Aditya Chakrabortty has written an interesting piece on the context and positioning of the 2024 Labour Manifesto
I can hardly claim to be uninterested or even disinterested in Manifestos. The Communist Manifesto by Marx and Engels remains relevant and as a socialist historian I often look back at past Labour Manifestos (all freely available on the web although not of course courtesy of Labour).
The 1983 Labour Manifesto was the ‘longest suicide note in history’ although for anyone to on the left beyond Starmer much of it now seems commonplace.
In 1997 the pre-Manifesto and the launch of the Manifesto were big things. You can find details in Alistair Campbell’s Diaries though that is not a recommendation to read them. However even then the focus was on the pledge card carrying a few key points.
I can remember when Election Manifestos were sold in W H Smith. Perhaps they still are but I doubt many go in to try and find them amongst the sandwiches. Most people who do look at a Manifesto will probably do so on line.
I have read both Tory (nearly 80 pages) and Labour Manifestos. I’m writing a piece for Culture Matters on beer, pubs and the election so I had to. Actually beyond business rates neither had anything much to say. Given how much beer, breweries and pubs have featured so far more might have been expected.
The point I’m making somewhat ponderously is that while official politics is still focused on the Manifesto and the detail fills much media space I’m not sure how far this connects with wider reality in 2024
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