David Cameron has urged voters to hand him a majority at the next election so that the Tories can build a "land of opportunity". Speaking at the party conference in Manchester, the Prime Minister told his party: "The land of despair was Labour, but the land of hope is Tory". During his 50 minute address Mr Cameron didn't make any specific policy announcements but he did ask to be given the chance to "finish the job" of what he described as "clearing up the mess" left by Labour. He also set out his vision for the future: "Our economy, our society, welfare, schools - all reformed, all rebuilt with one aim, one mission in mind to make this country at long last and for the first time ever a land of opportunity for all." He dismissed Labour's promises to cut the cost of living as "sticking plasters and quick fixes" and called it Red Ed's "Blue Peter economy" and vowed to get behind business.
He said:
"We know that profit, wealth creation, tax cuts, enterprise....these are not dirty, elitest words.
"They are not the problem they really are the solution because it's not government that creates jobs it's businesses, it's businesses that get wages in people's pockets, food on their tables, and yes success for our country."
Speaking from the conference, Premier's Political Editor Martyn Eden gave is his take on the speech:
Mr Cameron also wanted to underline the distance his party wants from the Liberal Democrats.
He said:
"When that election comes we won't be campaigning for a coalition we will be fighting head, heart and soul for a majority Conservative government because that is what our country needs."
The Prime Minister singled out the under 25s, saying anyone under that age will either be earning or learning in the future.
He added:
"Yes you must help people, but you help people by putting up ladders that they can climb through their own efforts.
"You don't help children by dumbing down education, you help them by pushing them hard. "Good education is not about equality of outcomes but bringing out the best in every child."
Daniel Webster, Parliamentary Officer for the Evangelical Alliance, told Premier's Tulika Pandey that he thought the speech was optimistic at best:
Closing the Conservative Party conference, David Cameron pledged to fight for a majority at the next election so he can finish the job of economic recovery:
"Three and half years later we are beginning to turn the corner.
"The deficit is falling, our economy is growing, the numbers of our fellow country men and women in work are rising.
"We are not there yet, not by a long way , but my friends we are on our way."