What was in the first manifesto?

Made manifest

What was in the first manifesto? The word ‘manifesto’ is first recorded as being used in English in a 1620 translation of the History of the Council of Trent – the series of meetings held by the Catholic Church between 1545 and 1563 in an attempt to stem the rise of Protestantism. Among the measures proposed was a ban on the sale of indulgences, an insistence that bishops must be resident in the diocese they served, a prohibition on concubinage and a ban on duelling. More controversial was a ban on divorcees marrying while their former spouse was still alive – including an innocent party whose spouse had been unfaithful.

Win win

Which political parties won the most seats in last week’s European elections?

National Rally (France) 30

CDU/CSU (Germany) 29

Brothers of Italy (Italy) 24

Popular Party (Spain) 22

Democratic Party (Italy) 21

Socialist Party (Spain) 20

Social Democratic Party (Romania) 19

Alternative für Deutschland (Germany) 15

Force of circumstance

How do ex-service personnel fare in the jobs market? Figures adjusted for age profile:

Veterans / Non-veterans

Economically active 42.4% | 41.6%

Employees 33.6% | 30.3%

Self-employed 17% | 23%

Work 49+ hrs a week 17.7% | 14.5%

No qualifications 21.1% | 26.9%

Degree 26.9% | 29.6%

Armed forces veterans are especially likely to work in public administration and defence (11.6% against 5.9% of non-veterans) and especially unlikely to work in wholesale and retail trade (11.8% compared with 14.8%).

Source: 2021 Census