Cameron attacked by Sun for leaving immigration off agenda
‘You have to wonder if he really wants to win’ says Murdoch paper as PM seeks to avoid Ukip territory
David Cameron will today set out six key themes at the heart of the Conservatives’ election manifesto – and already he’s under fire because the NHS and immigration are not among them.
Labour calls the health service omission “staggering” while The Sun – whose support Cameron is banking on if he’s to stay in power in Downing Street – says immigration is such a big issue with the public that “you have to wonder if he really wants to win”.
The six themes Cameron will go with are dealing with the economic deficit, creating jobs, lowering taxes, improving education, tackling housing shortages and helping the retired.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
He will say: “To every mother, father, grandparent, uncle, aunt – I would ask this question. When you look at the children you love, do you want to land them with a legacy of huge debts?”
And he will argue that “the security of your family depends on the stability of our public finances” and suggest that the alternative - more borrowing, more spending – will lead to “economic chaos”.
In short, Cameron is listening to his election guru Lynton Crosby whose mantra is 'economy, economy, economy' and whose advice is that talking about immigration only plays into Ukip’s hands while trying to compete with Labour on NHS funding risks handing victory to Miliband.
Crosby may yet be proved right of course – but The Sun is unimpressed. Under the headline ‘Cam plan sham’, the Murdoch-owned paper reminds Cameron that in a poll conducted before Christmas 49 per cent of voters said immigration was one of the biggest issues facing the country.
It concludes: “If he won’t address the issue of immigration, you have to wonder if he really wants to win.“
Labour’s attack on the NHS omission is led by the opposition Treasury spokesman Chris Leslie who says Labour has a “tough but balanced plan” which is different from the Tories' “extreme and ideological” approach.
As well as making “sensible spending cuts”, Labour would reverse Cameron's “tax cut for millionaires and tackle the cost-of-living crisis. That's the only way to balance the books in a fair way while protecting our NHS."
The first polling reaction to the start of the long election campaign suggests Cameron has work to do.
The ‘Road to Recovery’ poster campaign didn’t get off to an auspicious start when it was reported that the road in the picture was actually German, taken six years near the town of Weimar and heavily Photoshopped for the ad (leaving George Osborne still claiming feebly on Channel 4 News: "It's a British picture, a British road.")
And according to a YouGov poll, a large majority of the electorate do not accept the claim – made by the same poster - that this government has halved the deficit.
Only 24 per cent accepted the claim – against 49 per cent who did not believe it. By contrast, 48 per cent of voters agree with a Labour poster asserting that “the NHS cannot survive five more years of David Cameron”.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK
-
'Another day of chaos in DC'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
6 scenic white water rafting destinations to get your heart racing
The Week Recommends Have a rip-roaring time on the water
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Is David Cameron overshadowing Rishi Sunak?
Talking Point Current PM faces 'thorny dilemma' as predecessor enjoys return to world stage
By The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Can Cameron put the Falklands sovereignty dispute to bed?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary says issue 'not up for discussion' ahead of visit amid renewed push from Argentina
By The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will America recognize a Palestinian state?
Today's Big Question Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu opposes the move. Some see it as the only route to peace.
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Fasting to burger buffets: the weird and wonderful diets of politicians
Why Everyone's Talking About Rishi Sunak reportedly starts his week with a 36-hour fast
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published