I could have real fun with this. I'm scared I might lose rather a large portition of my life if I actually sat down to think about it properly though.
I can see where Lottie was going with a few of her points, but I can also see that some of those issues can be a bit more complicated too. The 'single mums' one as an example - there would need to be some way to ratify claims - I'm sure you (Lottie) wouldn't prevent a genuine case from getting a rough deal. Lets say a really nice lass becomes besotted with a chap, they get pregnant, she has the baby and he runs off with the girl next door. That's a long way from simply getting pregnant in order to score the council house. I would definitely wish to adress the issue though.
I think means testing for folks on benefits is a good idea in the majority of cases; yes there would be exceptions to this. If they are clearly disabled and unable to work/pay for themselves, and have been diagnosed as so, then by all means lets sidestep the means testing; however for all those with more unusual problems then means testing (but done sensibly is the way); I guess the majority of those who would object to it (like I say, if carried out simply and sensibly), are those who would be found out as fraudsters.
I don't think I would completely close our borders, but I would streamline the whole system, removing the hundreds of different methods and loopholes which allow access to people who shouldn't be here; and by that I basically mean criminals. I'm quite prepared to let anyone else come here and have a fair try at making a life if that's what they want to do. If they make it, fair play - the very best of luck to them. If they don't, see above.
The other big three on my list of interests would be the NHS, the Judicial system, and Education. These seem to have money simply thrown at them in the hope that it'll solve the problem. I wish someone would realise that after so many years of doing this with almost nil results, this is pretty unlikely to happen. I think the biggest problem with all of these systems is the amount of red tape the people working within them have to deal with. Having worked in a local government office for a while I was shocked to see how much pointless paper-pushing and wasting of resources is done. The whole lot needs to be completely streamlined.
Anyway, I'll not ramble on any longer as I'll probably start babbling out my own manifesto and I don't think there's any need for that. We'll just say it'd be a mixture of liberalism and common sense.
Any questions email
lottie@socialistworker.info 
No, only joking
One final note - I do feel that the transport system needs a MASSIVE workout too. I don't think Lottie's idea of subsidising petrol at the cost of diesel drivers is so hot though. Firstly, it's not very realistic, but also, speaking as someone who has a petrol car and a diesel car - I've got to say I prefer driving my turbodiseasel nine times out of ten. I know there are arguments for petrol vehicles delivering more thrills, but I guess that only comes down to how big a diesel you are comparing it to. I honestly think that a lot of folks who do the most diesel-bashing are those who perhaps haven't really driven them for any length of time. I know I used to be completely anti-diesel until I'd driven one for a while and now, as I say, I prefer it most of the time!
Regards,
Rob.
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