Live Conservative Manifesto Launch Election 2017

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the West Riding. We are

three weeks away from the most important general election any of us

had faced. Our country's future prosperity is at stake. Get it

correct, and great opportunities await. A stronger economy, a fairer

society, a global Britain. But all that depends on getting the right

Brexit to deal. And for that, we need strong and stable leadership.

When negotiations are about to begin with the European Union won't be

easy. They will be challenging. At times, they will be tough. In

Theresa May, Britain has a Prime Minister with the strength to lead

Britain through these negotiations and make a success of the future. To

see that, you only need to look at her record. As Home Secretary,

reforming the police, cutting crime, protecting our borders and deporting

terrorism is. And as Prime Minister, sitting at a clear vision for our

new future with Europe. Leading our country were strength and purpose in

tackling the burning injustices that hold too many people back. She has a

clear plan for Brexit and for a better future for our country. And

she has a strength and ability needed to see that plan through.

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Prime Minister, Theresa May.

APPLAUSE Thank you very much. Today, as we

face this critical election for our country, I launch my manifesto for

Britain's future. A manifesto to see us through Brexit and beyond. A plan

for a stronger, fairer, more prosperous Britain. A plan to seize

the opportunities ahead and to build a country that our children and

grandchildren are proud to call home. It is a detailed programme for

Government, rooted in the hopes and aspirations of ordinary working

people across the land. But it's more than that. It is a vision for

Britain. A portrait of the kind of country I want this nation to be

after Brexit, as we chart our own way in the world. For, at this

defining moment for the United Kingdom, as we embark on this

momentous journey for our nation, we had a chance to step back and ask

ourselves what kind of country we want to build together. I believe

that our United Kingdom can emerge from this period of national change

stronger, fairer and more prosperous than ever before. I believe we can

be a country that stands tall in the wilds, and provide leadership on

some of the greatest challenges of our time. -- stands tall in the

world. And I believe we can and must take this opportunity to build a

great meritocracy here in Britain. Now let me be clear about what that

means. It means making Britain a country where everyone, of whatever

background, has the chance to go as far as their talents and their hard

work will take them. A country that asks not where you have come from,

but where you going to. It means making Britain a country that works

not for the privileged few, but for everyone. A country where it doesn't

matter where you were born, who your parents are, where he went to

school, what your accent sounds like, what got you worship will stop

whether you are a man or woman, gay or straight, black or white. A

country where all that matters is the talent you have and how hard

you're prepared to work. And that is the kind of Britain I want us to

build together. Because, as we leave the European Union and set ourselves

a new course, we need to make the best of all the talent in this

country. Britain to succeed, we need to at least the ability of every

person, harness the creativity of every business, support the

ambitions and entrepreneurialism of every sector. We need to embrace the

opportunities before it asked as with confidence. Leading in Britain

and the enduring power of the British spirit. And we need to look

forward, not back. Believing that despite our great heritage, we have

an even greater future. And that we can build that brighter future

together. Let us be in no doubt, it will not be easy. There will be

obstacles in our way. There will be some who wish us to fall short.

Others who wish to hold us back. Many who will us to fail. But with

discipline and focus, effort and hard work, and, above all, a unity

of purpose, stretching across this precious union of nations, from

North to South, East do West, I believe we can and must go forward

together. To do that, we need a new contract between Government and

people. We need a Government that a strong enough to act, and humble

enough to listen. Response of enough to people's needs, and stable enough

to get on with the job and deliver. And we need to unite behind a clear

plan to make the most of the opportunities ahead. That is what

this manifesto offers. A clear plan to meet the big challenges we face

together. A credible, deliverable programme for governments, around

which the country can unite. A plan that, unlike the offerings of other

parties, is upfront and honest about the scale of the task we face. What

we say in it, we will do. And the scale of our ambition is clear.

Because it is the responsibility of leadership to be upfront and

straight with people about the challenges ahead. About the

difficult decisions and trade-offs they need to be made. And the hard

work required to overcome the obstacles in our way. And that is

what this manifesto does. It identifies the five great, giant

challenges that we face as a country. One, the need for a strong

economy. Two, responding to Brexit and a changing world. Three,

tackling enduring social divisions. Four, responding to an ageing

society. And five, facing up to fast changing technology. And it sets out

what we will do to address each one. And in doing so, it offers a vision

for Britain, not just for the next five years, but for the years and

decades ahead. A stronger Britain, where everyone has the economic

security they need and the chance to live a secure and full life. A more

prosperous Britain, where each generation can do better than the

last. What's all of this depends on getting the next five years right.

The challenge we face is getting the best for Britain in Europe. Our

place in the world, the standard of living, what we want for our

children and children's children, each and everyone depends on having

the strongest possible hand as we those negotiations in order to get

the best Brexit deal for families across the country. If we fail, the

consequences for Britain and economic security of ordinary

working people will be dire. If we succeed, the opportunities ahead of

those are great. I have negotiated the Britain in Europe and I know

that the best place to start is to be clear about where you stand on

what you want. That is why I have been clear that we do not seek to

forge this issue, to be half in and half out of the. The British people

made their choice, I respect that. I respect the view of the other

European leaders who agree that we cannot be half and half out either.

So, we will leave the European Union and take control of our money, our

borders, our laws. We will forge a new deep and special partnership

with Europe and reach out beyond Europe to strike new trade deals for

our goods and services with old allies and new friends around the

world, as well. We will make the decisions that matter to Britain

here in Britain. We will be a great global trading nation that stands

tall in the world once again. And, if we get Brexit right we can use

this moment of change to build a stronger, fairer, more prosperous

Britain here at home. That is the real prize, the goal to which we

must work. The cars, the too many people in Britain today, life is

simply much harder than many seem to think all realise. They are not

ideological, they don't buy into grand visions, they'll full by

politicians who promise the earth and claim no tough choices are

required, they make those choices every day in their own lives and

understand that politicians who aspire to lead must do the same.

They do not ask for much, they just want to get on with their lives, to

do the best for their children and to be given a fair chance. They look

to the government the help and support. This party, the

Conservative and Unionist party will be that government. For while it is

never true that the government has all the answers, government put

squarely at the service of ordinary working people can, and should be a

force for good. A force that steps up and ask in the interests of

ordinary working people, but does not ignore them and walk on by on

the other side but serves the interest of the mainstream of the

British public. With the right Brexit deal secured my mainstream

government will deliver for mainstream Britain. All those who

work hard and make this country what it is, people who have a job but

don't always have job security, people you own a home but worry

about paying the mortgage, people who can just about manage but worry

about the cost of living and getting their children into a good school.

And that is why the government I lead will ensure that every area of

this United Kingdom is able to prosper with a modern industrial

strategy to spread opportunity across the whole country. Why the

government I leave will build the Britain in which work pays with a

higher national living wage and proper rights and protections at

work, why the government I lead will keep taxes low, and cap rip-off

energy Paris to help families were working all the hours they can to

pay the bills. White we will help those struggling to afford a home of

their own. It is why the government I lead will build a Britain in which

the economy is strong to support world-class public services with the

most ambitious programme of investment in technology and

buildings that the NHS has ever seen. Record and fair funding is the

schools, real technical education for young people and the first ever

proper plan to pay for and provide social care. Because strong public

services do not just provide security and enhance opportunity,

they are vital, local and national ins to gins that bring us all

together and it is why the government I lead will be relentless

in tackling burning injustices. Like discrimination on the basis of race,

gender, mental health or disability. Injustices the scar on the soul of

our nation and I will fight it where ever it is spam. So, for example, we

will introduce the first new mental health Bill for 30 years, to put

parity of esteem at the heart of treatment and end the stigma of

mental illness once and for all. But, most important of all, the

government I lead will provide strong and stable leadership to see

us through Brexit and beyond. Tackling the long-term challenges we

face and ensuring everyone in our country has the chance to get on in

life. We need that strong and stable leadership now, more than ever. For

the next five years will be among the most challenging in our

lifetime. A defining period for our nation, a turning point for Britain

that will determine the kind of country we are and the kind of

future generations that come after others will see. That is why, now

more than ever, Britain need strong and stable government, why now more

than ever Britain need strong leadership to make the most of the

opportunities Brexit will bring, now more than ever Britain needs more

clear plan and determination and will to see it through and it is why

in this election more than in any before it is time to put the old

tribal politics behind ours and to come together in the national

interest united in our desire to make a success of Brexit, united in

our desire to get the right result but Britain, because every vote for

me and my team in this election will strengthen my hand in the

negotiations to come, every vote for me and my team will be about to get

on with the vote of -- get on with the job of delivering Brexit and

delivering a stronger and more secure future for all. It will be a

vote for a stronger, fairer more prosperous Britain and after all

that is passed that is a vision of the future that can bring us

together. So, I offer myself as your Prime Minister with a resolute

determination to get on with the job of delivering Brexit, optimism that

I can get a deal that works for all and confident in the belief that we

have division, the plan and the will to use this moment to build a better

Britain. With the right deal for Britain abroad, taking back control

of our borders, money and laws and a better deal ordinary working people

at home. A modern industrial strategy to spread prosperity and

opportunity around the country exploiting the opportunities of

technology to attract the jobs of the future to Britain, relieve an

family energy bills and the cost of living, more secure well-paid jobs

and new protections for workers. The chance to own a home and more

affordable housing, a good school place for every child, with more

money for schools every year, is stronger economy to fund our NHS and

give you the security you need, a stronger, fairer, more prosperous

Britain that works for everyone not just a privileged few, that is the

gold, that is the plan and now is the time. So, join me on this

journey come with me as I lead Britain, strengthen my hand as I

like the Britain and stand with me as I deliver for Britain. With

confidence in ourselves and the unity of purpose in our country

letters all go forwards together. APPLAUSE

Now, I apologise because I see the media at the back of the room.

Laura? Thank you, Prime Minister. You are ditching much of the

manifesto that you and your party stood on just two years ago. More

families, including traditional Tory voters, will need to pay more for

elderly care. Many families will lose hot meals for their children at

school, just at a time when people are feeling the pinch. You are

pushing back balancing the books again. And your immigration

proposals may cost billions to the economy. When you put that

altogether, with some voters be quite entitled to conclude that adds

up to quite a bleak picture that you are putting forward? No, not at all.

I am fitting forward a vision for opportunity and prosperity across

the whole of the country for the future. I have been clear that there

some hard choices that need to be taken but that is what strong and

stable government, and leadership, is about. Making sure that we are

honest with the public about the hard choices. If you look at what we

are doing, the first time ever, a proper long-term plan for social

care, to ensure that there is dignity in old age. A plan that is

fair across the generations. Ensuring that we are putting more

money into our schools and giving every primary school child a

breakfast before they start their school day, to set the school day

off well. Ensuring that we are putting more money into our NHS, as

the biggest ever investment in technology in buildings in our

National Health Service. But you can only do that if you have a strong

economy and having that strong economy is central to what we, as

conservatives, do in government. To do that, we also need to make sure

we get the Brexit negotiations right. Having that right leadership

to take us in with a strong hand in the negotiations is so important and

that is why I say every vote for me and my team will strengthen my hand

in Brexit negotiations, to get the best deal for Britain. Did I see

fires on You said you continue to believe

that a bad deal is better than no deal. -- that no deal is better than

a bad deal. Up people that vote for you except in the possibility that

there could be no deal and that is the definition of Chaos? This

manifesto is a mandate. I want to give a mandate for a strong hand to

get the best possible deal in negotiations, and the best possible

deal for every part of the United Kingdom. To do that, we need a

strong hand in negotiations, and that's why, as adjusted, every vote

for me and my team is a vote that will strengthen our hand in this

negotiations. We want to get the best deal, a deal that works every

part of the United Kingdom, and that's what we're determined to do.

Did I see Andy Bell? Prime Minister, deuce except under your social care

plan that the majority of people receiving care in their own homes

will actually end up worse off in your clan? Isn't that symptomatic of

much of this manifesto, that you are turning your back on the traditional

Middle England but the Conservatives into Tower, because you think you

can find votes elsewhere? This is the first time we have seen a

proper, long-term plan for the sustainability and social care in

this country. This is one of the great challenges we face with an

ageing population, and that's corrector that anyone who wants to

be Prime Minister bases but said that challenge and sets out clearly

for people. What we will see clearly as a result of the proposals we're

making. We will see that those people have been worried about

paying for care in their home won't have to worry about that in future.

They won't have to pay while they're still alive, they won't have too

sell their home while they're living in it. What we also see is that

those people who are worried that their savings, that have saved, done

the right thing, and have seen their savings 20 oh two nothing, we are

quadrupling their threshold to... I expect to see action and improvement

in the quality of social care that is available to people. I expect

people to be able to stay in their homes longer, and that means less

pressure on the NHS. You said you wanted to be straight, can I ask

you, following from the previous question, everyone says there is a

cost to getting net migration down. Have you costed it, what is the

cost, is it in billions? Throughout the manifesto, you say you want to

close in justice gaps, isn't there a danger you're creating a whole new

one between children of better of parents who maybe have a heart

attack retreated for a certain type of medical condition and better off

children of people who, say, have dementia. It looks as though they

get very different treatment under make governments. Also you seem to

be giving business quite a hard time. Energy companies with big

names are slightly conned their customers, house-builders had been

building pretty grotty houses, you say -

do you think the Conservatives over the years have got too closely with

business and business has been too greedy? First of all, you put quite

a few issues into that question, I have to say. I think that is rather

more than one question, which most people are asking. On the

immigration issue, I think it's right we want to bring net migration

to sustainable levels. Because of the impact that uncontrolled

migration has on people, particularly at the lower end of the

income scale, because it can hold down peoples wages. It can mean

displacement of jobs and pressure on public services. So what we are

saying is, yes, we want to increase the immigration skills charge, but

that is because that money can then be put into ensuring that people

here are being trained up to then take the jobs. I want to see people

here having the skills to take on these jobs while we still have a

system that brings the brightest and best into the United Kingdom. That's

exactly what we will be doing. In terms of the question of business, I

think we absolutely clearly set out in this manifesto the key thing that

we want to do the business, which is to ensure we have a strong economy

and we want to be the best place for businesses to be set up, to grow,

and to provide those jobs and investment here in the United

Kingdom. We do believe in responsible business. If you talk to

business people, they will also say it's better to have an engaged

workforce, that is a content workforce, that increases and

improves productivity. I think it's right to say that we need to ensure

workers have proper protections. We also need to make sure we have the

economic framework that increases jobs. Millions of jobs have been

created, we seek employment at record levels, higher now than it

has been since records began. And unemployment is lower than it has

been since the mid-19 70s. That's what a strong economy can do, and we

need to build on that for the future. Is DoE? Are you trying to

redefine what it means to be a conservative Byrom, and for those

critics train to say that you are trying to implement a death tax,

what would you say to them? What we're proposing on social care is

the first ever opera plan to ensure the sustainability of social care.

This is a challenge that faces us, challenge that has been docked by

governments for too long. We are proud to stand up to that challenge

and put forward this plan, which is, as I say, will take a higher level

of assets than is currently protected for individuals. To take

away the worry from people about how they are going to pay and their

savings are going to be depleted to nothing. I think it will lead to an

improvement in social care. What we believe in is, yes, we are providing

a system that provides people with dignity in their old age, but doing

it in a way that is there across the generations. I think the Guardian's

here. It has here? -- is Heather here? Hi there. Nil going to means

test the winter fuel allowance, you are going to... Wealthy pensioners a

quintet of pay more for their care, including care homes. You talked

about being upfront about the challenges, are you being upfront

with older people, at pensions have done quite well out of over the last

decade or so, that they are going to have to bear more of the costs of

the fair society you're talking about? When you look at the

manifesto, when we talk about the pensions triple lock, that was

introduced at the time when there is a significant disparity in relation

to pensioners' incomes. What we see now as a result of the changes that

have been made, in relation to the basic state pension, there is an

increase. What some other people worry about is actually now

disparity for the younger generation and will they be better off in the

future? Entrance will continue to go up under a Conservative Government.

We will have a double lock which ensures pensions will go up either

at the rate of average earnings or inflation, whichever is the higher,

so that pensioners will continue to be protected against rising prices.

I think it is important that we ensure that changes we bring in our

changes that are fair across the generations. Tom? You're taking

money off Bridge pensioners and giving it to very younger families.

You're delighting in using the power of Government to beat up on rip-off

businesses, this is the sort of stuff that might horrify some of

your Cabinet sitting there in front of you privately. The avatar that

your moving to the political centre grounds, and are you proud of your

new moniker, the rating Tory? The Conservative Party has always been

on the centre ground. -- the red team Tory. We believe in encouraging

investment that will create high-paid jobs. Want to see a school

place every child, so young people get the best possible in life. We

want to make sure we have the economy seek to fund the support in

public services that people need through the NHS and other services.

These are all good principles that have underpinned conservatism and

continue to underpin conservatism. Crucially, we want to get people

opportunity, we want to encourage aspiration, we want people to know

that in Britain, under a Conservative governments, how far

you go in life depends on you, your talents and hard work. Not where you

came from. APPLAUSE

You put leaving the single market in your manifesto. Would you those

people in your party to -- who oppose that to drop their opposition

if you win? On the theme of the day, do you consider yourself a

Thatcherite? On the question of this indoor market, what we want is to

have become friends of free trade agreement with the European Union,

which is about having as good, tariff hike in free and frictionless

access as possible to the single market. But you can speak a member

of the European Union. The British bee pub include that we will leave.

So we will be leaving the EU, but will be negotiating the best deal we

can, where we will corporate on issues like security and justice and

home affairs. We want an agreement that will be given a businesses here

in the United Kingdom, and good for jobs and ought reworking families

here in the United Kingdom. Margaret thatcher was a Conservative,, I am a

conservative, this is a Conservative manifesto.

APPLAUSE I think I saw Ben? You were elected

in 2010 and 2015 on a promise to reduce net migration to the tens of

thousands. Pages in a again today. The Home Secretary between 2010-16,

and you didn't meet that pledge, why should people believe you today? I

was working on this for six years, the figures went down, up again and

they have started to come down again. There is no single thing you

can do in relation to these figures which is going to make all the

difference. What you need to do is be working at this issue constantly.

Of course, what we will have when we leave the EU is the ability to put

rules in that part of the migration system that we haven't had the

opportunity to control before, IEEE, people coming from the European

Union into the UK. I expect why think it's important that people...

Uncontrolled immigration has an impact on people, public services

and people at the lower end of the income scale and depressing wages

and, sometimes interfacing jobs. -- displacing jobs. I think that is

important that we continue to work on that. Our hands went up at the

back there? I wanted to ask you what this manifesto tells us about you,

personally, and your political gloss of the? I think it tells you I'm a

good Conservative. It tells you I believe in making sure we have a

good economy, public services funded from a strong economy, that we have

opportunity for all. Chris, I think that's the important thing here, I

want to see Britain as a global Britain, standing tall and trading

around the world. But also a Britain that people in this country know,

how far they go depends on them and their hard work and talents. Was

that Paul I saw? Prime Minister, Halifax voted 35%

Leave. Like many Labour seats you are targeting in a selection, it

went to be the case if you do win the seat that MPs and voters who

will want to hold your feet to the fire to get a firm Brexit. In that

case, isn't David Cameron deluded to say the greater of your majority,

the greater the chance of a soft Brexit? I don't talk in terms of a

hard or soft Brexit, one want I want is the right deal for Britain. And

that's what we're going to do. APPLAUSE

I don't know if we can get a microphone thing on Nick? You've

been asked repeatedly throughout the campaign about taxes on higher

earners. You've always answered, wait other manifesto. The manifesto

doesn't really have any details about what tax increases earners

might face, or if they might face increases in National Insurance.

You're asking higher and is to vote for you without knowing what sort of

tax rates they might be paying. So what might you say to them now that

the manifesto is out and doesn't tell them what they're going to be

paying in tax? What I would be saying to earners across the board,

is that when they come to vote they have a very clear choice. And the

choice is between a Conservative Party which always has been and

always will be a low-tax party, his intention in Government is to reduce

taxes on businesses and working families. And a Labour Party whose

natural instinct is to increase taxes. And what was from the Labour

manifesto this week, with costings that don't appear to be worth the

paper they're written on it that back... They will pay through higher

taxes, lower wages and higher prices and fewer jobs. Audrey, working

people will pay the price of Labour. -- ordinary, working people. Just

picking up and Jason's questions, it is occasionally difficult to define

what is meant by Mayism, but in your manifesto you see you reject the

cult of individualism as dangerous. That's as like a rejection of

Thatcherism. So is Mayism a rejection of Thatcherism, and IQ

personally rejecting the many comparisons between you and Margaret

Thatcher? There is no Mayism. I know you journalists like to write about

it. APPLAUSE

There is good, solid conservatism, which puts the interests of the

country and the interest of Audrey, working people at the heart of

everything we do in Government. Thank you.