The Brexit party has eschewed a traditional manifesto in place of a brief, 21-page “contract with the people”. These are the main points:
Brexit
The party says its priority is a “clean-break Brexit”. While this has been long seen as a synonym for no deal, at the launch event Farage said it means any Brexit that removes the UK from EU regulations and legal jurisdiction.
Political reform
Long a priority for Ukip as well, the Brexit party wants changes to the voting system and postal voting, and abolition of the House of Lords. It also proposes “citizens’ initiatives” – guaranteeing a referendum on any subject if 5 million voters sign up to the idea.
Public spending and taxation
The policy document details what it calls a £200bn “Brexit dividend” from no longer having to make EU budget contributions, scrapping HS2 and other ideas. This would be spent on public services in infrastructure, including the NHS, help for high streets, money for roads and rail, and more widespread broadband. It also pledges to abolish inheritance tax, eliminate corporation tax for smaller companies, and provide “transitional relief” to industries affected by Brexit, such as car firms.
Environment
The policy document calls for a focus on planting trees to absorb emissions. At the launch, Farage said the hope would be to plant billions around the world.
Cost of living
The Brexit party would abolish VAT on domestic fuel bills, and cut tariffs on food imports.
Immigration and refugees
The policy would be to seek annual net migration of no more than 50,000 people, although Farage said this could vary. More people could enter to fill jobs, but on time-limited work visas. The party says it will “always provide a humane welcome for genuine refugees”, but Farage said anyone who entered the UK unofficially, such as by small boat or in a truck, would be removed.
Education
While there is a pledge to back more “parental choice” on schools, this mentions only academies and free schools. Grammars were a fixture in Ukip manifestos, but do not get a mention.
Housing
The party aims to increase the number of homes built through market mechanisms, such as easier planning for brownfield sites, and allowing flexibility on other planning areas and the number of affordable homes. But the policy also states it should be made easier for councils to borrow to build social housing.
