The Conservatives have been making the weather in the campaign so far, following George Osborne’s announcement that we would not proceed with the bulk of the Government’s proposed National Insurance increase next year, if we won the election. This has received wide-spread support from the business community, and it was a mistake for both Peter Mandelson and Gordon Brown to say that business leaders had been “deceived” - Words they have been careful to avoid using again! We want to avoid this jobs tax as the economy begins to emerge from recession, and believe that savings can be made in the current year to fund this. This means trimming public expenditure by less than 1% - a target that many households and businesses have already had to achieve.
This policy has dominated the headlines – and in a way it crystallises the debate between the two main parties. Both want to reduce the national debt, which threatens to balloon out of control unless action is taken. We believe the emphasis should be on reducing planned public expenditure, whereas the Labour Party rely more on increasing taxation.
I have been at Westminster until Thursday evening, in my role as Shadow Leader of the House. I attended the House of Lords for Prorogation and then took my leave of the Speaker with my opposite number, Harriet Harman. Most of those who stayed for this ceremony were members who were retiring, and for them it was an emotional moment as they left the building as MP’s for the last time.
I am returning to North West Hampshire today, via my old constituency of Ealing Acton, where I was the MP from 1974 to 1997. This is a key seat my Party needs to win, and I will be campaigning with Angie Bray who I hope will follow in my footsteps. Then on to Andover to lead the “We’re Keeping Young” campaign!
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Promoted by Tracey Kirk on behalf of Sir George Young both at 2 Church Close, Andover,
Hants SP10 1DP
