Howard makes case for change
Conservative Party leader Michael Howard today used his New Year’s message to make the case for a change of direction in the way Britain is governed.
With a likely general election firmly in mind, Mr Howard said the Prime Minister’s “bossy, interfering Government” had failed.
In the weeks ahead Mr Howard said he would be setting out how the Conservatives would turn Britain’s shared values, such as punishing those who break the law and encouraging those who work hard and risk money by starting new firms, into reality.
He commented: “Britain is heading in the wrong direction for a simple reason: Mr. Blair has the wrong solution to the problems we face. His Government is a bossy, interfering Government that takes decisions that should be made by individuals.”
He added: ” We can cut crime. We can improve public services without asking people to pay more in taxes. We can have progress without losing what makes Britain great – its tolerance, the respect for the rule of law, the ability of everyone to fulfill their potential. We simply need to change direction.”
Mr Howard also paid tribute to Britain’s response to the Asian tsunami disaster, saying that it had “shone a light on our nation’s character”.
“The last week has shown that the warm, caring heart of Britain beats as strong as ever,” he said.
