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Tories ask voters to 'join them' Tories pledge to empower voters
(about 2 hours later)
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 saying they will enable people to take greater control of their own lives.
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 enabling voters to sack MPs, cutting stamp duty for first-time house buyers and the creation of directly-elected police chiefs.
Labour, which launched its manifesto on Monday, pledged to "renew" Britain; the Lib Dems to reform the tax system. Labour has pledged to "renew" Britain; the Lib Dems to reform the tax system.
Low interest rates In his foreword to the manifesto, Conservative leader David Cameron said the country must "pull together" to solve its problems.
"Real change comes not from government alone. Real change comes when the people are inspired and mobilised, when millions of us are fired up to play a part in the nation's future," he says.
"Yes this is ambitious. Yes it is optimistic. But in the end all the acts of Parliament, all the new measures, all the new policy initiatives, are just politicians' words without you and your involvement.
"So my invitation today is this: join us, to form a new kind of government for Britain."
Lower interest rates
The Conservatives' manifesto also confirms the party's plans to reverse Labour's 1% rise in National Insurance from April 2011.The Conservatives' manifesto also confirms the party's plans to reverse Labour's 1% rise in 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.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.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.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.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.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. In addition, the Conservatives want to 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.They also confirm their promise to raise the inheritance tax threshold to £1m and freeze council tax for two years.
Knife crimeKnife crime
On health, the Tories pledge to increase spending in real terms every year, while giving patients greater choice of health care provider that meets NHS standards within NHS prices.On health, the Tories pledge to increase spending in real terms every year, while giving patients greater choice of health care provider that meets NHS standards within NHS prices.
The Conservatives also propose to give greater freedoms to local authorities, ending the ring-fencing of their spending, so that cash can be spent on local priorities.The Conservatives also propose to give greater freedoms to local authorities, ending the ring-fencing of their spending, so that cash can be spent on local priorities.
On crime, they promise prison sentences for anyone convicted of knife offences, as well as more mobile scanners on streets and public transport.On crime, they promise prison sentences for anyone convicted of knife offences, as well as more mobile scanners on streets and public transport.
When offenders leave prison, private and voluntary sector providers will be paid by results for training and rehabilitating.When offenders leave prison, private and voluntary sector providers will be paid by results for training and rehabilitating.
On immigration, the Tories promise to set an annual limit for the number of non-European Union migrants allowed in to live and work in the UK.On immigration, the Tories promise to set an annual limit for the number of non-European Union migrants allowed in to live and work in the UK.
For older people, the Tories promise to "protect" the winter fuel payment, free bus passes, free TV licenses, disability living allowance and attendance allowance, and the pension credit.For older people, the Tories promise to "protect" the winter fuel payment, free bus passes, free TV licenses, disability living allowance and attendance allowance, and the pension credit.