Regardless of whether a combination of parties or a majority administration can be formed in the aftermath of 7 May’s keenly contested General Election, key positions on local government finance, housing, economic growth were staked out in the main political parties’ manifestos last week – Jonathan Werran delves into the detail

Conservatives

In contrast to 2010’s disjointed and bizarre manifesto call inviting readers of their manifesto to ‘Join the Government of Great Britain’, the Conservative’s election document in 2015 is a big retail offer to the electorate.

Extending the Right to Buy scheme to 1.3 million housing association tenants is the most eye-catching of their vote-winning ploys. Another housing commitment is to build 200,000 starter homes a year for first time buyers under the age of 40.