The National Identity Register is the database that backs Labour's proposed ID card scheme. It's not so much the ID cards that I'm wary of, but given the government and the civil service's poor record on data security, it's the database that scares me. I believe that the idea of a single central and widely-shared database that contains not only our name and address, but National Insurance number, photo, biometric data, is a monumentally bad idea.

Increasingly, teachers are having to spend more time completing 'red tape' documentation and less time focusing on inspiring and stretching their students. With increasing pressures from Central Government directives handed down from on high and the need to meet targets set by politicians, the focus of the education system has shifted from teaching our youth to engage their intellect so they can contribute to society to teaching them how to pass examinations in a prescriptive and unimaginative manner. This is equally dissatisfying for both teachers and pupils.

Taking note that transport remains one of major, if not the most significant, contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and for the forseen continued need/desire for reliable long distance travel between major population/industrial centres within the UK and abroad, we propose a long-term investment in the development of new high speed rail system along some of most traffic heavy transit routes within the UK. Coupled with this would be an increase in the frequency of services along these routes as determined by passenger demand.