Blair promises 'prosperity for all'!!!
pasted from the guardian | 13.01.2005 21:35
Just posted this for the comedy value really. I just have this rather amusing image of Tony "promising" us all prosperity!
Blair promises 'prosperity for all'
Matthew Tempest, political correspondent
Thursday January 13, 2005
The prime minister today promised an "unremittingly New Labour third term" as he outlined the party's likely manifesto in a major speech in Kent.
With less than four months until the most widely predicted election date of May 5, Mr Blair defined the "central purpose" of New Labour as creating "personal prosperity" for all.
He also paid careful tribute to the chancellor - currently on a six-day trip to Africa - describing him as "the most successful British postwar chancellor".
Recapping the government's record on the economy, still likely to be one of the key planks of the election battle despite the recent behind-the-scenes feuding between the prime minister and chancellor, Mr Blair described New Labour's perceived success on the economy as the "biggest strategic shift in British politics in the past 10 years".
"The Tories can't be trusted on the economy. That's why the economy was always going to be centre stage in any possible election," he added.
But he took pains to explain the concept of New Labour - a term the chancellor has taken to using less and less frequently - in unusually specific terms.
He told his audience in Chatham: "New Labour works. New Labour is not an electoral device. It has been electorally successful because it is based on a sound idea: the modern application of progressive values.
"The central purpose of New Labour ... is to increase personal prosperity and well-being, not just for a few but for all. By prosperity I mean both the income and wealth of individuals and their families, and the opportunity and security available to them through radically improved public services and a reformed welfare state."
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In a glancing rebuttal to the spinning and feuding of recent weeks, he described the party as "more ideologically united than at any time in its 100-year history".
But, in a section of the speech likely to be closely studied by those looking for splits between Mr Blair and Mr Brown, he categorically stated that it would be a "New Labour" manifesto.
He said: "The New Labour manifesto will be aimed at all sections of society - for those struggling to get on, every bit as much as for those struggling to get by.
The prime minister said his party had to "earn a third term", and signalled pre-election announcements including "stronger reform" in the NHS and education, expanded childcare, help for first-time homebuyers and more vocational training.
In a comic moment, Mr Blair repeatedly misread a part of his speech, before finally conceding and producing his spectacles, joking that he had previously warned his advisers not to put so many figures in his speeches.
And, referring to a new doctor's surgery in the local constituency, he joked to journalists, "not that I'll be going there, guys!", in acknowledgement of his recent health scares.
In a speech lasting close to an hour, Mr Blair insisted: "I am not in the least complacent about the challenge ahead or the support of the British people. A third term needs to be earned. Life is tough for people."
But he went on: "The case I make today is this. Britain is, despite it all, working, and we can, if we are unremittingly New Labour in our approach, enhance this personal prosperity and spread it further."
He said: "We don't pay taxes for public services simply to invest in a good cause.
"To justify the tax paid by each individual, services must deliver for the individual, offering value for money which is as good - if not better - than that which the individual could provide for themselves if they were able.
He claimed the NHS had been "on the verge of collapse" in 1997 until rescued by New Labour and praised ex-cabinet colleague David Blunkett for his education reforms.
The Liberal Democrats dismissed the speech as concentrating on the economy because "the government has achieved very little elsewhere".
Their Treasury spokesman, Vincent Cable, said: "The government has a tendency to ignore problems on the horizon, including the high levels of consumer debt linked to the bubble in the housing market and a growing fiscal deficit."
Matthew Tempest, political correspondent
Thursday January 13, 2005
The prime minister today promised an "unremittingly New Labour third term" as he outlined the party's likely manifesto in a major speech in Kent.
With less than four months until the most widely predicted election date of May 5, Mr Blair defined the "central purpose" of New Labour as creating "personal prosperity" for all.
He also paid careful tribute to the chancellor - currently on a six-day trip to Africa - describing him as "the most successful British postwar chancellor".
Recapping the government's record on the economy, still likely to be one of the key planks of the election battle despite the recent behind-the-scenes feuding between the prime minister and chancellor, Mr Blair described New Labour's perceived success on the economy as the "biggest strategic shift in British politics in the past 10 years".
"The Tories can't be trusted on the economy. That's why the economy was always going to be centre stage in any possible election," he added.
But he took pains to explain the concept of New Labour - a term the chancellor has taken to using less and less frequently - in unusually specific terms.
He told his audience in Chatham: "New Labour works. New Labour is not an electoral device. It has been electorally successful because it is based on a sound idea: the modern application of progressive values.
"The central purpose of New Labour ... is to increase personal prosperity and well-being, not just for a few but for all. By prosperity I mean both the income and wealth of individuals and their families, and the opportunity and security available to them through radically improved public services and a reformed welfare state."
Advertiser links
Visit Dell for a PDA
The Dell January sale. Pick up amazing deals on Handhelds at...
dell.co.uk
Buy and Sell PDA's on eBay.co.uk
You'll find a fabulous range of new and used PDA's from some...
ebay.co.uk
Which? Report on PDA
Which? Online gives unbiased advice and information on a...
trial.which.co.uk
In a glancing rebuttal to the spinning and feuding of recent weeks, he described the party as "more ideologically united than at any time in its 100-year history".
But, in a section of the speech likely to be closely studied by those looking for splits between Mr Blair and Mr Brown, he categorically stated that it would be a "New Labour" manifesto.
He said: "The New Labour manifesto will be aimed at all sections of society - for those struggling to get on, every bit as much as for those struggling to get by.
The prime minister said his party had to "earn a third term", and signalled pre-election announcements including "stronger reform" in the NHS and education, expanded childcare, help for first-time homebuyers and more vocational training.
In a comic moment, Mr Blair repeatedly misread a part of his speech, before finally conceding and producing his spectacles, joking that he had previously warned his advisers not to put so many figures in his speeches.
And, referring to a new doctor's surgery in the local constituency, he joked to journalists, "not that I'll be going there, guys!", in acknowledgement of his recent health scares.
In a speech lasting close to an hour, Mr Blair insisted: "I am not in the least complacent about the challenge ahead or the support of the British people. A third term needs to be earned. Life is tough for people."
But he went on: "The case I make today is this. Britain is, despite it all, working, and we can, if we are unremittingly New Labour in our approach, enhance this personal prosperity and spread it further."
He said: "We don't pay taxes for public services simply to invest in a good cause.
"To justify the tax paid by each individual, services must deliver for the individual, offering value for money which is as good - if not better - than that which the individual could provide for themselves if they were able.
He claimed the NHS had been "on the verge of collapse" in 1997 until rescued by New Labour and praised ex-cabinet colleague David Blunkett for his education reforms.
The Liberal Democrats dismissed the speech as concentrating on the economy because "the government has achieved very little elsewhere".
Their Treasury spokesman, Vincent Cable, said: "The government has a tendency to ignore problems on the horizon, including the high levels of consumer debt linked to the bubble in the housing market and a growing fiscal deficit."
pasted from the guardian
