I have been looking at the headlines from those manifestoes released thus far and can honestly say that if I had my own party I could pick this from here and that from there and something from somewhere else and come up with a great manifesto. What I cannot do, with any of them, is make the numbers add up.
If I want a garage but would have to borrow £10,000 to build it I have only nominally saved £10,000 if it does not get built. A lot of the manifesto savings seem to be in that category. However, if I go out and get recycled materials for £500 to build it I have saved £9,500.
If I up my children's pocket money by £2 per week, but then charge them up to £2 to use the Internet they have effectively gained nothing. A lot of the promises appear to be giving with one hand and sneakily taking away with the other.