Staking a claim: Cameron v Brown

Economy

Cameron says:
A strong economy needs competitive tax rates and good public infrastructure. So creating economic opportunity for all means fairly sharing the fruits of economic growth between lower taxes and good public services [Nov 2005].

Brown says:
With fiscal discipline, and by matching investment and reform in welfare and our public services, we can combine a strong economy with opportunity and security for all [pre-budget report, 2005].

What's new?
The Conservatives are trying to confront Brown, matching his promises on spending but claiming they will be more efficient. Both parties say they would use economic growth to fund increased spending and deficit reduction or tax cuts, though they differ over the proportions.

Public services

Cameron says:
Our aim is to improve public services for everyone, not provide an escape route for the privileged few. It should be our aim because we want to help make Britain the most civilised place in the world to live [Sep 2005].

Brown says:
We will not rest until Britain's public services - starved for two decades, now being rebuilt - are reformed and renewed, an example to the world and the collective pride of our nation [speech to Labour conference, 2004].

What's new?
Cameron's commitment to sustain health and education spending is not new, but he is trying to outflank Brown by talking about it more.

Poverty

Cameron says:
This summer, millions of British people took part in the Make Poverty History campaign. A new generation ... want prosperity for themselves and progress for the poor - whether living on the other side of the street or the other side of the world.

Brown says:
Can [we] wake up to the tragedy of global poverty ... live up to the scale of the promises made [and] come together as never before to fashion a new relationship between rich and poor countries and peoples? [speech, Jan 2005].

What's new?
Cameron is straying on to Brown's core territory. Brown has greatly increased development spending, campaigned on debt relief and made global poverty reduction a priority. But so far the Tory leader has provided few details of his plans.

Constitution

Cameron says:
We have never, and should never, allow our faith in Britain's institutions to turn into dignified silence ... It is the right time for a serious, thoughtful programme of Conservative institutional and constitutional reform [speech, Feb 2006].

Brown says:
It is precisely our ability to evolve our constitution that characterises the British way. So stability in our society does not come from rigidity: it comes from the ability to accommodate and master change [British Council lecture, 2004].

What's new?
Brown has indicated he would push widespread constitutional reform, including parliamentary control over going to war ... Cameron hasn't said much so far - but unlike Brown, he backs blocking Scottish MPs from voting on English laws.