THE long-term mistakes of politicians have been very much on my mind in this party conference season. Normal people who aren’t interested in political rows but just want better public services, lower taxes and a brighter future are likely to be thoroughly uninterested in our gatherings. With membership dwindling for all parties, I’m interested in what people want from their elected representatives.

Abraham Lincoln was a firm believer in the people. In his view, “If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.” The fact is that this year’s financial plan was to borrow £11 billion more than we would spend on educating our children. It seems likely we could only borrow that much because the Bank of England manipulated the money markets to make it possible.

So the news that the economy is improving is most welcome. Employment is up and the Chancellor says we are turning a corner. It looks like his policy of deeper intervention in the housing and financial markets have had the intended effect. It’s being made easier for people to take on the extraordinary debts necessary to buy a home today.

The Liberal Democrats responded to the facts this week by insisting that you can have whatever government you like, so long as they are in it. Next week, we’ll find out if the Labour Party has anything to offer beyond more debt, more rejection of necessary measures and more wishful thinking. My own party will then ask for a mandate to finish the job we have started, to face up squarely to the challenges we face in this world and to ensure that everyone in this country has a chance to flourish.

High Wycombe’s motto is “Industria ditat”: industry enriches. That’s the spirit our country needs as we face the future. Capitalism based on sound money, strong property rights, freedom and responsibility made our Town and our District great. Our individual acceptance of our moral obligations to other people is what will ensure our society grows ever more healthy.

That is the truth and I believe the public can be relied upon to embrace it. You can share your view with me by emailing steve.baker.mp@parliament.uk or writing to me at 150A West Wycombe Road, High Wycombe, HP12 4AJ. Please do.