Conservatives are the “only choice”, says Howard
In his closing speech to the Conservative Party conference, Michael Howard sought to rally the faithful, declaring that the Conservatives are the “only choice” for government.
This year’s Tory conference has focused strongly around the principles of “accountability” and “trust” and these were in evident in his speech.
Following on from his promise to set a definitive timetable of action for the first hour, day, week and month of a Conservative administration, Mr Howard said: “So to those who voted Labour last time, who dream of a better life, who work hard, but feel let down, I say, come and join us.
“We are the only choice if you want a government that gives you value for money for the taxes you pay.
“We are the only choice if you want a government that will wage a war on crime.
“We are the only choice if you want a government that is responsible and accountable to you.”
The Conservative leader pledged that his party is ready to govern, and promised to “hand power back from politicians to people – doctors, nurses, teachers, parents, families”.
Speaking before Mr Howard, co-chairman Liam Fox said that he believed this week’s conference has been “fantastic” and would be seen as “the week the Tory party got off its knees”.
He likened the spirit and success of this year’s Conservative Party Conference to that which preceded the party’s 1987 General Election win to secure a third term, saying that it has been “more focussed and more disciplined” than other conferences in recent years.
Howard’s motivation
In a live interview with Michael Brunson, former political editor of ITN, on the conference stage in Bournemouth before his main speech, Mr Howard spoke about his personal motivation for returning to frontline politics – the state of the NHS.
He said that he got “very angry” about the state of the NHS during his two years on the backbenches, and felt a “duty” to return as Shadow Chancellor when asked to by then leader Iain Duncan Smith.
Asked whether his party’s lack of momentum was down to him, Mr Howard said he did not see it like that, and nor did most of the delegates at the conference. He cited a recent poll by the Daily Telegraph in which people were asked what policies would be likely to make them vote Conservative. Of the policies put forward, he said that many were already “our policies” but people clearly did not know about that. He said the party had done the hard work in coming up with the policies, but they now needed to be sold. “The next stage between now and the election is making sure everyone knows that these are our policies”.
Mr Brunson put it to him that the same poll found that only 11 per cent of voters thought he was providing strong leadership. Mr Howard replied that this was because they did not know that the policies they wanted were already Conservative policies. “I think there is absolutely everything to play for,” he said.
He dismissed claims that “he only does aggressive” and expressed his admiration for Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy. He also provided an insight into his interests away from politics by revealing that he spends his weekends watching football.
On the importance of personality in politics, Mr Howard said whilst policies were very important, people needed to know whether the policies were actually going to be put into action. “That depends an awful lot on the person in charge”. The most important thing about a school was the head teacher, whilst the chief executive of a business really sets the tone. He added that the electorate needed an idea of the kind of person they were electing.
Mr Howard said if he ever became a liability to the party he would stand down as leader, but refused to say whether he would stand down if the Conservatives lost the General Election. “We are all focused on winning the next election,” he said. “No alternative to that crosses our minds.”
