BBC NEWS | Election 2005 | Election 2005 | Howard outlines Tory action plan

BBC NEWS | Election 2005 | Election 2005 | Howard outlines Tory action plan

BBC NEWS
Howard outlines Tory action plan
Conservative leader Michael Howard has said he will act to get things done as prime minister - and not rely on "airy-fairy talk" or charisma.

Mr Howard used a highly personal speech in Kent to start the final stage of Tory campaigning, which will include a new "timetable for action".

He said that at 63 he could have retired but wanted to make Britain wanted to improve the country he loved.

Labour focused on health on Saturday. Charles Kennedy campaigned in Scotland.

'No airy-fairy talk'

Speaking in Ashford, Mr Howard said he would set out on Monday when a Tory government would act on eight key areas.

They would include crime, immigration, cleaner hospitals, tax cuts and school discipline.

This country, this place called Britain, these islands of beauty and wit, common sense and splendour, quirky individualism and instinctive togetherness in the face of challenge,
Michael Howard
Conservative leader

He promised to be a prime minister who would roll up his sleeves and "get the job done".

He said: "It's only through specific action, through the detail of carefully thought through policy that you bring about change: not through airy-fairy talk; not through vague aspirations; not through charisma; just specific, detailed actions - carefully planned and forcefully delivered."

Mr Howard said Labour had used its big majority in Parliament to break promises on tax, let people out of prison and dramatically increase immigration.

'Beauty and wit'

He argued that at 63-years-old he could have retired to spend more time with his grandchildren but wanted to improve the country he loved.

"This country, this place called Britain, these islands of beauty and wit, common sense and splendour, quirky individualism and instinctive togetherness in the face of challenge," he said.

His speech came as Labour claimed Conservative health policies would put lives at risk by diverting funds from the NHS.

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has continued his campaigning in Scotland, saying anything could happen on election night.

He said he believed that national opinion polls did not reflect the actual mood in different areas.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/frontpage/4501051.stm

Published: 2005/04/30 13:55:41 GMT

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