Cameron speaks exclusively to the Politics Show

Jon Sopel Presenter The Politics Show

Conservative tax policy

Mr Cameron said that the 50p tax rate is "not right for Britain". Asked by Jon Sopel why he wouldn't reverse the policy, Mr Cameron replied that "it's not possible just to wave a wand and say here are all the things we'd like to do.

The next general election will be a different sort of election, instead of politicians competing with attractive promises, we'll have to do some plain speaking."

David Cameron

The Conservative Leader maintained that his party's inheritance tax plans could still be "operable" but that there is still work to do to work towards a "culture of thrift".

"Of course there's more work to do, I'm not complacent about this, I know we really have to roll up our sleeves and get that work done. But as I say, I don't think that means that all of the things we've said previously, some how become inoperable. Yes, everything will have to be

MPs Expenses

David Cameron called the Prime Minister's plans for reform of MPs' expenses as "dead". He said that "now everyone's had a chance to look at his plan, paying MPs to turn up, without producing receipts - the plan is dead; so it wasn't a helpful approach."

Responding to questions regarding his meeting with Gordon Brown last week, he denied there was "banging of fists on the table" but that the exchanges were frank:

"I don't think we can replace a system where at least you have to produce receipts to get some money with one where you just get the money anyway.

But the Prime Minister does seem very wedded to this scheme. I don't think it will work.

I don't think we can make it work and so we can't support it and so I told him that very frankly but he didn't like my alternative and so there was something of an impasse. "

You can reach the Politics Show team by using the e-mail form below...

Disclaimer: The BBC may edit your comments and cannot guarantee that all emails will be published.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version