It's Been Too Long

Indeed it has been too long and far too much has happened since November. I must admit the ventures I've embarked on recently have al been neglected for one reason or another (none that I can find are particularly good) but I was encouraged to start back here once again and so I am. I cannot make any promises or predictions as to how long I'll be back for, but we'll see how it goes. I hope you've all been well and that life has been treating you accordingly.

I'm going to start with the Eastleigh by-election in which we came third. We trailed UKIP by 1000 or so votes and I'm honestly not surprised. UKIP steal, folks, and do so because of disaffection within the party. Not mine I have to say, I think the PM and Cabinet are doing a decent enough job; but already the warnings are sounding. We have weeks now before the Budget is announced and we need to ensure that within it are contained measures to help us gain back voters and reassure potential ones that the Conservative Party is the true party of government.

So where are these haemorrhages to be found? Well some will point to gay marriage and although I am vocally in favour, as are many both in the party and nationally, there have been doubts. I have discussed this issue in earlier posts, so I won't go into too much detail again, but suffice it to say if you're not familiar with my views on it now, then read my post entitled Now Pay Attention. Nevertheless it is emotive and has caused a small rift within our ranks, a rift which must be healed. We have already ensured caveats to religious organisations, but we cannot be blind to the fact that more has to be done if we are not to alienate the grassroots further.

Likewise Europe and immigration are both points which are still contentious. UKIP seem to thrive on Tory disaffection where Europe is concerned. Let's not beat about the bush, folks, this is just one aspect of UKIP policy. UKIP and the EU need each other; the EU to appear democratic in letting an opposition party into the Parliament and UKIP because they hate the EU. Their domestic policies fracture and drift like so many ice floes. Alas, unlike these majestic wonders, there is very little below the surface. They rubbed their hands with glee when the PM announced in his speech on having a referendum that it would require a time-frame. Of course it needs a time-frame, things have to be negotiated! We cannot simply wrench ourselves out, we must extract properly. I understand frustration with the EU, I think it's a hatefully pernicious organisation; I am reminded of the busybody neighbour when I think of the Commission. Views are given but rarely sought or wanted and often the advice is bad. I believe that while we are in the EU it is our duty as a member-state not to let the Commission get away with its mismanagement of the member-states and to ensure that policies are regularly interrogated and if necessary opposed.

As for immigration; there are parts of Britain now where the schools require regular interpreters and in London there are schools in which the pupils' second language is English. This is not polemics run mad, this is cold sober fact. Labour had the gall to issue a half-hearted apology through Yvette Cooper but they have no better solution to the problem. Their credibility is fast waning not just on the economy, but now it seems in other policies as well. I am not a racist, but when people come over here they should be able to ensure that they will contribute to the economy and make an effort at integration.

So that takes care of why not to vote for either UKIP or Labour. Not voting for the Lib Dems is a no-brainer (almost like Nick Clegg).

So why vote Tory? I know that there will be frustration over things like the Bedroom Tax and now something people are calling the Mummy Tax. Both are misnomers are neither are actual taxes; they are cuts in benefits. There is no shame in rolling back the welfare state to a point at which it can be properly managed. There is no room in this society for those who do not pull their weight and in fact do not wish to. There are those who have fallen on hard times and must be helped, that is why it was created, under the slogan "All Pay, All Benefit". Some have simply latched on to the latter part it seems. As concerns the Bedroom Tax, it is designed to address the social housing crisis that is prevalent in the UK at the moment. Why does a single person with no dependents require a three-bedroom house over a family of four? There are of course discrepancies, such as the elderly, but they seem to have been accounted for. Additionally social housing ought not to be a permanent solution for anyone; as one becomes more affluent, one should continually look toward ownership. This is one aspect of this government's commitment to empowering the individual.

Another way is education. Michael Gove continues to power through with his highly successful reform programme. Parents will have a better choice of school for their child in the new academies and the schools themselves are now directly funded from Whitehall. Long gone are the days when the local authority had direct control over high school budgets and indeed groups are setting up schools in order to ensure that they provide the education they believe their children deserve. Couple this with the pupil premium payments for those from disadvantaged backgrounds and we can really make a difference, giving British children the chances they deserve.

The NHS has long been a sore point and has been in dire need of real reform. I was sceptical about allowing GP commissioning; with no disrespect to GP's in general, but they are there to refer on to specialist treatment if prescription drugs aren't working. Similarly permitting any qualified provider is equally thorny. However, as with education, standards only improve if there is competition. Patients themselves know what they want from their healthcare providers, although the Francis Report has shown that certain trusts cannot even competently provide that which is required by codes of practice. Mid-Staffs cannot and must not happen again and the only way to be sure of that is to allow greater patient choice and increase accountability.

I would talk about the economy, but it is continually done to death. All I shall say is that despite our losing the AAA rating (downgraded by only one agency I might add), we have still managed to borrow at a reduced rate. The deficit has been reduced by a quarter and more part-time posts are now available, taking more people off welfare dependency. More must be done; I myself would like to see a reduction in VAT for example. The way to raise money is not to tax the rich further and certainly not to impose silly mansion taxes or tax moveable wealth a la Oncle François.

We are still credible. We are the right choice; Labour have no real policies and oppose everything we do for the sake of it. The Lib Dems insist on having caveats and moveable goalposts. UKIP are simply a one-man single-issue party in which disagreeing with Nigel Farage means membership is forfeit. Vote Conservative in your local elections and in 2015. There are miles to go, but we are the ones to stay the course.