David Cameron speech on cutting the cost of politics

David Cameron speech on cutting the cost of politics; David Cameron speech continues SOT - But that will only happen if people feel there is genuine leadership from the top and that the burden is being shared fairly - especially by those who can bear it best. Yes, fair means the rich pulling their weight. But it must also mean the powerful doing their bit as well. I want to make clear: under a Conservative government, far from politicians being exempt from the age of austerity, they should show leadership in the age of austerity. And leadership is about doing, not just telling. So today, that's what I want to talk about - how we can cut the cost of politics. I'm going to name several areas where budgets will be cut, halved - even wiped out altogether. But let me make it absolutely clear. I know that cutting the cost of politics will in no way solve our debt crisis. Public spending on politics is a pinprick compared to the total amounts of money we are dealing with. I understand that to really get to grips with the debt crisis we will have to take a look at those areas of massive government expenditure and see where savings can be made. Public sector pay, gold-plated pensions, big procurement projects - whole swathes of state activity can no longer be sacrosanct. The burden will be borne across the board. But we cannot ask people to bear that burden unless we are prepared to play our part and take a lead by doing so. If we're going to take our country through these difficult times, those who lead must lead by powerful example. That means getting our own house in order and cutting the cost of politics. In recent months I've explained how a Conservative Government would give more power to people through decentralisation, accountability and transparency. This power shift is going to have a huge impact on public spending. Decentralisation will massively cut the costs of state bureaucracy. Local government is officially the most efficient part of the public sector. C...
David Cameron speech on cutting the cost of politics; David Cameron speech continues SOT - But that will only happen if people feel there is genuine leadership from the top and that the burden is being shared fairly - especially by those who can bear it best. Yes, fair means the rich pulling their weight. But it must also mean the powerful doing their bit as well. I want to make clear: under a Conservative government, far from politicians being exempt from the age of austerity, they should show leadership in the age of austerity. And leadership is about doing, not just telling. So today, that's what I want to talk about - how we can cut the cost of politics. I'm going to name several areas where budgets will be cut, halved - even wiped out altogether. But let me make it absolutely clear. I know that cutting the cost of politics will in no way solve our debt crisis. Public spending on politics is a pinprick compared to the total amounts of money we are dealing with. I understand that to really get to grips with the debt crisis we will have to take a look at those areas of massive government expenditure and see where savings can be made. Public sector pay, gold-plated pensions, big procurement projects - whole swathes of state activity can no longer be sacrosanct. The burden will be borne across the board. But we cannot ask people to bear that burden unless we are prepared to play our part and take a lead by doing so. If we're going to take our country through these difficult times, those who lead must lead by powerful example. That means getting our own house in order and cutting the cost of politics. In recent months I've explained how a Conservative Government would give more power to people through decentralisation, accountability and transparency. This power shift is going to have a huge impact on public spending. Decentralisation will massively cut the costs of state bureaucracy. Local government is officially the most efficient part of the public sector. C...
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Editorial #:
692556872
Collection:
ITN
Date created:
08 September, 2009
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Rights-ready
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Not released. More information
Clip length:
00:03:19:14
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576 25i
Source:
ITN
Object name:
r08090905_10048.mov