Mark Thomas’ Manifesto
We’ve just been to BBC Radio Theatre to see Mark Thomas recording his manifesto program. It’s where he goes all around the country getting suggested manifesto items, having a discussion about them with the audience, and then a vote to decide which one gets through. Ultimately he intends to campaign on them. Shit. Wish I had asked what he meant by that.
Well, one of my favorites got through. Adding a ‘no vote’ to election papers, or as it was stated (may not be 100% accurate) ‘I have no faith in any of the above parties’, like in new zealand. And in shared first place was ‘government pays off all our mortgages/debts instead of bailing out banks directly’ (again approximate words).
The thinking of the second one was that we as a country have about £1.2 trillion in mortgage debt, and the banks where bailed out with £1.2 trillion. But, I see a problem, because the banks haven’t actually been given £1.2 trillion, they have simply been backed to that value, which is altogether different. That means that money has not changed hands, that the government is just saying “I’ll vouch for this bank, but if the shit hits the fan I’ll pay their debts”.
My take on the show? Excellent, an absolute wheeze. Mark Thomas is a very funny guy, that handles an audience beautifully. That said, a word of warning, if English is not your first language think twice. You may end up a little bemused by the end, as he uses a lot of colloquialisms and speaks really fast.
In general though 10/10 and a thumbs up.
