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LONDON - David Cameron told Conservatives yesterday to "have faith this time we'll do it". Boosted by positive opinion polls, the Tory leader claimed that his party, which has been in opposition for a decade, is at last a "contender" for power.
Cameron's speech to the Conservatives' conference in Nottingham set out to rebrand the Tories as the party of "social revival", one that understood that "there is more to life than money", and would be trusted to deliver good services. In doing so, he took the Tories into political territory usually seen as Labour's home ground.
Despite a ritual tribute to Margaret Thatcher, his remarks overall were in stark contrast to her free market ideology, which she once summed up as "there is no such thing as society".
Cameron said: "The big argument in politics today is not about a free enterprise economy - it's about our society. Because it's not economic breakdown that Britain now faces but social breakdown. Not businesses that aren't delivering, but public services. Not irresponsible unions - it's irresponsible parents. We're becoming the sick family of Europe."
His speech was heard in polite silence by the Tory activists, many of whom would feel more at home listening to themes of patriotism and law and order but who are prepared to follow Cameron because he appears a winner. He was given a brief but loud standing ovation.
The delegates were even treated to the unusual sound of a Tory leader telling them that one of their party's top priorities was to revive the national health service. "It always used to be said that Labour were the party of the NHS. Not any more. Labour have ripped the heart out of our NHS and replaced it with a computer. Today's Conservative Party backs the NHS, head, heart and soul. We will get rid of the top down, centralising, interfering, insulting targets that drive our doctors and nurses mad."
He claimed that he would take unpopular decisions, such as his proposed tax on air flights and promise of tax breaks for married couples. "We have made this party a contender once again. [Soon Tony] Blair will be gone and [Gordon] Brown will be here. Let us have faith this time we'll do it."
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