THE eyes of the country turned on Swindon today as the Conservatives chose the University Technical College to launch their manifesto.
Senior politicians, national media and party supporters packed the new building to hear David Cameron speak and offer a 'good Life for all.'
When he took to the stage, he also praised the UTC as a sign of the investment the government has put into education.
With the slogan 'a brighter, more secure future', the PM said the Tories were really the party for working people.
He said: "Together with the hard work of the British people we have turned the country around but the next five years a far more important.
"Britain has been the small country with a big impact and we are on the cusp of being that again.
"Let's not go back and let Labour drag us back five years."
The Prime Minister also used the opportunity to announce a series of key policies which he hopes will help give his party an advantage in the polls, especially in constituencies like South Swindon which is very tighter"
Should the Conservatives win next month, he said the Right-to-But scheme will be extended to housing association tenants, families will receive 30 hours free childcare and anyone on the minimum wage who work 30 hours-per-week will be moved out of income tax. Labour has said many of these promises are not funded so cannot be trusted.
Growth was a key message and with Swindon set for more than 22,000 new homes in the next decade, Mr Cameron said there would be adequate funds to ensure infrastructure was upgraded to cope.
“We have got the road plan which we set out in the last government as well as the New Homes Bonus which comes with every home built helps council to do more and crucially we’ve let councils keep more of the business rates,” he said.
“Swindon is a very successful town. Obviously not just Honda but all the other industries which have come in and all the growth which is there it means Swindon Council can keep more money from its business rates. So that combination of an infrastructure plan plus the extra money should make sure Swindon residents get the infrastructure they need, like the UTC we’ve been in today.”
Swindon North incumbent Justin Tomlinson said his party’s decision to make the big announcement at the UTC showed how important the town was to the Conservatives.
He said: “I was very proud that Swindon was chosen to showcase a national manifesto launch. It is a clear reflection that Swindon is a town on the up and that it has directly benefitted from this Conservative Government.”
South Swindon Conservative Robert Buckland said he thought the UTC was the perfect location and said the policies announced showed the party was on the side of families.
“The UTC is a fantastic facility which mixes the old and new of Swindon,” he said.
“The announcements we have heard today will make a big difference, especially the 30 hours of free childcare. I think this will show families that the Conservatives are fully behind them.”
However, Labour, who announced their manifesto on Monday, have said the funding for many of these announcements is not in place.
Anne Snelgrove, Labour’s candidate for South Swindon, said: “Today, the Tories have also told us that they will increase childcare provision. Yet the Tories have closed seven children’s centres in Swindon leaving parents struggling to manage childcare.
“Parents in Swindon do not need more unfunded, empty promises from the Tories on childcare.
"We have had no reassurance about where the money is coming from, and they’ve given us no reason to believe they will provide the childcare support we need in Swindon. They need a strong, fully funded promise from Labour of 25 hours free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds that they can rely on.
"The Tories in Swindon have already made it more difficult for parents to access childcare; their actions have made it clear that only the Labour Party will stand up for parents in Swindon and give them the childcare support that they need.”
The Green Party also launched their manifesto yesterday, urging people to join a revolution to end austerity. The Liberal Democrats and UKIP will launch their manifestos later this week.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel