The Heritage Alliance has done an analysis of the UK political party manifestos for the 2019 election in relation to heritage. You can see the results here: 2019 political manifesto analysis

Some highlights:

  • Funding for research to replace EU funding would be allocated by Conservatives and the Brexit Party. Conservatives also support the EU Horizon programme. Liberal Democrats and Green Party plan to stay in the EU, so EU funding schemes will continue to operate;
  • Liberal Democrats commit to strengthen the links between culture and tourism by appointing a Minister of State for Tourism and by adding tourism to the functions of the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sports while UKIP would scrap the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and abolish the British Council;
  • Regarding immigration in the event of Brexit, Conservatives and the Brexit party would introduce an Australian-style points-based system;
  • In the event of Brexit, both Conservatives and Labour commit to maintain and improve EU environmental standards;
  • In a general devolution framework, Labour and Liberal Democrats commit to protect and revive high streets. Environmental impact must also be taken into account (also for the Green Party). Conservatives put attention to infrastructure;
  • Reforming apprenticeships is important for all parties;
  • The Green Party fosters repair and renovation of buildings rather than new construction (and plans to build related apprenticeships);
  • Labour and Liberal Democrats commit to maintain Lottery funding for Arts and Heritage sectors, even though the Labour call for more transparency in funding distribution.

All major parties commit to maintain free access to national museums and galleries. Moreover, Conservatives, Labour, and Liberal Democrats commit to allocate culture-related funding. The Conservatives’ ‘Town Fund’ intends to support local libraries and museums, and help communities acquire assets under threat. The Labour’s ‘Cultural Capital Fund’ intends to support local libraries and museums. The Liberal Democrats will instead expand the ‘Future High Street Fund’.