bluethrunthru
Well-Known Member
The manifesto produced by the governing party should be a non event. We should already know their plans. Apart from a bit of long term "vision", which people aren't really interested in, anything else they include tends to fall into the category of "gimmick". And producing a manifesto just encourages them to make daft promises eg to hold a referendum.
The opposition parties spend their time opposing the government. It isn't until the election campaign that there's much focus on what they would actually do. Hence their manifesto's are a very important part of the political process. Much less so for the government.
They include enough in their vision to piss off a lot of their constituency. Changes to free school dinner provision to breakfasts - saves money but does little to help the J.A.M.'s May indentified as those she wants to help. Means testing the winter fuel allowance - even wealthy pensioners ( more likely to vote Tory? ) feel that they have paid enough into the coffers and have the right to expect pay back. And sorting out care for the elderly - you no longer have to sell your home to support care.... as long as you are alive. However if your estate is worth more than £100k ( most house owners will fall into that category ) the state will claw back care costs on your death. Bang goes the Tory voting pensioners legacy to kids and grandkids then if they are unfortunate enough to need care and to live for a long time in a care home.
Still at least she will continue her successful campaign against immigration that she started as home secretary so all their support will be right behind her.