Manifestos matter - but keeping promises matters more

That's a good few hours of my life I am not getting back! After spending a not insubstantial amount of time reading through the main party manifestos in Scotland, I reckon I must be one of the most informed voters in the country. Yes, it’s part of my job, but I couldn't help myself from taking a step back to consider what relevant commitments would mean for my own wee family and for my caring role. I could see elements which appealed to me in most manifestos - and yes, for those who know me, I found something within the Conservative document - promises to guarantee respite for full time carers. Welcome indeed.

Sadly, the focus on sanctions, conditionality and capping social security expenditure feature loud and proud in some of the manifesto documents.

There are some noticeable changes in approach and language that the third sector will welcome e.g. focusing on economic growth that benefits the many and not the few. Within most main parties, there is a commitment to maintain the Equality Act and our involvement in the Convention of Human Rights. There are, however, some battles ahead on welfare as we wait to see how the "cuts axe" will fall after the election in just two weeks. Sadly, the focus on sanctions, conditionality and capping social security expenditure feature loud and proud in some of the manifesto documents. Most readers and the wider public will not have the time or the inclination to spend time considering what each political party is promising - and most have a rather cynical view of manifestos. As the Spectator says "What will 2015's broken promises be?" In our age of open and social media, its easy to find out what each party says it will do if elected - or if it holds some influence or sway in Parliament. But in our busy and often stressful lives, some find it hard to connect with these wordy tomes and to find time to ask "what's in it for me?" When that connection is missing, people remain disengaged from the political sphere Some of you will be willing the election to be over - I am not QUITE at that stage. But please, use our election comparison as a starting point to look at some of the key commitments made. It’s a starter for ten at least.