Tory leader David Cameron said he has the “balls” to be Prime Minister but cuts would be inevitable

Jan 11 2010 by Lyndsay Young, Formby Times

CONSERVATIVE leader David Cameron said he has the “balls” to be Prime Minister – but public spending cuts would be inevitable.

During a visit to the Sefton Central constituency he spent an hour answering questions from the public on education, health, the Human Rights Act and the war in Afghanistan.

Around 100 people, who had to apply beforehand and put forward questions in advance, turned out to the meeting .

It kicked off Mr Cameron’s election campaign this year and supported councillor Debi Jones’ battle as prospective MP for Sefton Central.

At the meeting at Holy Rosary Parochial Club in Aintree last Thursday, Mr Cameron said: “This is a marginal constituency. This is one of the constituencies that will make a difference in the election.”

The venue remained secret until an hour before but protesters with placards, from Fight Against Animal Cruelty in Europe, turned up outside.

It follows claims that the Tories plan to repeal the Hunting Ban if they win.

Chris David, of FAACE, said: “Cameron wants to bring back blood sports if he gets in. That means the Waterloo Cup will be back.”

The Conservative Party plans to raise retirement age to 66 by 2016.

Mr Cameron said: “We do need to encourage business to see people in their 60s as a great asset, . These are people with experience in life who will be of great benefit to them.”

Mr Cameron also talked about crime and admitted there would be no funds for more police officers but reducing paperwork would free up their time.

He said: “You can have the equivalent of another five police officers. The typical police officer spends just 20 minutes of his time on the beat.”

Police authorities would be scrapped and police would be given more powers to deal with minor offences.

Pulling out troops from Afghanistan immediately would not be on his agenda.

He said: “If we left straight away I think the Taliban would take over a large part of the country and I think the Taliban would take over a large part of Pakistan.

“An option of cutting and running is just not right.

“We could have an exit with that country having some basic level of security. Every single one of those bombers in 9/11 went through an Afghanistan training camp.”

In regard to education, he vowed to give headteachers more powers to exclude pupils and rejected claims that the Tories would axe Education Maintenance Allowance.

He said: “We haven’t said we will get rid of it. There are real benefits with getting people to stay on at school.”