Cameron offers 'positive' alternative to Labour
David Cameron insists Tories are different from Labour
Tuesday, 02, May 2006 12:00
The Conservatives are a "dramatically different" party from Labour, leader David Cameron insisted today.
He claimed that while the government was guilty of "administrative failures", from tax credits to foreign prisoners, the Tories offered something "positive, moderate, reasonable and sensible".
However, Mr Cameron admitted there were similarities between the two parties, not least on education reform, although he said plans to give schools more independence under a 'trust' system did not go far enough.
He was speaking just days ahead of the local elections, when Labour – after a week of torrid headlines about ministerial incompetence and sleaze – are anticipating major losses.
But in what is the Witney MP's first electoral test as party leader, many believe the Tories will not be the main beneficiaries from Labour's woes – perhaps, some argue, because they are not sufficiently different from the government.
"I don't see the point of doing politics for drama," Mr Cameron admitted to Today, adding that he did agree with moves such as granting the Bank of England independence eight years ago, and many proposals in the education bill.
But he insisted: "Where they're getting it wrong, such as in forcing regionalisation, I oppose them tooth and nail…That is dramatic – it's about the way we are governed."
Mr Cameron continued: "What I'm determined to do is to put my party in a position where we are offering people in this country a positive, moderate, reasonable, sensible, centre-right alternative to a government that in many ways is failing."
The new leader has put the environment at the heart of his vision for a "modern, compassionate Conservatism", and has challenged the government in this area for not taking radical enough action.
However, Labour has condemned Mr Cameron's stance as being all talk, and this weekend it was revealed that while he often cycles to work – a strong symbol of the new green Tories – he is followed by his official government car, carrying his suit and papers.
This morning the Tory leader insisted this was justified given the "quantity of paperwork I have to take home in the evening", adding: "I haven't misled anyone. Sometimes this happens, sometimes it doesn't, but I haven't misled anyone.