"The Conservatives believe in people power", Robert Halfon

The top statement of this post can resume the intentions of the new Conservative government in Britain. Lower bureaucracy, lower taxes and freedom of choice for the people. The newly elected Conservative government is already facing an economical crisis and has the challenge of increase jobs and assure that the crisis will not affect England.

Below, an interview with the newly elected MP for Harlow, Robert Halfon. He explains a bit how will the foreign policy of the Conservative Government, talks about the expectations for the first term and the main challenges the new government in Britain. I sent the questions to Robert Halfon by email and he kindly, despite of the mounts of work to do in these first days as a Member of Parliament, sent the answers you can read here.

As a new MP, for the first time elected, what’s the main challenge of the new job?

Robert Halfon - Delivering real improvements for the people of Harlow. That's why they elected me. That's what I want to do. New legislation is important, as is cleaning up politics and the expenses system, but my main challenge will always be sticking up for Harlow, by bringing back jobs and apprenticeships to the town.


Last year the Parliament faced a scandal on MP’s expenses. How did it affect the credibility and in what ways it increases the liability of MPs? How the electorate reacted about it in the elections?


Robert Halfon -People were disappointed, and angry, and in some cases apathetic with our whole political system. That was understandable, and as a candidate for 10 years in Harlow, I was frustrated too. Politicians shouldn't waste our money. But the question we now face is: "What will we do to fix the problems in Britain?" As Conservative MP for Harlow, my answer will be lower taxes for lower earners, a massive expansion in apprenticeships, scrapping ID cards and repealing Labour's assault on our civil liberties, and more support for charities and social action groups.


What was, in your opinion, the key points that makes the electors vote for change in England?


Robert Halfon -The Labour Party is often well-intentioned, but everything it does is top heavy and bureaucratic. The Conservatives believe in people power: letting people spend their own money, run their own schools, sack their MPs, and have more control over their own lives. That's why people voted for change.


Since Churchill’s cabinet 70 years ago this is the first coalition government in England. Do you think a coalition government is positive or negative to England politics?


Robert Halfon - It's a new experiment, but it was the right decision. Britain needs a strong, stable, and principled government that will reduce Government debt and reform the public sector. That's what this coalition offers.


The new Conservative Government gets in charge in the middle of an economic crisis which seems to be spreading around Europe. Prevent the crisis arrives, or worsen, in England is the main challenge for Mr. Cameron and the new Parliament?


Robert Halfon - We will take the decisions to secure economic growth. For example, we want to reduce taxes on jobs, which will help businesses to employ more people. Yes, the economy is our main challenge, but I believe that British business can be very competitive, and new technologies and innovation in green energy will help to drive growth, especially in our coastal regions.



Concerning to foreign affairs, what will be the main focus of a Conservative Government?


Robert Halfon - Our main focus will be peace in the Middle East, and to establish a stable Goverment in Afghanistan. We will spend 0.7% of our Gross National Income on international aid, but want to focus the budget to be more effective. For example, why are we paying aid to China and Russia? These are wealthy countries.


How England may deal with the economic growth and the aim of a major role on international negotiations of developing countries?


Robert Halfon - We will continue to work with NATO and the European countries on major international negotiations.


One of the main Conservatives’ critics on Labour’s politics during the campaign where the laws concerning on immigration. How the new government will work on it and where are the main worries for England on this issue?


Robert Halfon - Immigration is a sensitive and complex issue in Britain. Some immigration is good for our country, and we benefit from it. But the system needs much better and stricter regulation, and a cap on overall numbers, so that we can properly control the flow of migrant workers in and out of our country. We also want to offer free English Language lessons to immigrants, to help them to adjust to life here, so they can better integrate with our society. But we also need to take urgent action against human trafficking, to tackle the criminal gangs who bring people to Britain against their will.