Tell us the real cuts

Labour and Tory manifestos told us nothing more about closing the government deficit. Instead of arguing over small National Insurance changes and dubious efficiency savings politicians should say what public services will be scaled back.

• National Insurance - who's right?
• Tories wedded to marriage tax break
• Taxing questions for Lib Dems
• Government debt: how does Britain compare?
• Called to account: setting the fiscal framework

Migratory stance

Gordon Brown has just highlighted falling immigration as a positive development. But given that Labour has long claimed enormous economic gains from people moving to Britain, shouldn't he be wanting higher immigration?

Gravy train hits the buffers

From duck houses and moat cleaning to avoiding capital gains tax, MPs’ expenses was the Westminster story of 2009. The system has finally been overhauled.

Tories take-on Brussels?

After caving in to accept the Lisbon Treaty the Conservatives try to sound tough on Europe. But policy is unlikely to change much if they win the election.

Prisoners' dilemma

Labour data shows plunging crime since 1997. Tory statistics show soaring crime. Who’s right?

Identity crisis

Labour back-pedals on mandatory ID cards for UK citizens but plans for a huge centralised register remain unchanged despite the threat of large-scale identity theft.

Dumb and dumber?

Since Tony Blair promised in 1997 that education would be his top priority ever more students have racked up ever more A-grades - you don't need a PhD to figure out this is not due to higher standards.

Britain in Afghanistan

Ham-fisted military planning and misguided drugs policy fuel chaos in Helmand. Lessons need to be learnt to build on any gains from the US-led military operation under way in the province.

Labour reels in Scotland

Devolution brought political decisions closer to voters in Scotland. But it created electoral headaches for Labour and opened a can of constitutional worms.

Arms-wrestling China

To mark 60 years of Communist rule China's military paraded through Tiananmen Square, where troops massacred student protestors in 1989. Yet the subsequent arms embargo introduced by Britain and the rest of the EU has quietly been forgotten.

Transport derailed?

In the last decade railway firms have hit the buffers, road pricing plans have crashed and Heathrow expansion had a turbulent take-off. How can transport policy get back on track?

War on want

More of Britain's aid budget is going to conflict zones like Afghanistan. Needs may be greater but so is the scope for corruption and waste.

Vote early, vote often

Bogus postal votes could create havoc in the upcoming general election, especially with the polls predicting a close race. Reforms must be speeded up in the next Parliament.

Age-old problem

Politicians' bitter squabbling over reforms of elderly care is unseemly. But the issue is on the agenda after being neglected by governments for too long.

• Working longer to defuse pension time-bomb

Security versus liberty

Labour introduced tough counter-terrorism laws but has been at a loss to justify the most draconian measures.

Broadcast News

The BBC starts closing services after a decade of controversial expansion.

Dole-ful outlook

Despite figures in February showing a slight fall in unemployment prospects are bleak. Further rises in unemployment are expected and the number of jobless youths hovers at record levels. Yet Labour is pushing through tough benefit reforms – with surprisingly little opposition.

Hanging together?

Following Nick Clegg's victory in the first leaders' debate a hung parliament looks even more likely. The City fears this will derail plans to tackle ballooing government debt - are they right?

• Ulster's electoral troubles

Mutual admiration

Co-operatives and mutuals may sound like they come from a bygone era. But Tory and Labour politicians argue they hold the key to public service reform.

Radical surgery at NHS

David Cameron started his pre-election campaign claiming the NHS will be better under the Tories. Yet their policy differs little from Labour which has overseen the most radical commercialisation of the NHS.

Out of power

Even before Copenhagen the main parties promised lots more renewable energy. But their plans are hot air - renewable technology is not advanced enough and slews of coal and nuclear power plants need replaced to keep the lights on.

Broken rungs on Britain's property ladder

Too few people can afford homes despite price falls since the financial crisis.

Banking on trouble

The world came perilously close to financial meltdown in 2008. Yet little has been done to prevent a future crisis.

Defence budget attacked

An uncertain world, the war in Afghanistan and tight finances will mean tough choices in the next government’s defence review.