10 Reasons to vote Conservative

Never voted Conservative before? Here are 10 reasons why you should...

1. The NHS - our number one priority - We believe in a National Health Service that is free and available to everyone in our society. Unlike Labour, we will increase spending on healthcare every year.

2. Dealing with Labour's Debt Crisis - Labour are spending more on debt interest repayments than on tackling child poverty. We will cut the deficit quicker than Labour, and begin sooner, so we can spend your taxes on the things that matter. Conservative plans will help keep
mortgage rates lower for longer.

3. Creating new jobs - Unemployment has gone up under Labour and one in five young people now can't find a job. We will Get Britain Working by creating 450,000 new apprenticeships, college and training places over two years. As part of our plan to build a more balanced economy, where Britain makes things again, new businesses will pay no tax on the first ten jobs they create.

4. Protecting the poorest - Under Labour the poor have got poorer, with 900,000 more people living in severe poverty. We will keep the minimum wage, child benefit, tax credits, and other measures to help working families, and take action to deal with the long-term causes of poverty.

5. Supporting families - Under Labour, we have the highest family breakdown in Europe. We will support marriage in the tax system and end the couple penalty in the tax credit system, extend flexible working to all families with children under the age of 18, and recruit 4,200 more Sure Start health visitors to give families the support they need.

6. Giving every child a good education - Under Labour, the gap between the exam results of children from rich and poor backgrounds has widened. We will create new schools to raise standards for all children, with extra money for children from the poorest families.

7. Helping keep bills down and clamping down on consumer rip-offs - The recession has made it more difficult to make ends meet. We will work with local authorities to freeze council tax for two years. Our 'green deal' will give people energy-saving equipment to reduce energy bills. We will stop store cards charging excessive interest rates and prevent energy companies from making unfair profits on prepayment meters.

8. Fairness for pensioners - One in five pensioners are living in poverty under Labour. We will increase the State Pension every year and link it back to earnings, and protect Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance. We will keep the winter fuel allowance, free TV licences and free bus passes.

9. Fighting back against crime - Under Labour you are three times more likely to be a victim of violent crime if you live in a deprived area. We will cut paperwork and get police out on the street, end Labour's scheme of allowing prisoners out early, and make it clear that anyone caught carrying a knife can expect to be prosecuted and face a prison sentence.

10. Building more affordable homes - There are 700,000 more on housing waiting lists than when Labour came to office. We will give councils and communities powerful new financial incentives to build more affordable homes. We will also protect and respect the rights and security of social housing tenants.