* The Conservatives launched their manifesto for June’s European elections on 29 April. Their European wish list included a “more flexible, less bureaucratic” relationship with the EU, a 25 per cent cut in EU regulations, referendums on all major EU treaties and a power of repeal for the European Parliament.
* Shadow Chancellor Oliver Letwin has established a commission to look into growing household debt and to recommend ways of encouraging people to save more. The commission will be led by the economist Lord Griffiths of Forestfach, who is a former head of the Downing Street Policy Unit.
* Shadow Regions Secretary Bernard Jenkin delivered a speech to the New Local Government Network on 19 April which explained the four key principles of the Conservatives’ approach towards local government. Firstly, he called for a clear demarcation of responsibility between central and local government; secondly, he pledged that a future Tory government would create no new tiers of local or regional government; thirdly, he said that local government should raise more of its own revenue, even if that meant abandoning the objective of equalisation; and finally, he said that diversity should be promoted over equality of outcome.
* The Conservatives have set up a new Target Seats Unit to focus campaigning in 164 key marginal constituencies. The initiative will be backed up by the appointment of new regional press officers whose job will be to promote the party and its activities with the regional and local media. A Constituency Campaign Services organisation, based in the West Midlands, will provide the resources for campaigning, including advice on techniques, literature and other information. The CCS will also establish a network of new regional call centres.
* Shadow Environment and Transport Secretary Theresa May unveiled a 10 point plan to restore confidence in speed cameras, including a pledge to “remove revenue-raising cameras” and introduce more active traffic policing. Shadow Transport Secretary Damian Green also unveiled a new plan to confiscate the vehicles of drivers who are repeatedly caught driving without insurance.
* The Tory candidate for London Mayor, Steve Norris, promised a “New York-style crackdown” on crime in London – by giving a big contract to a private consultancy owned by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
* Opposing the Government’s new Education Maintenance Allowance, Shadow Education and Health Secretary Tim Yeo claimed that the key to raising 16-18 participation in education was “providing a relevant and engaging curriculum”, not money.
* The Conservative spokesman for young people, Charles Hendry, has supported the recommendation of the Electoral Commission to lower the minimum age for candidates for public office to 18. Charles Hendry also reiterated the party’s opposition to a reduction in the voting age.
Liberal Democrats
* The Liberal Democrats have diluted their proposal for a new 50p top rate of income tax for those earning more that £100,000 a year. The party has decided that the new 50p rate will include both national insurance and their proposed local income tax. The decision to include national insurance means that the amount raised by the new top rate would be £500 million less than originally projected. The repositioning of the policy is aimed at boosting the party’s appeal among disillusioned Conservative voters.
* Following the appointment of Michael Grade as Chairman of the BBC, Liberal Democrat culture spokesman Don Foster called for the abolition of the BBC Board of Governors as part of the charter review process. Mr Foster said that the Governors should be replaced by a board of trustees to oversee the BBC’s day-to-day activities and a public service broadcasting regulator which would cover all broadcasters. He also expressed his party’s continuing support for the licence fee.