…every day would be the first day of spring (or so the song goes)And what a lovely spring it is turning out to be. As well as plenty of good weather, we are enduring/enjoying a general election campaign. This time round the election seems a curious phenomena. On the one hand we could all be forgiven for ignoring the whole thing on the basis that politicians don’t deserve our attention and, in any case, “they all seem much the same these days”. On the other hand the country seems to be energised and intrigued by the campaign, and particularly by the TV debates.

One thing I like about general elections is that they always bring more radical, big-picture ideas and proposals. The fact that these never make it into policy is a shame but none the less I like the notion that every now and then we all invest in bigger conversations about our society. And with that in mind, here is my 10 point ideas-storm for creating waves in the UK.

1. Means test child benefits and winter fuel allowance. The money would go much further if we aimed it a people who need it. The idea that we pay Colleen Rooney £1000 per year to help bring up Kai, or that dear old Dame Judi Dench needs a £400 payment each winter to prevent the onset of hypothermia, is frankly bonkers.  In fact we could go further and scrap them all together and just offer more tax free income/pension at the bottom end of the earnings scale.

2. Create real independence for Scotland and Wales. The half way house we have now is an anathema which breeds resentment on both sides.  We have Scottish MPs in Westminster voting for things that have no bearing on their constituents and we have a layer of bureacuracy that we do not need.  We are all part of the European Community anyway.

3. Nationalise BUPA so that we can provide and reinforce the principal that health services are provided on the basis of need, not ability to pay.  OK so this might be unworkable and merely shows off my own personal prejudices, but we need to reverse the slow privatisation of our the NHS, the jewel in our crown.

4. Legislate so that independent schools are obliged to provide 20% of admissions each year to publicly funded pupils. These places should be targeted at the needs of specific state-educated children.

5. De-militarise our country by scrapping nuclear weapons and reducing our ambitions and resources. We are set up militarily for a world that no longer exists.  Call me a hippy peacenik but I am from the school of opinion that our foreign policy in relation to international terrorism is causing more problems than it is solving.  Much like our manufacturing industry, I believe our military should focus its efforts on elite operations at the cutting edge.

6. Create a 21st century version of national service - national community service - paying a living wage for all 18 year olds before they enter university or career employment.  There will need to be some small print for this one but the idea is solid.  For me being a citizen is about understanding and valuing the nature of community and the role we can play in it.  Offering paid employment, including some basic training, in the service of the community ticks lots of boxes and will provide many of our youngsters with positive learning experiences.  An extension of community service could be used in sentencing (as it is now) and as a partial replacement for job seekers allowance.

7. Do not lock up anyone under the age of 16 in a prison. It is inhumane and, more importantly, does not work. More appropriate, targeted consequences should result from youth crime and earlier more effective interventions in recreation, mentoring and substance abuse  should be at the centre of the policy.

8. Retain strategic partial ownership of the banks, and use it to drive policy. The country is now making money out of its ownership in RBS, this is a good thing.

9. Change the voting system. I am no expert but I do know this time we might face the bizarre prospect of the party in 3rd place running the country after 6th May. Also in my constituency I know that my vote is wasted unless I vote for only one of two of the 7 candidates.

10. Overhaul remuneration for MPs. Pay a basic salary of say £100k with a 50% bonus on top. Limit expenses to standard employee terms. This is obviously a massive rise but we need to attract the right quality of candidate.  

On reflection, this list of ideas puts me somewhere between the Lib Dems and the Socialist Workers Party (apart from item 10!).  It’s a good job election manifestos never get delivered!!