This is the most important election ever – let’s get our facts right

Let’s face it. Things aren’t great are they? I won’t reel off a list of figures about inequality, living standards, and the super-rich, but things aren’t great.

Now we have a general election to think about. Judging by the furore around a pink bus this week, the whole thing will be an unedifying spectacle characterised more by trivial distractions than real issues. At a time when most people’s pay packets are shrinking, it seems rather a travesty that the media is most interested in the colour of a light goods vehicle.

Luckily, if you want to talk about policy, you don’t have to rely on the press. Today Class is launching an election series called Election 2015: What’s at stake?.The series will produce six election guides around key policy issues affecting British people. Each one will be released over the next six weeks at free debates around the country.

The first guide, released today, focuses on work, pay and trade unions. Its contents will be discussed at a debate in Glasgow with Neil Findlay (MSP), Angela O’Hagan (economist), Dave Moxham (STUC Deputy General Secretary), Samantha Ritchie (STUC Youth) and chaired by Libby Brooks (Guardian).

The guide is an important summary of what’s at stake for workers in the 2015 general election. It collates statistics and information on issues related to work and pay, including the cost of living, low wage-growth, insecure work, including zero-hours contracts, attacks on rights at work and weakening of trade union power.

In response to these issues, the guide puts forward a series of policy proposals including implementing a living wage, introducing a payratio, strengthening trade union power, and closing the gender pay gap. It is a culmination of all of the research Class has collated on this policy area since its foundation. I’m biased, admittedly, but I think it’s a really useful resource for any progressive journalist, activist or academic who wants to get to grips with the key issues. I did the press work for most of the research Class has carried out, and even I found myself nodding along to the guide as though I was learning about its contents for the first time.

Those of you who are pressed for time will also be pleased to know Class is releasing shorter fact sheets, which encapsulate the main themes of the guides in two pages.

If work, pay and trade unions isn’t your bag, or you can’t get to Glasgow, there are five other guides which will be launched at five more events around the country. Here’s the schedule:

• Housing guide  – to be released in Newcastle on 19 February
• Economy guide – to be released in Birmingham on 26 February
• NHS guide  – to be released in Manchester on 5 March
• Welfare state guide  – to be released in Cardiff on 12 March
• Tax guide  – to be released in Bristol 19 on March

You can get full details and register for all those events here.

If you’re a Geordie, I strongly recommend you come to the housing event in Newcastle, as the glorious comandante – our very own Mark Ferguson – will be speaking at it. Did you know he was named one of the most well-connected men in the UK by GQ recently? GQ stands for “Gentlemen’s Quarterly,” so do expect Mark to arrive in a perfectly-tailored suit and then challenge you to a game of billiards afterwards.

Every election some breathless commentator announces “this is the most important election ever!” Readers of LabourList, let me be that commentator. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION EVER. Let’s get our facts right.