Its awards consume roughly a quarter of public spending. It is hard to see where the tax hikes or spending scaleback to fund them will come from if the Chancellor sticks to his guns.
Over time, proposals have either been denounced as politically correct nonsense, or embraced with an enthusiastic “me, too”-ism. Neither approach is exactly rigorous.
They will want to ask themselves if they really want to spurn last year’s referendum result and the Party’s manifesto commitment.
It is unlikely that the mass of such voters in those crucial northern and midlands marginals would welcome a permissive approach.
The lack of a stake in the system is pushing the political profile of the youngest tranche of workers towards that of students.
Increasingly, the Conservatives are seen as protecting the interests of those who have acquired wealth by their old age.
May won five per cent more of the vote than Cameron did two years ago. The margin between having a majority and not having one was performance in marginal seats.
First, that Leave had won dishonestly. Second, that the country had become more racist. Third, that the 52 per cent had wrecked the economy.
Lord Ashcroft’s research suggests where the party performed poorly or badly on June 8: among women, younger voters and Remain supporters.
If turnout matches 2015 it would be 78; if it matches the EU referendum just 52; or if everyone votes as they say they will, it climbs to 96.
There is no point in any party piling up votes in its safer seats – assuming that voters vital to it, such as younger people in Labour’s case, turn out in large numbers in any event.
May has a campaign for the country. She must complement it, as best she can, with one for you and your family.
Last June’s Brexit vote had less to do with EU membership than a wider discontent with how Britain is governed.
Corbyn’s Michael Foot tribute act gives the Conservatives the potential to secure a landslide by winning over the patriotic working-class vote.
Most Labour voters think their party should support strike action if pay demands are not met, and most voters think private sector wages are higher.