It's thought likely that Gordon Brown will call a General Election on the 6th of April, to give a polling day of 6th May. In order of priority, what are your 3 most important issues/policy areas?

For me it's:

Civil liberties (or erosion thereof by New Labour)
Health/NHS
Defence

Sustainable energy policies.

We have some of the most highly recognised research centres in the world, and sustainable energy is a potentially huge growth export market in addition to being essential to the continuation of the lifestyle we are accustom to.

Unfortunately, industry and government alike are only interested in short-term investments. Although there is some modest action now, we need a government that truly recognised the potential rather than just paying lip-service.

Additionally, with the UK's position as a centre for excellent research at mind, we seriously need to scrap tuition fees for most people. We should be investing in the future of Britain, and that definitely means education.

1) budget deficit/national debt (the current debt is unsustainable and it's getting worse all the time. spending much be cut.)
2) inefficiency (pointless time wasting paperwork for police/teachers etc. Let them do their jobs!)
3) benefits wastage (the system is wasteful and inaccurate, and the cost of managing dozens of tax credits is a huge waste. And that's before I even start ranting about people who's sole intention in life is to live off benefits.)

That's a pretty good description of mine as well although an outcome of sorting those out would need to be looking after the OAP's better.

My main concern is how the unions are going to react to spending cuts. We have one of the most bloated public sectors in Europe, but I can't see staff cuts going down too well.

I'd also like to see PC cut back - it's gone too far.

I'd just like it if there was a parliament full of capable, smart people I could trust to do what's right since I can't be there to do it for them.
Is there anyway we can get the politicians out of politics? It's too important to be left in their hands.

More of a fantasy than a dream - sadly.

1. Future of NHS (given I work in the NHS, I'm worried about my career).
2. taxation/cuts
3. civil liberties (i'm anti ID cards, don't want my mail examined etc)

Roll back the police state. No more ID cards DNA databases, and use the money saved for actual police men and for anti terrorism, scrap targets. No to the Digital Economy Bill as well.

Lower property prices. This impacts on everyone through either high costs of living in order to live near work or higher housing benefits which hit the tax payer via private landlords. It hurts low paid who have little or no chance of owning their own home. It encourages people to speculate on house prices rather than save for a pension or even just a rainy day fund because they treat their home as savings which it is not. It reduces the funds available for business investment and the creation of jobs. It also puts the start up costs of a new business up, reducing competition and new jobs.

A simpler progressive tax system that includes all property gains including main home. This will mean they all pay according to their ability rather than their inability to get out of the tax by not being able to move income offshore. It could mean the abolition of many stealth taxes and benefits, with far fewer loop holes. Maybe a new like the US in that if you are declared a tax exile you are permanently banned from ever returning to the UK.

Better government budgeting. This would mean an end to feast and famine in services. If they get extra funding one year they can keep it rather than be forced to spend it or risk losing that sum next year. It might end the creation of the non jobs that irritates the Daily Mail. Allow departments to build up huge savings for big ticket items like scanners or wards. Maybe the splitting of total budgets into smaller pots such as capital for buildings and equipment, wages for all staff cost, it would also stop heads awarding themselves huge bonuses because it comes out of the same fund as wages of the rest of the staff. And a consumables budget for drugs etc. If procurement is efficient then it could be used for transferring the surplus to pensions or capital or saved for future years when needed. This will help maintain front line government services when things are tight like now.

The deficit is a minor problem and will get solved, all the parties are clear on that.

My issues won't be addressed by a general election and therefore I feel I may be in the somewhat regrettable position of having no will to vote this time.

Some people will vote for a party, some for a policy/policies, some just for a change. But most will be voting based on lies - one way or another. The system is broken and it has lost my participation. Issues are no longer relevant, because to those in charge they are just soundbites to be played with in order to manipulate the people.

I must agree, I'm not sure a different party will bring much change...

Still, I'd like to see the following:
- More affordable housing, and advice for first time buyers
- General financial security for the next few years (with leaving uni, getting jobs, buying a house, etc., I'd like to be able to save and invest rather than all of my extra cash going to the government).
- For the government to stop pushing people into university and putting money into an education system that will actually benefit students in later life. After almost completing a BSc I realise that the idea of pushing people into uni is a terrible idea. The inference is that a student with a 1st/2:1 will be great at a job and you should employ them, whereas in reality (from my experience), people who 'score' highly at university are best suited to going on to do an Masters or a Ph.D (or equiv.), as they are best at storing knowledge for enough time to pass exams/coursework and, at times, have very little understanding of a subject...

In my brief 10 years in work I've met too many dumbass graduates to count. I dread to think what exactly they learn at university. I don't even have A-levels (I quit early to get a job), but I've managed to get plenty of decent enough jobs - and learnt a whole ton about myself, other people and the world of work - in the meantime.

Have to agree there - I know quite a few muppets with PhDs who wouldn't know the right end of a Bunsen burner if I shoved it where the sun don't shine. The only ones that are any good have spend a good few years in industry.

I'm not sure I can narrow it down to just 3. Immigration policy/law, edumacation, NHS, civil liberties, pensions, benefits, taxes...all things which need a good overhaul, not just talented money-shuffling. I'm not sure any of the main 3 will hit it so I am going to put my vote where my heart and head have the fewest conflicts.

1) stop taking all my money off me
2) stop taking. all of. my money. off me.
3) STOP TAKING MY F****** MONEY

That'll do for now