The Conservative party is one of the three main political parties participating in the General Election on 5th May 2005.
It is led by Michael Howard who was Home Secretary during the early 1990s under Margaret Thatcher and John Major.
He has been leader since Iain Duncan Smith resigned in 2003 after his decline in popularity.
Traditionally, the Conservative party is supported by the upper and middle classes, businesses and farmers
(plus other self employed people).
This is true to an extent,
as the party tends not to win constituencies around urban areas but has many of the rural seats.
Labour on the other hand has traditionally had the support of the trade unions and therefore
working class people so they win more of the urban constituencies.
The Conservative party stands for a number of things.
While in power they have encouraged a free market which means that businesses can trade with whoever
they like and not be subject to any government intervention.
This promotes the interests of the individual and the economy we had under
Margaret Thatcher was the strongest this country has ever seen.
They will also be tough on immigration.
This country has a huge scale immigration problem as people come into the country to take advantage
of its seemingly relaxed attitude to illegal immigration and our very generous benefits system.
The Conservatives would like to change this by ‘closing the borders’
to illegal immigrants and making incoming people earn their benefits.
Education is also on their agenda.
They would like to increase funding in schools and give more power to the head teachers and local
authorities when it comes to running the local schools.
The NHS (Notional Health Service) is also key to the Conservatives’ election campaign
(as it is to all political parties at election time).
The Conservatives want to increase spending in the hospitals and increase the numbers of doctors and nurses.
This country has a problem with cleanliness in hospitals and there is a so called
‘superbug’ known as MRSA which has infected, and in some cases killed, a number of people.
The Conservatives want to improve the standard of cleanliness in the hospitals to prevent
further problems with this bug.
All the regulars are also in the election campaign; crime, health,
education (as I mentioned) and taxation are all key subjects for the voting public.
This year there has been another key issue: top up fees. University education here is the most expensive in Europe.
It is already roughly £1000 tuition fees alone per year.
With the imminent introduction of additional fees, this will rise to a bank-breaking £3000, plus accommodation,
food etc. The Conservatives will not introduce these fees.
Labour will and they are due to be in place in the school year beginning September 2006.
They will also lower taxes and increase sentences for serious crimes such as rape.
Europe is the final major matter in the Conservative manifesto (the book containing policies).
The Conservatives would like to remain within the European Common market but not accept the
Euro or sovereignty for Europe.
I am a member of the young Conservatives and the Crew and Nantwich Conservative association,
so no prizes for guessing who I hope will get in!
Is there a party similar to the Conservatives in your country? Who would you vote for if you were old enough?
For more information:
www.conservatives.com
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