“We are all in this together”
Posted by Ellee on Oct 6, 2009 in Conservative Party Conference, updates | 17 commentsTrying to convince a nation that “we are all in this together” – the catch prase of George Osborne’s key conference speech today – is going to be hard work as countless people who were faultless find their lives ruined by today’s economic downturn due to the actions of our banks and government.
The conference hall was packed, so I watched the announcememnt in a lobby outside with Julian Sturdy, the York Outer PPC, and John Galvin, Mayor of York. I spotted public affairs chief Peter Bingle nearby – who I last year recorded on YouTube saying, “Deal with Brown, prepare for Cameron”. I also smiled as I saw the youthful looking Fraser Nelson, Editor of the Spectator, nearby, as well as Jeremy Hunt, Shadow Culture Secretary, with his flicked up fringe.
What is true, however, is that “we have to sort it together,” and never has the saying “no pain, no gain” been truer. I believe the freeze on public sector pay for a year for all but those earning less than £18,000 was too harsh, and the threshold should have been nearer £30,000 to help struggling families with mortgages to pay. But then Osborne has pledged to reduce Whitehall costs by a third, and I doubt I could juggle my housekeeping costs to make such a huge saving. I certainly agreed with plans to curb the pay and pensions of highest paid public servants’ – who wouldn’t?
*There are whispers of another MPs expenses story brewing before the general election which will again dominate the press. This could again detract from the real issues which need to be heard in the run up to an election. Conservatives know they need to win voters over to get a majority and want to work hard to earn it. This is a very tough challenge for David Cameron who has to convince voters of his party’s ability to run government whilst not in office; despite polls showing Labour that has lost the trust and respect of its voters. This is a huge mountain to climb.
*I went to a packed fringe meetng held by the think tank REFORM with John Tate, Director of Policy at the BBC, and the aforementioned Jeremy Hunt. There was a hot debate on the role of the BBC and the internet. This included a discussion about broadband being available on TV from next year, something known in the trade as Project Canvas. It means the internet will be available on the telly in your lounge and the potential for this is immense. I wonder if it could be developed one day to facilitate online voting.
This debate has been held at all the party conferences and afterwards Elizabeth Truss, Deput Director of REFORM, told me only half as many had attended at the Labour conference, and they couldn’t find a Labour activisit in the audience to ask a question – which I was asked to do.
And Labour wonders why its online presence is lagging……
Have you considered about putting some social bookmarking buttons to these blog posts. At least for twitter.
Of course, you are right.
I was listening to Radio 2..not something I do a lot of of…and they had a debate or a phone in about David Cameron and this George Osborne (still don’t know who he is) and I must admit there was a lot of support for the Conservatives.
Another believer here, loved it, some nice points you made.
Wat an article,
Nice piece of information, realy useful……
Thanks buddy!
A great phrase to spur the conference.
There was a hot debate on the role of the BBC and the internet.
I was going to that and then we got waylaid. Might have met.
dfinately agree, you made a believer out of me
I will be visiting more often as you have done a good job, keep going..
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i agree
Osborne would have had the same liberal banking policies as Darling and Brown, and we’d be in the same situation. It’s the system that was wrong, not ther government. Labour were better at being Tories than the Tories were.
I remember the Thatcher years, leaving school in the middle of them and spending a lot of time on the dole, despite an escellent education and qualifications.
We’re all in it together? Don’t make me laugh. The Tories made my younger years as miserable as hell and blighted the lives of many good people I knew. ‘Helping’ people back to work? Ha ha ha.
I will never vote for them as long as I live. That’s what you’re up against.
Excellent post, Ellee.
going to be hard work as countless people who were faultless find their lives ruined by today’s economic downturn due to the actions of our banks and government too true.
I do think EK has a point or two too.
It’s not just that we were faultless …
… it’s that our express desires were ignored completely and no-one stood up for us – least of all the Tory party. We told them where this was leading and lo – here we are.
And now I’ll tell you what follows.
I’m sorry. Britain has had it. The welfare beast (and the jobs, crime and uncontrolled immigration that go with it) cannot be tamed without a hell of a lot of trouble.
Does David Cameron really want the job ? Fool if he does.
George Osbourne’s catch phrase makes me laugh!! Who is “WE” the government and us!!
The only thing we are in together is a “MESS” an embarassment, a walk over, and complete utter idiots.
There is no “WE” in sorting things out..it is them that needs to sort things out!!
I don’t know how anyone can live on 18,000 a year..or less, it must be really hard. And there is lots I would like to say about the Incapacity Benefit they were talking about. The system is not upheld properly and lots of people are conning…the ones that really need help are not getting it.
There is not one party I would vote for, I don’t believe a word anyone says, they are ripping us off left right and centre.
Who is George Osbourne anyway? Where did he spring from.
Very interesting post though…got me worked up!!
It doesn’t say much if they have to give questions to people to ask…
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