Portillo: Brown is plotting an imprudent path at uncertain times

Speaking to the Institute of Directors in Wales, the Shadow Chancellor, the Rt Hon Michael Portillo MP, analyses how appropriate the Chancellor's tax and spend policies are in economic good times and bad:

"With economic uncertainty growing, with major companies issuing profit warnings and stock markets fluctuating across the ...

Hague: The British economy in an uncertain world

In an address to the Centre for Policy Studies at the Institute of Directors in London, the Leader of the conservative Party, the Rt Hon William Hague MP:

"This weekend the Chancellor travels to Washington for the G7 summit at a time when the world economy faces its most testing ...

Hague: We're ready for the election, and we're ready to win

Speaking to Conservative Central Office staff, the Rt Hon William Hague MP, Leader of the Conservative Party, said:

"The waiting is almost over. The hard work so many of you have put in over the last four years and the harder work you are about to put in over the ...

William Hague launches Local Government manifesto

Speaking in Westminster at the launch of the Conservative Party's Local Government manifesto, the Rt Hon William Hague MP, Leader of the Conservative Party:

"Today, we are launching the Conservative Manifesto for the local government elections that are taking place on 7 June.

"Few things are more important to ...

Hague warns voters 'Britain deserves Better' than Labour

Speaking at the unveiling of a poster campaign with the theme 'Britain deserves Better, the Rt Hon William Hague MP, Leader of the Conservative Party:

"Four years ago Tony Blair promised a new life for Britain. He told us all we deserved better. Well everyone in Britain deserves better than ...

Hague: It's time for Common Sense

Speaking at the launch of the Conservative Party's Manifesto today, the Rt Hon William Hague MP, Leader of the Party, said:

"My greatest fear for the country that I love is that we will wake up one day and find that something very precious has been lost without our ...

Hague: Labour's second term tax hike

Speaking in Newbury, the Rt Hon William Hague MP, Leader of the Conservative Party:

"Labour 'have no plans to increase taxes at all'. That is what Tony Blair said before the last election. Another promise made, another promise broken.

"Yesterday, I challenged him to repeat the same promise during this ...

Hague: It's Time for Common Sense in Wales

In a campaign speech in Cardiff today, the Rt Hon William Hague MP, Leader of the Conservative Party:

"It is always a pleasure for me to be back in Wales. Wales gave me some of the happiest years of my parliamentary career - although, of course, that's not all I ...

Hague: Conservatives can win in Wales

In a speech to a press conference in Cardiff this afternoon, the Rt Hon William Hague MP, Leader of the Conservative Party:

"It is a great pleasure for me to be back among friends in Wales, a part of the United Kingdom for which I have the greatest possible affection ...

Maude: Voting Labour is a one way ticket to higher fuel prices

Speaking at today's Conservative party press conference, Shadow Foreign Secretary Francis Maude:

"A Labour Government on June 7th would be a one way ticket to permanently higher fuel prices.

"We have already shown how Labour's plans to spend more than the country is earning means petrol at £6 ...

Portillo: Brown must raise £10bn in tax and tell us which stealth taxes he's going to use

In a speech to Putney Conservative Association, the Shadow Chancellor, the Rt. Hon Michael Portillo:

"The election campaign's first seven days has delivered to the Conservatives victories on the key issue of taxation. This morning Gordon Brown was busy highlighting the Conservative agenda of cutting taxes in the next ...

Hague: Remember the Dome!

Speaking in Greenwich at the Dome on the morning of Labour's manifesto launch, the Leader of the Opposition, Rt Hon William Hague:

"It is fitting to start the day here as Labour puts forward its programme for a second term.

"The Dome was to be the first paragraph of ...

Hague: Labour soft on crime? Guilty as charged

In a speech at Conservative Central Office highlighting Labour's failures on crime, the Rt Hon William Hague, Leader of the Conservative Party:

"Few issues matter more to the quality of our lives or to the stability of our society than winning the fight against crime.

Today, Britain is losing ...

Hague: We will give you back your country

Speaking at an election campaign rally in Warwickshire tonight, the Rt Hon William Hague, Leader of the Conservative Party:

It's a great pleasure to be in Stoneleigh today and to see so many of you working flat out for a Conservative victory at this Election.

I am especially pleased ...

Hague: Reality bites Blair

In a speech to Party activists in Peterborough today, the Rt Hon William Hague, Leader of the Conservative Party:

"The events of yesterday marked a turning point in this campaign. It was the day when reality began to intrude into this Election. After weeks and months of pundits and pollsters ...

Widdecombe: Time for common sense on crime

In a speech to the Police Federation annual conference in Blackpool today, the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, Shadow Home Secretary:

"Fred, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for inviting me here today. And let me say what a pleasure it is to be here. I am sure many of you remember ...

Hague: Conservatives will make Britain a safe haven for genuine refugees

In a speech to party activists in Dover highlighting how Labour have failed to deal with the issue of asylum, the Rt Hon William Hague, Leader of the Party:

"I am proud of Britain's great tradition of offering a refuge for people from all over the world fleeing persecution ...

Maude: Conservatives lead from the front

In a speech in his Horsham constituency, Rt. Hon. Francis Maude, Shadow Foreign Secretary said:

"Since the start of this election campaign, we have heard more talk than ever before about voter apathy and indifference. In particular, it is said, young voters don't care. The pundits loftily lament this ...

May: We will tackle Labour's classroom crisis

Shadow Education Secretary, Theresa May gave Labour a lesson in how to run the nation's education system, as the Conservatives announced plans to tackle the crisis in the classroom:

"Every parent knows the sort of school that they want their child to attend.

"They want a school that has ...

Hague: Time for common sense in the countryside

In a speech tonight in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, the Rt Hon William Hague, Leader of the Conservative Party:

Britain's countryside is one our greatest assets, shaped over centuries by people anxious to preserve its beauty, its richness of character and its timeless traditions for the generations that have followed ...

Hague: Common sense for business

In a speech launching the Conservative Party's Business Manifesto, the Rt Hon William Hague, Leader of the Party:

"So far in this General Election campaign Conservatives have successfully focused attention on the real issues facing this country. We have asked the key questions - on tax, on crime, on asylum ...

Portillo: Conservatives cutting taxes for business

Launching the Conservatives business manifesto 'Common Sense for Business', the Shadow Chancellor, Michael Portillo:

During the last four years, Britain has lost two-thirds of the tax advantage that we enjoyed over our European competitors in the mid 1990s.

If Labour were re-elected, their spending plans mean further increases in tax ...

Heathcoat-Amory: Conservatives will reverse tide of red tape

Speaking at the launch of the Conservatives' Business Manifesto, the Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary, David Heathcoat-Amory:

"Elections tend to be about plans to spend public money. But elections also need to be about how the country makes money. It is only the taxes paid by businesses and their employees ...

Baroness Thatcher - Plymouth Rally

In a speech to a Conservative Party rally in Plymouth, the Rt Hon the Baroness Thatcher:

"It's wonderful to be here this evening, campaigning for a Conservative victory, in this enterprising port of Plymouth.

"Every general election tests character as well as policies. And this one is no exception ...

Widdecombe: Together we can win war against crime

In a speech to the Association of Chief Police Officers in Birmingham, the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, Shadow Home Secretary:

"I would like to begin by reiterating the tribute that I paid at the Police Federation Conference last week to all those officers who took part in the successful operation ...

Hague: The tragedy of foot and mouth

Campaigning in St. Ives, the Rt Hon William Hague, Leader of the Conservative Party:

"Today our countryside is in crisis. Agriculture was already going through its worst depression for sixty years. Farm incomes have halved and then halved again. 40,000 farming jobs have been lost over the past two ...

Willetts: Conservatives launch manifesto for pensioners

Statement from David Willetts, Shadow Social Security Secretary, on the launch on 'Common Sense for Pensioners. Mr Willetts said:

"We are publishing this morning our manifesto, Common Sense for Pensioners. It shows how we Conservatives respect and value pensioners. We offer them better health and long term care, we offer ...

Hague: Labour's new stealth tax – income tax at 50%

In a speech to a Conservative Party rally in Plymouth, the Rt Hon William Hague, Leader of the Opposition:

"Two weeks into this election campaign, I keep having to remind myself that there is meant to be a third party: one that still officially calls itself an Opposition. But when ...

Portillo: Conservatives launch manifesto for pensioners

Speaking in Westminster, Shadow Chancellor, the Rt. Hon Michael Portillo, launched the Conservative Party's manifesto for pensioners:

"Today we are launching our manifesto for pensioners.

"We want to give pensioners dignity. We want to make the tax system simpler and fairer for older people. And we want to encourage ...

Hague: Labour's plans for higher taxes

Speaking at Conservative Central Office, the Rt Hon William Hague, Leader of the Conservative Party:

"We have exposed Labour's plan to tax Britain's middle classes more.

No-one can now underestimate the scale of the tax increase that, if re-elected, Labour plans to impose on people like senior nurses ...

Portillo: Europe's tax harmonisation agenda

"This morning, the European Commission discusses its confidential draft Communication Tax Policy in the European Union -Priorities for the years ahead.

Yesterday, Labour's plan to raise the effective rate of tax on middle incomes remained undenied. The Chancellor's hurried statement last night did not commit him not to ...

Our vision for Europe – Conservatives

Britain and its relationship within the European Union is a central issue in this election.

The internet revolution, globalisation, the new network world being built around us, help to explain why people in Britain are so sceptical about scrapping the pound and joining a single European superstate.

They understand that ...

Hague: Common sense for education

In a speech on education at Conservative Central Office, the Rt Hon William Hague, Leader of the Opposition:

"In a moment, Theresa May will outline our plans for better schools in this country based on the principles of discipline, standards and choice. But first I want to talk about why ...

May: Discipline, standards and choice

Launching 'Twenty Conservative policies for better schools', Shadow Secretary of State for Education, Theresa May:

"William has just described to you the vision we Conservatives have for the future of education in this country.

"But it is not just our vision.

"Parents across the country know the type of school ...

Portillo: Blair is no patriot - he is a defeatist

Speaking at the Kensington & Chelsea Constituency Association, the Shadow Chancellor, Rt. Hon Michael Portillo:

"Tony Blair's controversial claim that Britain's self-interest lies in the UK scrapping the pound, being part of a single currency and a European Superstate, cannot go unchallenged.

"The moderate majority will disagree that ...

Hague: Blair won't wait to scrap the Pound

In a speech to a Conservative Party rally in Manchester, the Rt Hon William Hague, Leader of the Opposition:

"I will not give up on education.

There are few things more important to the future of this country than the education of our children. It is one of the most ...

Hague: Twelve Days to Keep the Pound

In a speech in Loughborough to mark Keep the Pound Day the Rt Hon William Hague, Leader of the Conservative Party:

"This election is not just about who will form the next Government. It's also about whether we continue to have a Government that is sovereign in this country ...

Portillo: A fortnight's more taxes under Labour

The Shadow Chancellor, Michael Portillo, attacked Labour for raising taxes by stealth over the past four years. Speaking in Hornchurch:

"This weekend is a Bank Holiday weekend. But life's no holiday under Labour. The New Labour way of life is that people should pay more and more in tax ...

Hague: Conservatives will respond to countryside crisis

In a speech in Croft on Tees, Darlington, the Rt Hon William Hague, Leader of the Conservative Party:

"Like everyone here I regard it as a unique privilege to live in the Yorkshire Dales, in the very heart of what is without doubt some of the most breathtaking countryside in ...

Portillo: Blair should publish cost of scrapping the pound

Speaking at a press conference at Conservative Central Office, Rt Hon Michael Portillo, Shadow Chancellor:

"Mr Blair has been unwilling put any argument for the euro. He says there are constitutional issues associated with scrapping the pound, but that these have been 'resolved'. He has not said why he thinks ...

Portillo: Families will be better off under the Conservatives

At a press conference at Conservative Central Office, Rt Hon Michael Portillo, Shadow Chancellor:

"Labour Governments always put up taxes. This Labour Government was supposed to be different. Four years ago, Labour campaigned on a manifesto that said 'New Labour is not about high taxes on ordinary families'. Even Tony ...

Hague: Cutting taxes for families is a priority

At his press conference today, the Leader of the Opposition, Rt Hon William Hague said:

"In a moment Michael Portillo will take you through the way our tax reductions will benefit some typical families in Britain, but first I want to explain why cutting taxes for families is a priority ...

Hague: I will give you back your country

In a speech at a Conservative Party rally in Brighton tonight, the Rt Hon William Hague, Leader of the Opposition, will say:

"Don't let anyone tell you that this election doesn't much matter. Don't let anyone try to claim that all the parties are the same.

This ...

John Major - Brighton Rally

In a speech to a Conservative Party rally in Brighton, the Rt Hon John Major:

Some years ago, I promoted William Hague into Cabinet and so I know his worth.

He's a shrewd, straight-talking Yorkshireman - not English, mind you, Yorkshire - who thinks for himself and says what he thinks ...

Blair's rigged referendum to scrap the pound

Shadow Foreign Secretary, Francis Maude speaking at a Press Conference. Mr Maude said:

"Mr Blair constantly says the Euro should not be an issue in this election because he would put the matter to a referendum.

But unless the voters can be sure that such a referendum would be even-handed ...

Willetts: Labour have let pensioners down

During a press conference at Conservative Central Office, David Willetts, Shadow Social Security Secretary:

"Before the election Gordon Brown told the Labour Party Conference that he wanted 'the end of the means test for our elderly people'. Yet the number of pensioners on means-tested benefits, which fell to 39 per ...

Liam Fox: Caring properly for older people

At the morning press conference, Shadow Health Secretary Dr Liam Fox outlined the Conservative Party's plans for long term care for the elderly. He said:

"The elderly are one of the groups which has been treated most badly by Labour.

"Before the last Election, Tony Blair said that it ...

Willetts: Brown must come clean on child benefit tax

David Willetts, Shadow Social Security Secretary at the morning press conference:

Gordon Brown has long wanted to tax Child Benefit. He was quite open about this in his 1998 Budget when he said 'there is a case for higher rate taxpayers paying tax on it'.

Labour are now saying that ...

Hague: Common sense for our cities

At a press conference at Conservative Central Office, to launch 'Common Sense for our Cities', Rt Hon William Hague, leader of the Conservative Party:

"This morning I want to talk about the future of our inner cities. In a moment Archie Norman will take you through our plans for urban ...

Hague: We will renew Britain's civil society

In a speech to launch Renewing Civil Society, a Conservative Party report to Britain's voluntary sector and faith communities, the Rt Hon William Hague, Leader of the Conservative Party, said:

"As-salam- a-laikum.

"I would like to thank Mohammed Riaz, the Conservative candidate in Bradford West at this Election, both ...