The Manifesto is not so much a vision of the future as a slightly disturbed stare of inappropriate length into the navels of Mark Thomas’s audience. It is the result of touring the country for the best part of a year, collecting people’s ideas to make the world a better place, then discussing them and voting to select a policy from each show. Every policy published in The People’s Manifesto is there by dint of having undergone this process.

In a perfect world these policies would appear in a mainstream party political manifesto but there is little likelihood of that as traditionally radical common sense has been the kiss of death to any politicians career.

Now, however, Mark Thomas and Ebury Press are offering the chance for one reader to take up the gauntlet laid down by the book, offering one reader the chance to stand for Parliament in the next general election and run a campaign based on the ethos and ideals of The People’s Manifesto.

Yes you will have to submit a web form, yes you will have to outline where you want to stand and why. And yes, you will have to outline what policies are your priorities and your campaign plans. But if you are selected you will be given £500 to pay for your deposit and £500 campaign expenses.

Previously independents have stood for election under the premise that they had nothing to lose but their deposit, now at least for one person the deposit is covered. Go on have a go. Visit the website to find out how.

www.thepeoplesmanifesto.co.uk