I was fascinated to read the results of the ConservativeHome survey of Tory candidates regarding their policy priorities. Disappointingly, they placed reducing Britain’s footprint at the bottom of the list, an issue close to David Cameron’s heart, and I hope it remains so, though he seems to have failed to have got the message across about this.
It’s no surprise that during our economic gloom, cutting the budget deficit comes top of the list, though I’m also surprised that reducing immigration doesn’t come higher up, as well as the need for more affordable housing.
Let’s hope Conservatives can succeed with the NHS, ranked fourth. A friend of mine had a call from Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge this afternoon saying that her daughter’s operation booked for tomorrow was being cancelled because they didn’t realise it was their audit day. Unbelievable.
Tim Montgomerie outlines the survey on Radio 4’s Westminster hour. What do you think of these priorities?
Wow
that last one is a shocker
I can’t believe so few see it as important to lower our carbon footprint
Do tories really see it a conspiracy by the world’s scientists and politicians to get their hands on everyone’s money?
Frightening. I’ll be voting with my feet again for none of the above.
Steve, I concur with your “shock” reaction. I would also have liked to have seen a policy included which offered more support for our elderly and funding to research Alzheimer’s, as well as supporting our agricultural industry so we can become more self sufficient as a nation.
I have to say I was very disappointed to see carbon emisions so low down the list of priorities.
I’ve got plenty of political differences with David Cameron but I always thought the one thing you could say in his favour is that he was bringing certain elements of the Tory Party out of the dark ages. It seems there is still a lot of work to do if PPCs are still not taking climate change seriously.
I’m quite relieved to see lowering the carbon footprint down at the bottom, as politicians of all hues showed how highly they really prioritise carbon-related issues at Copenhagen. But it would have been nice to see reducing immigration and strengthening marriage higher up.
I have to agree with you. Ellee. I’m concerned about the growing fanaticism to blame all societies ills on the welfare system. Especially when we are apending so much on a war we can never win and still giving international aid from taxes.
They show how brainwashed the candidates are
Does it really show how brainwashed they are? Would you not expect people of the same party to share some core values?
Dealing with climate change is a long term problem. I think its actually easier for a candidate to envision that they can make an impact on tackling the deficit, cutting spending programmes and so on.
I wonder if they might find ‘a fairer constitutional settlement between Scotland and the rest of the UK’ more important if the Conservatives win the majority of seats in England but are unable to form a government.
I almost hope that happens.