I’ve had little more than a flick through the Labour manifesto, but one thing immediately jumped out at me:

New Labour’s record:
The contract delivered Our country is changing for the better, because we fulfilled the promises of our 1997 and 2001 manifestos.

This jumped out for two reasons: Firstly, it’s in absurdly large type. Secondly, it’s not true: It’s another Labour lie.

Back in March last year I listed a number of Labour Lies and broken promises, six of which were drawn from the 2001 manifesto. You can look for yourself, here. And here’s another list of nine, which I originally posted on an internet forum:

» We will now give British people the final say in a referendum on the single currency
Not delivered.

» We will now reform the appointments system so that by the end of 2005 every hospital appointment is booked for the convenience of the patient making it easier for patients and their GP to choose the hospital and consultant that best suits their needs.
Will not be delivered anywhere near on time.

» We want to help the Post Office keep up with the best in a fast-changing market.
Apparently by allowing hundreds of branches to close.

» We will not introduce ‘top-up’ fees and have legislated to prevent them.
So what happened to this legislation when Labour broke their promise?

» By 2004, patients will be able to see a GP within 48 hours.
Not fully delivered.

» Same day tests and diagnosis will become the norm.
The fastest I’ve seen an out-patient blood test come back is 48hrs.

» We will give every citizen a personal smartcard containing key medical data giving access to their medical records.
Have you got yours?

» The Criminal Records Bureau will help stop paedophiles and others who are a danger to children from working with them
Except it didn’t work for the Soham girls, did it?

» By 2004 we are pledged to reduce teenage pregnancy by 15 per cent.
Complete and utter failure.

So, given that the first jump-out page of the new manifesto is a lie, which bits of it are things that Mr Blair actually means, and which ones are bits that he’s saying just to get votes? I think we should be told.