The “Pudding Rule”: Meet Key Manifesto Promises or Trigger Early Elections

Background

Require parties to publish time-bound manifesto commitments (6-month, 1-year, full term), grouped by policy area and independently monitored. Parliament should legislate a mechanism triggering an early election if a government fails a defined threshold of key commitments.

Additional details

Voters elect governments based on manifesto promises, yet there is no consequence if pledges are abandoned, undermining trust. The “Pudding Rule” would require clear, measurable, time-specific commitments, independently monitored with public reports. If a government fails a legislated threshold, an early general election would be triggered, ensuring accountability and restoring trust.