UK narrowly backs manifesto consent as civil war fears simmer

The UK split almost down the middle on the constitutional question of whether parties should be prevented from initiating legislation on policies absent from their manifestos without voter consent. Manifesto consent scraped through with a narrow Yes, while the floor’s sharpest line demanded that governments seek the electorate’s explicit consent.

The verdicts

Should every email sent be charged a flat fee of 1p, paid to the 'first hop' ISP by the sender? The inbox kept its freedom: No swept the proposal aside. The only arguments posted came from its side, led by a practical objection that “first hop ISP” no longer means much; the rout was quieter than the margin.

Are most of today's issues because of the Conservative party? The country said Yes, yet a paradox sat at the heart of the debate: the Conservatives were blamed for today’s problems even by voters who said Blair and Brown built the machinery of decline.

Should UK universities and charities declare all foreign donations over £50,000 on a public register within 28 days? Near-consensus backed disclosure. The only hesitation came from supporters who thought the deadline too tight and the rule too narrow.

Is civil war a real possibility? The chamber leaned Yes. Its sharpest divide was over what civil war would mean: an approaching conflict, or merely disorder no one could organise.

Should no one have to sell their home to pay for social care? A home was treated less as an inheritance than as a boundary no illness should cross, and Yes carried the vote. The sharpest disagreement was over whether social care is a shared insurance scheme or a private obligation.

Will an MP openly refer to a Refnation verdict in a House of Commons debate before the end of the year? The room backed No. The liveliest case was for Refnation itself: MPs and the media just don't talk or understand about the things the voters do.

Should tribunals be required to order equal pay audits and job evaluation schemes in all cases of proven pay discrimination? The only voices arguing on the page were No voices, yet Yes carried the vote by three to two. The sharpest objection warned that the law was already bankrupting councils.

Voting continues today on fresh questions for the country.

Have your say

Every verdict above was decided by people like you. See the full results →

Today's questions are already live. Cast your vote — or create an account and be counted.