew Lilico | April 28, 2008 at 09:35
Cameron's Conservatives (we are not Tories) stand up for those who help themselves and their families, and the most vulnerable in society.
Posted by: David Gold | April 28, 2008 at 09:37
A society where individuals can control their own lives and make the most of their talents, yet still support those who cannot help themselves.
Posted by: Happy Tory | April 28, 2008 at 09:41
"Not much."
Posted by: Adam | April 28, 2008 at 09:41
We won't promise you quick solutions but over time we'll fix Britain by cutting waste, punishing criminals, rebuilding the family and putting meaning back into educational qualifications.
Posted by: Jennifer Wells | April 28, 2008 at 09:43
"Sharing the proceedes of growth".
Posted by: Voice from the South West | April 28, 2008 at 09:49
"Conservatives - Simple" (9.28)
I understand the intention but this might not be such a good idea.......
Posted by: Deborah | April 28, 2008 at 09:51
I am always sceptical when commentators criticise David Cameron for not proposing a unifying theme for the Conservative Party that can be summed up in a single word, sentence, or paragraph. Can any political party claim to do so, seriously? When the Conservative Party sets out its aims and values in ordinary language, as it did in Built to Last, it is criticised for lacking in clarity, precision, and rigor. But when it attempts to do so in technical language that makes use of theoretical concepts, as Oliver Letwin has done, it is accused of being deliberately obscure. There seems to be a double bind at work here.
Posted by: Nick Hoile | April 28, 2008 at 09:52
Giving us hope, dignity and the chance to mend our broken society.
Posted by: Letters From A Tory | April 28, 2008 at 09:52
Cameron's conservatives - we restored the market to it's rightful place, now we will restore civil society to its rightful place.
Posted by: spagbob | April 28, 2008 at 09:59
Inclusion, instead of division; equality of opportunity instead of equality of outcome.
Posted by: Rachel Joyce | April 28, 2008 at 10:05
Social responsibility, sharing the proceeds of growth and trusting people more and the state less.
Posted by: Ali T | April 28, 2008 at 10:10
"Before us, eleven years of socialist wreckage - trust us to rebuild and we will leave no stone unturned."
(Rather than rain on a happy parade as some have done above, I am proposing this out of hope that our aims do in fact go well beyond simply aspiring to manage the wreckage better than the wreckers.)
Posted by: David Cooper | April 28, 2008 at 10:13
Conservatives-Put yourself in control
Posted by: David | April 28, 2008 at 10:14
Mending our broken society.
Posted by: David Belchamber | April 28, 2008 at 10:15
"Setting People Free Without Setting Them Adrift".
Posted by: Robert Halfon | April 28, 2008 at 10:16
Power to the People!
with apologies to Wolfie Smith.
Posted by: John Moss | April 28, 2008 at 10:17
"Politically correct right-wing socialism."
Posted by: Jonathan Powell | April 28, 2008 at 10:21
Deborah @ 9:51
Good point! - so 'making life simpler' then... :)
Posted by: Matthew | April 28, 2008 at 10:24
"Minimal government, minimal state interference, a minimal EU and minimal tax".
Well, I can dream, can't I? :-)
Posted by: Mike H | April 28, 2008 at 10:39
Compassionate Conservatism that takes power away from the center and passes it down to the people.
Posted by: activist | April 28, 2008 at 10:41
We will fight for an inclusive society in which ALL residents of Notting Hill have the right to achieve personal goals.
Posted by: Henry Mayhew - 'kipper | April 28, 2008 at 10:44
The freedom to live independently through the family and civil society (rather than a monolithic state); trusting individuals and groups to do the right thing for themselves, their neighbours and their country; allowing more choice, flexibility and opportunity for all.
Posted by: EML | April 28, 2008 at 10:54
Cameron's Conservatives - One Nation Toryism which embraces the need for social and environmental justice whilst allowing a sustainable economy to flourish.
Posted by: Sam S | April 28, 2008 at 10:59
Cameron's Conservatives. Opportunism for all.
Posted by: passing leftie | April 28, 2008 at 11:00
The thread above says it all.
The honest answer to the question"Can anyone sum up in one memorable sentence what the Cameron-led Tories stand for?" is
"NO"
See Trevor Kavanagh the best political commentator in the business in The Sun and Janet Daly in the Telegraph.
I'd like it to be "SET THE PEOPLE FREE" but that's too advanced for Cameron .
Posted by: Christina Speight | April 28, 2008 at 11:11
Shameless opportunist seeks politically flexible recruits to complete the Blairite agenda.
Posted by: Veritas | April 28, 2008 at 11:12
"There is such a thing as society, it's just not the same thing as the state"
This does two things: it deals head on with the negative spin on Thatcherism and it divorces public service policy from monopoly state provision. In otherwords, it deals with the past and offers a prospect for the future. No doubt in my mind that a Cameron government will want to be remembered as socially revolutionary in the same way as Thatcher´s was economically revolutionary. Privatisation is no longer the only solution. But opening up the public services to the private and voluntary sector whilst empowering the consumers of those services to exercise greater local control is the way society gets a ´stake´ in reforming the state. That´s why it is the pithiest summing up of Cameronism.
Posted by: pedro | April 28, 2008 at 11:13
David Cameron's Conservativism brings value's and standard's to government.
Mac.
Posted by: Malcolm MacNaughton | April 28, 2008 at 11:14
"Still larger public sector salaries for Dave, George, Andy, Steve, Michael, Dougie etc ad. inf."
Posted by: Cynic | April 28, 2008 at 11:15
Nothing
Posted by: Michael | April 28, 2008 at 11:20
"Sustainable Development in all areas."
(with reference to the stupidity and spendthrift profligacy of the present awful government)
Posted by: DOS | April 28, 2008 at 11:23
Editor, I suggest a parallel thread "Brown’s socialists" so we can have some real fun.
Christina, "empowering individuals and communities" is the theme that clearly stands out here. I think that’s a good thing.
Posted by: Mark Fulford | April 28, 2008 at 11:31
VAT on newspapers to fund taxcuts for the lowest paid. Suck on that Trev.
Posted by: Old Hack | April 28, 2008 at 11:37
Cameron led-tories STAND for the Political Alternative in not being the FALL GUYS for Brown-led new labour.
Posted by: Tory Lady | April 28, 2008 at 11:58
DAVID CAMERON, new man - young man - a Conservative with a purpose - to mend our broken society and encourage some HOPE FOR THE FUTURE!
Posted by: Patsy Sergeant | April 28, 2008 at 12:05
"I don't believe in a government that protects us from ourselves."
Posted by: Kevin Davis | April 28, 2008 at 12:05
Cameron's Conservatives stand for the triumph of marketing over principles.
Posted by: Mr Angry | April 28, 2008 at 12:13
We're the Cam-Cons! Cam today - Con tomorrow!
Posted by: Karen | April 28, 2008 at 12:35
Commie Ron is living proof that a blancmange can be a Prime Minister.
Posted by: Peter W Watson | April 28, 2008 at 12:37
Marriage maketh man
Posted by: Nick Gulliford | April 28, 2008 at 13:02
Cameron's Conservatives stand for getting themselves elected to power and absolutely nothing else.
Posted by: Old Whig | April 28, 2008 at 13:09
Cameron's Conservatives - Modern, Compassionate and Successful.
Posted by: AS | April 28, 2008 at 13:11
Conservatives believe is helping those that would help themselves, whilst protecting that which makes Britain great.
Posted by: StevenAdams | April 28, 2008 at 13:12
Dave's Conservatives: In It To Win It.
Posted by: Syed | April 28, 2008 at 13:15
LOLOL @ Passing Leftie ("Opportunism for all").
The hypocrisy of the labour Party calling the Cons opportunistic... it's odd that when they were ahead in the polls and the 10p tax measure was announced, there was barely a whimper from the Labour benches. Now that they are languishing 18% behind in the polls, NOW they find their principles... lololol... and they say WE'RE opportunistic.
Harrumph.
Posted by: StevenAdams | April 28, 2008 at 13:16
I like this as a rallying cry:-
"Mending Britain's (England's?) broken society"
I like this as a promise:-
"Setting People Free Without Setting Them Adrift".
I hate this, it's socialism:-
"Sharing the proceeds of growth".
But I fear this is how you are seen still:-
"Heirs to Blair."
Make a promise, make it different, and keep it!!
Posted by: Miranda | April 28, 2008 at 13:19
Spin over substance, nepotism over meritocracy, expediency over justice
The evolution of the political insider.
Posted by: Don't get me started | April 28, 2008 at 13:31
Free Trade, increased defence spending, lower taxes, personal liberty, repatriation of Albanian gangsters and Rumanian gypsies, a huge nuclear power programme, small government, school vouchers, scrapping the NHS and giving me my money to spend on my own health provision.......
oh, sorry! You said Cameron's Conservatives, I thought you said....
Posted by: Treacle | April 28, 2008 at 13:46
What the Conservatives should be:
Levying tax to provide essential services (and not non-essential ones);
Allowing people to live in freedom;
Against the backdrop of Judaeo-Christian values.
But...
Posted by: Mr Honk | April 28, 2008 at 13:54
Miranda @ 13.19
I don't think that sharing the proceeds of growth is socialism, as it's not referring to 'sharing' in a redistribution of wealth sense - it's talking about sharing the proceeds of growth between government and the people... i.e. rather than government taking more in taxes, it leaves people with money in their pockets.
This is a classic Conservative principle...?!
Posted by: StevenAdams | April 28, 2008 at 13:57
StevenAdams | April 28, 2008 at 13:57
However, Steven, no message sits outside its context, and people are so used to a Government who steals the money we make through our own efforts, to give it to the feckless, that this is not a message I would personally favour at the moment. It strikes too much of socialism.
I think sharing the proceeds of growth between the social good and individuals is better summed up by "Setting People Free Without Setting Them Adrift".
Posted by: Miranda | April 28, 2008 at 14:07
I see what you're getting at, but I disagree.
The Cons have struggled for some years to remind the public the 'tax cut' does not equal 'service cut'; a piece of propaganda successfully peddled by messrs. Blair and Brown.
Ironically, Hague, IDS and Howard couldn't assure the public that they would reduce the tax burden, as B&B would accuse us of plotting to cut nurses and policemen. It's not easy to sell the message of a dynamic economy that grows under tax-cutting regimes, growing the public purse's revenue.
'Sharing the proceeds of growth' was a canny move, as reassured the public that Cons would continue to invest in their services, whilst always preserving the principle of low taxation.
Posted by: StevenAdams | April 28, 2008 at 14:20
StevenAdams | April 28, 2008 at 14:20
Steven, I also understand what you are saying. I'd love the message to be about growth and entrepreneurship and building up a dynamic economy, which benefits everyone - not least because they are encouraged to be part of it. Maybe that is a stage 2 message.
But at the moment sharing the proceeds of growth (in conjunction with heir to Blair, and no tax cust) says you are going to carry on stealing my money to pour into jobs for 'Heads of Diversity' and 'Bike-It Managers', whilst paying to keep Sharon Matthews and her ilk in the manner to which they have become accustomed.
I'm only saying as a small c conservative, it just does not work for me. So how is an ex Labour voter going to view it? Or a floating voter, sick to the back teeth with high prices and taxes? In fact, there is so much to do to restore a broken infrastructure and eradicate ourselves from the EU's economic chains - where is real growth even going to come from at the moment???
Posted by: Miranda | April 28, 2008 at 14:37
Value for money!
Posted by: Dr Fiona Kemp | April 28, 2008 at 14:47
I agree - it's not a hugely ambitious statement. Ambitious would be: "We'll cut taxes, and cut public spending. Short term pain (such as likely public sector job losses) will benefit the UK in the long term as our economy prospers and out accelerates our peers - the track the Cons put the UK on in the build up to 1997, ironically."
However, that is the message Thatcher sold and delivered in '79 - '83. She DID deliver, and we can be thankful for it. However, we're also hated by many for it, and our electoral fortunes over the past decade have been woeful as a result.
ne thing that B&B did teach us in 1997 is that you can have the flimsiest and most insubstantial manifesto in electoral history and still be voted in with a stomping majority.
I say, why box ourselves into a corner by making hugely ambitious promises that would force us to endure enormous amounts of political pain once elected?? Rather, why not keep with a promise of a 'direction of travel - as the UK can afford it', and take the UK back down the tracks of smaller govt and taxation, but in a more gradual and manageable manner.
This is a mirror image of NuLabour - in reverse. They scrapped their commitment to 'big govt', but over 10 years, that's what they've delivered. I don't believe our electors have a philosophical commitment to small govt, like us, but over 10 years once it was being realised I believe it's benefits can be felt, but without the pain of the early '80's.
Posted by: StevenAdams | April 28, 2008 at 14:55
Forward looking conservative values for the modern world.
Posted by: RobD | April 28, 2008 at 15:04
Elves
Posted by: kloppy | April 28, 2008 at 15:12
Empower the people, not government
Posted by: X | April 28, 2008 at 15:19
"A party that cares more about fake ideology and less about power ends up with neither."
If the tories were more radical and focused less on easy centrist, they would have far more people vote for them.
Posted by: For the Union | April 28, 2008 at 15:31
For the Union @ 15.31
"If the tories were more radical and focused less on easy centrist, they would have far more people vote for them."
I disagree wholeheartedly. That sentence flies in the face of the overwhelming evidence of the past 10 years!
Posted by: StevenAdams | April 28, 2008 at 15:34
Mark Fulford @1131 :"Christina, "empowering individuals and communities" is the theme that clearly stands out here. I think that’s a good thing."
Fine idea - does it cover the whole ethos and 'dream' of the party today, though?
"Power back to the People" ???
-------------------
I also like Miranda's @1315 ""Mending Britain's broken society"
--------------
All the other long philosophical sentences miss the essential point. There must be a genuine, rooted-in-policy slogan which will make people get to their feet with a shout of "YES! " because it inspires them.
Posted by: Christina Speight | April 28, 2008 at 15:48
Labour cared nothing for ideology in 1997 and won power because people were just fed up with Major et al.
The tories need to show people what they will do with society if power is theirs. What will happen to benefit scroungers? Mothers who have 6 children under 16....society makes that pay at the moment and i see nothing from the tories that makes me think they deserve my vote.
"Caring for the poor." - is that really what most of you believe? Sounds like big government faux socialism to me and we already have that.
Posted by: For the Union | April 28, 2008 at 15:54
Sadly, as far as I can see it's, "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss".
Nothing the Conservatives have said or done give me any hope.
Posted by: David Bodden | April 28, 2008 at 15:55
For the Union @ 15.54:
'Caring for the poor' is not anti-conservative! No where in conservative ideology does it suggest the cons don't care for the poor!
Socialism believes that by redistributing wealth to the poor, it will help the poor. Conservatism says by creating wealth, opportunity and ambition, it will help the poor. To suggest that caring for the poor is somehow socialist in and of itself is, frankly, ridiculous.
It's exactly that assertion that has kept this party in the doldrums for the past 20 years (10 of which on the opposition benches).
Posted by: StevenAdams | April 28, 2008 at 16:02
Like Labour, but with blue rosettes.
Posted by: David | April 28, 2008 at 16:04
But you sound like labour! and if people are really fed up with it....why emulate it?
Caring for the "deserving poor" would have been far more appealing.
Posted by: For the Union | April 28, 2008 at 16:06
Cameron's Tories stand for healing a fractured society with social cohesion based on honesty and respect.
Posted by: B.Garvie | April 28, 2008 at 16:11
In touch with the concerns of all Britons, whether in Notting Hill, Chelsea or Hampstead.
Posted by: Brett | April 28, 2008 at 16:15
It is difficult to even engage with those who talk about the'poor'when what they mean is those who have 'low declared taxable incomes'. Until you define what you are discussing you will getnowhere.
The best way to help those people is by increasing their wage s and the best way to do that is to reduce the supply of the unskilled,at present that means reducing immigration and encouraging those immigrants here to go away.
Otherwise you are simply pushing water uphill.
Posted by: anthony scholefield | April 28, 2008 at 16:17
I agree with much of what Anthony Scholefield says - reduce the supply of unskilled labour and their wages naturally rise: market principles.
I agree that immigration, as it currently stands needs a total overhaul, and that caps/limits etc are all valid methods.
But - and I'm wryly grinning at how many of you will yell something like 'Labour stooge' or 'Tory whet' at me now - another way to reduce the supply of unskilled labour is through education, education, education.
Posted by: StevenAdams | April 28, 2008 at 16:34
David Cameron's Conservatism: a few more steps down the road to serfdom.
Posted by: Jon | April 28, 2008 at 16:36
The challenge was for something memorable. Miranda at 1315 is almost there.
How about "Fixing our broken society, together", "Fixing broken Britain together" or "Putting Britain back together again"?
The idea being to combine healing the damage of social breakdown & restoring comeptence in broken public services, with the shared responsibility approach.
Posted by: Simon Chapman | April 28, 2008 at 16:36