GE17 lite #2

So there are now less than two weeks to go until polling day. Here is our second roundup of that curious bubble we like to call election, with links to more indepth coverage in our members’ only policy briefings and other LGiU material.

Social care at the top of the political agenda – at last

The NHS has always been a key general election issue – sometimes the key issue next to the economy. But this year it’s social care. A cause for celebration – yes and no. No, because it reflects the crisis in social care that has been building for a long time. Yes, because the issue is now getting the attention it deserves. Maybe – will any of the proposals in the manifesto deliver sustainable and properly funded social care? That’s for the voters to decide.

Nothing has changed – it’s just a little bit different

But before we even get to the polls the Prime Minister announced a change to the Conservative’s manifesto policy on social care, introducing an absolute cap on the amount that someone would have to pay towards their care. Fair to say, I think, that the immediate reaction on twitter and other media was not too forgiving of the apparent u-turn.

A poll lot of fun

It seems that even though everyone decided after the last general election and the referendum and the US election that polls were not worth taking seriously any more that the press and the parties are still happy to report and comment ad nauseum on latest polling. Some interesting analysis though of the waning and waxing of the Labour share of the vote on the Ipsos Mori site and from Chris Curtis at YouGov.

Exploding ‘the young aren’t interested’ in politics myth

There has been a huge surge in young people registering to vote since Theresa May called the general election last month, with almost 1.2 million Britons between the ages of 18 to 35 signing up, according to the Electoral Commission. In the last week more than 200,000 18- to 25-year-olds have signed up to vote, while more than 2 million people overall have registered since the election was called (this was the total a day before the registration deadline). And on the final day for registrations more than 600,000 people did just that and more than 70% of those were between 18 and 34 years old.

How well have you read the manifestos?

How many times was ‘local government’ mentioned in the manifestos?

Labour 4; Conservative 2; Liberal Democrat 8

And ‘Strong’?

Liberal Democrat 15; Labour 14; Conservative 86

Cross dressing anyone?

Which of the manifestos do the following quotes come from? (Answers are at the end of the post)

“Ensure that the immigration system is operated fairly and efficiently, with strict control of borders, including entry and exit checks and adequately funded Border Force policing of entry by irregular routes.”
“To do that, we will need a state that is strong and strategic, nimble and responsive to the needs of people. While it is never true that government has all the answers, government can and should be a force for good – and its power should be put squarely at the service of this country’s working people.”
“The UK has the world’s oldest nuclear industry, and nuclear will continue to be part of the UK energy supply. We will support further nuclear projects and protect nuclear workers’ jobs and pensions. There are considerable opportunities for nuclear power and decommissioning both internationally and domestically.”

And while we are at it with the questions…

What language is this?

My a li gans Duw Ollgallosek dell vedhav len ha perthi omrians gwir dhe HY BRASTER AN VYGHTERNES ELISABETH, hy Heryon ha Sewyoryon, herwydh an lagha. Ytho Duw re’m gweressa.

It’s Cornish. The oath/affirmation must be made initially in English, but Members of both Houses may, if they wish, to follow this with an oath or affirmation in Welsh, Scottish Gaelic or Cornish. Do they have to represent a Cornish constituency or be born there? Presumably not.