When it comes to keeping Britain safe, I had one man by my side for four years. When he was ateenager, he didn’t only address the Tory party conference…he read Hansard in bed…and hada record collection consisting of one album by Dire Straits and dozens of speeches by WinstonChurchill. All I can say is this: that boy became a fine Parliamentarian…a brilliant ForeignSecretary…our greatest living Yorkshireman…and someone to whom I owe an enormous debtof gratitude: William Hague.
William, there’s one more task I want you to carry out: bringing fairness to our constitution.During that referendum campaign we made a vow to the Scottish people that they will getmore powers – and we will keep that vow. But here’s my vow to the people of England, Walesand Northern Ireland. I know the system is unfair. I know that you are asking: if Scotland canvote separately on things like tax, spending and welfare….why can’t England, Wales andNorthern Ireland do the same? I know you want this answered. So this is my vow: English votesfor English laws – the Conservatives will deliver it.
We’ve delivered a lot these past four years…but we’ve had to do it all in a coalition government.Believe me: coalition was not what I wanted to do; it’s what I had to do. And I know what Iwant next. To be back here in October 2015 delivering Conservative policies…based onConservative values…leading a majority Conservative Government.
So where do we want to take our country? Where do I want to take our country? During thesefour years, I hope that the British people have come to know me a little. I’m not a complicatedman. I believe in some simple things. Families come first. They are the way you make a nationstrong from the inside out. I care deeply about those who struggle to get by…but I believe thebest thing to do is help them stand on their own two feet – and no, that’s not saying “you’re onyour own”, but “we are on your side, helping you be all you can.” And I believe in something forsomething; not something for nothing. Those who do the right thing, put the effort in, whowork and build communities – these are the people who should be rewarded. All of this isunderpinned by a deep patriotism.
I love this country – and my goal is this: To make Britain a country that everyone is proud tocall home. That doesn’t just mean having the fastest-growing economy, or climbing someinternational league table. I didn’t come into politics to make the lines on the graphs go in theright direction. I want to help you live a better life. And it comes back to those things I believe.A Britain that everyone is proud to call home is a Britain where hard work is really rewarded.Not a free-for-all, but a chance for all…the chance of a job, a home, a good start in life…whoeveryou are, wherever you are from. And by the way – you never pull one person up by pullinganother one down. So this Party doesn’t do the politics of envy and class warfare…we believe inaspiration and helping people get on in life – and what’s more, we’re proud of it.
The past four years have been about laying the foundations for that Britain. The next five willbe about finishing the job. Put another way – if our economic plan for the past four years hasbeen about our country – and saving it from economic ruin…our plan for the next five years willbe about you, and your family – and helping you get on. But Conservatives know this. Nothingcomes easy. There’s no reward without effort; no wealth without work; no success withoutsacrifice…and we credit the British people with knowing these things too.
Other parties preach to you about a Brave New World…we understand you have to start withthe real world and make it better. So let other politicians stand on stages like this and promisean easy life. Not me. I am here today to set out our Conservative commitment for the next fiveyears.
If you want to provide for yourself and your family, you’ll have the security of a job…but only ifwe stick to our long-term economic plan. If you work hard, we will cut your taxes…but only ifwe keep on cutting the deficit, so we can afford to do that. For those wanting to buy a home,yes – we will help you get on that housing ladder…but only if we take on the vested interests,and build more homes – however hard that is. We will make sure your children get a greateducation; the best education…but only if we keep taking on everyone who gets in the way ofhigh standards. For those retiring, we will make sure you get a decent pension; and realrewards for a life of work…but only if we as a country accept we all have to work a bit longer andsave a bit more.
It’s pretty simple really: a good job, a nice home, more money at the end of the month, adecent education for your children, a safe and secure retirement. A country where if you putin, you get out. A Britain everyone is proud to call home. And a real long-term plan to getthere. It starts with more decent jobs. And look how far we’ve come. Today there are 1 million800 thousand more jobs in our country than there were in 2010. We are creating more jobshere in Britain than in the whole of Europe put together. 1.8 million jobs. You know – whenBritain is getting back to work, it can only mean one thing…the Conservatives are back inGovernment.