ABSTRACT
General elections are a cornerstone of political democracy. Voters choose between competing candidates and parties for political office. But people need to know what they are voting for and what they are voting against. In the twentieth century the party manifesto has become an indispensable aid in the choosing process. It is a boast of British parties that they are programmatic. They fight general elections on manifestos and, if elected, promise to carry them out. For the most part we think this is a good thing; it lies at the heart of responsible government.
