David Cameron has outlined how a Conservative Government would make progressive conservatism a reality during what looks like being one of the deepest and longest recessions in living memory.
He explained the aims of progressive conservatism: a society that is fair, green and safe, and where opportunity is equal.
And he listed the means a Conservative Government would use to achieve these goals: decentralising responsibility and power to individuals, communities and civic institutions; acting to strengthen the institutions of civic society, most importantly the family; rethinking the way our economy works; and ensuring government lives within its means.
"The questions I will ask my ministers, and which I will always ask of them are these: how can we solve this problem through individual and community initiative? How can we avoid setting up an extra centralised government response? How can we improve things by spending as little taxpayers' money as necessary?"
David made clear that the biggest challenge to all our plans in government will come from the economic circumstances facing Britain.
He argued, "The conservative approach - saving not splurging, decentralising power, sharing responsibility, being careful, not casual with public money - is needed now, more than ever, to deliver our shared progressive aims."
And he stressed that progressive aims are still crucial because Labour's social and environment failures have hurt Britain economically:
"The only long-term solution to the current economic crisis is to cut the bills of social failure and to rethink our economy to deliver green growth. In other words, I would argue that our progressive aims matter now more than ever."
Read the full speech: making progressive conservatism a reality.