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Tories ask voters to 'join them' | Tories ask voters to 'join them' |
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The Conservatives will launch their election manifesto on Tuesday by asking voters to join them in government, the BBC has learned. | The Conservatives will launch their election manifesto on Tuesday by asking voters to join them in government, the BBC has learned. |
The 130-page document with a plain blue cover is entitled "Invitation to join the government of Britain". | The 130-page document with a plain blue cover is entitled "Invitation to join the government of Britain". |
Pledges include giving voters the power to sack their MP, and cutting stamp duty for first time house buyers. | Pledges include giving voters the power to sack their MP, and cutting stamp duty for first time house buyers. |
Labour, which launched its manifesto on Monday, pledged to "renew" Britain; the Lib Dems to reform the tax system. | Labour, which launched its manifesto on Monday, pledged to "renew" Britain; the Lib Dems to reform the tax system. |
Low interest rates | |
The Conservatives' manifesto also confirms the party's plans to reverse Labour's 1% rise National Insurance from April 2011. | |
On the economy, the Tories promise to eliminate the bulk of the structural deficit over the parliament, have a fiscal policy that would help "keep interest rates lower for longer", reduce youth unemployment, and cut the number of children in workless households. | |
The Tories also promise to "raise productivity growth" in the public sector. | |
Regarding welfare, the Tories confirm their promise to create a single work programme for everyone who is unemployed, reassessing all existing incapacity benefit claimants. | |
Those found fit for work would be transferred to Job Seekers' Allowance. | |
Other policies put forward include allowing parents and charities to set up new academy schools, and the right for people to veto council tax rises through local referendums. | |
In addition, the Conservatives want to make police forces more accountable through a directly-elected individual, and give communities the right to buy their local pub or post office. | |
They also confirm their promise to raise the inheritance tax threshold to £1m and freeze council tax for two years. | |
On health, the Tories pledge to increase health spending in real terms every year, while giving patients greater choice of health care provider that meets NHS standards within NHS prices. |