Howards Vision

Michael Howard's vision of "the Britain I believe in

People who do the right things - work hard, pay their dues, bring up their children to respect others, and who don't expect something for nothing - will be rewarded when the Conservatives return to power, Michael Howard has promised.Unveiling his vision of "The Britain I believe in", the Party Leader spelt out his hopes and aspiration for the country, and pledged to govern according to the "decent, common sense values" of the British people."My hopes for Britain are rooted in the values which make our country the best in the world: trusting enterprise;

rewarding hard work; encouraging individual responsibility; and a pride in nationhood. The Britain I believe in will reward people who do the right thing: the people who work hard, pay their dues, bring up their children to respect others, who don't expect something for nothing…reward parents who raise children with the right values, reward professionals who follow their vocation, reward businessmen and women who take risks to guarantee our future prosperity," he declared.Addressing party activists at a pre-Easter meeting in central London, Mr Howard explained: "

Rewarding them means trusting them - with more of their own money, more control over their destiny, more freedom to live their dreams."Claiming that Britain's current difficulties are rooted in the failure of the Blair administration to reward people who do the right thing, coupled with its obsession in formulating rules and values which work against people who do the right thing, he said: "The balance between rights and responsibilities in Britain is out of kilter. The rights culture rewards those who don't play by the rules."

Speaking of his pride at being British, Mr Howard said his central mission would be to put right values at the heart of government, which he said would "liberate" the nation, and allow the views and values of the forgotten majority to return to dominance."With lower taxes and regulation slashed, our people would be freed to make the most of their talents. With hard work rewarded properly and risk-takers recognised our economic future would be better still.With the foundations laid for real, lasting, secure growth families would be able to keep more of their own money and our schools and hospitals get the investment they need. With professionals free to make the judgements that matter, and citizens free to choose the services they need, the chemistry of competition would generate innovation and excellence in schools and hospitals."

Mr Howard told his audience: "A country with the fourth-largest economy in the world would at last enjoy the education and healthcare to match. With new confidence would come the ability to settle Britain's relationship with Europe in Britain's national interest." He said: "It is time to liberate our nation - to unlock its hidden potential, to trust its deepest instincts, to be led by the values of the forgotten majority. It is time to reward those who do the right thing. It is time, at last, for a government that believes in Britain."