“Greater focus, dedicated leadership, and better-targeted resources will help us deliver our promises in the here and now, as we halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists, and stop the boats.” (Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, 7 February 2023)

“There remain over 2.5 million people who are inactive because of long-term sickness and disability. … the proportion of people going through a work capability assessment who are being given the highest level of award and deemed to have no work-related requirements at all has risen from 21% in 2011 to 65% last year.” (Mel Stride, Work and Pensions Secretary, 5 September 2023)

Under the Labour Government there is a social care crisis in Wales. The sector is struggling as a result of several factors, including increased demand, limited resources and staffing challenges. There are long standing problems with the recruitment and retention of social care staff which negatively impacts the rest of the healthcare sector. As a result, the people of Wales are not able to receive the quality care they deserve.

“Electrification, connectivity, automation, and real-time data collection and analysis are driving the development of new modes of travel and new ways to do business. Some of these changes – such as transport apps, electric vehicles, drones and early vehicle automation – are already here; the rest are likely to ramp up dramatically between now and 2030.” (Future of Transport programme)

“AI has an incredible potential to transform our lives for the better. But we need to make sure it is developed and used in a way that is safe and secure.” (Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister, 7 June 2023)

“I believe that a system built around the free exchange of goods and services, the responsibility of the individual, the division of labour – is the morally right way to organise our economy.” (Rishi Sunak, 24 February 2022)

“Freedom and openness have always been the most powerful forces for progress. But they have never been achieved by standing still.” (Rishi Sunak, 28 November 2022)

“Sir Anthony Eden developed the domestic policy theme of a ‘property-owning democracy’ as the right way to popularize capitalism and counter nationalization.”
(Lord Hailsham, 1959, The Conservative Case, p.143)

“Opponents have often wondered why the [Conservative & Unionist] party has been so successful, in marked contrast to many other parties of the European centre-right. … Part of the answer lies in the ability of the party to reinvent itself, not to allow itself to get stuck in a ditch, always to be pragmatic and flexible. This has meant giving priority to statecraft and the pursuit of power rather than to ideology.”

“It’s important that everyone has the opportunity and support to find a good job to help them get on in life. That’s why we’re doubling down on our Plan for Jobs with this new campaign to harness the talent of jobseekers and support employers to fill vacancies, find work and create new opportunities.” (Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, 27 January 2022)

“Talent is spread equally across our country; but opportunity is not. Disparities persist, between places and within them. … Overcoming those difficulties is a shared challenge. It is a challenge for governments in Holyrood and in Whitehall [and Stormont and Cardiff], it is a challenge for local government and it’s a challenge that should bind people together across parties.” (Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, 24 February 2022)

“We want every family not just to avoid poor outcomes, but to thrive. We want to help them to build their resilience and community connections and empower them to find their own solutions to problems.” (Supporting Families - 2021-22 and beyond)

“Rising house prices and private rents mean that some workers are at risk of being priced out of living in rural and coastal areas, contributing to skill shortages in the tourism and hospitality industries that their local economies rely on.” (ONS, 28 September 2021)

“The unifying purpose of the UK’s national security and international policy is to ensure that the things that define us as a nation – our open society and economy founded on democratic values – remain sources of strength and comparative advantage, driving prosperity and improving the well-being of people across the Union.”

“[This past year] has shown – if there was any doubt – that deep wells of talent, kindness, ingenuity and resourcefulness exist in every village, town and city of the United Kingdom. The Government’s task is to mobilise that extraordinary spirit, matching talent with opportunity and unleashing our nation’s full potential.”

“Our Plan for Growth sets our path to invest in infrastructure, skills and innovation to build back better, whilst harnessing the strengths, resilience and creative spirit we’ve seen from businesses over the past year, so we can level up opportunity and prosperity across the country, eliminate our contribution to climate change and forge ahead as a truly Global Britain.” 
(Prime Minister Boris Johnson, 30 March 2021)

“The United Kingdom is the most successful political and economic union in history. Together, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are safer, stronger and more prosperous. For more than 300 years, our people have built this great country together. And we believe our best days lie ahead.” 
(2019 Conservative & Unionist Party Manifesto, pp.44f) 

"The idea that every child, in every part of the country, should have a fair chance…is not only the most important thing we can do to unleash the UK’s potential, but is at the heart of creating a fair and just society.” (2019 Conservative & Unionist Party Manifesto)

“As Work and Pensions Secretary, my role is to support people throughout their lives, from helping with childcare costs to supporting low income workers, or those who have lost their jobs to get back into work, to providing for those in their retirement and also helping to educate people about the importance of saving for later life.”
(Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Thérèse Coffey MP)

To help communities across the country to prosper, we will continue modernising our roads and railways, and improving the everyday services that people rely on to get to work, visit friends and access local services.

How can we protect our environment and leave it in a better state for future generations? How do we maintain and improve our animal welfare laws now we have left the EU?

Policing & Crime, Housing and the Environment. Shaun Bailey, the Conservative candidate for London Mayor, wanted to hear the views of CPF groups and supporters across London of these three big policy areas.

“People are dying from drugs every day across the UK… We must have firm enforcement action and do all we can on prevention, recovery and treatment too.”
Minister for Crime, Policing and the Fire Service, Kit Malthouse

During the first wave of Coronavirus our lives were turned upside down, but democratic government continued. and the Conservative Policy Forum asked our members to suggest ways to keep our communities together.

What are you pleased to see contained in the Queen’s Speech? Is there anything that a majority of your group were disappointed to see included? Is there anything else that you would have liked to have seen included? Let us know your views on the Queen’s Speech, including any ideas you might have for the budget. The closing date for this consultation is 1st March. Register as a member to find out where your newarest CPF meeting is happening.

After the 2017 general election, the CPF led a Party-wide consultation into Conservative values. Now, with the election of a new Party Leader and new Prime Minister, we want to give Members the opportunity to reflect again on who we are as a Party and how our values should be reflected in the policies that we seek to champion and implement.

By the end of October, albeit seven months later than originally expected, the UK will have left the European Union, in accordance with the result of the 2016 referendum. Following our recent discussions on Global Britain and Sustaining Democracy, in order that our Party is ready to make the most of the opportunities that this presents, this discussion paper invites you to consider the Post-Brexit Economy.

How can we strengthen the Union, ensuring that the government serves people in every part of the UK? How can we encourage more people, especially young people, to participate in our democracy?

What should Britain’s role be in the world? How can we maximise our soft power through our aid, trade, and security commitments? How can we make ourselves safer and create more trade in a dangerous world?

“The UK has achieved a great deal and has been at the forefront of developments in equality and disability rights. But we are clear that more needs to be done. We will continuously develop and deliver real and practical improvements to ensure disabled people have the same opportunities for inclusion as people who are not disabled.” (Sarah Newton MP, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, 3 October 2018)