The Conservative Manifesto

[edgray]

The Conservative Manifesto makes for an interesting read for those that are interested in the upcoming UK election:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/interactive/2010/apr/13/conservative-manifesto-2010-policy-guide

They're pushing the idea of DiY govt, that everyone should be involved on some level in the running of the country. Great, fresh ideas I think. However, as an interesting bit of discourse, Jon Henley points out that few people think they actually have time to get involved:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/apr/14/election-2010-conservatives-big-society

In spite of this, the Conservative manifesto is pretty radical and has the potential of increasing democracy in the UK, and possibly undoing the massive increases Labour have made in the civil service.

 

[Accountable]

Sounds great! I'll have to read it later. It's that personal involvement that's destroying America right now, imo. People line up for their "fair share" from gov't programs with nary a thought about where the money to pay for it comes from, and simultaneously feel completely powerless to influence what those programs should be.

 

[edgray]

The Conservatives are aiming to get rid of the "handout" culture Labour have nurtured by giving only for the creation of community projects and private enterprise, rather than simply handing money out to those too lazy to get off their sofas.

Problem is, as the second link talks about, do people have enough time and the inclination to get involved?

 

[Meirionnydd]

Although not a Conservative, I find the premise quite appealing. Especially the title - 'Invitation to join the government of Britain'.

 

[edgray]

Although not a Conservative, I find the premise quite appealing. Especially the title - 'Invitation to join the government of Britain'.

I'm most definitely not a Conservative but the idea of grassroots involvement as they are proposing really does appeal to me too. Certainly gives the potential to increase the average person's say in the running of their local communities and beyond.

 

[Peter Parka]

The thing about the Conservatives in Britain is that they are currently quite middle ground, no where near as right wing as they were under Thatcher and Republicans in the USA. They get my vote, especially as the alternative is another 5 years of Brown!

 

[edgray]

The thing about the Conservatives in Britain is that they are currently quite middle ground, no where near as right wing as they were under Thatcher and Republicans in the USA. They get my vote, especially as the alternative is another 5 years of Brown!

the further Labour moved towards the right (they're kinda centre-right at the moment I'd say) the Conservatives leapt into the centre ground, quite elegantly I'd say. Their manifesto could be just what Britain needs right now and definitely get my vote.

 

[Baxley]

Interesting idea, but the tories are all PR and spin to me. I'll vote elsewhere, if i can be bothered.

 

[Peter Parka]

Interesting idea, but the tories are all PR and spin to me. I'll vote elsewhere, if i can be bothered.

All Labour seem to do right now is all PR and spin.

 

[edgray]

All Labour seem to do right now is all PR and spin.

that and claim masses of public money to clean their personal moats...

 

[Peter Parka]

that and claim masses of public money to clean their personal moats...

I believe it was a Conservative MP who you're thinking of and it was actually to build a duck island on his moat. But it's been MPs from all the main parties who have been taking the piss in the expenses row.

 

[edgray]

I believe it was a Conservative MP who you're thinking of and it was actually to build a duck island on his moat. But it's been MPs from all the main parties who have been taking the piss in the expenses row.

I stand corrected. It's nice to see the Tories addressing the issue though. In their manifesto they state that a lot of their policies are down to the faith the public no longer has in the govt.