Very Good Speech by the Prime Minister

Very impressed with the Prime Minister & his speech

This was a Prime Minister taking control. He captured the mood of the nation.

7pm on Saturday 29th January to 7am on Sunday 30th January

The YMCA Sleep Easy is a national event that will take place over the weekend 28th-30th January. YMCA Derbyshire’s event will be from the Saturday to Sunday and will take place in the grounds of The Campus for Learning and Development in Derby.
Join in, challenge yourself, have fun and help to change the lives of homeless young people.

What is the YMCA Sleep Easy?
The aim is simple: spend a night challenging yourself to sleep rough, raising money to help change lives of vulnerable young people. All the money you raise goes directly to YMCA Derbyshire's youth homelessness prevention work and resettlement to help prevent repeat homelessness - impacting your community and helping disadvantaged young people in your city build a future.

How do I register to take part?
You can register to take part in this event if you are over 18, or 16 to 17 if taking part with a responsible adult. There is a registration fee of £10 for those in employment and £5 for all others.

To register online, please click here. Alternatively, complete the application form available to download further down this page. You might also be interested to visit the national YMCA Sleep Easy website by clicking here.

What else do I need to know?
On site parking is available, and hot drinks and breakfast will be provided. You will even receive a cardboard box to sleep in on the night! If you have any questions or would like to know more, please email us at enquiries@ymcaderbyshire.org.uk

Thank You

We really are now living in extraordinary times, and what an extraordinary journey we’ve just been through together.

In our city the dust is now beginning to settle, after the relentless activity of the General Election. Nationally, we move forward, towards an uncertain future, with open minds and hopeful hearts.

As we start to consider what the coming months and years might bring, I think it is important to reflect on our time together so far, and for me to offer you all my thanks.

14,283 people voted for a Conservative change in Derby North on May 6th. Despite protestations from certain candidates that the Conservative Party had no chance of winning, we fell short by only 613 votes.

Gaining that level of support in our city is a remarkable achievement for our party
I believe, that those residents who voted Conservative on May 6th, voted for change. Now, although not quite in the form we were expecting, or perhaps hoping for, change is what we have and we should embrace and support it in any way that we can.

I remain incredibly proud of the campaign my party fought during the election. Still, I wholeheartedly congratulate Chris Williamson on being elected as the latest MP for Derby North.

Chris fought a solid and fair campaign, never seeking to engage in the negative personal attacks that both he and I were forced to endure from a candidate who ultimately, came a distant third.
Despite claiming for so long, to know the outcome of the election before it had even happened, their third place finish leaves a damning verdict on the type of negative campaigning that the local Liberal Democrats have been engaged in. I hope we never see that kind of behaviour from a political party in Derby North again, we all deserve better.

Now, we look to the future.

Unfortunately, Derby North will not have a voice in our new Government. One of my real regrets is that we didn’t do enough to ensure that all of you, my friends and neighbours, are able to influence the direction of our new coalition government.

Despite that, Having achieved a massive swing away from Labour to the Conservative Party in Derby North, we have an incredibly strong and solid foundation to build on. To all of our local constituents, we pledge to continue working hard, to put your interests and concerns at the very heart of what we do.

These are extraordinary times, Derby is an extraordinary city and I remain proud to be a part of it

Britain needs new energy and new ideas - and that will only come with a new Conservative government.

This week Labour showed us they simply have nothing left to offer. We had a completely empty Budget followed by five empty pledges. With each day that passes the choice at this election becomes even more stark and clear: five more years of Gordon Brown's tired government making things worse or change with the Conservatives.

David was in Milton Keynes on Saturday setting out what that change will be.

• A Conservative government will take action on the deficit to get the economy moving.
• We're going to get Britain working by boosting enterprise.
• We're going to make Britain the most family-friendly country in Europe.
• We'll increase spending on the NHS and improve it for everyone.
• We're going to raise standards in schools and give heads control over discipline.
• We will completely change our political system, cutting the cost of politics and pushing power out to communities and individuals.

We're impatient to get on with this work. But Gordon Brown can't put off calling the election for too much longer. I say bring it on.
From now until polling day David Cameron will be travelling the country, holding events like the one in Milton Keynes, speaking directly to the voters and telling them this: Britain needs new energy and new ideas - and that will only come with a new Conservative government.

Our country needs a change of course

Britain is in serious economic trouble. Not only have we just had the longest and deepest recession on record, but our recovery is one of the weakest in the developed world.

This has all happened on Gordon Brown's watch. But now the man who promised "no more boom and bust" says he's got us through the worst of the storm, and all we need is his hand on the tiller to steer us through the choppy waters.

That is 100% wrong. He didn't steer us safely through the storm - he made it worse for us, by spending and borrowing so much.

So, we've had enough of Gordon Brown's hand on the tiller. We need to change course as David Cameron explains in this video message.

We need to act now to show the world we're serious about paying back our debts. We need to get more for less with government spending - just as families across the country are having to get more out of their money. And we need to make Britain the best place in the world to do business.

That's the big choice on our economy today. Five more years of Gordon Brown - or change with the Conservatives with the energy, leadership and values to get Britain moving again.

Sir Richard Branson backs Conservative economic plans

Many of the papers report comments by made by the country's best known entrepreneur, the Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson, which are highly supportive of the Conservative medicine being prescribed for the economy.

He gave his backing to the economists who backed George Osborne's strategy for reducing the deficit on Sunday, saying:

"I believe the UK's record budget deficit does pose a serious risk to our recovery. It would be damaging if we lost the confidence of the markets through delayed action, and saw interest rates have to go up steeply."

"We are going to have to cut our spending and I agree with the 20 leading economists who said we need to start this year. The next government, whatever party that is, must set out a plan to reduce the bulk of the deficit over a parliament by cutting wasteful spending and must not put off those tough decisions to next year.

"These factors threaten to undermine the confidence of international and UK businesses, consumers and the global financial markets. That could cost jobs and reduce investment in Britain. We must send a clear signal that we have the issues in hand and a clear strategy for UK plc."

George Osborne naturally welcomed Sir Richard's backing for the economic strategy he is pursuing :

“Sir Richard Branson’s support for our economic policy of early action to deal with Britain’s debts is hugely welcome. As Britain’s best known entrepreneur, he knows more about creating jobs and building an economic recovery than the entire Labour Cabinet put together.

“The whole country will want to pay attention to his warning that Gordon Brown’s approach could mean lost jobs, higher mortgage rates and less investment in Britain. Coming just 48 hours after the country’s 20 leading economists made exactly the same argument, the momentum for change is growing every day.”

What we must do to get our economy back on its feet

This evening George Osborne gave the annual Mais lecture, which is a big event in the economic calendar. He recorded the video below just before delivering the lecture.



Our argument is that the debt-fuelled economic model pursued by the Government over the last decade is broken and that we need a new economic model where we save and invest for the future.

Most importantly we need to deal with our debts in order to get our economy back on its feet.

After 13 years, it's clear that Labour have failed on fairness

This weekend Gordon Brown presented the Labour choice for the coming election. He claimed that the Labour Party is "for the many, not the few" - but I don't think that's true.

How can he say that with a straight face when it is the many who have suffered from their irresponsible management of the economy? It is the many who have had their taxes blown on pointless programmes and initiatives, and who will be paying back Labour's debts for years to come.



How can Labour be the party of the many when under their watch it has been the many who have been victims of crime? When it is the many who can't get on the housing ladder, or find a good school place for their children?

Brown asks Britain to "take a second look at Labour", but we've been looking at them for thirteen years and this is what we've seen. It's clear that five more years of Gordon Brown won't change anything.

It's the Conservatives who are now the progressive force in British politics, as David Cameron explains in this video. We're not the party of the few - or even of the many. We are the party for everyone.

10 Reasons why you should consider voting Conservative.

Millions of people had high hopes when Labour got elected in 1997. But the truth is that this Government hasn’t made Britain a fairer society. The gap between the rich and poor has grown, we’ve still got old people who can’t heat their homes when it’s cold, and the school system is still letting down too many children. We can’t go on like this.

A Conservative government will get to grips with the root causes of our social problems and build a safer, fairer, greener society where opportunity is more equal.

1. The NHS – our number one priority
   We believe in a National Health Service that is free and available to everyone in our society. Unlike Labour, we will increase spending on healthcare every year.
   
   
2. Dealing with Labour’s Debt Crisis
   Labour are spending more on debt interest repayments than on tackling child poverty. We will cut the deficit quicker than Labour, and begin sooner, so we can spend your taxes on the things that matter. Conservative plans will help keep mortgage rates lower for longer.
   
   
3. Creating new jobs
   Unemployment has gone up under Labour and one in five young people now can’t find a job. We will Get Britain Working by creating 450,000 new apprenticeships, college and training places over two years. As part of our plan to build a more balanced economy, where Britain makes things again, new businesses will pay no tax on the first ten jobs they create.
   
   
4. Protecting the poorest
   Under Labour the poor have got poorer, with 900,000 more people living in severe poverty. We will keep the minimum wage, child benefit, tax credits, and other measures to help working families, and take action to deal with the long-term causes of poverty.
   
   
5. Supporting families
   Under Labour, we have the highest family breakdown in Europe. We will support marriage in the tax system and end the couple penalty in the tax credit system, extend flexible working to all families with children under the age of 18, and recruit 4,200 more Sure Start health visitors to give families the support they need.
   
   
6. Giving every child a good education
   Under Labour, the gap between the exam results of children from rich and poor backgrounds has widened. We will create new schools to raise standards for all children, with extra money for children from the poorest families.
   
   
7. Helping keep bills down & clamping down on consumer rip-offs
   The recession has made it more difficult to make ends meet. We will work with local authorities to freeze council tax for two years. Our ‘green deal’ will give people energy-saving equipment to reduce energy bills. We will stop store cards charging excessive interest rates and prevent energy companies from making unfair profits on prepayment meters.
   
   
8. Fairness for pensioners
   One in five pensioners are living in poverty under Labour. We will increase the State Pension every year and link it back to earnings, and protect Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance. We will keep the winter fuel allowance, free TV licences and free bus passes.
   
   
9. Fighting back against crime
   Under Labour you are three times more likely to be a victim of violent crime if you live in a deprived area. We will cut paperwork and get police out on the street, end Labour’s scheme of allowing prisoners out early, and make it clear that anyone caught carrying a knife can expect to be prosecuted and face a prison sentence.
   
   
10. Building more affordable homes
    There are 700,000 more on housing waiting lists than when Labour came to office. We will give councils and communities powerful new financial incentives to build more affordable homes. We will also protect and respect the rights and security of social housing tenants.

Gordon Brown's death tax

Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley says that ministers are secretly planning a "death tax" of up to £20,000 per head to pay for their plans for a National Care Service.

"Gordon Brown needs to come clean with the public and say how he will fund his new National Care Service", Lansley said.

"Behind closed doors Ministers are secretly planning a death tax of up to £20,000 per head which would be levied on the estates of grieving families."

Lansley added that even this death tax would not raise enough to pay for this new National Care Service, meaning that Labour are also planning to take away cash disability benefits from the elderly and cut money from the NHS. "It is another top-down, bureaucratic, costly plan from Labour for which every one of us would end up paying the price", he said.

Philip Hammond, the Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, described the problem this death tax would cause: "When you die, a Labour Government would take £20,000 from what you leave to your children and family. For those with the most modest savings Labour’s plans could leave them with nothing."

In contrast, he said the Conservatives want to help people in old age so that they can "leave as much of their lifetime’s savings as possible to the next generation".

"We will offer people the chance to pay a one off premium of £8,000 into a voluntary scheme to cover the cost of residential care in old age. So under our plans no-one would be forced to sell their home to pay for care."

A Happy, albeit reflective Birthday.

Today, my birthday, was a day of mixed emotions. Starting early, I met my two political opponents for an interview on Radio 5 Live. Having an opportunity to speak on a national radio station during their early prime time slot, really was a pleasure. I had the chance to convey my thanks to the people of our city for the growing support we are finding across Derby North.

I was disappointed by the negativity demonstrated by both the Labour, and the Liberal Democrat candidates. It seems the two of them have already decided who is going to win in Derby North at the next General Election, and apparently, they both are. Which should make for an interesting polling day. As I've said before, polls count for little in my opinion. The people of Derby will decide who is most capable of representing our city and that's the only poll that matters.

As enjoyable as it was however, my thoughts today have been with the people of Haiti. The scale of the devastation there grows more traumatic by the day. Death tolls rise and latest media reports tell stories of people singing into the night, consoling each other whilst trying to make sense of something incomprehensible. As I sit down tonight, so incredibly fortunate in my home, with my family, I think not only of the victims of this tragedy, but the rescue teams from across the world who are proving once again that human compassion really is limitless.

A New Year Message

The year of 2009 is now behind us and together, we’re looking forward with optimism to the prospect of a positive change for Derby and for Britain in 2010. We have heard at great length throughout the last twelve months of the difficulties we face as a society. Whilst acknowledging that we will inevitably face challenges in the coming months, this will be the year when we all decide which path to set down for future generations.

To this end, 2010 will also be the year when I put myself forward as a candidate to be your next MP. The honour I feel at having such an opportunity is surpassed only by the enormity of the challenges before us, challenges which I am both ready and prepared for.

With the reputation of politics and politicians lower than at any point in living memory, my role will be to help restore faith in the abilities and integrity of our elected officials. As the only Derby North candidate at the next election whose income is not provided for by your taxes, I really do appreciate the anger and frustration people feel at the way in which some MP’s have abused our trust. This abuse must be consigned to the history books and never be allowed to happen again.

Having worked hard this year, I am now spending time with my wife and two boys this Christmas. At such a time, I am reminded of those in our society who face the prospect of another year alone. I wish I could pass on the good fortune I have to all those who need it, but aware of the fact that I can’t, I wish only to work as hard as I can to ensure that such opportunities are there for any person prepared to work for them.

So as we move forward into 2010, I say let this be the year that we reaffirm the importance that family plays in all of our lives. Let this be the year that we protect the institutions and traditions which helped to make our nation great. Let this be the year when we look forward to the future, with open minds and focused determination, to ensure that all people are included in the Britain we look forward to creating. Let this be a new year capable of offering promise to all.

For now, can I wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Stephen Mold

Labour have lost the right to govern

This was the week Labour lost the right to govern

Their Pre-Budget Report on Wednesday was an opportunity to finally confront the biggest budget deficit in Britain's peacetime history. Instead, they put their own political fortunes ahead of what is right for our country. Not only did they decide to carry on their irresponsible spending, but they're actually increasing it next year.

Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling just don't seem to care about the risks they are running. As David Camerons says in this video, it's as if they're a couple of joy-riders in a car smashing up the neighbourhood, not caring about what is going to happen and not caring about anyone who might have to take over the mess they have created.

It's clear that all they care about now is politics. Just look at the reports about Brown personally overruling the Treasury's advice on the PBR so that he could stick to his wretched political dividing lines.

And look at the speech Darling gave in Parliament. He said he would increase benefits for some of the most vulnerable people in our country, like the disabled - but he didn't mention his plans to cut those same benefits the year after the election. Then he said that he would protect the NHS, but didn't mention the fact that his national insurance increases - a tax on jobs that hits everyone earning over £20,000 - will cost the NHS almost £450 million.

If anyone needed one more reason to believe it's time to get rid of the Labour politicians running our country, this week's behaviour gave every reason that could possibly be needed.

George Osborne's reaction to the 2009 Pre-Budget Report

George Osborne, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, gives his reaction to the 2009 Pre-Budget Report.

The Copenhagen summit is of historic importance

In nine days time, representatives from 192 countries will meet in Copenhagen for the UN Conference on climate change. This summit is of historic importance. It is an opportunity for the world to take bold action to deal with the real danger of climate change.

So this week, ahead of the summit, members of the Shadow Cabinet have given a series of speeches setting out plans to help protect the global environment. Each one of these speeches sets out specific steps which need to be taken if we are going to reduce our carbon emissions.

For instance, in his speech, George Osborne set out plans to create a framework which would reward people for recycling. William Hague set out his plans to push for fundamental reform of the EU budget to redirect resources towards addressing climate change and energy security. And Andrew Mitchell set out how we need to end the scandal of taxpayers' money being used to guarantee environmentally damaging energy projects around the world.

Two incredibly powerful ideas lie behind these policies. The first is about the role of the state. Government does have a role to play in helping people to live sustainably. But it is at its best when it enables people to take action for themselves.

The second idea is about international leadership. We believe passionately that just as we are part of One Nation here in Britain, so Britain is itself part of One World. In this century of global threats and challenges, we can't afford to ignore what is happening in other parts of the world. So when it comes to tackling climate change, just as with fighting international terror, Britain must always be a strong force for progressive change in the world.

Shadow Minister Michael Gove sets out Conservative priorities for school reform

Last night I went to hear Shadow Children’s Secretary, Michael Gove, set out the five priorities on school reform for a future Conservative Government.

In a speech to the Centre for Policy Studies yesterday, Gove pledged that a Conservative government "will improve standards for all pupils and close the attainment gap between the richest and poorest".

He outlined a five-point plan for change in England’s schools:

• Move to a high quality system of teacher recruitment and training similar to those in Finland and Singapore
• Give teachers the tools and powers they need to keep order in the classroom.
  
• Deliver more robust examinations and a more rigorous curriculum.
  
• Open a new generation of independently run state schools.
  
• End waste and shift spending to a national per pupil funding formula.

Gove said that he wanted to give every child the kind of education that is currently only available to the well-off: "safe classrooms, talented and specialist teachers, access to the best curriculum and exams, and smaller schools where teachers know the children’s names".

Read the Full Speech

A policy on Europe that people can believe in

The Lisbon Treaty has beem signed by the President of the Czech Republic. It is now set to become EU law.

I know from the huge number of letters and emails that I have been receiving how much people will resent the fact we cannot now have the referendum we were promised by Labour.
But I have always been clear that, if this situation came about, I would immediately set out how a Conservative Government would respond.

First, if we win the next election, we will prohibit, by law, the transfer of further power to the EU without a referendum. Never again should it be possible for a British government to transfer power to the EU without the British people’s consent.

Second, we will introduce a United Kingdom Sovereignty Bill to make it clear that ultimate authority stays in this country, in our Parliament.

And third, we want to negotiate three specific guarantees with our European partners over powers that we believe should reside with Britain, not the EU. We will negotiate the return of Britain’s opt-out from social and employment legislation in those areas which have proved most damaging to our economy and public services. We also want a complete opt-out from the Charter of Fundamental Rights. And we would negotiate for a return of powers in criminal justice to prevent EU judges gaining steadily greater control over our criminal justice system.

If I am elected Prime Minister, the British Government I lead will be an active member of the European Union. Like every other Member State, we will fight our corner to advance our national interests. But our guiding principles will be that Britain’s interests are best served by a European Union that is an association of its member states – and we must never allow Britain to slide into a federal Europe.

Stephen Asking a Question at the Conservative Party Conference

Stephen asking a question about Single Mothers & Family at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester.

David Cameron looks back on his speech to the 2009 Conservative Party Conference

David Cameron and George Osborne on tackling Labour's debt crisis