article_snippet: The Work and Pensions Secretary used a speech in Washington to warn that for too long his party has addressed the poor with 'fingers wagging' instead of offering them 'hope'.
article_snippet: The comments came as he reflects on the way the Conservatives have been perceived over many years in the Conservatives approach to the poor.
article_snippet: David Cameron told the American Enterprise Institute that for too long the Conservativesabandoned the subject of poverty to the poverty lobby and the liberal left'.
article_snippet: David Cameron added: 'Historically, perhaps our main contribution to the subject was that whenever Conservative politicians did speak about poverty, Conservative politicians did so with fingers wagging and harsh punitive language. '
highlights_snippet: Warns Conservatives have addressed the poor with 'fingers wagging'
  Election message must be about more than tax, immigration and crime .
  