PM: MY BIG CHRISTMAS GIFT TO BRITAIN
Boris delivers Conservative election manifesto
Brexit by January, pensions go up and tax rises are banned Hospital car park charges slashed, and action on energy bills
BORIS JOHNSON will today unveil his “early Christmas present” for Britain with a Conservative election manifesto designed to “unleash the country’s potential”. Winning
measures include his pledge to deliver Brexit by January and not to raise key taxes, while pushing ahead with a reduction in National Insurance.
With a new Comres poll putting the Tories 10 points ahead and on course for a 50-seat majority, Mr Johnson’s blueprint for Brexit Britain aims at spreading prosperity around the country and dealing with “the people’s priorities”.
In a sign he has learnt from Theresa May’s catastrophic mistake in 2017, Mr Johnson will also protect pensioners by continuing the triple-lock on the state pension, with a guaranteed rise of at least 2.5 per cent a year.
He will also vow not to cut other benefits such as the winter fuel allowance, and has teed up a fight with the BBC to force it to not demand over-75s pay the licence fee.
There will also be measures to maintain the energy price cap, exempt groups from hospital parking, provide a massive boost to childcare support and launch Britain’s biggest programme for repairing potholes.
The manifesto is in stark contrast to Jeremy Corbyn’s “redprint” for a socialist Britain, with more than £80billion of extra spending before he tries to pay for his massive nationalisation programme. Labour last week unveiled a series of tax rises, fuelling fears his plans would bankrupt the UK.
Ahead of today’s manifesto launch, Mr Johnson appealed to voters to “not let Corbyn steal your Christmas” by winning on December 12 with support from the Scottish National Party.
He said: “Imagine the Friday 13th horror show if the Corbynsturgeon coalition of chaos is triumphant – more dither and delay, two more divisive referendums and economic ruin.
“We cannot let this nightmare before Christmas come to pass.”
He added: “As families sit down to carve up their turkeys this Christmas, I want them to enjoy their festive season free from the seemingly unending Brexit box-set drama. That’s why my early Christmas present to the nation will be to bring the Brexit bill back before the festive break, and get Parliament working for the people.
“The Conservative manifesto, which I’m proud to launch, will get Brexit done and allow us to move on and unleash the potential of the whole country.”
Emphasising the importance of getting his Brexit deal passed after the Remainer Parliament forced the election by blocking it, he said: “Imagine the relief the whole nation will feel if we do this – if a Conservative majority is returned on December 12 so we can get Brexit done.
“Uncertainty ended, investment unlocked, a nation moving forward once again.”
He added: “Our positive, One Nation agenda will unite this great country not just for Christmas but for years to come.
“It’s time to turn the page from the dither, delay and division of recent years, and start a new chapter in the incredible history of this country, the greatest place on earth.
“We have achieved amazing things together in the past and I know we will achieve even more in the future – if only we choose the right path at this critical election.
“With new policies to cut the cost of living, support our fantastic NHS staff, help parents juggling childcare and work, and invest in a massive programme of infrastructure across the whole country, we are offering hope and optimism where the Labour Party only offers hate and division.
“We now know the country can be carbon neutral by 2050 and Corbyn neutral by 2020, as the leader of the opposition has decided to duck the biggest issue facing our country today.
“If Corbyn can’t decide how he would vote in his own referendum, why would the EU even give him a deal? And, more importantly, how can we possibly trust him to lead the country?”
Cost of living
In the manifesto, the Conservatives will promise a “triple tax lock” which will mean the rates of income tax, national insurance and VAT will not rise under a Tory government.
This builds on the Prime Minister’s announcement to raise the National Insurance contributions threshold for working people, saving 31 million taxpayers around £100 next year.
There will also be a £1billion boost to childcare, to increase the availability of after-school and holiday childcare, which will give parents more flexibility.
The funding will go to schools and childcare providers to open up more options to families.
The ambition is for 250,000 more primary schoolchildren to get on-site childcare over the summer holidays.
The pensions triple lock, winter fuel payment and the older person’s bus pass will help ensure
more financial security for those in retirement.
The existing energy price cap will be maintained and the government will spend £6.3billion on energy efficiency measures to cut fuel bills in 2.2 million homes – targeting social housing and fuelpoor families.
Infrastructure and business The manifesto announces £2billion for the biggest-ever potholefilling programme.
There will be £3billion for a new national skills fund which will give individuals and small businesses the chance to benefit from highquality education and training.
Mr Johnson also plans to reduce the burden of business rates, and provide relief for music venues, cinemas and pubs.
NHS
The Prime Minister has already committed £33.9billion to the NHS by 2023-24, the biggest cash boost in its history.
NHS staff on night shifts, as well
as disabled and terminally ill patients and their families, will no longer have to pay for hospital car parking.
The government will ensure 50 million extra GP appointments are
available, build 40 new hospitals over 10 years, and upgrade vital equipment to improve early diagnosis.
More than £1.6billion will also be poured into research over the next decade to find a cure for dementia under a Conservative majority government.
Environment
A Conservative government will ensure the UK has reached a netzero on carbon emissions by 2050.
Mr Johnson will also today announce a ban on exporting plastic waste to less prosperous countries because of fears that it is just relocating the dumping of rubbish.
Police
The Tories have already vowed to recruit 20,000 more police officers to tackle serious violence.
The manifesto commits more support for victims of rape, extra protections for those suffering from domestic abuse, and introduces a Victims’ Law to guarantee their rights.
Education
An extra £14billion earmarked for schools means at least £5,000 for each secondary school pupil and at least £4,000 for each primary school pupil.
This will attract more of the nation’s brightest into teaching, by raising starting salaries to £30,000.