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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 writes in the Sunday Telegraph that Tories shared voter concerns about immigration, welfare and living costs. 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 require a "threefold response" from the Conservative Party. 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 goes on to say that the "important" third response must be "a resolve not to fall into the trap of lowest common denominator politics". 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".