Manifesto update – Conservatives

The Conservative & Unionist Party published its manifesto today (Clear Plan, Bold Action, Secure Future). My take on the document – but only through the lenses of drugs and alcohol, criminal justice & social care. Its 80 pages long – so I’ve either saved you some time or whetted your appetite…..

Alcohol gets 2 mentions – historically freezing alcohol duty and using ‘Brexit Freedoms’ to keep tax duty on draught beer lower than supermarket bought alcohol.

Drugs gets a single paragraph contained within a section on the Justice System.

“we will turn criminals away from the cycle of offending investing in rehabilitative services like drug treatment …..we will deliver our 10 year drugs plan”.

Ongoing commitments to expand prison system capacity and end rough sleeping.

So in the event of a new Conservative lead government we can expect the status quo to continue.

There’s a ludicrous suggestion that spending on external consultants be cut by 50% – one for the birds……