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Hague says 'no change of course' for Tories | Hague says 'no change of course' for Tories |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Foreign Secretary William Hague says the Conservative Party does not need a "drastic change of course" despite its poor showing in local election results last week. | Foreign Secretary William Hague says the Conservative Party does not need a "drastic change of course" despite its poor showing in local election results last week. |
He was responding to a surge in support for the UK Independence Party, which won over 140 seats. | He was responding to a surge in support for the UK Independence Party, which won over 140 seats. |
He wrote in the Sunday Telegraph that Tories shared voter concerns about immigration, welfare and living costs. | |
The elections saw the Tories lose control of 10 councils but retain 18. | The elections saw the Tories lose control of 10 councils but retain 18. |
UKIP averaged 25% of the vote in the wards where it was standing in Thursday's elections. Labour gained two councils and boosted its councillors by nearly 300. | UKIP averaged 25% of the vote in the wards where it was standing in Thursday's elections. Labour gained two councils and boosted its councillors by nearly 300. |
Contests took place in 27 English county councils and seven unitary authorities, as well as in Anglesey. About 2,300 council seats were up for grabs in England, in a major mid-term test for the coalition government. | Contests took place in 27 English county councils and seven unitary authorities, as well as in Anglesey. About 2,300 council seats were up for grabs in England, in a major mid-term test for the coalition government. |
Mr Hague said that while the election results "are better for the government than is usual in the middle of a parliament... they do show that there is a good deal of dissatisfaction and unhappiness in the country, in particular among some traditional Conservative supporters". | Mr Hague said that while the election results "are better for the government than is usual in the middle of a parliament... they do show that there is a good deal of dissatisfaction and unhappiness in the country, in particular among some traditional Conservative supporters". |
"These people are sending a clear message to the government I serve in," he added. | "These people are sending a clear message to the government I serve in," he added. |
Mr Hague said that the results required a "threefold response" from the Conservative Party. | |
No 'shortcuts' | No 'shortcuts' |
Firstly, he said, it must "underline to all those feeling aggrieved that we don't simply 'understand' how they feel - on immigration, on welfare, on bringing down the cost of living - we feel it too." | Firstly, he said, it must "underline to all those feeling aggrieved that we don't simply 'understand' how they feel - on immigration, on welfare, on bringing down the cost of living - we feel it too." |
And the party needs to "relay much more forcefully how we're acting in all these areas", he says. | And the party needs to "relay much more forcefully how we're acting in all these areas", he says. |
"The deficit has been cut by a third and 1.25 million new private sector jobs have been created. We have brought in a cap on benefits. | "The deficit has been cut by a third and 1.25 million new private sector jobs have been created. We have brought in a cap on benefits. |
"We have pledged a referendum on Europe. These are the things we came into government to do for the country - and we must shout about them even louder." | "We have pledged a referendum on Europe. These are the things we came into government to do for the country - and we must shout about them even louder." |
'Badly off-track' | 'Badly off-track' |
Mr Hague also said that the "important" third response must be "a resolve not to fall into the trap of lowest common denominator politics". | |
"People are tired of bad news. Many want to hear that there's a Plan B or C or D that is a shortcut to success. But to offer shortcuts that will not work would be to cheat the British people, offering them a dead end - and frankly it is patronising them too. | "People are tired of bad news. Many want to hear that there's a Plan B or C or D that is a shortcut to success. But to offer shortcuts that will not work would be to cheat the British people, offering them a dead end - and frankly it is patronising them too. |
"The truth is there are no easy ways out for our country." | "The truth is there are no easy ways out for our country." |
Meanwhile, former Conservative chairman Lord Tebbit has called on the Conservatives to set a date for an EU referendum as part of efforts to win back voters from UKIP. | Meanwhile, former Conservative chairman Lord Tebbit has called on the Conservatives to set a date for an EU referendum as part of efforts to win back voters from UKIP. |
Lord Tebbit also said Tory policy was "badly off track" and needed a rethink. | Lord Tebbit also said Tory policy was "badly off track" and needed a rethink. |
He urged Mr Cameron to look at UKIP's policies and consider which were "really Conservative policies that would be attractive to the party and its traditional voters". | He urged Mr Cameron to look at UKIP's policies and consider which were "really Conservative policies that would be attractive to the party and its traditional voters". |