Yep, empty vessel is what they are. Around here, we have a very active Labour councillor who is aiming to be the party candidate at the next GE. When I asked her exactly what her plans were to grow the local economy, reduce unemployment and improve job opportunities, she couldn't answer and then started gibbering about other things such as increasing benefits, funding schools and hospitals, etc - i.e. all about spending money (paid for of course by taxing the rich) but not about growing the economy to reduce dependence on the start. She couldn't say one policy about encouraging businesses to locate to our area nor about how local businesses could grow. She really was a true empty vessel. Shame because she seems like a nice person and committed to the area, but to not have a clue at all about how to grow the local economy is a pretty big omission!
The Tory guy (current MP) is the opposite. He's never around, doesn't give a shit about people on benefits nor the NHS etc., but he gets things done. He's achieved all kinds of "big" things locally, such as a new industrial estate, new motorway link road, a couple of big old derelict entertainment venues brought back to life, all by securing substantial government grants - he's the kind who'd rather rub shoulders with the decision-makers in Parliament than chat to constituents in Asda on Sunday afternoon, but he does get things done that benefit the area.
None of that matters because I won't be voting for either of them, but I think it demonstrates the difference in attitude between the parties.