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Tories warned not to lose 'soul' Tories warned not to lose 'soul'
(about 8 hours later)
Tory leader David Cameron should look after the party's "soul" rather than make "vacuous" reforms, former deputy leader Michael Ancram has warned. Tory leader David Cameron should "unveil the party's soul" rather than make "vacuous" reforms, former deputy leader Michael Ancram has warned.
He told the Daily Telegraph the party should stop "trashing" its Thatcherite past and focus on issues such as lower taxes and other "core values".He told the Daily Telegraph the party should stop "trashing" its Thatcherite past and focus on issues such as lower taxes and other "core values".
Mr Ancram also said the UK could not stay in a European Union with an "agenda of ever-closer union".Mr Ancram also said the UK could not stay in a European Union with an "agenda of ever-closer union".
The comments come after Mr Cameron said there would be no "lurch to the right".The comments come after Mr Cameron said there would be no "lurch to the right".
'Appearing ashamed''Appearing ashamed'
Mr Ancram has written his own 30-page blueprint for the Conservatives, in which he says there is a public perception of the party "lacking an overall sense of vision and direction". Mr Ancram has written his own 30-page blueprint for the party called Still A Conservative, in which he says there is a public perception of the party "lacking an overall sense of vision and direction".
He says the policy of treating same-sex civil partnerships in the same way as marriages "insults the intelligence of the British people". He does praise Mr Cameron's "laudable efforts" as leader, saying he has "revived interest in the Conservative Party brand".
Mr Ancram, MP for Devizes, said: "Of course as Conservatives we must show we have changed, but we must beware doing so by trashing our past or appearing ashamed of our history." But he says: "Now he must begin to unveil the party's soul based on those core values, principles and beliefs that form the timeless make-up of that Conservative soul."
He added: "Change for change's sake is a vacuous process, swiftly seen through by the electorate." Change for change's sake is a vacuous process, swiftly seen through by the electorate Michael Ancram MP
He also said: "We should beware of over-reliance on opinion surveys and focus groups. They may help to sell products. They rarely assist in selling principles. And they can seriously mislead." He says he supports Mr Cameron's proposal to offer tax incentives to marriage, but claims the policy of treating same-sex civil partnerships in the same way as marriages "insults the intelligence of the British people".
Mr Ancram, MP for Devizes, says the Tories must not claim to be "the heirs of Blair".
"Of course as Conservatives we must show we have changed, but we must beware doing so by trashing our past or appearing ashamed of our history," he says.
And he adds: "Change for change's sake is a vacuous process, swiftly seen through by the electorate."
Mr Ancram says his party should do more to protect "those areas of sovereignty such as fishing and trade" which have not yet been "surrendered" to the EU.
"One thing is clear. We cannot remain part of a Europe where the agenda of ever-closer union remains active," he says.
Tax proposalsTax proposals
Mr Cameron has come under increasing pressure to return to so-called "core" Tory issues, such as Europe, taxation and immigration.Mr Cameron has come under increasing pressure to return to so-called "core" Tory issues, such as Europe, taxation and immigration.
He has supported demands for a referendum on the EU treaty and said last week that the level of immigration to the UK was too high.He has supported demands for a referendum on the EU treaty and said last week that the level of immigration to the UK was too high.
The Conservative leadership last week pledged to consider tax cuts following a report by a policy group chaired by former Cabinet minister John Redwood.The Conservative leadership last week pledged to consider tax cuts following a report by a policy group chaired by former Cabinet minister John Redwood.
Labour has accused the party of "lurching to the right" - something denied by Mr Cameron, who has pledged to fight on the centre ground.Labour has accused the party of "lurching to the right" - something denied by Mr Cameron, who has pledged to fight on the centre ground.
Former party chairman Mr Ancram stood unsuccessfully as a candidate of the right in the 2001 leadership election to find a successor to William Hague, going on to serve as deputy leader to Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Howard.Former party chairman Mr Ancram stood unsuccessfully as a candidate of the right in the 2001 leadership election to find a successor to William Hague, going on to serve as deputy leader to Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Howard.
He stepped down from the front bench following Mr Cameron's election as leader in 2005.He stepped down from the front bench following Mr Cameron's election as leader in 2005.