CONFERENCE SPECIAL
CAMERON OPTIMISTIC FOR LAND OF HOPE AND TORY
Sarah Richardson Director, Edelman Public Affairs First as Conservative Leader and now as Prime Minister, David Cameron has typically never used his Conference speech to make new policy announcements, instead using his platform to present his vision and strategic direction. Yesterday, looking tired but focussed, he set out his Party‟s driving mission to build a land of opportunity. “We don‟t have a problem persuading the public what we want to do for the country - that‟s Labour‟s problem,” pointed out one Tory MP. “We‟re now looking ahead to the future: It‟s not just clearing up Labour‟s mess but building a new more aspirational, open society.” This week‟s Conservative Party Conference theme, „For Hardworking People‟, looked to anchor the party, its policies and its messaging in the centre ground, with strategists seeking to arm wrestle Miliband for the cost of living agenda and emphasise fairness, helping people to get on and doing the right thing. While the media provided ongoing analysis of Ralph Miliband‟s patriotism and speculated on the Mayor of London‟s possible return to the House of Commons in 2015, advisors remained focused on how to form a majority government at the next election. In a closed session for Party Members on the eve of the Prime Minister‟s speech, election strategists Lynton Crosby and Stephen Gilbert outlined the Party‟s 40- 40 strategy which looks to deliver victory with effective targeting on a smaller battleground of just 40 seats to hold and 40 to gain. Similarly, to a packed ConservativeHome fringe session on „How to Win the Next General Election‟, Lord Ashcroft urged against a core seat strategy, presenting research showing that the best chances of Conservative victory lie not in obsessing about the „UKIP issues‟ of immigration, Europe and defence but in having a broad appeal. Nigel Farage, banished from the secure Daily Bulletin 2013
zone, continues to hint that 20 Conservative MPs are prepared to contemplate his advances. Spinners and Ministers, however, ditched nuance to convey once and for all there will be No Electoral Pacts. There had been plenty of red meat for activists and analysts earlier in the week, with the Chancellor setting out a new aim to achieve an absolute surplus in the next Parliament, announcing he would freeze fuel duty until 2015 and confirming the introduction of a £1,000 transferable personal allowance for married couples and civil partners in April 2015. The Pupil Premium plus, family-friendly tenancies, extending access to GPs in nine pilot areas… if these announcements passed under the radar then advisors find that preferable to a high profile Conference defined by disunity and sniping. Bringing forward the extension of the Help to Buy scheme will create a new generation of home ownership. The new Help to Work is not simply a tougher line on welfare but plans to change the culture around benefits. These are key messages for the Conservatives in the run-up to the election and there will be many other chances to communicate them. The PM did emphasise his commitment to HS2, framing the debate in terms of bringing North and South together in our national endeavour. He also endorsed clean energy, the shale gas industry and advanced materials, embracing new technologies and British innovation producing things and selling them to the world. In reality, all three main political parties have had a good conference season. Political advisors, who approach these annual trade shows with care, can briefly catch their breath before minor reshuffles and the new parliamentary session starts next week.
Edelman | Southside | 105 Victoria Street | SW1E 6QT London | www.edelmaneditions.com | 020 3047 2177 | @edelmanUK