 Adam
Afriyie
MP
|
Conservative Social
Justice
24-Nov-06, Windsor Express
Article.
It is fascinating to note how political opponents
accuse the Conservatives of not fully forming policies
this far in advance of an election, as if it's some sort
of criticism. It has never been a secret that the
Conservative Party is reviewing and renewing policies.
MPs, experts, specialists, researchers and other
professionals are looking in depth at the problems and
challenges facing the country and those likely to face the
country several years from now. They will then come up with
practical long-term solutions which, as they have been
tirelessly thought through and investigated, should prove
both fair and effective.
I was interested to read an interim report from the
policy review group which looks at social justice. Labour
makes much of its claims that it has lifted one million
children out of poverty since coming into power. But the
report shows that whilst some people have been lifted from
just below the poverty line to just above it, others in more
severe poverty have been left even further behind.
It is a damning indictment of this government’s obsession
with attaining arbitrary targets: lifting a million children
out of poverty sounds good as a headline, however it cannot
justify pushing other families and children further into
poverty.
With complex forms, over and underpayments of benefits,
IT failures and the indignity of means-testing of
pensioners, it is clear that Labour’s benefits system isn’t
working. So I am delighted that there is hope for millions
of poorly treated people as the Conservative policy review
groups begin to come up with long-term solutions to the
country’s challenges. |
I
believe
People are happier
when making their own decisions.
Business is the
engine of the economy that generates our jobs, incomes and
taxes.
Government should
not interfere in our lives beyond protecting and defending
us.
|
