My manifesto takes shape

I'm sure you are all on tenterhooks waiting for me to summarise my feelings concerning the forthcoming UK General Election. And I've been trying to decide my angle, really I have, but cor blimey it's a minefield out there. The Labour Government has made some big mistakes, but they've done a few things well over the past thirteen years. I kind of liked Darling's non-budget and I think they're fractionally better placed than the Tories to deal with the recession. However, I don't like the idea of endorsing them any further; I think ticking their box and rewarding them with another term after some of the fuck-ups of which they've been a part would be absurd.

That said, I would rather they won than the Tories. I cannot and will not vote Conservative. My primary concern for Britain is our vast and shameful income gap and the effect it has on our young people and the future of this nation. I will vote for any party that can persuade me that it will make Britain fairer by reducing the disparity between rich and poor, and the idea that the Bullingdon boys of the Tories will do this is laughable. A hung parliament would be my preferred option, as I think that in that situation, both major parties could field new leaders and we might actually get some fresh blood. But, ultimately, once again, we head into an election where my views, and those of many of my peers, are not represented by either of the broken old nags in this two horse race, and as a liberal, I cry out once again for serious electoral reform that will make our voting system, and our democracy, less of a sham.

Several intelligent friends have said that they will not vote at all, while several more have said they will spoil their ballot papers. I don't agree with not voting as a protest action - Westminster don't know you're protesting, they just assume you're too lazy and/or thick to have an opinion. Spoiling the ballot is certainly preferable in that it suggests effort, genuine political engagement and anger, but it's too risky in a tightly-fought constituency where tactical voting is the only way to go. My borough is safe Labour, so there's no need for game playing: I'll vote for the party closest to my heart and be done with it. But for those of you in close constituencies who are wobbling towards rubber-faced Cameron, remember that a vote for him is a vote for a less fair Britain. You may think that lower taxes and a smaller welfare state will help you in the short term, but like it or not, we all live here, and we need everyone to be as happy, healthy and well-educated as possible. The income gap is your worst enemy, whether you're at its top or its bottom. Read The Spirit Level and love your neighbour.

Apologies to anyone who feels deeply patronised by the above. To my parents: forgive me. And now: the weekend.