How have political parties failed the electorate?
The most common way is by Manifesto breaches. They wrote their own Manifestos, so when they do not keep them, we can truly say that they have failed us.
Referendum on Europe
Labour
1. Labour promised us a Referendum on Europe, and broke this promise. David Cameron also promised us one when Labour would not do so, but this promise has been kicked into the long grass, on the pretext that the moment had passed.
Conservatives
1. Prior to the General Election, David Cameron said that an increase in VAT was not fair. As from Jan 2011, VAT has been increased to 20%, its highest level ever.
2. Nigel Lawson on Tory ineptitude.
3. NHS: the Tories now tell us that their massive changes to the NHS in England was on pp. 45-47 of their Manifesto. However prior to the election David Cameron denied a top-down reform. What are we getting? A top-down reform without any consultation.
4. Education Maintenance Allowance David Cameron indicated that it was safe in Tory hands, but now it
Lib Dem
Where do we begin?
1. The Lib Dems pledged not to raise students’ tuition fees. They have broken this pledge.
2. They said that they would not increase VAT. They have done so.
3. Danny Alexander’s flagship plan to cut fuel prices in rural areas is coming stuck on the rocks of Europe. His election pledge is taking ages to implement because of the European Union juggernaut; it demonstrates that we cannot manage our own affairs without going cap in hand to Brussels. The sooner we are rid of Brussels the better. As prices increase there is talk of a Rural fuel desert as filling stations disappear in rural Highlands.
4. After being full of promise they have achieved little. So much so that support for them has collapsed from 8% in May 2010 to 4% in January 2011. It is generally conceded that their vote was propped up by Conservatives in the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election in January 2011.
SNP
1. The Scottish Christian Party highlights the irresponsible failure of the SNP to say what will happen to the Christian Constitution of Scotland if the Treaty of Union 1707 is broken. The Scottish public deserves to know this before a Referendum on Scottish Independence; but the SNP has not addressed the question publicly far less provided any answers.
2. They failed to deliver the Inverness southern trunk road by-pass to relieve congestion in the centre of the capital of the Highlands, necessary for the development of the north and western Highlands and Islands for the coming renewable energy revolution.
3. They have not delivered on the A9 nor A96. Is this a central belt agenda? Where is their commitment to the whole of Scotland?
4. They have cut 3,000 teachers from our classroom.
5. The “Celtic tiger economies” which Alex Salmond held up for our admiration and imitation have failed miserably. Alex Salmond supported Fred Goodwin’s plan for Royal Bank of Scotland to take over ABN AMRO. Why should we follow this leader?
Holding Political Parties to account
The Christian Party will seek to hold governing parties to account by making use of their own Manifesto.
“The public always feel betrayed when political parties abandon their Manifesto commitments once they are in government, with the excuse that circumstances have changed. This shows lack of foresight, irresponsibility regarding Manifesto pledges, disrespect to the voting public, and the hope that the issue will have blown over by the time of the next election. Governing Parties need to be held to account before the next election.
“The Christian Party will support debate on legislation to prevent Governing Parties introducing legislation contrary to the most recent Manifesto upon which they were elected,” stated Dr. Donald Boyd.
The electorate should not have to wait four or five years till the next Election to hold the government to account for their own pledges. This will lead to more realistic promises prior to elections. Evidently this does not apply to opposition parties which need the flexibility to modify their policies in response to the governing party.
Sanitised Manifesto launches
When the major parties publish their Manifestos, the sanitised version is presented at their press conferences, but the public need to know what the small print says.
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The most common way is by Manifesto breaches. They wrote their own Manifestos, so when they do not keep them, we can truly say that they have failed us.
Referendum on Europe
Labour
1. Labour promised us a Referendum on Europe, and broke this promise. David Cameron also promised us one when Labour would not do so, but this promise has been kicked into the long grass, on the pretext that the moment had passed.
Conservatives
1. Prior to the General Election, David Cameron said that an increase in VAT was not fair. As from Jan 2011, VAT has been increased to 20%, its highest level ever.
2. Nigel Lawson on Tory ineptitude.
3. NHS: the Tories now tell us that their massive changes to the NHS in England was on pp. 45-47 of their Manifesto. However prior to the election David Cameron denied a top-down reform. What are we getting? A top-down reform without any consultation.
4. Education Maintenance Allowance David Cameron indicated that it was safe in Tory hands, but now it
Lib Dem
Where do we begin?
1. The Lib Dems pledged not to raise students’ tuition fees. They have broken this pledge.
2. They said that they would not increase VAT. They have done so.
3. Danny Alexander’s flagship plan to cut fuel prices in rural areas is coming stuck on the rocks of Europe. His election pledge is taking ages to implement because of the European Union juggernaut; it demonstrates that we cannot manage our own affairs without going cap in hand to Brussels. The sooner we are rid of Brussels the better. As prices increase there is talk of a Rural fuel desert as filling stations disappear in rural Highlands.
4. After being full of promise they have achieved little. So much so that support for them has collapsed from 8% in May 2010 to 4% in January 2011. It is generally conceded that their vote was propped up by Conservatives in the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election in January 2011.
SNP
1. The Scottish Christian Party highlights the irresponsible failure of the SNP to say what will happen to the Christian Constitution of Scotland if the Treaty of Union 1707 is broken. The Scottish public deserves to know this before a Referendum on Scottish Independence; but the SNP has not addressed the question publicly far less provided any answers.
2. They failed to deliver the Inverness southern trunk road by-pass to relieve congestion in the centre of the capital of the Highlands, necessary for the development of the north and western Highlands and Islands for the coming renewable energy revolution.
3. They have not delivered on the A9 nor A96. Is this a central belt agenda? Where is their commitment to the whole of Scotland?
4. They have cut 3,000 teachers from our classroom.
5. The “Celtic tiger economies” which Alex Salmond held up for our admiration and imitation have failed miserably. Alex Salmond supported Fred Goodwin’s plan for Royal Bank of Scotland to take over ABN AMRO. Why should we follow this leader?
Holding Political Parties to account
The Christian Party will seek to hold governing parties to account by making use of their own Manifesto.
“The public always feel betrayed when political parties abandon their Manifesto commitments once they are in government, with the excuse that circumstances have changed. This shows lack of foresight, irresponsibility regarding Manifesto pledges, disrespect to the voting public, and the hope that the issue will have blown over by the time of the next election. Governing Parties need to be held to account before the next election.
“The Christian Party will support debate on legislation to prevent Governing Parties introducing legislation contrary to the most recent Manifesto upon which they were elected,” stated Dr. Donald Boyd.
The electorate should not have to wait four or five years till the next Election to hold the government to account for their own pledges. This will lead to more realistic promises prior to elections. Evidently this does not apply to opposition parties which need the flexibility to modify their policies in response to the governing party.
Sanitised Manifesto launches
When the major parties publish their Manifestos, the sanitised version is presented at their press conferences, but the public need to know what the small print says.
Back to list
