Prime Minister Cameron has been leader of the Conservative Party for nearly 11 years, and Prime Minister for six years, leaving behind a great legacy for Britain and the Conservative Party.
As Prime Minister between 2010 and 2016, Mr Cameron oversaw the creation of over two million more jobs, the halving of the budget deficit, the highest GDP growth in the G7, reforms to welfare and education, the introduction of gay marriage, ensuring that Britain became the first major nation to spend 0.7% of national income on overseas aid, and the creation of 2.3 million apprenticeships. 83% of the 2.4 million new jobs created under Prime Minister Cameron’s leadership are full time, and the budget is under control due to the record growth in employment.
Mr Cameron championed the “Big Society”, to create more equal life chances and an aspiration nation. He achieved significant reforms through the expansion of academies and the introduction of 150 free schools by 2015 alongside reforms in the curriculum and the examination system, which will raise educational standards in the long term. 1.4 million more children are now being taught in good or outstanding schools.
Under Labour, 1.4 million people were out of work for more than a decade, however Mr Cameron has driven Britain’s move from a low wage, high tax, high welfare society to a higher wage, lower tax, lower welfare society. The new national living wage introduced by the Government ensures a £910 per annum increase in earnings for a full-time worker, and reduces reliance on the state topping up wages through the benefits system. In addition, benefits are now capped at £26,000 per annum, to incentivise people to work.
Alongside this, 2.3 million apprenticeships were produced in the last Parliament, and three million will be in this Parliament. The Apprenticeship Grants for Employers (AGE) scheme is being extended and the Government will be providing £85 million in both 2014-15 and 2015-16 for over 100,000 grants to employers and £20 million for post-graduate apprenticeships.
An important highlight of Mr Cameron’s premiership is the introduction of gay marriage. In July 2013, the legislation to allow same-sex marriage in England and Wales was passed by Parliament, coming into force in March 2014.
The basic state pension has been increased through the Triple Lock, which makes sure it always rises by whichever of these is the highest: inflation, earnings or 2.5%. In doing so this ensures that pensioners have the best chance of not living a life of poverty.
