The main political parties have made plenty of election promises. But there is one subject no politician wants to talk about: the British economy, which is in trouble.

For years, growth has been flat, yet spending on areas like health has risen due to inflation and increasing demand. So the government has to borrow to meet costs.

If a government needs more money, it can raise taxes. But none of the political parties have made that promise during the election campaign. Why not?

Whoever wins the election will have to find a way of raising more money.

Some people think the main parties are afraid to tell the truth about taxes. Politicians worry that voters will reject them if they are honest.

However, others think the only priority in an election is winning power.

And tax rises were not the only subject avoided during the election. Few politicians have talked about the ongoing cost of Brexit, the ageing population, the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and the climate crisis.

A political party has to focus its message during an election campaign. But if that message is a lie - or at least avoids telling the truth - how can that party be trusted ?

Are politicians afraid of the truth?

Yes! Politicians are rarely honest with the public, whichever party they belong to. Social media and 24-hour news have only increased the opportunities to lie.

No! An electoral campaign is about convincing people to vote for you. Politicians should not lie, but we cannot blame them for repeating only the facts that serve their argument.