Handily the
Lab and
Lib manifestos from then are online, so we can check what they were promising. So things that will definitely happen (or if not, everyone will agree they're going to do):
* Scottish and Welsh devolution, and regional economic bodies - both parties agree on making these
* Big pushes for industrial modernisation and new training for workers - both agree on that
* Some form of transport investment
* Work programmes for the unemployed
* Government to have a science-focused part
* "We will take tough action against monopolies, mergers and financial raids" promises Lib Dems, to which Labour would go YEEAAHH!!
* End to privatisation of British Rail
* Preschool for children
* Pushing for more community healthcare
* Housing: BUILD, BUILD, BUILD
* Child benefit is up
* Civil rights and equality reform, both parties agree here (bye-bye Section 28)
* Attempts at peace in Northern Ireland
* Staying in the ERM.
UH OH!
The Lib Dems have a really,
really big section on Europe, which Labour does not. So there, the Lib Dems may do most of the driving.
There's going to be some harsh fights over tax, business law, the fate of bodies like British Gas (LDs want to split it up), and what some of the reforms for business, NHS etc should look like.
Paddy Ashdown actually being from Northern Ireland as a kid and then being in Belfast with the Marines will likely do
something for the peace process, though buggered if I know what. (Hopefully him being a protestant boy from Bangor who was part of Our Brave Soldiers will help the government get some of the unionists to the table)
John Smith is dead two years into this, at least, and someone else has to take the Chancellor job EDIT: OTOH Smith may not still be the Chancellor by then, after Black Wednesday