Election
2015: Prime Minister’s Speech
8 May 2015
I’ve just been to see Her Majesty
the Queen, and I will now form a majority Conservative government.
I’ve been proud to lead the first
coalition government in 70 years, and I want to thank all those who worked so
hard to make it a success; and in particular, on this day, Nick Clegg.
Elections can be bruising clashes of ideas and arguments, and a lot of people
who believe profoundly in public service have seen that service cut short. Ed
Miliband rang me this morning to wish me luck with the new government; it was a
typically generous gesture from someone who is clearly in public service for
all the right reasons.
The government I led did
important work: it laid the foundations for a better future, and now we must
build on them. I truly believe we’re on the brink of something special in our
country; we can make Britain a place where a good life is in reach for everyone
who is willing to work and do the right thing. Our manifesto is a manifesto for
working people, and as a majority government we will be able to deliver all of
it; indeed, it is the reason why I think majority government is more accountable.
Three million apprenticeships;
more help with childcare; helping 30 million people cope with the cost of
living by cutting their taxes; building homes that people are able to buy and
own; creating millions more jobs that give people the chance of a better
future. And yes, we will deliver that in/out referendum on our future in
Europe.
As we conduct this vital work, we
must ensure that we bring our country together. As I said in the small hours of
this morning, we will govern as a party of one nation, one United Kingdom. That
means ensuring this recovery reaches all parts of our country: from north to
south, from east to west. And indeed, it means rebalancing our economy,
building that “Northern Powerhouse”. It means giving everyone in our country a
chance, so no matter where you’re from you have the opportunity to make the
most of your life. It means giving the poorest people the chance of training, a
job, and hope for the future. It means that for children who don’t get the best
start in life, there must be the nursery education and good schooling that can
transform their life chances. And of course, it means bringing together the
different nations of our United Kingdom.
I have always believed in
governing with respect. That’s why in the last Parliament, we devolved power to
Scotland and Wales, and gave the people of Scotland a referendum on whether to
stay inside the United Kingdom. In this Parliament I will stay true to my word
and implement as fast as I can the devolution that all parties agreed for Wales,
Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Governing with respect means
recognising that the different nations of our United Kingdom have their own
governments, as well as the United Kingdom government. Both are important, and
indeed with our plans, the governments of these nations will become more
powerful, with wider responsibilities. In Scotland, our plans are to create the
strongest devolved government anywhere in the world with important powers over
taxation. And no constitutional settlement will be complete, if it did not
offer, also, fairness to England.
When I stood here 5 years ago,
our country was in the grip of an economic crisis. Five years on, Britain is so
much stronger, but the real opportunities lie ahead. Everything I’ve seen over
the last 5 years, and indeed, during this election campaign, has proved once
again that this is a country with unrivalled skills and creativeness; a country
with such good humour, and such great compassion, and I’m convinced that if we
draw on all of this, then we can take these islands, with our proud history,
and build an even prouder future.
Together we can make Great
Britain greater still. Thank you. |
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