The Main Pledges of the UK Main Parties

• 05.06.2015, 11:42
•  Europe,  World,  Info

In British parliamentary elections that will be held on May 7, the main political parties having greater chances of forming the parliament are Conservatives, The Labour Party, Liberal Democrats and the UK Independence Party. Of particular interest is their policies concerning the foreign relations, attitudes towards the European Union and, of course, the immigration problem, which is a very painful topic nowadays.

BBC has suggested an easy way to get acquainted with the main policy pledges of each candidate who takes part in the parliamentary elections of 2015. 3 top policy points have been depicted and chosen  which will give more or less full picture of parties’ attitudes towards the above mentioned areas.

Conservative Party

The Conservative Party can trace its roots back to the 18th century. As Britain's main center-right party, it has traditionally stood for free trade, private enterprise, individual liberty, low taxation and strong defense. The current Prime-Minister of Great Britain, David Cameron has been its leader since 2005.

Main pledges (EU)

1.  Hold an "in-out" referendum on Britain’s renegotiated EU membership by 2017 
2.  Protect the UK economy from further integration of the Eurozone. Expand the Single Market  
3. Scrap Human Rights Act and replace with a British Bill of Rights 

Main pledges (foreign & defense)

1.  Second new aircraft carrier will be brought into active service 
2. Replace Trident with four submarines to maintain continuous at sea nuclear deterrent 
3. Work for peace in Syria and Iraq and pursue a comprehensive strategy to defeat Islamic State 

Main pledges (immigration)

1. Aim to keep annual net migration in tens of thousands
2. EU migrants to wait four years before they can claim certain benefits or social housing
3. Negotiate with EU to bring in stronger powers to deport foreign criminals and prevent re-entry

Labour Party

Founded by the trade union movement in 1900 to give workers a voice in Parliament, the Labour Party is Britain's main left-wing party. It has moved towards the center ground in recent decades but wealth redistribution and social justice remain key aims. Ed Miliband has been the leader of the party since 2010.

Main pledges (EU)

1. Legislate for a "lock" that guarantees no transfer of powers from Britain to the EU without an in/out referendum.
2. Return Britain to a "leadership role" in a reformed Europe 
3. Secure reforms to immigration and welfare rules 

Main pledges (foreign & defense)

1. A "minimum, credible, independent nuclear deterrent" based on continuous patrols
2. Strategic Security and Defense Review
3. Make it illegal to discriminate against or abuse members of the Armed Forces

Main pledges (immigration)

1. 1,000 new border staff and exit checks
2. Make it illegal for employers to undercut British workers by exploiting migrants
3. Two-year wait before EU migrants can claim out-of-work benefits

 

Liberal Democrats

The Liberal Democrats were formed in 1988 by the merger of one of Britain's oldest political institutions, the Liberal Party, which stood for free trade and individual liberty, and the Social Democratic Party, a centrist offshoot of the Labour Party. Nick Clegg has been leader since 2007.

Main pledges (EU)

1. Remain in the EU, opening new markets for British businesses
2. Hold an in/out referendum if there is a plan for "material transfer of sovereignty" from the UK
3. Work with EU to tackle organized crime

Main pledges (Foreign & Defense)

1. End continuous at sea nuclear deterrent, enabling a cut in the number of submarines
2. Help service personnel and veterans with mental health problems
3. Integrate defense and security spending

Main pledges (Immigration)

1. Restore full entry and exit border checks
2. Require new claimants with poor English skills to attend language courses in "order" to receive JSAʺ
3. Phase out child benefit for children living outside the UK

 

UKIP

The UK Independence Party was set up in 1993 to campaign for Britain's withdrawal from the European Union. That remains its core aim but it has a full range of other policies, with particular emphasis on cutting immigration. Nigel Farage led the party from 2006-9 and again from 2010.

Main pledges (EU)

1. Leave the EU following a referendum 'out' vote
2. All legislative powers to rest with Westminster
3. Negotiate a new trade agreement with the EU

Main pledges (Foreign & Defense)

1. Meet Nato target of spending 2% of GDP on defence, and look to increase it "substantially"
2. Create a Veterans Department to look after the interests of ex-service men and women
3. Cut foreign aid from 0.7% to 0.2% of national income  

 Main pledges (Immigration)

1. Points system used to select migrants with skills and attributes needed to work in the country
2. Five-year ban on immigration for unskilled workers
3. Five-year wait before migrants can claim benefits