{"id":980,"date":"2019-05-14T14:00:46","date_gmt":"2019-05-14T13:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.edgehill.ac.uk\/comment\/?p=980"},"modified":"2019-05-14T14:00:46","modified_gmt":"2019-05-14T13:00:46","slug":"eu-election-manifestos-unread-but-still-important","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edgehill.ac.uk\/comment\/2019\/05\/14\/eu-election-manifestos-unread-but-still-important\/","title":{"rendered":"EU election manifestos: unread, but still important"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

As polling day in the European elections (23 May) \u00a0gets nearer, I am writing a series of articles about the messages and communications techniques involved.\u00a0 Today I am focusing on that staple of elections \u2013 the party manifesto.<\/p>\n

Despite the, sometimes lengthy, arguments about phrasing and content, virtually no one actually reads manifestos.<\/p>\n

No one, that is, apart from political journalists and lobby groups.<\/p>\n

They might not be widely read but these documents are one of the key communication opportunities in an election. Why? Because there is a need for a slogan and message, and you can also show which of your party\u2019s many, many policies are the ones that matter.<\/p>\n

You can also show how good you are at anticipating and avoiding problems. Think back to 2017 and you\u2019ll realise the Tories failed this challenge.<\/p>\n

The whole \u201cwhat\u2019s going in the manifesto\u201d? issue can also yield plenty of stories.<\/p>\n

Manifesto launches tend to involve a press conference or photo opportunity of some sort, plus a massive mailing to journalists and opinion-formers.<\/p>\n

So, what do we know about those manifestos already published?<\/p>\n

First up is the Lib Dems.<\/p>\n

No one can argue that this isn\u2019t direct. The cover title \u201cBollocks to Brexit<\/a>\u201d<\/em> is unambiguous about where the party stands. There has been some criticism of the language, Lib Dems usually being seen as nice but a bit vague. But here, if there is to be any chance of cut-through, Vince Cable\u2019s team can\u2019t allow any fuzzy language.<\/p>\n

Labour\u2019s manifesto is a bit more traditional. The cover, with the line, \u201cTransforming Britain and Europe, for the many not the few<\/a>\u201d<\/em> is followed by the traditionally expected foreword by the party leader.<\/p>\n

It looks a bit stale compared to some of the productions by its rivals. But given the row about what to put in the document, including a lengthy NEC meeting and speculation about a shadow cabinet strop, maybe unremarkable and workmanlike is what is needed.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s been some reluctance from some parties to take part in these elections.\u00a0 After all, they weren\u2019t supposed to happen. The Green Party however makes it clear that it is ready for the fight. \u201cWe are full of excitement to be standing in these European Elections\u201d is the very first line in a manifesto titled \u201cRight Now. For the Future<\/a>\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Brexit Party at the time of writing does not have a manifesto. In fact, it\u2019s reported that it has no intention of publishing one before these elections. While not producing this document does mean a loss of the associated media coverage, no one can claim that this party\u2019s aims are not crystal clear.<\/p>\n

Less clear are the aims of the Conservative Party, but we are not likely to see a manifesto from Theresa May\u2019s team either.<\/p>\n

Members are clearly reluctant to fight these elections and senior officials are saying there will be no manifesto per se. It is hard to think of a message which could be agreed for these elections the party doesn\u2019t want.<\/p>\n

At the time of writing, I can\u2019t find a Change UK manifesto. On the one hand this is surprising as, unlike most of the others, they haven\u2019t had to spend time on local election campaigning.<\/p>\n

But on the other hand, do they need a lengthy document? After all the messages so far can be conveyed without publishing and new parties like this don\u2019t have a back catalogue of policies to promote.<\/p>\n

Paula Keaveney, Senior Lecturer in Public Relations and Politics<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As polling day in the European elections (23 May) \u00a0gets nearer, I am writing a series of articles about the messages and communications techniques involved.\u00a0 Today I am focusing on that staple of elections \u2013 the party manifesto. Despite the, sometimes lengthy, arguments about phrasing and content, virtually no one actually reads manifestos. No one, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1269,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1688],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-980","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics"],"yoast_head":"\nEU election manifestos: unread, but still important - Comment<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.edgehill.ac.uk\/comment\/2019\/05\/14\/eu-election-manifestos-unread-but-still-important\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"EU election manifestos: unread, but still important - Comment\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"As polling day in the European elections (23 May) \u00a0gets nearer, I am writing a series of articles about the messages and communications techniques involved.\u00a0 Today I am focusing on that staple of elections \u2013 the party manifesto. 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