A manifesto is a publication issued by a political party before a General Election. They are assumed to be an accurate guide as to what voters can expect to happen if that party wins a majority of MPs. They outline a set of policies that the party stands for and intend to implement if they were to win the election. They also contain multiple (populist) promises in an attempt to win favour from the electorate.
However, manifestos must be taken with a pinch of salt! They are not legally binding in any way and parties are free to change their minds (ignoring promises made in the manifesto) once they are in office. For example, look at the history of Student Tuition fees – ALL parties are guilty of broken promises!!
In addition, although a candidate may be a representative of one of the political parties when standing for election, there is nothing to stop them rejecting commitments made in the manifesto and even leave the party, or join another party after they are elected. There are multiple examples of this happening over the years most recently during the 2017-2019 Parliament.
For these reasons, it may be best to consider the manifesto as a list of ideas for what might happen in the future but certainly with no guarantees. They should, perhaps, come with a warning “Beware of Politicians bearing false gifts”
Each manifesto could also be considered as a contender for the next “Booker Prize for Fiction”.
Also be aware that voters are not actually voting for a political party, as noted in the Government response to petition 242193.
…. Formally, electors cast their vote for individual candidates, and not the political party they represent, although it is recognised that many people vote on the basis of party preference. It is generally agreed that a candidate, if elected to the House of Commons, is not deemed to be a delegate of a particular party, and will hold the office to which they have been elected in a personal capacity.
and confirmed by the Electoral Commission
… it’s correct that when people cast their vote at an election, they are electing an individual candidate.
So are Manifestos actually worth anything at all ?
This post will be updated as each manifesto becomes available, Last Update: 05 December 2019
Green Party
The Green Party have released their 92 page manifesto.
If you want to read it, you can find it at
and a copy is available locally at
Green Party Manifesto 2019 (copy pdf)
Liberal Democrats Party
The Liberal Democrats Party have released their 100 page manifesto.
If you want to read it, you can find it at
Liberal Democrats Party manifesto
and a copy is available locally at
Liberal Democrat Manifesto 2019 (copy pdf)
Labour Party
The Labour Party have released their 107 page manifesto.
If you want to read it, you can find it at
A copy is available locally at
Labour Party Manifesto 2019 (copy pdf)
and other documents provided alongside the manifesto
Funding Real Change (44 page pdf)
Review of Corporate Tax Relief (13 page pdf)
Race and Faith Manifesto 2019 (pdf)
Brexit Party
The Brexit Party have released their equivalent to a manifesto, “Contract with the People” consisting of 25 pages.
If you want to read it, you can find it at
and a copy is available locally at
Contract with the People (copy pdf)
Plaid Cymru
Plaid Cymru, the Party of Wales, have released their 88 page manifesto.
If you want to read it, you can find it at
and a copy is available locally at
Plaid Cymru Manifesto (copy pdf)
Conservative Party
The Conservative Party have released their 64 page manifesto.
If you want to read it, you can find it at
and a copy is available locally at
Conservative Party Manifesto (copy pdf)
Other documents provided alongside the manifesto:
Conservative Manifesto Costings 2019 (10 page pdf)
Conservative Manifesto for Scotland
Conservative Manifesto for Scotland (48 page pdf)
Scottish National Party (SNP)
The SNP have released their 52 page manifesto.
If you want to read it, you can find it at
and a copy is available locally at
Northern Ireland – Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)
The DUP have released their 28 page manifesto.
If you want to read it, you can find it at
and a copy is available locally at
Northern Ireland – Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP)
The SDLP have released their 29 page manifesto.
If you want to read it, you can find it at
and a copy is available locally at
Northern Ireland – Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI)
The APNI have released their 44 page manifesto.
If you want to read it, you can find it at
and a copy is available locally at
Alliance Party Manifesto 2019 (copy pdf)
Northern Ireland – Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin have released their manifesto.
If you want to read it, you can find it at
and a copy is available locally at
Sinn Féin Manifesto 2019 (copy pdf)
Northern Ireland – The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP)
The Ulster Unionist Party have released their 20 page manifesto.
If you want to read it, you can find it at
Ulster Unionist Party Manifesto
and a copy is available locally at
Ulster Unionist Party Manifesto 2019 (copy pdf)
