Conservative Manifesto 2010 Change Politics Introduction

Conservative Manifesto 2010 Change Politics Introduction

A new agenda for a new politics

The Conservative Party has led the way in sorting out the mess of MPs’ expenses. In government we will go further, by cutting the size of Parliament, cutting the scope of Whitehall, and cutting the cost of politics. We will make politics more local, more transparent and more accountable. We intend to build a new political system that serves people rather than politicians. Together, we can change our politics for the better.

The events of recent months have revealed the size of the fissures in our political system. millions of people in this country are at best detached from democracy, at worst angry and disillusioned. this endangers our ability to work together to solve our common problems. just putting this down to the shocking revelations of the expenses scandal would be a great mistake. MPs’ expenses might have been the trigger for the public’s anger, but this political crisis is driven by a deeper sense of frustration – that people have too little control over the decisions that affect their daily lives.

The top-down model of power that exists in Britain today is completely out of date. The argument that has applied for well over a century – that in every area of life we need people at the centre to make sense of the world for us and take decisions on our behalf – has collapsed. We now live in an age when technology can put information that was previously held by a few into the hands of the many. this is an age of personal freedom and choice, when culture and debate are shaped by a multitude of voices. but politics has not caught up with this new age. instead of giving people more power over their lives, we have a government intent on taking it away.

We believe in people power – and today the information revolution gives us the practical tools to realise that philosophy. So we plan to change britain with a sweeping redistribution of power: from the state to citizens; from the government to Parliament; from Whitehall to communities; from brussels to britain; from bureaucracy to democracy. taking power away from the political elite and handing it to the man and woman in the street. Using decentralisation, accountability and transparency, we will weaken the old political elites, give people power, fix our broken politics and restore people’s faith that if we act together things can change. this is a new agenda for a new politics.

Shaun bailey
“We need a new kind of politics in this country, a politics where people join because they want to do something, not because they want to be someone. We need to reverse the relationship between politicians and people so that it’s the people demanding respect from politicians, not the other way around. i’ve spent my career working with and for the people of my community, and now i’m hoping to be fighting for that community in Parliament. this manifesto is a call to action for all of us to take control and do our bit in our communities.”
Shaun bailey is a youth worker and is the Conservative candidate for hammersmith and Shepherds bush