The people's manifesto - a humourous look from Mark Thomas

As the expenses scandal grinds on, confidence in our politicians is at an all time low.   There seems to be a gaping chasm between our elected representatives and those they represent.  Is it time for the citizens to have a voice? Last night's BBC Radio 4 show Mark Thomas, The Manifesto in its small way gave the people a voice and asked the public what their own manifesto would be.  It was laugh out loud funny, and made some very serious points.  Humour is a powerful tool in getting the message across.

Should our Prime Ministers be allowed to serve three terms, or be obliged to step down after two? Well, when you look at what Clem Attlee achieved in 5 years - built the Health Service, the Welfare state, instituted pensions and benefits, nationalised coal, water, gas, steel, pulled Britain out of India, Burma, Pakistan and managed to fit in some time as a serving soldier, the achievements of some other leaders look paltry.

Mark Thomas called for the banning of supermarkets.  The large supermarket chains hold inordinate control over not only the supply chain - driving down the margins by the farmers and producers but also local industries and business.  For every £1 spent in a supermarket, 70p leaves the local area. For every £1 spent in a local shop, 70p stays in the local area. He excluded employee-owned Waitrose from this blanket supermarket ban, making a flippant point about the quality of the food.  Waitrose would remain.

Beneath the flippancy there is an element of truth.  One fish processer I know is very happy with its agreement with Waitrose - seeing the relationship as a true partnership a million miles away from the exploitative supplier/customer agreements often practiced by the big supermarkets.

Another suggestion was the imposition of a maximum wage.  It was suggested that a company should impose a maximum based on a multiplier of the average wage.  Brilliant - if the person at the top wants a rise, then everyone else has to get an increase!  Might seem an outrageous suggestion, but there seemed to be a lot of support for some kinds of restraints.

He finishes with a recommendation for the Spirit Level - Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett's excellent book which I mentioned on a previous post . The authors' research demonstrates that the countries with the most problems are not the ones with the most poverty, it is the countries where the gap between rich and poor is at its widest.  All politicians should read this book and have it at the core of their manifesto

Great show - catch it next Wednesday at half six or on BBC iplayer.