Support 100 years of independent journalism.

  1. Politics
  2. UK Politics
23 November 2016

The strange afterlife of Labour’s 2015 manifesto

A ban on letting agent fees is the latest policy to be lifted by the Conservatives.

By George Eaton

In 2015, Labour endured its worst general election defeat since 1987. Its manifesto, however, is enjoying more of an afterlife than this fate suggested. In advance of today’s Autumn Statement, the government has announced that it will ban letting agent fees. The policy was first proposed in Labour’s manifesto (p.46) and rejected at the time by the Conservatives who warned that it would “lead to higher rents”. But Philip Hammond will confirm today that the charges will be ended.

The announcement continues a pattern of political plagiarism. Shortly after the 2015 election, George Osborne announced a significantly higher minimum wage (as promised by Labour) and rebranded it “the Living Wage” (a measure long championed by Ed Miliband). In another nod to the opposition, Osborne abolished permanent non-dom tax status. The subsequent abandonment of tax credit cuts further aligned him with his opponents. 

After regime change at No.10, other Labour policies were resurrected. Theresa May promised worker representation on boards and abandoned Osborne’s target of an overall budget surplus. In its manifesto, Labour similarly pledged only to eliminate the current deficit, leaving room to borrow to invest. The government is currently consulting on how best to achieve employee representation, having ruled out “the direct appointment of workers or trade union representatives” (though Downing Street denies any U-turn). 

For Labour, the lesson is a salutary one. Though many of its policies had widespread appeal (not least to government ministers), the public did not trust it to implement them. Since then, it has suffered the worst poll ratings of any opposition on record. Until this changes, Labour should be prepared for plenty more policies to be pilfered. As Oscar Wilde observed: “talent borrows, genius steals”. 

Select and enter your email address Quick and essential guide to domestic and global politics from the New Statesman's politics team. A weekly newsletter helping you fit together the pieces of the global economic slowdown. The New Statesman’s global affairs newsletter, every Monday and Friday. The New Statesman’s weekly environment email on the politics, business and culture of the climate and nature crises - in your inbox every Thursday. Your guide to the best writing across politics, ideas, books and culture - both in the New Statesman and from elsewhere - sent each Saturday. A newsletter showcasing the finest writing from the ideas section, covering political ideas, philosophy, criticism and intellectual history - sent every Wednesday. Sign up to receive information regarding NS events, subscription offers & product updates.
  • Administration / Office
  • Arts and Culture
  • Board Member
  • Business / Corporate Services
  • Client / Customer Services
  • Communications
  • Construction, Works, Engineering
  • Education, Curriculum and Teaching
  • Environment, Conservation and NRM
  • Facility / Grounds Management and Maintenance
  • Finance Management
  • Health - Medical and Nursing Management
  • HR, Training and Organisational Development
  • Information and Communications Technology
  • Information Services, Statistics, Records, Archives
  • Infrastructure Management - Transport, Utilities
  • Legal Officers and Practitioners
  • Librarians and Library Management
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • OH&S, Risk Management
  • Operations Management
  • Planning, Policy, Strategy
  • Printing, Design, Publishing, Web
  • Projects, Programs and Advisors
  • Property, Assets and Fleet Management
  • Public Relations and Media
  • Purchasing and Procurement
  • Quality Management
  • Science and Technical Research and Development
  • Security and Law Enforcement
  • Service Delivery
  • Sport and Recreation
  • Travel, Accommodation, Tourism
  • Wellbeing, Community / Social Services
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

Content from our partners
A better future starts at home
How to create an inclusive workplace and embrace neurodiversity
Universal Credit falls short of covering the bare essentials. That needs to change