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 […]
(1) The mood here is much improved. Yesterday’s tax cut pledges from George Osborne have given Conservatives something very real to fight for on the doorsteps. Fraser Nelson sort of agrees but concludes: "The Tories are doomed, but very upbeat about it." An autumn election is going to be very tough but at least the […]
It was standing room only in the Winter Gardens’ Theatre Bar at lunchtime today, as hundreds of delegates missed Osborne’s speech and umpteen other fringe meetings to attend the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission event chaired by Stephen Crabb. Simon Coveney, a senior spokesman for Fine Gael and a former author of the European Parliament’s […]
I’m beginning to think that it is. I’ve asked a variety of Tories here in Blackpool and nearly everyone agrees with me. There is something not quite right that a governing party can go to the country with years to still to run in the parliament. What do you think? 8pm PS: I’ve just seen […]
Earlier today George Osborne joked (in remarks that did not appear in the text issued to the press) that anyone would be as cynical about human nature as Gordon Brown if they had spent so long working with Ed Balls. He then went to make a joke about Alistair Darling’s charisma. Later today, I understand, […]
More soon. Click on the image on the right to enlarge the leaflet that was distributed immediately after George Osborne’s well-received speech. 1.40pm: Mr Osborne’s plan to lift the inheritance tax threshold to £1m was announced this morning to rapturous applause from Conservative Party members. This is "the death knell for death taxes," he declared. […]
The Party is running an eBay charity auction during conference, to raise money for the excellent charities Save the Family and Time for Families. Items include: Signed copy of David Cameron’s 2005 conference speech Signed print of Margaret Thatcher Signed photo of Thatcher celebrating 1983 election Cricket bat and book signed by John Major A […]
This video was shown to Party Conference before yesterday’s speech by William Hague. It’s a great summary of some of the changes that a Conservative Government would deliver. Click on the little black box to the left of the volume button to watch it in full screen mode.
Havard Hughes was a member of the Liberal Democrats for sixteen years, having been Cambridge Student Liberal Democrat Chairman, London Policy Chair and a London Borough Councillor. He explains here why he chose to join the Conservatives this summer and why many other Liberal Democrats are thinking of following his example. For as long as […]
There are lots of good policy announcements being made here in Blackpool. The rebalancing that ConservativeHome has long sought is happening. There’s an almost universal hunger for unity. I’m impressed with the quality of the candidates that will be our standard-bearers in target seats. But The Sun is rightly waiting for David Cameron’s speech – […]
(1) The Conference did not start well. There were significant sound problems but the video wall is terrific. Pictured above is NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg when he addressed the Winter Gardens this afternoon. The Spectator’s James Forsyth interpreted the Bloomberg invite as potentially offensive to our Republican allies across the pond. I disagree. It’s good […]
I’ve been very impressed by the progress that is being made by Campaign North – a campaign that was showcased during Conference this morning, by William Hague. Here are some highlights of what Campaign North has achieved: After six months of operations, twenty extra full-time professionals have been recruited, including regional press officers, research staff, […]
William Hague has just wowed the Conference. Here is my favourite section of a speech that delighted the Tory faithful: "Some of us stood here thirty years ago with Margaret Thatcher. We, Gordon, backed her when she rescued our country in the face of every denunciation and insult from the likes of you. Margaret Thatcher […]
[Not verbatim]. The party is ready for a General Election: Refusing to discuss the "fluctuating" opinion polls Mr Cameron said that the Conservative Party was ready to go to the country whenever Gordon Brown made the decision. Lots of policy review ideas will be junked this week: The policy reviews were excellent but this week […]
Roger Taylor worked for some of the leading banks and investment houses in the City beforefounding his own hedge fund related, investment management business. Our financial markets are in crisis, posing a threat to future economic prosperity. Although the stock market has yet to crack in any catastrophic way, the Bank of England (BOE) and […]