Caroline Spelman: Labour has run our rural areas down

Ladies and Gentlemen. When I first became an MP in 1997, I didn't know how many years we would spend in opposition.

Or how tough those years would be. But 13 years on, we've restored a Conservative Prime Minister to Downing Street - and boy do we need it ...

Caroline Spelman: At the fork in the road localism is the path

Thank you for joining us this morning, I know this time before the election is precious - so thank you for taking the time out.

So I want to spend this session answering one simple question, a question you'll have met on doorsteps when you canvass:

"What difference will it ...

Caroline Spelman: Greater transparency, accountability and efficiency in local government

Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you for inviting me here to address you today.

I was really pleased to accept this invitation because in the time I have spent in this brief I have enjoyed a very good relationship with NLGN - and I look forward to that remaining the case.

Now ...

Caroline Spelman: Local taxpayers deserve real accountability

Ladies and Gentlemen, let me start by paying tribute to my team.

It’s a great team and we relish the challenge ahead.

We’ve got to change the way we do politics.

We want to revive democracy with the oxygen of localism.

The reason we go into politics is ...

Caroline Spelman: Local Democracy Bill

I am sure everyone in this chamber who has an interest in local government will have spent the last few weeks, including the recess, campaigning for local elections.

Knocking doors daily throughout the expenses furore I am sure we are under no illusion that people want our democracy to work ...

Caroline Spelman: Society's attitude to violence against women needs challenging

Speech to the Conservative Women’s conference

"The theme of today's conference is violence against women and who could fail to understand it's significance a day after reports that video footage of a woman being raped had been distributed on you-tube.

As if that wasn't horrific enough ...

Caroline Spelman: Take note Mr Brown - we are ready

Addressing the Party Conference today, Conservative Party Chairman, Caroline Spelman, said:

"Ladies, Gentlemen, Conference,

As this is my first speech as Chairman I would like to introduce myself and say a few words about how I see the way forward.

I am a business woman, having started my career in ...

Caroline Spelman: More joined-up thinking needed on homelessness

Speech to CRISIS conference on homelessness

"Homelessness is one of those policy areas that really touches you on a human level - and it's not the sort of issue you can play party politics with.

It would be wrong of me to stand here and deliver a partisan speech about ...

Caroline Spelman: Labour's planning reforms will compromise democracy and accountability

Speech to the British Property Federation conference

"As you know yesterday saw the publication of the Government's long awaited Planning White Paper, so I'll start by giving you giving you our reaction to the Paper before broadening it out a bit.

Today, by the way, there is a ...

Caroline Spelman: Giving local government the freedom to innovate and prioritise

Speech to New Local Government Network conference on local government finance

"Thank you for inviting me to speak today and particularly to the organisers, NLGN and Neil Stewart Associates.

I think we would all agree that any discussion about local government finance has to be seen in the context of ...

Spelman: Give freedoms back to local government

Speech in the House of Commons responding to the Local Government White Paper

"Let me begin on a note of consensus.

I entirely agree with the Rt Hon Lady when she said this morning 'local government is in much better shape since 1997'.

The reason, of course, is that the ...

Spelman: Regenerating our communities is a social, not just state, responsibility

In her speech to the Conservative Party Conference, Shadow Local Government Secretary, Caroline Spelman said:

"As I travel round the country I am constantly reminded of the growing gulf between the "Haves" and the "Have-nots" which makes me burn with a sense of injustice.

You can't govern for the ...

Spelman: Reconnecting with our cities

Speech to Conservative Spring Forum 2006

"Modern Britain is characterised by cities with new hearts beating to the rhythm of a young generation, but the paradox is that while the café culture and wine bars initially draw young people to our cities, the crisis in affordability means that fewer and ...

Maude: It's for all of us to show that we're changing

Speech at Conservative Spring Forum 2006

"It is a great time for us. We're on the up, and for the first time for a long time. So you're not going to get the usual Maude gloomfest today. We've moved ahead. Today people want to hear from us ...

Spelman: Rebuilding lives - not just places

Wilberforce lecture to the Conservative Christian Fellowship

"I am honoured to be asked to give this lecture and I would like to thank Elizabeth for the work she is doing for CCF and all the preparations for this evening.

In the spirit of Wilberforce as a reformer I have chosen ...

Maude: The Conservative Party Opportunity - Social Reform in a Global Economy

Speech at Politeia’s Autumn Address

"Eight years ago Tony Blair understood something rather important. He understood that people want Britain to have a government committed to a strong and competitive economy, to first class public services, and to a cohesive society where no one is left behind or left ...

Spelman: John Prescott is playing politics with people's lives

Speech to the House of Commons - debate on regionalisation of emergency services

"The House may recall that almost a year ago a referendum was held in the North East on elected regional assemblies.

The result was an emphatic 'no' to regionalisation.

Twelve months on, I am sure colleagues will be ...

Spelman: We will restore faith in local accountability

Speech to Conservative Party Conference 2005

"Ladies and Gentlemen:

Don't let anyone tell you that in opposition you can't make a difference to improve people's lives.

We have just seen a government climb down on council tax revaluation.

You remember how we fought to scrap it at ...

Spelman: Protecting families from ever-increasing council tax bills

Speech at election rally in Newquay

"Michael's given me my orders. I'm absolutely clear what he expects of me: to protect families from ever increasing Council Tax bills and to help young people get their foot on the housing ladder. And I'm quite clear what will happen ...

Spelman: Lower taxes, local accountability

Speech at launch of Conservative 2005 local elections campaign

"Thanks very much Michael and thank you for coming here today. Let me also take this opportunity to welcome Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, Chairman of the Local Government Association and Leader of Kent County Council, and County Cllr Nick Skellet, Leader of ...

Spelman: A clear choice for Wales

Speech at the launch of the Welsh Conservatives' general election campaign

"The choice before voters on May the fifth is very clear.

They can either reward Mr Blair for eight years of broken promises and vote for another five years of talk.

Or they can vote Conservative, to support a ...

Spelman: Dealing with illegal traveller camps

Speech at Conservative Campaign Headquarters

"Last November we began consulting on the best way to deal with illegal traveller camps.

Today we can announce a seven point plan to deal with both illegal and unauthorised development, to give stronger rights to local residents and to ensure planning controls are fairly ...

Spelman: Action on freedom for local government and local people

Speech to Conservative Party Conference 2004

"Ladies, Gentlemen, Conference,

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling pretty upbeat. Upbeat about winning the European Elections. Upbeat about winning the London Assembly Elections. Upbeat about running Welsh councils for the first time. Upbeat about defending 14 by elections in ...

Spelman: Local politics matters

Speech to Welsh Conservative Spring Conference 2004

"Firstly let me take this opportunity to thank you all for coming along to take part in what I am sure you will agree has been an invaluable policy session.

As I am sure you are aware, this is one of the first ...

Spelman: Culture change needed to bring end to domestic violence

Speech to the Solihull Multi Agency Domestic Violence Conference

I welcome the opportunity to come and address you today on "Domestic Violence - the National Context". Before I move on to this subject, may I congratulate all of you who are part of the Solihull Multi Agency Domestic Violence Strategy for ...

Spelman: Government must accept blame for Iraq chaos

Speech in a House of Commons Westminster Hall debate

Spelman: Our war is not with ordinary Iraqis

Speech to Conservative Spring Conference

My job is to focus on the humanitarian consequences of a possible conflict in Iraq. For months now I have been badgering my opposite number Clare Short to produce a detailed humanitarian contingency plan. There has been stark contrast in the way we prepared for ...

Spelman: Lessons from Afghanistan

Speech at the Royal Society of Medicine

One of the most serious decisions a Prime Minister will ever make is whether or not to send our troops to war. The Prime Minister is doing it now - with regard to Iraq - and it is understandable that many people are cautious. Humanitarian ...

Spelman: Who is My Neighbour?

Speech to Conservative Party Conference 2002

Domestic Violence

I hope by now you have realised why we called this session 'Who is My Neighbour'. Whether internationally or closer to home we have to look out for each other.

We are part of a global village where people's misery, poverty ...

Spelman: You can't spin global poverty

Speech to Conservative Spring Forum 2002

My debut as Shadow Secretary of State for International Development has been nothing short of a baptism of fire. September 11th has thrust this normally cinderella subject into the spotlight. Appointed on September 13th we were straight into an international crisis, a crisis with ...