David Cameron has asked for the Conservatives to be given the chance to “finish the job we’ve started” by being returned as a majority government at the 2015 general election.
In his keynote speech to the Conservative annual conference, the Prime Minister said the UK economy was “beginning to turn the corner” and pledged to build “a land of opportunity for all” by backing business, home ownership and education as times get better.
He also appealed to Scots to reject independence in next year’s referendum.
He signalled that the Tory manifesto for 2015 will include measures to prevent young people claiming unemployment benefits after leaving school or college, saying that every under-25 should be “earning or learning”.
And he made clear his intention to reduce taxes, telling activists: “We’re Tories. We believe in low taxes. And believe me – we will keep on cutting the taxes of hard-working people.”
But he also warned of further austerity following the election, even if the recent return to growth is sustained, insisting Tories will stick to their economic course “until we’ve paid off all of Labour’s deficit, not just some of it” and will run a surplus – spending less than they take in from tax and other revenues – even after the deficit is eliminated.
Mr Cameron’s address sought to draw clear dividing lines with Labour, accusing Ed Miliband of adopting an anti-business agenda and dismissing his promises to cut the cost of living as “all sticking plasters and quick fixes”.
But he said that he wanted to do more than simply “clear up the mess” left by the Labour administration
“Let us pledge today that we will build something better – a land of opportunity,” he said. “A country built on that enduring principle, seared in our hearts, that if you work hard, save, play by the rules and do your fair share – then nothing should stand in your way.”
Mr Cameron also said is an “unanswerable case” for Scottish voters to reject independence in next year’s referendum.
He said: “All the arguments about the economy, about our currency – I believe they make an unanswerable case for the United Kingdom.
“But today I want a more simple message to go out to all the people of Scotland. From us here in this hall, from this party, from this country, from England, and yes from Wales, Northern Ireland too – and it is this, we want you to stay.
“We want us to stick together. Think of all we’ve achieved together, all the things we can do together. The nation, as one. Our Kingdom – united.”
He added: “For 12 years now, men and women from all parts of these islands have been serving their country in Afghanistan. Next year, the last of our combat troops will be coming home, having trained up the Afghans to look after their own country.
“More than a decade of war, sacrifice beyond measure – from the finest and bravest armed forces in the world. And I want us today to stand, to raise the roof in here, to show just how proud of those men and women all of us are.”
Last week, Mr Cameron formally refused to go head-to-head with Scotland’s First Minister in a televised debate on the independence referendum.
In a letter to Alex Salmond, he said issue was a matter for “Scots living in Scotland” and should not become a glorified general election.
For our political editor Kieran Andrews’ take on the Tory conference, see Thursday’s Courier or try our digital edition.