The Conservatives launched their manifesto for the 2005 General Election with an attack on Labour – with a warning for voters that re-electing Labour into power would mean “five more years of smirking.”
Party Leader Michael Howard was eager to emphasise that the Conservatives would offer “change”, telling voters at the manifesto launch that “It is time for change, it is time for action.”
The slim document outlines the party’s six key policy headings in just eleven words. “More police, cleaner hospitals, lower taxes, school discipline, controlled immigration, accountability”.
Tony Blair returned as Prime Minister with Labour holding 355 MPs, the Conservatives did gain ground, managing to return 198 MPs – 32 more than they had previously.