Draft Manifesto

PUBLIC SERVICES

It is proposed that final control of all vital public services such as electricity, gas, water and waste management, remains in public hands. It is acknowledged that ‘ownership’ of many of these services now lies overseas, the planning and development of these services for our nation must lie in this country

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

The original reasons for joining the EU were clear. What was not clear at the time was the extent to which we would be heading towards a “United States of Europe” scenario, with unnecessary meddling in our affairs, right across the spectrum, from defence policy right down to who can make clotted cream in a Devonshire village. We believe that we need to take a breather to consolidate today’s position, then be very loath to accept any further relinquishment of our rights to a central ‘European’ body, many of whom have never even visited this country. Absolutely opposed to any moves towards federalism. A total withdrawal of support for any central control of personal taxation, defence, industrial relations, health and welfare

HEALTH

Our health service needs to be solid, reliable, advanced and above all; the best available. Maybe we are too keen to blame previous governments for their failings here. The truth is that the cost of modern healthcare has increased proportionate to the increase in complexity and technological excellence of healthcare products and equipment. We must address this and provide a service that matches the need not just the budget. First class healthcare must be taken for granted

EDUCATION

Well we believe that it’s back to basics here. Science and technology have moved on, but proven methodology can adapt. We cannot afford the risk of getting it wrong. Attempt to remove the burden of student loans for British students. Our young are our future

LAW AND ORDER

Law and Order is very high in our policy priorities. Scores of British people are leaving the country daily. It isn’t just for the money, it isn’t just for the weather, many people are worried about crime levels in the UK. We plan a return to beat patrols, a reinstatement of local police stations, and a general restoration of respect for the law. A realignment of police priorities will be undertaken, with a curtailment of the policing of time-consuming, petty, 'civil' rules and regulations that we read about every day: householders fined for bin lids not being closed, for parking over the edge of a parking space, etc., the list goes on. Police time must be optimised where it is most needed to restore law, order, and pride in our country.

DEFENCE

Be prepared for the unexpected. Threats to the security of the UK are continually evolving. Any threat to the UK in any guise will be seen as an act of total futility and will be addressed with due force. Whilst the donning of the 'world's policeman' mantle by the USA is acknowledged as being done with the best of intentions, it is seen as a potential threat to world stability. The primary role of the UK's armed services is to protect the UK and our direct interests abroad. This would obviously be extended to support our allies in times of genuine trouble, but the policing of the world is not a top priority. To these ends, all necessary investment of resources and finance would be made available

TECHNOLOGY

The UK must be re-established at the forefront of technology, outside the bounds of commercially based economics. The future of commerce, energy, health, transport, defence and industrial excellence will be largely dependent upon the effective exploitation of modern technology

CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

The Restoration Party strongly believes that the restoration of the UK's pride, dignity, and general wellbeing needs to begin with a total review of the structure of central government. No stone will be left unturned in the cleansing of government's operational efficiency and effectivity. Waste, 'quango's', in fact any unnecessary expenditure in central government will be eradicated. Centuries of governmental evolution has made our parliament a model for many countries of the world, it is important to retain the expertise that has been gained, but the inefficiencies must be swept away

SOCIAL WELFARE

Everyone wants to work, to feel needed, to earn a living for themselves and their families. We believe that instead of simply relying on hand-outs, the long-term unemployed need to recover a belief in themselves. We feel that after a pre-defined period of unemployment & the fruitless pursuit of employment, these job-seekers should be offered a choice of retraining, interim social employment for the good of the community, and employment guidance and realignment. This exciting new approach could be similarly employed for school-leavers, unskilled and skilled workers, and anyone else reliant upon social payments. The benefit culture will not be a future of choice or necessity

IMMIGRATION

The UK has always taken pride in the diversity of it's culture. We are one of the most cosmopolitan countries in the World, and this breadth of culture must be preserved and treasured. It is, however, becoming increasingly difficult to maintain this balance of culture with the expansion of the EU, and the ongoing 'open door policy' towards settlers from elsewhere. We propose measures to address this issue. Immigration commitments for the EU must be honoured of course, but increased immigration 'qualification' criteria are planned for settlers from outside the EU. These include the ability to be financially self sufficient through demonstrable funds and/or proven employment, a more stringent criminal record search, a probationary period during which the commitment of any listed serious crime will result in deportation, and an undertaking to adopt the English language.

DEVOLUTION

Devolution is a complicated issue. In keeping with The Restoration Party’s principle of keeping things simple, we believe that rather than extending devolution at a ‘national’ level, it should be addressed at as low a level as is practical. It is also believed that ‘national’ devolution may cause friction, for example people living in England could be jealous that people in Scotland don’t pay for prescriptions, etc. We feel that local issues are best served locally, perhaps through ‘parish’ councils, community issues at council level, and more general issues at government level. If the councils in Wales, Scotland, N Ireland, or indeed, England, were to form an association of local councils, then this would constitute a forum for national council policy-making. It is planned to return all viable local decision-making to the lowest appropriate level of government, where it will be afforded optimum consideration with the benefit of local knowledge. Taxation will remain under Central Government control, whilst councils will continue to raise their finances in traditional ways