07/03/2012 Party Political Broadcasts - Conservative Party

Everyone wants to make politics and politicians more accountable.

That means many things.

Making Government spending transparent,

so you can see where your money goes.

Giving voters the right to sack MPs who do wrong.

Giving people a voice,

through internet petitions that actually get debated, not ignored.

But the most important part of accountability

is politicians being judged on whether they keep their promises.

During the general election campaign two years ago,

I signed a contract with the British public.

In it, I spelled out what the Conservative Party would do

if we were elected.

I know we haven't got everything right,

but we've made a start, delivering the changes we set out.

We said we'd tackle the national debt,

and we've taken strong, decisive action to bring it under control.

This has allowed us to keep mortgage rates low,

unlike other European countries.

We promised to help with the cost of living,

by cutting fuel duty and freezing council tax,

and we've done just that.

We said we'd reform the welfare system

and, despite opposition from Labour, we've introduced a benefits cap,

so that families always earn more in work than they do on welfare.

We promised more apprenticeships, to help young people.

Last year, we created an extra 177,000

and we're on course to go even further this year.

We said we'd increase health spending,

and we're investing more money in the NHS every year -

an extra £12.5 billion by 2014.

We said we'd raise the basic state pension and, from next April,

it will rise by £5.30 a week -

that is an extra £275 a year,

the biggest increase in history.

Now, there are areas where we need to work harder.

Immigration, for example, is still too high,

and we'll do everything in our power to try and bring it down.

I also know that people want more than just a list of promises kept

or policies delivered.

They want to see a change in values,

a Government that's on their side,

supporting those who do the right thing,

cracking down on those who don't.

Caring for those in need,

but stopping people taking out

when they have no intention of putting back in.

Protecting our free NHS, but reforming it

to make sure it will be there for our children and grandchildren.

Recognising that the family is the most important thing of all.

Those are my values.

That is the change that Britain needs,

and that is the change we will deliver.