General Election 2024

The 2024 general election was held on Thursday 4th July 2024, there was a low voter turn out, and the resulted in a Labour majority.

Here is a reminder of the results from the major political parties -

Labour: 412 Seats ( Total Votes - 9,704,655. Vote Share - 33.7%).
Conservative: 121 Seats ( Total Votes - 6,827,311. Vote Share - 23.7%).
Liberal Democrat: 72 Seats (Total Votes - 3,519,199. Vote Share - 12.2%).
Scottish National Party: 9 Seats (Total Votes - 724,758. Vote Share - 2.5%).
Sinn Fein: 7 Seats (Total Votes - 210 891. Vote Share - 0.7%).
Independent: 6 Seats (Total Votes - 564,243. Vote Share - 2%).
Reform UK: 5 Seats (Total Votes - 4,117,221. Vote Share - 14.3%).
Democratic Unionst Party: 5 Seats (Total Votes - 172,058. Vote Share - 0.06%).
Green: 4 Seats (Total Votes - 1,943,265. Vote Share - 6.7%).
Plaid Cymru: 4 Seats (Total Votes - 194,811. Vote Share - 0.7%).

Prior to the election we read the manifestos of each major political party to collate and summarising what they have to say in relation to -

Education
LGBT+ Rights (and Rights more broadly)

The seven political parties were chosen based on the polling data at the time exploring voting intentions, and they are presented in alphabetical order. Pride & Progress are not affiliated with any specific polticial party, and we have tried to present the information below accurately and impartially for our community. We have kept this informaiton available so you can hold your elected representatives to account on their election manifesto promises.

The Conservatives released their 2024 Manifesto on Tuesday 11th June. You can click here to read the full manifesto, or see key points relating to Education and LGBT+ Rights summarised below.

Education

The Conservative manifesto states that education 'is the closest thing we have to a silver bullet'. The Conservatives therefore commit to 'make sure every child gets a world-class education and reaches their full potential'. Amoungst other things, they specifically commit to -

'Protecting day-to-day schools spending in real terms per pupil'.
'Banning the use of mobile phones during the school day'.
'From September, new teachers in priority areas and key STEM and technical subjects will receive bonuses of up to £30,000 tax-free'.
'Mandate two hours of PE every week in primary and secondary schools, supported by extending the PE and Sports Premium to secondary schools'.
'Introduce the Advanced British Standard, a new approach to 16-19 education'.
To legislate that 'parents have a right to see what their child is being taught in schools' ... 'especially on sensitive matters like relationships and sex education'... this will include 'introducing clear age-limits on what children can be taught and guarantee the contested concept of gender identity is not taught' in schools'.
'Provide 100,000 high quality apprenticeships for young people, by crumbling the number of poor quality university degrees'.

LGBT+ Rights (and Rights more broadly)

The Conservative manifesto states they are 'proud of their record on delivering for LGBT+ people'. There are no specific commitments to LGBT+ rights in the manifesto, however, the following quotes from the manifesto are relevent to LGBT+ communities -

'Attempts at so-called 'conversion therapy' are abhorrent. But legislation around conversion practices is a very complex issue, with existing criminal law already offering robust protection... In light of the Cass Review Final Report, it is right that we take more time before reaching a final judgement on additional legislation in their area'.
Conservatives will 'introduce clear age-limits on what children can be taught and garantee the contested concept of gender identity is not taught' in schools' (See RSE Draft Guidance Consultation for further details on this).
'We will complete the implementation of the Cass Review... we have already stopped the routine use by the NHS of puberty blockers for gender dysphoria and will legislate to permanently prevent their private prescription'.
'Introduce primary legislation to clarify that the protected charactaristic of sex in the Equality Act means biological sex'.
'We are implememnting the HIV Action Plan, which will end new HIV transmissions by 2030'.

The Green Party released their 2024 Manifesto on Wednesday 12th June. You can click here to read the full manifesto, or see key points relating to Education and LGBT+ Rights summarised below.

Education

The Green Party manifesto states that education 'shoud be about inspiring a love of learning and ensuring that every young person can reach their potential'. The Green Party commit to champion -

'An increase in school funding of £8bn, to include £2bn for a pay uplift for teachers'.
'Supporting every higher education student, with the restoration of grants and the end of tuition fees'.
'Ending high-stakes testing at primary and secondary schools and abolishing OFSTED'.

LGBT+ Rights (and Rights more broadly)

The Green Party manifesto states that Green MPs 'will always defend our demoncrating and human rights and push for the UK to become a modern, functional and more representative democracy'. Amongst other things, The Green Party commits to push for -

'Champaign to end violence against women and girls'.
'Scrap the Police, Crime Sentencing and Chorts Act, the Public Order Act and other legislation that erodes the right to protest and free expression'.
'Campaign for the right of self-identification for trans and non-binary people'.
'Scrap the Prevent programme and tackle hate crime, misogony, Islamaphobia and antisemitism'.

The Labour Party released their 2024 Manifesto on Thursday 13th June. You can click here to read the full manifesto, or see key points relating to Education and LGBT+ Rights summarised below.

Education

The Labour Party manifesto states that 'every child should believe that success belongs to them'. The Labour Party therefore commit to 'build an education system that prepares our children for life, work, and the future.' Amongst other things, they specifically commit to -

'We will take initial steps to confront poverty by introducing free breakfast clubs in every primary school'.
'Open an additional 3,000 nurseries through upgrading space in primary schools, to deliver the extension of government funded hours families are entiteld to'.
'Labour will recruit an additional 6500 new expert teachers.' This will be achieved by ending the tax loop-hole for private school fees.
'We will enhance the inspection regime by replacing a single headline grade with a new report card system telling parents clearly how schools are performing. We will also bring multi-academy trusts into the inspection system and introduce a new annual review of safeguarding, attendance, and off-rolling'.
'Labour will launch a new expert-led review of curriculum and assessment, working with school staff, parents and employer'.
'Laybor will provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school, so every young person has access to early support to address problems before they escalate'.
To create 'Young Futures Hubs, which will make sure every community has an open-access hub for children and young people with drop-in mental health support'.

LGBT+ Rights (and Rights more broadly)

The Labour Party manifesto states that 'delivering opportunities for all means that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity'. Amongst other things, they specifically commit to -

'Protect LGBT+ and disabled people by making all existing strands of hate crime an aggrivated offence'.
They state that 'So called conversation therapy is abuse - there is no other word for it - so labour will finally deliver on a full trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices, while protecting the freedom of people to explore their sexual orientation and gender identity'.
'We will modernise, simplify, and reform the intrusive and outdated gender recognition law to a new process. We will remove indignities for trans people who deserve recognition and acceptance; while retaining the need for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria from a specialist doctor, enabling access to healthcare pathways'.
'Labour is proud of our Equalities Act and the rights and protections it affords women; we will continue to support the implementation of its single-sex exceptions'.
'We will work to implement the expert recommendations of the Cass Review to ensure that young people pressenting to the NHS with gender dysphoria are receiving appropriate and high-quality care'.
'Labour will comission a new HIV plan in England in pursuit of ending HIV cases by 2030'.
The Labour Party to not say this in their manifesto directly, but they have in various interviews suggested they support banning discussions of 'gender ideology' in schools and their leader has clearly stated that transgender women, even with a GRC, should not have access to women only spaces such as public bathrooms.

The Liberal Democrats released their 2024 Manifesto on Monday 10th June. You can click here to read the full manifesto, or see key points relating to Education and LGBT+ Rights summarised below.

Education

The Liberal Democrat manifesto states that education is 'the best investment we can make in our children's potential and our coutry's future'. The Liberal Democrats therefore commit to 'investing in education, starting in crucial early years and continuing into adulthood'. Amoungst other things, they specifically commit to -

'Put a dedicated, qualified mental health professional in every primary and secondary school, making sure all children and parents have someone they can turn to for help, funded by increasing the Digital Services Tax on social media firms and other tech giants'.
'Increase school and college funding per pupil above the rate of inflation every year, and end the scandal of crumbling school and college buildings by investing in new buildings and clearing the backlog of repairs'.
'Introduce a ‘Tutoring Guarantee’ for every disadvantaged pupil who needs extra support'.
'Invest in high-quality early years education and close the attainment gap by giving disadvantaged children aged three and four an extra five free hours a week and tripling the Early Years Pupil Premium to £1,000 a year'.
'Reinstate maintenance grants for disadvantaged students immediately to make sure that living costs are not a barrier to studying at university'.
'Create new Lifelong Skills Grants, giving all adults £5,000 to spend on education and training throughout their lives, and aim to increase them to £10,000 in the future when the public finances allow'.

LGBT+ Rights (and Rights more broadly)

The Liberal Democrats manifesto states that their party believes 'in building a free society where every person's rights and liberties are protected'. They state that 'everyone should be able to live their lives as who they are; free to persue their dreams and fulfil their potential'. Amongst other things, they specifically commit to -

'Champion the Human Rights Act and resist any attempts to weaken or repeal it'.
'Develop and implement a comprehensive Race Equality Strategy to address deep inequalities, including in education, health, criminal justice and the economy'.
'Make misogyny a hate crime and give police and prosecutors the resources and training they need to prevent and prosecute all hate crimes while supporting survivors'.
'Give everyone a new right to flexible working and every disabled person the right to work from home if they want to, unless there are significant business reasons why it is not possible'.
'Respect and defend the rights of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities including trans and non-binary people' this will include 'reforming the gender recognition process to remove the requirment for medical reports, recognising non-binary identities in law, and remove the spousal veto'.
'Ban all forms of conversion therapies and practices'.
'Scrap the Conservatives’ draconian anti-protest laws, restoring pre-existing protections for both peaceful assembly and public safety, and immediately halt the use of live facial recognition surveillance by the police and private companies'.
'Improve diversity in the workplace and in public life'.
‘Offering asylum to people fleeing the risk of violence because of their sexual orientation or gender identification, ending the culture of disbelief for LGBT+ asylum seekers, and never refusing an LGBT+ applicant on the basis that they could be discreet’.

The Plaid Cymru released their 2024 Manifesto on Thursday 13th June. You can click here to read the full manifesto, or see key points relating to Education and LGBT+ Rights summarised below.

Education

The Plaid Cymru manifesto states that education 'holds the key to Wale's future'. Plaid Cymru therefore commit to creating 'an education system where both learners and workforce can thrive'. Amongst other things, Plaid Cymru commit to camagining for -

'Universal free school meals to be extended to secondary school learners, in years 8 to 11, ensuring all children attending school receive a nutrituous meal every day'.
'Ensuring schools are resources to provide both the education and support our learners require in order to leave education equipped for their futures'.
'Investing in our workforce' by: 'reviewing bursary schemes available to incentivise teachers'; 'working with the teachign unions to reduce bureaucracy and workload'; 'recruiting and retaining 5000 teachers and support staff'; 'conducting a review of Initial Teacher Education and CPD to ascentain their relevance to the demands of the new curriculum'; 'develop a more attractive and formalised role for teaching asssistants who currently do not have clear career pathways'.
'We would scrap private school charitable status and charge VAT on fees and remove the exemption from buisness rates'.
To develop a '.national and free Welsh-medium early years education and childcare service, Mithrin Cymru, providing high quality provision for children aged 12 months until they are eligible for fill time education'.
'Place vocational education on the same foundation as academic learning in school and university'.

LGBT+ Rights (and Rights more broadly)

The Plaid Cymru manifesto is the only manifesto to have a specific section dedicated to LGBTQ+ people. They state that they believe in a 'higher respect for all people and communities'. Amongst other things, they specifically commit to -

'Reaffiriming our commitment to ensure that LGBTQ+ voices and experiences are heard and will continue to actively promote LGBTQ+ rights' by continuing to 'actively promote LGBTQ+ inclusion throughout society, including all workplaces and participation in sport'.
'Plaid Cymru would end so called conversion therapy practices related to secuality and gender identity'.
'We will continue to fight for equality for trans people' including working to 'improve the provision and ensure timely access to' healthcare services and support.
'Plaid Cymru will seek the powers to present Senedd with a proposal for simplified, demedicalised gender self-identification system'.

Reform UK have not released a full 2024 manifesto, but instead they have shared a document which they are calling 'Our Contract with You'. You can click here to read the full document, or see key points relating to Education and LGBT+ Rights summarised below.

Education

The Reform UK 'Contract With You' states that they believe 'too many young people are being let down and they commit to some reforms which they believe are needed within the first 100 days of a new goverment'. These reforms are -

'Ban Trans Ideology in Primary and Secondary Schools'.
'Ban Critical Race Theory in Primary and Secondary Schools'.
'Tax Relief of 20% for all independent schools'.
'Scrap interest on Student Loans'.

LGBT+ Rights (and Rights more broadly)

Reform UK do not have a speicifc section in their 'Contract With You' for Rights & Equality. Amongst other things, throughout the document they commit to -

'Mandate Single Sex Spaces'.
'Change the Definition of Hate Crimes' so that it is no longer based on 'any' person who 'perceives' that a hate crime has been commited.
'Leave the European Convention of Human Rights" and develop a "British Bill of Rights'.
'Review the Online Safety Bill' to prevent 'social media giants' don't 'push baseless transgender ideology and divisive Critical Race Theory'.
'Replace the 2010 Equality Act' and scrap Diversity, Equity and Inclusion rules.
As mentioend previosuly, Reform UK commit to banning both 'Trans Ideology' and 'Critical Race Theory' from all schools.

The SNP released their 2024 Manifesto on Wednesday 19th June. You can click here to read the full manifesto, or see key points relating to Education and LGBT+ Rights summarised below.

Education

The SNP manifesto, amongst other things, commits to -

'Defend free university tuition in Scotland... meaning graduates in Scotland are thousands of pounds better off.'
They commit to attempting to rejoin the EU, which will mean 'Re-entry to the Erasmus+ scheme, widening educational opportunities for Scotland's future generations'.
'Reverse the £1.3bn Westminster cut to our capital budget, to enable us to invest in new hospitals, schools, rail and road infrastructure and help to achieve net zero'.
'We have already removed charitable rates of relief from private schools in Scotland, and with full powers over VAT we would go further and end the exemption for private schools'.
'Extended free school meal provision and cancelled school meal dept'.

LGBT+ Rights (and Rights more broadly)

The SNP manifesto, amongst other things, commits to -

'Protect and enhance the rights of LGBTI community. The SNP has a proud record of advancing and chamioning LGBTI rights in government, and we will continue to build on this, working with LGBTI communities to make Scotland a fairer and more equal place to live. With independence we would have the full power to improve equality in law and society, and the ability to chamion LGBTI equality internationally’.
‘We will call on the UK Government to respect international law and strongly oppose any attempts by the UK government to withdraw the UK from the ECHR or change the Human Rights Act’.

You can write to your local MP to hold them to account on their election manifesto promises, or to challenge them on issues that are important to you. Find out who your local MP is here.