Politicians should live by our rules

HAVE you noticed that when Boxing Day arrives, summer holiday adverts appear on TV before you have the chance to draw breath? Politics is exactly the same.

As soon as local polls close there's a thundering great General Election looming on the horizon.

I've witnessed enough of them to know what politicians promise has little relevance to what they can deliver.

President Blair, an incredibly persuasive speaker, has proved to be the most inept leader since General Custer. Don't believe me? Child Support Agency, The Dome, Immigration, Iraq, law and order, need I say more?

Tory toy-boy David Cameron arrives vacuum wrapped with spin, hype and pre-pubescent side-kick George Osborne. What a ticket: 'Dave The Rave' and 'Gorgeous George' sincere as a Prescott kiss.

I don't recall who leads the Lib Dems and frankly, I don't care. Over the years they've proved as effective as fleas on a rogue elephant.

So, for the first time in my adult life I have no idea how I shall cast my vote. But I'll tell you what I want - what I really, really want and it isn't manifestoes, promises, pledges or assurances.

I'm not an idiot. I don't need DTR mushing huskies across a glacier to understand global warming or see The Pres playing football with African orphans to believe AIDS is a killer.

I don't want anyone telling me they have spent billions on the NHS. I want to benefit from the results.

I don't want party political broadcasts on my TV or have my dinner interrupted by party hacks banging on the door. I'm not interested in what political parties SAY, only in what they DO.

I want police officers on the streets, NHS dentists available to all, hospitals fighting disease instead of closure and an end to idiotic political correctness and the grotesque compensation culture.

I don't want politicians to promise change. I want DELIVERY. Forget statistics I want to see it and experience it for myself.

I believe there is a firm argument for a total ban on electioneering 28 days before a General Election forcing parties to rely on their prior performance to gain votes.

I don't want politicians to plunder my pension while protecting theirs or sabotage state schools while giving their own kids a private education.

I want politicians to wait their turn for NHS treatment and use scheduled flights and trains rather than RAF jets. In short, I want them to live by the rules they set for us.

Personally, I'm still undecided who will get my vote but at the moment I'm favouring 'None of the Above'.