Tory pledge on policies

Sep 27 2008 by William Green, The Journal

THE Tories are promising “tangible” policies at their autumn conference after leader David Cameron was branded a “novice”.

Shadow Cabinet member Chris Grayling said proposals would be unveiled at the gathering that gets under way today in Birmingham, appealing to the North East and the country.

The pledge came after Mr Cameron was branded a “novice” by Gordon Brown, who insisted only he had the experience to deal with stormy economic times. Mr Grayling said: “It is about a message of change. We just desperately need a change and we will be making the case for change, but there will be a very strong air of not being complacent.

“We know the next general election is still a very long way away and we have a big electoral mountain to climb.”

He promised “tangible” policy announcements addressing economic challenges and social “breakdown”. Mr Grayling said: “There has been a lot of headline grabbing and we will have some eye-catching measures. But we want to stress that will be part of preparing us for Government.” The shadow work and pensions secretary said he was “cautiously optimistic” about the Tories’ fortunes in the North East, with Tynemouth and Berwick amongst the most winnable constituencies.

He said Sunderland Central was another target while the candidate in Hexham, who will replace retiring Tory MP Peter Atkinson, could be a “real leader” for the region’s Conservatives. Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Tory Parliamentary candidate for Berwick, said it would be a positive conference, but stressed the need for “sound policy announcements”.

She said: “I want to come away from conference with some clear messages to bring back to North East business, professionals and hard-working families that the party has the right direction for our country.”

Political historian Martin Farr, based at Newcastle University, said Labour hoped to show Mr Cameron and his shadow chancellor George Osborne were “callow and inexperienced”. He said: “The polling evidence suggests the public like Cameron but think he is policy light. So rather than a jazzy walk-around speech, he might do well to return to the lectern and paper and make a serious speech.”