#5MillionVotes: Your weekly campaign round-up - week 1 and 2
- 19 Nov 2019
In IPSE’s weekly round-up of the 2019 general election, we will be looking back at the previous week’s campaign highlights affecting the self-employed and what’s coming up in the week ahead.
Over the past week
We’ve just finished up with the first official week of the campaign and it already feels like a distant memory. Here’s what happened:
- Fighting for the self-employed: Trade bodies the Recruitment and Employment Federation and the Institute of Directors released their manifestos last week which you can take a look at here and here. And it’s good news for the self-employed, with a multitude of policies backing freelancers, such as modernising the tax system in line with IPSE’s calls and better regulation that helps rather than hinders freelancers. Don’t forget you can read IPSE’s manifesto ‘5 Million Votes: How to win the support of the self-employed’ by downloading it from our general election hub.
- Broad support for broadband? The Labour Party grabbed hold of the headlines with their major policy initiative to nationalise broadband and improve coverage across the UK, even in the tiniest of hamlets. The jury is out as to whether this would improve internet coverage or make it worse. Our manifesto has a range of recommendations to improve infrastructure for freelancers including rolling out superfast broadband by 2025.
The week ahead
- CBI Monday: The week kicked off with business group the CBI’s conference, with speeches from both Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn and Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Johnson started with a U-turn on a previous promise to cut corporation tax, while Corbyn pledged to fund an increase in the number of available apprenticeship places.
- Head to head: Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn take part in an ITV leaders' debate (Tuesday, 8:00pm).
- Lib Dem manifesto launch: On Wednesday Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson launches her manifesto.
- Next up, it’s Labour’s turn: Jeremy Corbyn is next up with the announcement of his party’s manifesto on Thursday.
- Friday fight night: The end of the week is an opportunity for leaders of each major party to argue for your vote. You can watch it live on the BBC Question Time Special.
Don’t forget!
IPSE will be co-hosting a special small business husting with candidates from all the major parties, giving you the opportunity to ask them questions about how they will support you as a self-employed person. Register here to attend using code IPSEHUSTING. Can’t be there in person? Simply register and our host will email you a link to livestream the event wherever you are.
Have your say
Let your local election candidates know how they can best support you by tweeting them using the hashtag #5MillionVotes. You can find out your local candidates through Who can I vote for?
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