Do you think Election Manifestos should be legally binding on political parties?

Question

Before general elections political parties issue their election manifestos which are intended to encourage the electorate to vote for them. So often we find that what is in the manifesto bears little resemblance to the reality of a party once in government as they ADD to or OMIT from their published manifesto plans and promises . With the exception of emergency events which cannot be predicted beforehand the electorate would know precisely what they were voting for if an elected government had 5 years to deliver their manifesto, then the electorate could judge them on their success or failure in achieving what they promised before the election.

Manifestos state what political parties will DO if they are elected to responsibility. Plans for additional domestic affairs issues which may prove unpopular and could affect the election outcome are NOT included. Unfortunately many ill thought out additions post election have cause 'U' turns. Plans to re-rate homes in England have been postponed until after the next election because this is not seen as vote catching.

The 'punishment' for not delivering on a manifesto can be dealt with at the ballot box after assessing the performance of the government. Voting them out of office at the next general election would certainly concentrate their minds.

Answer 1

No because the world changes on a daily basis and the goverment has to make decisions based on this.

Imagine if they were forced to deliver on a promise where everyone in th county, the government, the opposition and every man, woman and child agreed that it was now the wrong thing to do.

How crazy would that be?

Answer 2

I feel that the Manifesto should be binding on the party that issued it (if they win the election).
Too many times we are promised specific plans for actions which accord with the populace, later to be told, "Oh yeah.....but these were only aspirations..bla..bla.." Makes you feel you've been suckered by a bunch of con-men. If it's in the Manifesto then they should deliver!

Answer 3

I would like to say yes but I cant see it ever happening.
Circumstances change so quickly and world events can overtake any domestic promises made, making it difficult to hold them.
The main reason that it would not work is because far from being elected representatives of the people these people are proffesional politicians whose main aim in life is to hold on to the gravy train as it rolls along.

MAKE YOUR MP WORK FOR A LIVING - DON'T RE-ELECT HIM.

Answer 4

I am at a loss to think of a political party in recent times (certainly since 1979) that has not implemented over 90% of its manifesto commitments during the period it has been in office.

On many occasions the commitments that have not been implemented have been through lack of time (either losing an election or the unforseen emergencies you referred to in your question taking up Parliamentary time).

Answer 5

No. The pitfalls are evident. Kinda like making a pledge to a fictional blue Sesame highway determine to no longer enhance taxes even whilst our financial device is suffering because of the fact of reducing taxes.

Answer 6

Good question. Yes they should be legally binding to present them to Parliament. If then outvoted then so be it.
How refreshing to have a real question which will/should provoke some sensible debate.

Answer 7

Great idea!
What would you punish them with?
Would we run out of MP's (another good idea) if they were punished for failing to fulfill their manifesto?

Answer 8

politics can not be dictated by rigid laws. rather it runs flexibly with the dynamic changes of social events.

Answer 9

You would never in a a milion years get them to hold firm, shovelling horseshit YES, policies NO!!!

Answer 10

There is nothing binding in politics.