Election 2019: Who's best for the Arts?

When it comes to Arts and Culture, how do the major political parties stack up? In the lead-up to 12 December, The Skinny takes a closer look

Article by Eliza Gearty | 25 Nov 2019
  • Political Policies on the Arts

With the climate crisis on the horizon, Brexit (endlessly) dragging on and the NHS hanging on for dear life by its fingertips, it's perhaps not surprising that you don't often hear politicians prioritising arts and culture on the campaign trail. But with Glasgow recently being named the UK's creative and cultural capital by the European Commission – and Scotland's creative industries contributing more than five billion to the Scottish economy every year – the arts are definitely worth bearing in mind at the ballot box. Who will protect and nurture Scotland's thriving creative scene? Here's what the leading political parties have to say... 

Labour 

Labour's 2017 manifesto was arguably the most detailed when it comes to arts and culture, promising to 'put the UK's world-class creative sector at the heart of Brexit negotiations' and to introduce a 'One billion Cultural Capital fund to upgrade our existing cultural and creative infrastructure to be ready for the digital age.' This policy was also included in their 2019 manifesto

Scotland's arts organisations have particularly suffered from cuts to local authority budgets. In May 2019, Creative Scotland's chief executive Iain Munro warned that Scotland's art sector is "at tipping point" due to "cuts to local authorities in particular." "This election is Labour's chance to end the last decade of austerity and start investing again," Richard Leonard, leader of Scottish Labour, told The Skinny "A Scottish Labour Government would provide local authorities with the money they need to fund local art projects."

In terms of making a career in the arts more viable for ordinary people, Labour stands out. Not only does the current manifesto outline plans to 'put creativity at the heart of the curriculum' in schools by providing a '£160 million annual boost to schools to invest in projects that will support cultural activities', but Labour crucially shows an awareness of improving the standards of life for the working artist after education as well.

'Being a performer is a great career. But too often the culture of low or no pay means it isn't an option for those without well-off families to support them,' the manifesto states. 'We will work with trade unions and employers to agree sector-specific advice and guidelines on pay and employment standards that will make the sector more accessible.'

Leonard emphasises the positive effect that Labour's focus on workers' rights will have on artists too. "To take one example, our commitment to a minimum student wage will allow arts students to flourish without fear of not having enough money to scrape by," he told us. "It will also help people later in life who want to return to education, perhaps to learn to paint or to pursue art, drama, media studies or creative writing."

Conservative

The Conservatives' current policy has little to say on arts and culture, although perhaps the 2019 manifesto will provide more depth. The Conservatives do state a Tory government will 'place the BBC World Service and the British Council on secure footing so they are able to promote the best of British values around the globe.' 

A spokesperson from the Scottish Conservatives told The Skinny: "From major international events such as the Edinburgh festivals to smaller community initiatives, the arts and theatre are a key part of Scottish life... the arts need to be seen at local and international level and not just at national level; creative workers and bodies should never feel stifled or micro-managed by government over-centralisation." The Scottish Conservatives also divulged that the party "will never lose sight" of the creative sector during Brexit negotiations, revealing that they see leaving the EU as "an unprecedented opportunity to improve our migration system... to strengthen the Tier 5 cultural and sporting visa route and to ensure Scotland’s cultural events aren’t losing out on the talent of performers from other countries."

When it comes to education, the Conservatives are very keen on an 'academic, knowledge-rich curriculum'. According to the most recent manifesto, the party expects 'every 11-year old to know their time tables off by heart.' Yikes. For this arts writer with dyscalculia, that sounds like a lot of pressure! I'm not sure I've even mastered the sevens yet... 

Scottish National Party

The SNP is firmly anti-Brexit, a position that feeds into their arts and culture policy. "Brexit threatens funding programmes and international creative partnerships," the SNP told us when we reached out for comment. "We oppose Brexit in all its forms and we stand firmly against any attempt to end freedom of movement." If Brexit does go ahead, however, the party have a plan of action that sounds promising. "The SNP will argue for streamlined visa schemes so artists and performers can come to Scotland to work and collaborate," their representative said. "Scotland’s culture sector and creative industries have benefited greatly from partnerships and shared experiences – the SNP will do all we can to protect these benefits."

The SNP pledge to invest in 'infrastructure, with funding for museums, theatres and our historic environment.' They also increased their funding for Creative Scotland when their budget suffered due to a lottery funding shortfall – though some have criticised that non-departmental public body, which replaced the Scottish Arts Council in 2010, for 'strategic failings.' 

The party is keen to devolve more cultural and media responsibility to the Scottish government. "The screen industry, for example, is seeing huge success but as long as broadcasting remains reserved to Westminster, we will never be able to reap its full potential," explained the party representative. "The SNP has been a long-standing advocate for the responsibility for broadcasting to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament, as well as calling for greater authority – and fair share of funding – to be moved from the BBC network to BBC Scotland." 

The prospect of #Indyref2 invites interesting questions too. What would arts and culture in an independent Scotland look like? The SNP are the only party committed to a prompt second referendum. With so much of the UK's arts scene arguably concentrated here, Scottish independence would definitely shake things up.

Liberal Democrats 

The Lib Dems recognise that the arts are 'essential for personal fulfilment and quality of life.' As with most things, the party sits between Labour and the Conservatives in its attitude to the arts in education. Lib Dems want to 'protect the availability of arts and creative subjects' to create 'a truly rounded curriculum'. The release of the 2019 manifesto may provide more concrete details. As with Labour, the Lib Dems are keen to 'examine funding and planning rules for live music venues and the grassroots music sector, to protect venues from further closures'.

The Lib Dems will 'maintain free access to national museums and galleries'. Current policy, however, provides little insight into any new commitments proposed for the sector. 

At the time of writing, not all of the major parties had unveiled their 2019 manifestos