The UK elections - what do the major parties say?

On 22 May 2024, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a snap election set for 4 July 2024, marking a significant moment in the UK's political history. Despite the dominance of the traditional parties, Labour and the Conservatives, a wave of fresh energy has swept through the political landscape, with smaller parties like Reform UK, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, the SNP, and Plaid Cymru gaining unexpected momentum. This article will delve into the manifestos of these parties, exploring their plans for critical issues such as the NHS, taxes, insurance, housing, and climate change.

The UK has been grappling with a series of pressing issues since the onset of the cost-of-living crisis in late 2021, a direct aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fiscal strain has not only burdened medical facilities but also escalated housing and childcare expenses and inflated the prices of energy and daily necessities. It has even led to a surge in crimes like shoplifting and sparked strikes among medical professionals. The high cost of living has not only strained the economy but also taken a toll on the mental health of UK citizens, who are struggling to make ends meet. 

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's premiership has been troubled, primarily because of his predecessors - Boris Johnson and Liz Truss - and the cost of living crisis. Furthermore, there is some anti-incumbent sentiment, as the Conservatives have been in power since David Cameron took office in 2010. 

Meanwhile, Labour's Keir Starmer has rehabilitated his party's image, pushing it towards the economic centre. Polls indicate a Labour sweep, and the country seems to be demanding a "change" in government. 

What is each parties opinion of key issues? 

The NHS

The long waiting lines for care and the mounting pressure on the NHS have been the most contentious issues this year. Every party contesting the elections has devised a method to remedy the situation. Sunak's party belatedly seeks to lower wait times by recruiting more medical personnel and increasing public spending for the NHS to rates above inflation. Starmer wishes to free up time by doubling down on regular scans for diseases like cancer and increasing the number of weekly NHS appointments. Nigel Farage's far-right Reform UK has stated that the issue with the NHS is red-tapism. Farage wants to make hiring and firing employees easier, exempt frontline workers from tax, and incentivise private healthcare. The Liberal Democrats and the Greens have pledged GBP 9 million and GBP 8 million of public spending for the NHS. Plaid Cymru wishes to hire more general physicians, and in direct opposition to Farage, the SNP wants to protect the NHS from privatisation. 

Taxes and Insurance

The Conservative plan is to scrap national insurance entirely and to reduce taxes. Labour promised not to raise taxes for the working class but also stated that it would rather increase taxes than cut spending. The Liberal Democrats propose raising the personal allowance and reforming capital gains tax to increase revenue. The Greens advocate for a wealth tax on individuals with assets above £10 million, while the Reform Party plans to raise the income tax threshold, reduce property purchase tax, abolish inheritance tax on estates under £2 million, and lower the primary rate of corporation tax to 20%. 

Housing 

Housing is the second most important economic talking point after the NHS. Labour is set to create entirely new towns. The Conservatives plan to fastrack the planning system and build over a million homes. Reform plans to cut red tape to "speed up" infrastructural development. The Liberal Democrats and Green Patry manifestoes emphasize sustainable development and social housing. Keir Starmer also promised to put an end to unlawful renter bidding wars.

Education and childcare

In the realm of education, the Conservative Party has pledged to protect day-to-day spending per pupil and introduce a new "Advanced British Standard" for 16 to 19-year-olds. Additionally, they propose compulsory National Service for 18-year-olds, with a choice between military or civic duties. Labour, on the other hand, plans to recruit new teachers in key subjects, establish new primary school-based nurseries, and introduce free breakfast clubs in every primary school, alongside charging fee-paying schools VAT. The Liberal Democrats aim to put a mental health professional in every school, increase funding, and create lifelong skills grants for education and training. The Greens propose a £2 billion pay uplift for teachers and the abolition of university undergraduate fees. Reform UK focuses on providing a 20% tax relief on private education to reduce pressure on state schools. 

Additionally, the SNP wishes to increase maternity pay, and Plaid Cymru wants to increase welfare payments per child weekly. Starmer remains frustratingly pro-maintaining the two-child welfare cap, which even his Tory rivals oppose, as it has kept families trapped in poverty.

Historic election in the UK

Besides these major points of contention, certain parties also have goals that are independentof this list. Plaid Cymru wants to achieve independence for Wales. The parties on the left wish to scrap Trident, the UK's nuclear weapons program, and improve relations with or rejoin the EU. Conservatives and Reform UK wish to expand defense by recruiting more aggressively. 4 July will undoubtedly be a historic election, charting the course for the country in the coming years.