Publications

Can the Tories win? Jun05

Why has the British electorate rejected the Tories in three General Elections? Is there a Tory parliamentarian with competence, conviction, commitment, compassion and courage who can lead the Party to victory?

Prime Minister Thatcher’s sweeping economic and trade union reforms, privatisation of state industries and extension of private home ownership lead to less state intervention and more prosperity. Irrespective of political persuasion, people felt “connected” with her government as it appeared to serve their interest. With a large parliamentary majority and public support, Thatcher dominated Conservative politics. Sadly, she overwhelmed and undermined the most brilliant in her cabinet. The poll tax started the “disconnect” with the electorate and her acrimonius departure left John Major with a party divided over Europe, unable to retain the middle ground in politics and dangerously exposed to an assault from Blair & Brown.

Conservative Central Office (CCO) failed to detect and respond to this challenge and its “disconnect” with constituency associations led to declining membership and poor selection of many parliamentary candidates. With little work experience in the real world, successful candidates as MPs neither appreciate nor understand the expectations and aspirations of the man on the street. Some distinguished parliamentarians from the Thatcher era and elderly Conservative supporters in the shires struggle hard to fly the flag for the Party. Sadly, the electorate perceives the parliamentary party to be without any fire in its belly and unfit to govern on competence, conviction and compassion.

What should the Tories do now?

1. Change party rules on selection of new parliamentary candidates (Westminster & European) to ensure that all applicants have proof of legitimate work in the real world for at least 15 years.

2. Re-organise CCO by retaining/recruiting only those who have competence, qualification and minimum of 15 years commercial experience, excluding CCO or conservative associations.

3. Give full autonomy to constituency associations to appoint their own Regional, Area and Constituency Agents to reflect not just political experience but marketing knowledge that can help in fund raising.

4. Give full autonomy to constituency associations to appoint their own parliamentary candidates provided the candidates have proof of 15 years work experience.

5. All Members of the Party Board should be elected for a single term of 3 years by balloting conservative associations. Any paid up member of the Party can stand, excluding MPs, MEPs, Party Agents and CCO staff. The Chairman, elected by the Board, would chair the meetings and the Board would manage CCO.

6. The Party Leader should be elected by the parliamentary party but can be rejected by 55% of paid up members of the Party if a minimum of 100 Conservative Associations demand such a vote.

7. Re-define Conservative philosophy based on the principles of freedom, equality, liberty and justice.

The Conservative Party must embrace a political agenda that is distinct from that of Blair’s New Labour. The following ideas may stimulate debate:-

1. Health:- Whilst retaining the NHS as a public asset, offer income tax concession to taxpayers for private healthcare in order to shift the burden of risk for treatment cost to the private sector. The switch forces private sector financial and management discipline on NHS management yielding better quality of service, higher efficiency and shorter waiting times. The unemployed and pensioners would have special provision. All members of NHS Management Trusts would be elected by local council taxpayers.

2. Education:- Offer parents of children in state schools income tax concession for education in any school of their choice. All state school management boards would be elected by local council taxpayers with 30% seats reserved for parents whose children attend the particular school and 20% reserved for teachers at the school.

3. Taxation:- Increase tax free personal allowance to £10,000 for all, including  pensioners. Rates on taxable income should be 10% up to £25,000, 12.5% up to £50,000, 15% up to £75,000, 17.5% up to £100,000 and 20% beyond that. VAT should be pegged at 10% and all other taxes on personal income, including inheritance tax & stamp duty should be abolished. Corporation tax should be based on turnover according to commercial classification based on activity.

4. Immigration & Asylum:- Establish a UK Immigration Agency (UKIA) that is run autonomously with a remit to allow immigration on the basis of national manpower needs for specified skills and asylum on the basis of genuine applications.

5. Europe:- Promote the EU25 as a commonwealth of European nations working together for common economic interests whilst preserving national sovereignty over taxation, employment, immigration, voting in national elections and national citizenship.

Let an experienced Conservative politician, irrespective of age, come forward with a vision that the electorate can accept to allow the Party to form the next government!