Policy Research Media Morhamburn

Yesterday morning Gordon Brown met with his Cabinet, nipped across town to ask the Queen to dissolve Parliament then nipped back to Downing Street to announce the worst kept secret in UK politics – a May 6^th election.  The 2010 General Election Campaign was officially underway.

However, Mr Cameron did not need the official announcement to begin campaigning – he was out early in the  morning giving his first speech claiming that we do not have to put up with another 5 years of Gordon Brown.  In his opening campaign speech, Mr Cameron also stated his was the party with the energy, values and ideas to succeed and lead the country into a new, brighter future.  His is the party of the ‘Big Society’. His is the party fighting for ‘the Great Ignored’.

Mr Cameron’s ‘Big Society’ strategy envisages a smaller, less involved government with power being devolved to communities, social enterprise and the people.  Mr Cameron sees government as a catalyst for the improvement of our country.  He believes that government should provide the means to ensure that the individual can make the ends.  The ‘Big Society’ is an inclusive, co-operative society. 

Opponents argue that this decentralisation of the state does not work in the poorest areas where people are not as civically inclined as those in the more wealthy areas.  Labour would argue that it increases the inequality gaps in the country, which incidentally is what the Conservatives claim Labour has done in its 13 years at the helm. Mr Cameron wants society to lead social progress.  He believes that social justice will come from the ground up and will not occur through Government prescription.  He believes his ‘Big Society’ can build a fairer, richer, safer Britain.  A more equal Britain.

This brings me back to yesterday’s speech about the Conservatives being the party of values and the champion of ‘the Great Ignored’.  At the weekend, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling was caught on tape suggesting that B&B owners should have the right to turn away gay couples.  Obviously, Mr Grayling has sparked outrage amongst gay rights groups.  Mr Grayling’s comments follow an incident last month when Christian B&B owners were reported to the police for turning away a gay couple.  The Christian couple said it was against their convictions and the gay couple claim discrimination.

Mr Cameron et al portray an image of new ‘Progressive Conservatives’ (surely an oxymoron?).  However, as yet there has been no reaction, let alone condemnation from the hierarchy over Mr Grayling’s gaffe. 

The Conservatives do not have a lock on this election as was once expected. Their idea for a ‘Big Society’ is an ambitious project and one that may work, but to implement it they first have to win.

And comments such as Mr Grayling’s do not make that task any easier.

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