A Message from David Cameron

The expenses scandal is still the number one topic of conversation across the country. In offices, on buses, at home, the strength of anger being voiced is like nothing we've heard for a long time. But I don't think that anger begins and ends with expenses. I believe it stems from a long, deep dissatisfaction with the way that politics and power work in our country.
The fact is that people feel they have very little control over the world around them - and they're right. While some areas of our lives offer us choice and control as never before - in media, travel, shopping, entertainment - when it comes to the things we ask from politics and the state, there's a sense that someone else is always pulling the strings, always pulling power away from people.
Today, in a speech to the Open University, I set out our plans for a radical redistribution of power back to the people: from the state to citizens; from Whitehall to communities; from bureaucracy to democracy. This is a massive, radical change. But I believe that through decentralisation, accountability and transparency we can take power away from the political elite and hand it to the man and woman in the street. You can watch the speech - and look at the live Q&A blog I did afterwards - by clicking here. David Cameron

David Cameron to reopen the Conservative Parliamentary Candidates List.

David Cameron has announced that he will reopen the Conservative parliamentary candidates list.
In an interview on the Andrew Marr show, David said he wanted to “open up the talent that is available in Parliament".
And he urged people to apply for our candidates list even if they have never been involved in politics before:
“If you believe in public service, if you want to help us clean up politics, if you share our values come and be a Conservative candidate.”
David said he wanted to see more "open primaries" where everyone in a constituency can vote for the next Conservative candidate:
"We have had open primaries for many of our candidates for the forthcoming elections and they have been really successful. Opening up the hall and saying to anyone in the constituency – whichever party they belong to – come along and vote for the next Conservative candidate has worked fantastically well.”
If you are interested in becoming a Conservative candidate and believe you would make a good Member of Parliament, please write to Gareth Fox at Conservative Campaign Headquarters (30 Millbank, London, SW1P 4DP) setting out why you would like to be a candidate, and enclose a copy of your CV. Please set out any work you have done in your local community, and achievements in your work or your personal life which you think would make you an effective MP.

David Cameron Blog

Last week we had the Budget - when Gordon Brown ran out of money.
This week we've had the votes on the Gurkhas and MPs' expenses - and now the Prime Minister has run out of moral and political authority too.
Take the Gurkhas. They are the bravest of they brave. In WWI, in WWII, in the Falklands and today in the dust and heat of Afghanistan, they have fought and died for this country in some of its toughest battles.
We owe them a huge debt. We need to treat them properly in return. That's why I believe there should be a presumption that Gurkha veterans who want to live in this country should be able to do so.
This week the House of Commons stood up for the Gurkhas, by defeating the Government, and voting decisively in favour of allowing them to come to Britain. It was a tremendous victory for Joanna Lumley, who had campaigned so hard on their behalf. And Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg deserved great credit for calling the debate.
And yet only hours earlier at Prime Minister's Questions, Gordon Brown had insisted to me that it was impossible for Britain to show more generosity to the Gurkhas. It showed how out of touch he has become.
On Thursday it was the issue of MPs' expenses, which the House of Commons debated and voted on. And again, another master-class from the Prime Minister in how to make a complete mess of an important issue.
Several weeks ago I demanded a meeting with Gordon Brown, together with Nick Clegg, to sit down, get a grip and clean things up.
Instead, Gordon Brown popped up on YouTube last week to announce his own brilliant idea: pay MPs to turn up and do their job - they would get a daily allowance for doing so, no receipts required. Within minutes the phone rang in my office - it was a message from the PM saying he would like a meeting to discuss his idea.
Unsurprisingly his scheme got panned, and by the time of the vote yesterday he had to abandon it. Another humiliating defeat for a Prime Minister who just won't listen.
It's been an important fortnight in British politics. Everywhere I go, people tell me they want change - change to a Government that focuses not on tomorrow's headlines, but on the long-term good of the country. They want a Government that treats them like adults.
Over the next few weeks, I will be out on the road campaigning in the local and European elections, which take place on 4th June. That's your chance to send Gordon Brown a message, and Vote for Change.
That's a month away. In the meantime, I hope you have a great Bank Holiday weekend.
David Cameron