Conservative manifesto launch: ‘extra work’ for the nation

Is it a Smythson diary? An Eton homework book? I’m told they’re called EW books standing for Extra Work. Well, in effect, it is “extra work” for the nation.

The “invitation to join the government” Tory manifesto is a hardback, sombre, expensive (subsidised shop price £5) booklet that tries to get the British public to step up to the plate and take over aspects of government – like schooling.

Do people really, in their droves, want to? There’s nothing new in the document though it’s clearly been fiddled with right up to the last minute with the national insurance reining-in getting great prominence.

I’ll be intrigued to know how “millions” benefit from the inheritance tax change.

The deficit plan still looks a lot like the government’s when you take out the year one £6bn net withdrawal from the economy.

As for the venue, the ruins of Battersea Power Station (it looks like bits could fall off at any minute onto our Perspex venue in the gutted middle), a derelict long-unloved hulk that is now going to be converted into yuppy flats (or so I’m told) might strike you as an odd backdrop. No doubt all will be explained soon.