Richard Curran: Houses galore and cheap childcare for everyone – parties’ election promises are reckless

You would need a calculator to keep up with the amount of money politicians are looking to throw at people during this election. Parties are offering handouts and making spending commitments far removed from reality that they know themselves cannot be met. It makes this general election campaign quite different, especially in light of the electoral success of Donald Trump and the rise of populism.

Reality is taking a back seat. It’s as if promising the impossible is now totally OK. This is how elections are fought – and won.



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