--- title: Inline’s at-a-glance guide to the 2019 election description: The 2019 General Election is fast approaching. Discover where each of the major parties stands on the most important policy issues for the tech sector. image: https://www.inlinepolicy.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/guide-to-the-2019-election.jpg --- [![Inline Policy logo](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/hubfs/in-line-logo-horizontal-RGB-BLACK.svg "Inline Policy logo")](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/) [Talk to Us](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/contact-us) ![Inline’s at-a-glance guide to the 2019 election](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/guide-to-the-2019-election.jpg) # Inline’s at-a-glance guide to the 2019 election by [Matthew Niblett](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/blog/author/matthew-niblett) on 02 Dec 2019 The UK’s fast approaching elections will have major ramifications for businesses, citizens and Britain’s relationship with the rest of the world. Our one-page guide summarises where each of the major parties stands on the most important policy issues for the tech sector. Following the publications of all party manifestos, there is now a clearer view of what each of the main political parties have planned for businesses, the tech sector, Brexit, and beyond. A comparison of party positions reveals not only the points of greatest contention, but also areas of general consensus. The nation’s tiredness of austerity can be seen in each of the main party’s proposals on business, **with no major party promising substantial tax cuts**, especially for corporations. There is also general agreement that **the internet should be more heavily regulated**, that **the climate crisis must be tackled more determinedly**, and that **more needs to be done to connect Britain’s regions to one another**. However, if the parties largely agree on what the country’s objectives should be, **the methods of reaching those objectives demonstrate the differences in their outlooks**. Labour’s programme calls for nationalisations of the broadband infrastructure and railways, whilst the Conservatives call for more Government attention and investment, but maintain their belief in the power of the free market to deliver public goods. Moreover, **some policy areas demonstrate that the parties still have fundamentally different visions for Britain**. The most obvious example of this is Brexit, but there are others. Whilst Labour would simplify employment status to effectively bring gig workers under the same umbrella as employees, the Liberal Democrats have pledged to **modernise employment law in light of the digital economy**. Whilst the Conservatives seek to overhaul the existing immigration regimes, their counterparts seek a continuation of freedom of movement. Our table seeks to make these areas of concordance and discordance clearer. Along with our accompanying briefing, it shows what each of the four main parties – the Conservatives, Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and the Scottish National Party – has pledged to do across a range of important sectors, from business to Brexit, and everything in between. [Click here](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/hubfs/UK%20election%20guide%20-%20Inline%20Policy.pdf) for the full briefing. ![swipe on mobile](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/hubfs/Logo/Election%20Tracker%20Table%20Logos/swipe.png) | Policy Area | ![conservatives election tracker table](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/hubfs/Logo/Election%20Tracker%20Table%20Logos/conservatives-white-logo-election-trscker-table.png) | ![labour election tracker table](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/hubfs/Logo/Election%20Tracker%20Table%20Logos/labour-white-logo-election-tracker-table.png) | ![Lib Dems election tracker table](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/hubfs/Logo/Election%20Tracker%20Table%20Logos/lib-dem-white-logo-election-tracker-table.png) | ![SNP election tracker table](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/hubfs/Logo/Election%20Tracker%20Table%20Logos/snp-white-logo-election-tracker-table.png) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Business ![business sector election tracker](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/hubfs/Logo/Election%20Tracker%20Table%20Logos/sector-icons/business-election-tracker-table.png) | Rowback in promised cuts on corporation tax | Corporation tax raised to 26%, strong workers' rights | Corporation tax stays at 20% | No tax cuts for wealth and devolution of taxation and employment law | | Immigration ![immigration election tracker](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/hubfs/Logo/Election%20Tracker%20Table%20Logos/sector-icons/immigration-electio-tracker-table.png) | New "Australian style" points system | Freedom of movement in EU, review of immigration if not | Maintain existing rules for EU nationals; scrap the hostile environment | Devolution of powers; maintenance of freedom of movement | | Digital ![digital election tracker](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/hubfs/Logo/Election%20Tracker%20Table%20Logos/sector-icons/digital-election-tracker-table.png) | Online harms legislation, highspeed broadband rollout | Free broadband through taxation of multinationals | Public to receive share of profits generated from their data | Superfast broadband to every home/business in Scotland; online harms measures | | Sharing Economy ![Sharing economy election tracker](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/hubfs/Logo/Election%20Tracker%20Table%20Logos/sector-icons/sharing-economy-election-tracker-table.png) | Flexible working will be encouraged | Scrap "bogus self-employment" | Modernise employment rights in light of digital economy | Address tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the economy, reduced tourism VAT | | Climate ![climate election tracker](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/hubfs/Logo/Election%20Tracker%20Table%20Logos/sector-icons/climate-election-tracker-table.png) | Ensure carbon neutrality by 2050, investment in renewables | Decarbonisation by 2030, climate emergency legislation | More investment in green tech; carbon neutrality by 2045 | Net zero carbon emissions by 2040; New Green Energy Deal | | Transport ![transport election tracker](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/hubfs/Logo/Election%20Tracker%20Table%20Logos/sector-icons/transport-election-tracker-table.png) | Review HS2, power up regional rail, expand Heathrow | Nationalise railways, People's Zipcar, review Uber regulations | Encourage walking, cyling, and car sharing schemes | Extra funding for EVs and better, greener, public transport | | Brexit ![brexit election tracker](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/hubfs/Logo/Election%20Tracker%20Table%20Logos/sector-icons/brexit-election-tracker-table.png) | Withdrawal Agremeent Bill, no extension beyond 2020 | Renegotiate a new deal, then have a referendum with that deal vs. Remain | Revoke Article 50 if in government; support a second referendum if not | Second referendum on Brexit and Scottish independence | Topics: [UK politics](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/blog/tag/uk-politics), [Brexit](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/blog/tag/brexit), [Matthew Niblett](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/blog/tag/matthew-niblett) ![Matthew Niblett](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Team%20pictures/Meet%20the%20team%20pictures/Matt%20N%20Inline%20Policy.jpg?width=100&height=100&name=Matt%20N%20Inline%20Policy.jpg) #### Written by [Matthew Niblett](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/blog/author/matthew-niblett) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-niblett-39b0a8138/) ### Get the latest updates from our blog ## Related Articles ![Could Blockchain be the Key to a UK Digital ID?](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-10-21%20124258.png) [Could Blockchain be the Key to a UK Digital ID?](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/blog/could-blockchain-be-the-key-to-a-uk-digital-id) Digital ID is a hot topic. 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