Conservative Mainstream

The publications on this page have been released through Conservative and Parliamentary Mainstream.

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It is increasingly clear that the public do not want more politicians, nor the extra cost that comes with them. In "Pruning the Politicians" Andrew Tyrie argues that politicians should respond. They need to arrest the rise in the number of professional politicians and the soaring cost of democracy. He believes the House of Commons should give a lead, by putting its own house in order and that the most straightforward way to do that is to reduce the number of MPs.

Productivity and Competitiveness
By Rt Hon Oliver Letwin MP (Published in 2004)

Summary - In the long term, nothing will work properly in this country unless we maintain a strong economy. In turn, that economy will only keep performing if we improve our productivity and competitiveness.

So Oliver Letwin's thoughts on these two key economic issues are centrally important both to the development of Conservative economic policy and to the future prosperity of individuals, firms, and public services in Britain. His explanation of why productivity has failed to improve under Gordon Brown, and how we can do better, is one of the big political battlegrounds for the months ahead.

Better Learning
By Damian Green MP (Published May 2002)

Summary - Since Britain first introduced compulsory state education in 1870, many debates have recurred. What should be the balance between central control and local initiative? How do we both encourage academic discovery for its own sake, and deliver practical training? Why are we so bad at vocational education compared to others?

In this pamphlet the Shadow Education Secretary Damian Green draws lessons from history which can be used to improve our current education system. He argues that a modern system will make the Secretary of State less intrusive, and the teacher more important. He also says the provision of practical training needs to be a higher priority than the present Government, or most of its predecessors, has thought necessary. If we are to achieve Better Learning throughout our schools, we need to diffuse power around the system, to harness the energy of individuals and communities.

Back from the Brink
By Andrew Tyrie MP (Published December 2001)

Summary - How deep is the crisis facing the Conservative Party? What should the party do about it?

Andrew Tyrie demonstrates that the 2001 defeat was the worst in Conservative Party history. Support is haemorrhaging from groups of voters vital to the Conservative Party's long-term future. The electoral system now also punishes the Conservatives even more than it did Labour in the 1980s.

No Conservative recovery is possible without clarity about the scale of the defeat and its causes, nor without a willingness to discuss it and to adapt.

If the Conservatives show that they can provide better quality government - the higher level of competence and sense of balance which used to be associated with Conservative administrations - they can win again, and soon. For Britain is poorly governed, and the electorate are already disillusioned with Labour.

Andrew Tyrie argues that the Conservative Party must urgently address, and be seen to address, the issues and concerns which matter most to the mass of uncommitted voters in the centre ground of politics. And he sets out how to do it.