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'Mend broken politics' - Cameron | 'Mend broken politics' - Cameron |
(10 minutes later) | |
Conservative leader David Cameron has told the Welsh party conference that he wants a "mass movement for change". | |
He told delegates in Llandudno: "Public faith in our political institutions is draining away." | He told delegates in Llandudno: "Public faith in our political institutions is draining away." |
Mr Cameron said that "people in Wales were fed up with Labour" and only the Conservatives offered a new agenda. | Mr Cameron said that "people in Wales were fed up with Labour" and only the Conservatives offered a new agenda. |
He said there was a breakdown of public faith in the political system, with a need to end spin, directly engage the public and "mend broken politics". | He said there was a breakdown of public faith in the political system, with a need to end spin, directly engage the public and "mend broken politics". |
Mr Cameron blamed the behaviour of a minitority of politicians of all parties and also behaviour in the Commons. | |
But he also pointed "broken promises" by Labour on European referendum and tuition fees. | |
He also attacked Labour's "systematic culture of spin" and "top-down, centralising control," which had left so many people "giving up on politics". | He also attacked Labour's "systematic culture of spin" and "top-down, centralising control," which had left so many people "giving up on politics". |
Mr Cameron said Prime Minister Gordon Brown was making things worse. | Mr Cameron said Prime Minister Gordon Brown was making things worse. |
He said the Conservatives would use independent statistics, cap the number of specialist advisers in Whitehall and bring about more direct citizenship, including giving the public a right to petition for bills in Parliament. | He said the Conservatives would use independent statistics, cap the number of specialist advisers in Whitehall and bring about more direct citizenship, including giving the public a right to petition for bills in Parliament. |
"At a national level, if a petition is submitted to parliament signed by a set number of voters, for example 100,000, there would be a formal debate on the topic," he told delegates. | |
"We propose that the public, if backed by a petition of a million electors, should also be able to table a bill for parliament to vote for, to vote against or to amend." | |
Mr Cameron said the party offered the only alternative to Labour in Wales, after Plaid Cymru's "astonishing" coalition deal to form the assembly government and the Liberal Democrats, who "got jilted at the altar". | |
He said the Conservatives would also look at how devolution might be more effective. | He said the Conservatives would also look at how devolution might be more effective. |
Mr Cameron announced that Lord Roberts, the former Welsh Office minister, would head a consultation on the issue, which would report in the summer. | Mr Cameron announced that Lord Roberts, the former Welsh Office minister, would head a consultation on the issue, which would report in the summer. |
Nick Bourne wants 'significant gains' at the local elections | |
Welsh Conservative leader Nick Bourne was later expected to emphasise a need for "new ideas and a new for direction" for Wales. | Welsh Conservative leader Nick Bourne was later expected to emphasise a need for "new ideas and a new for direction" for Wales. |
Mr Bourne will claim the current coalition in Cardiff Bay was ineffective and will map out his vision of change for the party and for Wales. | |
"It's about solutions, building for the future," Mr Bourne will say, an approach he believes is "essential as we prepare for government." | "It's about solutions, building for the future," Mr Bourne will say, an approach he believes is "essential as we prepare for government." |
The party now has 12 seats in the assembly after gaining an extra seat in the last May's election. It also won the second highest number of votes after Labour. | |
Mr Bourne wants to build on this success and make "significant gains" in the local council elections. | |
In his speech, Mr Bourne will highlight the contrast between the "old politics" of Labour and Plaid Cymru with the "new vision" of the Welsh Conservatives. | In his speech, Mr Bourne will highlight the contrast between the "old politics" of Labour and Plaid Cymru with the "new vision" of the Welsh Conservatives. |
"Our solutions rely on empowering people and communities. People not governments know what is really needed. | "Our solutions rely on empowering people and communities. People not governments know what is really needed. |
"People not governments are best placed to deliver it. Wales deserves better and it is our job to deliver it," he will say. | "People not governments are best placed to deliver it. Wales deserves better and it is our job to deliver it," he will say. |
On Saturday, delegates will also hear from Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan MP, Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox MP and Jonathan Evans MEP. | |
Debates include Wales in Europe, health and social justice and culture. |