Tory ballot reflects ‘changed’ party
The Conservative party has expressed support for David Cameron’s policies – with nine out of ten activists backing his statement on aims and values of the party.
Out of the 65,000 voters, 92.7 per cent said they shared Mr Cameron’s vision, and 7.3 per cent opposed it.
However, the turnout was relatively low, with 73 per cent not registering their ballot on the Built to Last mini-manifesto.
Mr Cameron said the result “confirms that the party has changed”, claiming: “It shows that Conservatives support the vital changes that we have made over the last nine months.”
Speaking from the shadow cabinet meeting in Leeds, the Tory leader insisted the changes had been “clear”, and pledged to “put economic stability and fiscal responsibility ahead of promises to cut taxes”.
He added: “Protecting the environment and tackling climate change will be given equal prominence to public services and the economy.
“We will improve public services for all, rather than promote opt outs for a few. The test for all our policies will be how they help the most disadvantaged in society.
“We will take action so that our party reflects Britain as it is today, not Britain as it was.”
Mr Cameron stressed the party’s message was one of “change, optimism and hope”.
“Our aims and values are as relevant now as they have ever been and this vote demonstrates that they are built to last.”
The Tories recently scrapped their traditional torch emblem and replaced it with a scribbled oak tree after Mr Cameron decided a more modern logo was needed to reflect the party’s changes.
Labour party chair Hazel Blears said: “Today’s announcement is a humiliation for David Cameron. He may have changed the branding of the Conservative Party but he has failed to change its substance.
“The fact that nearly three-quarters of Conservative party members chose not to vote on Built to Last shows just how hollow David Cameron’s claims to have changed the Conservative party really are.
“Even Tory party members have seen through this vacuous PR sham.”
And Lib Dem Ed Davey, who is the Lib Dems’ campaigns chief and trade and industry spokesman, added: “That’s a resounding echo of support for Mr Cameron, I think not. If he consulted on policies like we’ve been discussing today [at the Lib Dem party conference] then he might get a better result.”
However, a spokesman for Mr Cameron denied the poor turnout reflected a lack of passion about the party’s reforms. He blamed it on the timing of the vote, which meant many Tories were away on holiday.
