Last week the Conservative Party published our election manifesto. At heart, it is a plan for a better, brighter and more secure future for everyone living in this country – including our British Indian community.
To do that we need a strong economy, creating jobs and funding good public services. Five years ago our economy was in a bad way, and we’ve come a long way since then. Thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of millions of people, Britain had the fastest growing major economy in Europe last year. There are now almost a hundred thousand more people of Indian backgrounds in work than there were in 2010 – each one better able to look after their families.
This strong economy has helped us protect public services. We’ve increased the NHS budget by £7.3 billion pounds over five years. And over the next five years, we will give the NHS the extra £8 billion it needs, so you and your family can always rely on it when you need it.
We want all our young people to get the best education and start in life. We’ve protected school budgets and given teachers more control. On average, British Indian children get some of the best results of any in the country – testament to their hours of hard work. More than half now take the GCSE subjects most valued by employers and universities – and there’s been a 17 per cent rise in British Asians going on to university. We will continue this over the next five years, letting communities open more free schools, like the Hindu-ethos schools we are now seeing.
This isn’t just about what happens in Britain. Conservatives know Britain has to be open and outward looking. We’ve strengthened the links between Britain and India – the world’s oldest and largest democracies. The Prime Minister has visited India three times to drum up trade, helping create jobs and livelihoods in both countries. We are the only Party that has committed to strengthening the UK-India relationship in our manifesto, by pushing for an EU-India trade deal and support India’s permanent representation on the UN Security Council.
We will continue to recognise, celebrate and pay tribute to the links between Britain and India. Last month the Prime Minister unveiled a statue of Gandhi in Parliament Square – giving a permanent home for him in our country. And in the next Parliament, we will help the Manchester Museum establish a new India Gallery.
May’s election is the most important in a generation. We’ve made real progress over the past five years in turning our country around. But there is so much more we want to do. We want a country living within its means, a job for everyone who wants one, lower taxes that reward work, the best start in life for every child, a better and more patient-centred NHS, and security in retirement.
Together, we can secure that better future. Whilst other parties just risk giving up on the progress we have made, the Conservatives offer strong leadership and a clear plan for a better future.
