PM urges vote for 'competence' over 'chaos' at 2015 election

David Cameron
General election
Politics
Thursday 1 January 2015 at 1:30am

Delivering his New Year's message, David Cameron said Britain 'must be a country where if you put in, you will get out'.

Prime Minister David Cameron has urged Britons to vote for "competence" over "chaos" in 2015 as he used his New Year's message as a pre-election appeal.

Delivering his address from a factory floor, Mr Cameron said his administration's long-term plan was working and said his political rivals offered "the chaos of giving it up, going backwards and taking huge risks".

The Conservative leader said the nation's "resolution" should be to "stick to the plan and stay on course to prosperity" in a clear appeal for people to support his party at the ballot box.

2015 "can promise to be a great year for our country if we make the right choices together", he added.

Mr Cameron's message came after Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and Labour leader Ed Miliband issued their election-themed New Year's messages.

In a prelude to his party's campaign, Mr Cameron described a positive impact on British workers and home-owners since he entered Downing Street, along with improvements in the standard of education.

He said two million new private sector jobs had been created since 2010, 24 million workers had been given tax cuts, and tens of thousands people had become home-owners as a result of the Help To Buy scheme.

Watch: Miliband promises recovery reaching "the kitchen table"

Watch: Clegg sets stage for election battle with New Year's address

"None of this happened out of thin air," Mr Cameron said. "It's because we put in place a long-term plan with some clear values at its heart."

The Prime Minister said the world is "looking at Britain in a new way" because the Coalition government's "long-term plan is working" and "our country is being turned around".

The Prime Minister's full New Year's message is as follows:

It’s a New Year – and there’s a lot that is new in our country today. Two million new private sector jobs created since 2010. A new spirit in our classrooms, with over one million more children learning in schools that are good or outstanding. For over 24 million hardworking people there have been new tax cuts, and for three million of the lowest paid – no income tax whatsoever. There are tens of thousands of new home-owners thanks to our Help to Buy scheme. New security for those retiring after a life of work, with the State Pension increased by £800 so far – and by £950 next year. And the world is looking at Britain in a new way, with our economy growing faster than any other major developed nation. None of this happened out of thin air. It’s because we put in place a long-term plan with some clear values at its heart. Ours must be a country where if you put in, you will get out. Where if you want to work, there are decent jobs. Where if you put the hours in, you keep more of your own money. Where if you’re raising your children the best you can, you can expect they’ll get a proper education. And where if you’re willing to save, you can buy a home of your own. And of course when you retire, you will have dignity and security in old age. Our long-term plan is working. Our country is being turned around. But let us be clear. With this new year comes new challenges. The global economy remains uncertain, and many countries continue to struggle. And against that backdrop, Britain has a choice: between the competence that has got us this far or the chaos of giving it up, going backwards and taking huge risks. So I say this should be our resolution: to stick to the plan, stay on course to prosperity, and keep doing the important, long-term work of securing a better future. 2015 can promise to be a great year for our country – if we make the right choices together. And for now – I’d like to wish you, your family and your friends a very Happy New Year.