Regrettably I was folking, so missed the debate. The general consensus seems to be that the Lib-Dems did do well, and some of their policies are very attractive. I like the mansion tax, but I don't see how they are going to close tax loopholes much as I would agree with doing so.

The conservatives focus on tax bribes they do not know how to pay for, coupled with the totally extraordinary manifesto focus on the concept that people should do, for nothing, jobs that the government should be doing and paying for out of tax money is simply cloud-cuckoo stuff. Do they would really think it would fix the economy if everyone were to work for nothing (apart from their banker mates)? JK Rowling's feisty piece about them in the Times tells it (for my money) like it is.

However, the reported genuine glowering hatred by Brown of Cameron will I think play well - coupled with the spoof "Step outside, Posh Boy" teeshirt.

The big news however is that the latest polls appear to have the Lib Dems ahead of Labour and the Conservatives within reach. If that holds so that the "wasted vote" argument is defeated, a breakthrough might happen for them. They are already threatening the Licensing Act. If they would commit to the Robin Hood Tax, I think they might do it. I do however have a few other policies I'd like to see: -

Reverse "Tesco Law" and ban Licensed Conveyancers and Will Writers - every time I see a file that one of those cheapskates has been near it contains at least one disaster for the client.

Nationalise Public transport - and restore it so that you can use public transport to go fromwhere you are to where you want to be when you want to go.

Ban the use of Oyster cards for spying on people.

Free (er, that's "free") NHS dentistry, at least for those under 13 and over 60 and all on benefits.

Benefits should reach reasonable subsistence level - and 100% of mortgage payments for houses valued at up to £200,000 (South East prices - it could be linked to Council tax bands to reduce regional bias). Rather than means testing benefits, make them taxable.

Cancel ID cards.

Raise the National Speed limit.

Re-introduce the "rolling age" for classic car car tax exemption.

Rreframe internet "common carrier" exemption - if a "service provider" (the wide EU definition) wnats exemption in respect of otherwise actionable or criminal material he should have to identify the sender.

The power of arrest needs sorting out (again) so that it balances necessary enforcement with the individual liberty that is being lost.

Undo the larger part of the "Woolf reforms" - the primary objective of court proceedings of all kinds should be justice.

Re-think legal aid. Civil legal aid should only be available where a prudent private funder would fund. Contingency fees should be banned. The net benefit of legal aid (civil or criminal) should be taxable. Maybe there should be a national law service, a bit like a national health service, with those who want to go private being able to.

NHS service to holders of private health insurance should be charged to the insurers.


Getting a bit too het-up here, time for my afternoon nap!