MAY’S PLAN FOR A BETTER BRITAIN

PM’s pragmatic and honest pledges to deliver a better deal for working families

TheReSA MAY yesterday put the needs of ordinary working families at the heart of a pragmatic plan to deliver a better deal for ‘mainstream Britain’.

In a dramatic break with the past, the Prime Minister set out detailed pledges rather than the eye-catching but unrealistic promises that have littered previous election manifestos.

She levelled with voters that the country faces ‘tough choices’ and ‘great challenges’ as she navigates Brexit.

And she cast aside the gimmicks of the Cameron era, focusing instead on concrete policies to help those for whom ‘life is simply much harder than many seem to think or realise’.

Mrs May’s 84-page manifesto, which was moral in tone, said true Conservatism rejected the ‘cult of selfish individualism’ and eschewed ‘untrammelled free markets’.

Instead, she promised to build a Britain that ‘works for everyone, not just a privileged few’ with a series of pledges that represented an audacious Tory raid on Labour’s heartlands.

Unveiling the manifesto in Labour-held halifax, the Prime Minister put elites and professional classes on notice, warning business fat cats, lawyers and doctors that they face reform as she prioritises the needs of those who are just about managing.

Parking the Tory party squarely in the centre, she promised an end to ‘rip-off’ energy bills and the creation of a ‘great meritocracy’ in which social mobility is unblocked for the first time in decades.

The Prime Minister also moved to secure a cast-iron mandate to take Britain out of the eU, promising a ‘resolute determination’ to deliver the best Brexit deal.

Rejecting the ideological approach of past Tory leaders, she vowed to lead ‘a mainstream government for mainstream Britain’.

But in stark contrast to Labour, she was utterly candid with voters about what lies ahead. She said the next five years would be ‘among the most challenging in our lifetime’ as Britain prepares to strike out and forge a new future outside the eU.

And she left the door open to potential tax rises, while confirming plans to scrap the winter fuel allowance for most pensioners.

The manifesto, headlined Forward Together, included:

Retaining the pledge to cut net immigration to the tens of thousands.

Reviewing the rules on foreign aid to ensure taxpayers’ money is better spent.

Capping ‘rip-off’ energy bills and pledging a string of market interventions to help consumers.

Taking Britain out of the eU’s single market and ending meddling in Britain’s affairs by european judges.

Scrapping the ‘triple lock’ on pensions, but retaining free bus passes and TV licences for older people.

New rules requiring shareholder approval for lavish executive pay deals.

A crackdown on pension rules to prevent a repeat of the BhS scandal.

Overhauling the honours system to restore public confidence in the wake of David Cameron’s awards to donors and cronies.

Pledging a freeze on VAT but ditching similar promises on income tax and national insurance.

Pushing back the date when Britain’s books will be balanced until 2025 – ten years after the Tories originally promised.

Mrs May said most voters were sick of ideology and wanted a government that would deliver Brexit and then focus on their needs.

In a swipe at Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn, who produced a financially incontinent manifesto this week, the Prime Minister said the public ‘aren’t fooled by politicians who promise the earth’.

Paul Johnson of the Institute for Fiscal Studies said the Tory plans did not suggest ‘they are looking for big increases in income tax and national insurance’.

‘Britain that works for everyone’