Wednesday 10th May

Hello.  We are the totally honest party, standing in this election not in the hope of becoming the Government, or even winning a seat or two but simply to let the British people know the truth.

Firstly this election is completely unnecessary. It was called for political advantage not for the benefit of the country.  The Conservatives keep repeating that we need ‘Strong and Stable Leadership’.  Well, we had that in Cameron and Osborne, but they have gone and been replaced by a different crew in the blink of an eye.  Hardly Strong and Stable.

This country took a decision to Leave the EU a year ago, and all commonsense has been washed away in the rush to fulfill that decision.  At the moment, we are in deep doo-doo.  In twenty years’ time we may well have recovered, though nobody will be able to accurately say how much it will have cost us.  But it will happen anyway and you the British people will pay, as you always do.

Health – the NHS is struggling to cope.  Nurses are leaving, costs keep rising as does the population.  The simple truth is that unless a lot more money is put in it will struggle to give even a basic service.  Social care is the same, almost all care homes are privately run these days and just as in Health the only way to increase profits is either to increase turnover by putting up your prices or to cut costs – and that means wages.  A recipe for disaster – just look at America.

Education – our children are our future.  If you want or even expect your kids to pay for your old age then start treating them right.  Give them a decent education, free schooling and free University – but that will all cost money.

Housing – is in crisis.  Youngsters cannot afford to buy and private rents are far too high.  The only solution is to allow councils, actually – to force councils, to build council houses.  Stop selling them.  Bring in rent controls and make sure all these private landlords pay tax, which many of them are simply not declaring.  Otherwise the situation will get worse and worse.  A decent place to live is a basic requirement for a civilized society.  But maybe you are happy for us not to be one.  The choice is yours.

So, what can be done.  Actually, not that much.  On our own, that is; together with other countries we might stand a chance.  Globalisation means that multinationals will choose the cheapest place to manufacture stuff.  They export poverty.  But there are a few things we can do to equalize things.  A fair tax system, a graduated income tax, increasing a couple of pence in the pound every ten thousand you earn would be a start.  Companies should pay a reasonable amount on their profits.  Dividends to Company Directors should be treated exactly the same as any other income and be taxed the same.  Build more houses, control rents, invest in schools.

But all of this will cost money.  And even though interest rates are very low, which they won’t be for long, we cannot keep on borrowing vast sums as we have done for the last ten years.  If we want a decent society all of us will have to pay more tax.  Simple as that.

I am amazed that any of you are still with us, because most people don’t want the truth, they prefer slogans and promises they know cannot be delivered.  Now, if you agree with any of the above there isn’t really a party you can honestly vote for.  Even Labour are making promises they will struggle to deliver.  But any of the progressives, the Libdems or the Greens or Labour are far better than the Tories, who have got us in the mess in the first place.

Thankyou and good luck.  You are going to need it.