David Cameron promised to decentralise power in a speech to the Local Government Association Conference, but, in return, asked for help in getting more for less.
He stressed that “thriving local government” was at the heart of his vision for the country and called for “new ideas, new activism and a new dynamism” at local level.
He pledged that a Conservative Government would devolve power “downwards and outwards” and spelt out the areas where local government would gain more control:
“All those layers of bureaucracy that are a straitjacket on everything you do – the process targets, the Comprehensive Area Assessments, the regional strategies and plans – we’re going to scrap them and let you get on with the job.”
“All that ring-fencing that makes you budget with one hand behind your back – we’re going to phase it out to allow for real local discretion on spending. All those quangos, like the Standards Board, that has just become a forum for pointless and vexatious complaints – we will scrap them.”
David asked delegates to “find even more savings, innovate and help bring us through this debt crisis”.
And he stressed the importance of making local government spending transparent:
“In the post-bureaucratic age we can get citizens involved in the whole debate about what is spent, excite our politics and improve our administration. We must do it.”
Shadow International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell has visited West Yorkshire.
He met with our Parliamentary Candidate for Keighley, Kris Hopkins, and students at Greenhead High School to discuss key issues on International Development.
He also visited Bradford and the Islamic Relief charity in the city.
Andrew, along with Zahid Iqbal, our Parliamentary Candidate for Bradford West, he spoke to workers in the charity’s shop and those involved with running the charity in West Yorkshire and across the UK.
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Penistone and Stocksbridge, Spencer Pitfield, has expressed his concern about job losses at the Corus plant in Stocksbridge.
He said, “This is devastating news for the hardworking and dedicated employees at the Corus works in Stocksbridge. My heart goes out to them and their families at this difficult time.
“The loss of such a large number of jobs at Stocksbridge will decimate the workforce there. Previously we had been led to believe that their high-end steel production – for uses like aircraft production – would not be affected. Sadly, it seems all aspects of Corus steel production has been hit hard by the recession.
“The knock-on effects will also be huge with local hauliers in particular potentially losing valuable transport contracts. Not to mention the terrible impact on the vibrancy and well-being of other local businesses in the community.
“I fear this is yet more evidence that Labour’s attempts at tackling the recession aren’t working. I now urge the Government to make sure these workers are able to re-train immediately to help them find employment.”
Eric Pickles, Chairman of the Conservative Party, has been in West Yorkshire.
He met with staff and activists at the Calderdale and Kirklees Campaign Centre in Brighouse before meeting with bosses at an engineering firm in Northowram, near Halifax with our Parliamentary Candidate for Halifax, Philip Allott.
Last night, he was the key guest at a dinner for the Calderdale and Kirklees Campaign Centre.
Yorkshire CF have visited London on a trip organised by Regional Chairman Philip Smith.
The tour included visiting the Tower of London, a meal at the Carlton club with National Chairman Michael Rock, a tour of the House of Commons, watching PMQs and a question and answer session with Yorkshire Conservative MPs Robert Goodwill, David Curry and Graham Stuart.
Conservatives were campaigning at the Honley Show over the weekend.
Colne Valley Parliamentary Candidate Jason McCartney led the campaign team who spoke to residents from across the constituency, and beyond, who were at the show in the sunshine.
The Conservative Party has received the highest share of the vote and won two of the six seats in the European Parliamentary Elections in Yorkshire and The Humber.
Under the D’Hondt method of proportional representation, it means that Edward McMillan-Scott and Timothy Kirkhope have been elected to represent the region.
Edward McMillan-Scott said:
“I am delighted to have been re-elected to the European Parliament and look forward to representing the Yorkshire and The Humber region in the years ahead.
“Over the past few weeks I have met people who want us to stand up for Yorkshire, help local communities, fight for our economy and stand up for British business. I look forward to working for all those goals in the European Parliament.”
Timothy Kirkhope added:
“As the Conservative Leader in the European Parliament, I would like to thank everyone who has put their trust in the Conservative Party at the ballot box both in Yorkshire and The Humber and across the country.
“The Conservative Party stands for transparency, change and reform in Europe. We want what people across this region want, for Europe to work better for us all in the future.”
The Conservative Party has retained control of North Yorkshire County Council with an increased majority.
The Conservative Party now holds 48 of the 72 seats on the County Council – a majority of 24
Commenting on the result, Conservative Party Chairman Eric Pickles said:
“These results show that people across North Yorkshire recognise the great work that the Conservative controlled County Council has achieved in the past few years and want that work to continue.”
John Weighell, Leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said:
“I am delighted that we have gained seats across North Yorkshire. Conservatives are committed to improving this county and would like to thank people for putting their trust in us once again.”
Elsewhere in Yorkshire, Jonathan Wood has come fourth in the Doncaster Mayoral Election put increased our share of the vote. In 2005 we had 11.5% of the vote, in 2009 we had 16.2% of the vote.
Jonathan Wood said:
“I am obviously disappointed to have lost but I congratulate my opponent on his victory.
“Doncaster faces some major challenges in the coming years and I hope the new Mayor recognises that being a good listener and open to different points of view is an important part of the role, a part that has been sadly lacking in the past few years.
“I would like to thank everyone who voted for me and everyone who was involved with my campaign. I am proud of what we achieved and I will continue to believe in Doncaster, be passionate about Doncaster and support Doncaster in the months ahead.”
Polling stations have now closed for the North Yorkshire County Council, Doncaster Mayoral and European Elections.
Thank you to those of you who supported us and thank you to Conservative candidates, campaigners and members across Yorkshire and The Humber.
Check back here in the days to come for results and reaction. And follow our twitter feed for the latest from inside our Yorkshire Campaign HQ – www.twitter.com/yorkshire
Shadow Chancellor George Osborne has visited Calderdale.
He met with businessmen and women at Crosslee, the biggest manufacturer in Calderdale, to discuss how they are being hit by the recession and the measures a Conservative government would implement to make things better.
The visit was hosted by Calder Valley Parliamentary Candidate Craig Whittaker. Watch the video below to see his response:
