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| Let the people decide - Cameron | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| David Cameron has said he wants the Conservatives to inspire people with a message of optimism and hope for Britain's future in the "new world". | David Cameron has said he wants the Conservatives to inspire people with a message of optimism and hope for Britain's future in the "new world". |
| The Tory leader, seeking to rally the party for a snap election, delivered the speech without notes, warning "it might be messy but it'll be me". | |
| He contrasted the "modern" Tories with Labour's "cynical... old politics". | |
| He said he "had what it takes" and ended by urging the PM to call an election and "let the people decide". | |
| I say - God, we have got to do better than that David Cameron At-a-glance: Tory conference | I say - God, we have got to do better than that David Cameron At-a-glance: Tory conference |
| He reminded party members he had last addressed them in Blackpool when he had made his pitch to be their leader in 2005 - a speech which famously propelled him from outsider to favourite for the job. | He reminded party members he had last addressed them in Blackpool when he had made his pitch to be their leader in 2005 - a speech which famously propelled him from outsider to favourite for the job. |
| "Today I want to make a speech about why I want to lead our country," he said. | "Today I want to make a speech about why I want to lead our country," he said. |
| "I'm afraid it's going to be a bit longer and I haven't got an autocue. I haven't got a script. I have just got a few notes. It might be a bit messy, but it will be me." | "I'm afraid it's going to be a bit longer and I haven't got an autocue. I haven't got a script. I have just got a few notes. It might be a bit messy, but it will be me." |
| New priorities | New priorities |
| The Conservatives have used their week in Blackpool to set out the policies they believe can win them the next election - including lifting the ceiling on inheritance tax from £300,000 to £1m and cutting stamp duty for first-time buyers. | The Conservatives have used their week in Blackpool to set out the policies they believe can win them the next election - including lifting the ceiling on inheritance tax from £300,000 to £1m and cutting stamp duty for first-time buyers. |
| With the party trailing in the opinion polls, Mr Cameron will need to convince voters the Tories have what it takes to deliver changes in health, education, law and order and security. | With the party trailing in the opinion polls, Mr Cameron will need to convince voters the Tories have what it takes to deliver changes in health, education, law and order and security. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY I want a government that can give me optimism and hope for the future, not just political stunts and more empty promises of jam tomorrow Mike, London Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY I want a government that can give me optimism and hope for the future, not just political stunts and more empty promises of jam tomorrow Mike, London Send us your comments |
| Mr Cameron said last week's Labour conference speech by Gordon Brown had been cynical old politics. | Mr Cameron said last week's Labour conference speech by Gordon Brown had been cynical old politics. |
| He said: "Boy, has this guy got a plan. It's to appeal to those 4% of people in the marginal seats with a dog-whistle about immigration here, about crime there, wrap yourself up in the flag and maybe you convince people you are on their side. | He said: "Boy, has this guy got a plan. It's to appeal to those 4% of people in the marginal seats with a dog-whistle about immigration here, about crime there, wrap yourself up in the flag and maybe you convince people you are on their side. |
| "But I say, 'God, we have got to do better than that'. What about the 40% of our fellow citizens who have just given up on politics? | "But I say, 'God, we have got to do better than that'. What about the 40% of our fellow citizens who have just given up on politics? |
| "We have got to inspire them. People want the politics of belief and that means politics they can really believe in." | "We have got to inspire them. People want the politics of belief and that means politics they can really believe in." |
| Mr Cameron said the party would not be lurching to the right or the left. "We are going to provide the good solid leadership this country needs. | |
| "We need change for the long term, hope for our country and optimism for the next generation. That's what this week has been about and that's what I am about." | |
| 'Lifeboat fund' | |
| Mr Cameron said Mr Brown's "worst legacy" had been "his destruction of Britain's pension system and we in this party will never let him forget it". | |
| In government, the Tories would create a "lifeboat fund" to give 125,000 people the support they deserve "after being let down so badly by this government". | |
| His party would end the "revolving door" of the benefits system and seek the involvement of charities, voluntary bodies and private companies to help run it. | |
| "We will say to people that if you are offered a job and it's a fair job and it's one that you can do and you refuse it, you shouldn't get any welfare," he said. | |
| Describing the family as the best welfare system, he said Tories would end the couple penalty on benefits, recognise marriage in the tax system and give time and flexible working to employees with children. | |
| Referendum call | |
| On health, Mr Cameron said his party would "scrap top down targets and trust our professionals in the NHS". | |
| He said that the political system was still "stuck in the dark ages". | |
| "When it comes to politics we just have to take what we are given and put up with it," he said. | |
| A prime example was the refusal by Mr Brown to accept demands for a referendum on the European Union treaty. | |
| "It is one of the most blatant breaches of trust in modern politics they won't give us that referendum." |