List of the core beliefs of the Conservative Party of 2004 - Definition

On January 2, 2004, the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom published [1] (http://www.conservatives.com/news/article.cfm?obj_id=83456) a party political advertisement listing the "core beliefs for the party" in the form a personal credo of the party's leader, Michael Howard, who had been chosen by the party only two months prior to this list's publication. It presented the party's policies as the next general election approaches and was reportedly the brainchild of party co-chairman and advertising executive Maurice Saatchi. Part of the motivation was previous criticsm that it was not clear what the party stood for, though such criticsms have been levelled at all three main parties in recent years. The campaign was widely satirised. Some further advertisements in a similar vein, using the same typeface and language, appeared in early 2005, setting out some of the party's beliefs/policies on taxation, public spending and immigration in more detail.

The list

*I believe it is natural for men and women to want health, wealth and happiness for their families and themselves.

• I believe it is the duty of every politician to serve the people by removing the obstacles in the way of these ambitions.
• I believe people are most likely to be happy when they are masters of their own lives, when they are not nannied or over-governed.
• I believe that the people should be big. That the state should be small.
• I believe red tape, bureaucracy, regulations, inspectorates, commissions, quangos, "tsars", "units" and "targets" came to help and protect us, but now we need protection from them. Armies of interferers don't contribute to human happiness.
• I believe that people must have every opportunity to fulfil their potential.
• I believe there is no freedom without responsibility. It is our duty to look after those who cannot help themselves.
• I believe in equality of opportunity. Injustice makes us angry.
• I believe every parent wants their child to have a better education than they had.
• I believe every child wants security for their parents in their old age.
• I do not believe that one person's poverty is caused by another's wealth.
• I do not believe that one person's ignorance is caused by another's knowledge and education.
• I do not believe that one person's sickness is made worse by another's health.
• I believe the British people are only happy when they are free.
• I believe that Britain should defend her freedom at any time, against all comers, however mighty.
• I believe that by good fortune, hard work, natural talent and rich diversity, these islands are home to a great people with a noble past and exciting future. I am happy to be their servant.