Puzzled about policies? Mad into manifestos but no time to read them? Look no further - I've taken some time to try figure out which is Yellow, Red or Blue, and what the differences are between them...

If you care about issues then you should vote about it. Here are some of the pledges of our leading parties on particular issues; so if you like what they are going to do, then you know what to do at the ballot boxes on May 6!

Our Economy

What will the parties do to ensure a recovery from the credit crunch?:

The Conservatives aim to get rid of the bulk of the UK's debt within five years by taking a further £6 billion out of the economy beginning in 2010.

Labour claims they will cut the debt by more than half by 2014 and reduce the structural deficit by at least two thirds over the next parliament by reducing public spending.

The Liberal Democrats want to cut public spending but protect frontline services, and in turn make the UK’s debt smaller (at least as fast as Labour plan to), with their plans to be set in motion by 2011.

So basically, all parties have ambitious plans to help reduce the deficit, and the Lib Dems seem to have taken to the Labour pledge in a similar way, but with a later start...

Our Democracy

The MP expenses scandal was just another factor illustrating how the country needs radical reform, and all parties are keen to “clean up politics” - but what are their plans?:

Labour want to hold a referendum (a national 'yes or no' vote) on adopting the Alternative Vote system for Westminster elections, and making the House of Lords fully elected by October 2011.

The Lib Dems have two pledges; introduce a written constitution and single transferable vote (STV) system for all UK elections, and allow voters to force a by-election for any MP found responsible for "serious wrongdoings".

Conservatives pledge that as part of their “you are the government” attitude, constituents can sack their MP’s if they aren’t doing a their job properly.

Labour have plans to ask us to vote for a different system than the current cross in a box, Lib Dems want to change the system anyway, and Conservatives are leaving it up to us...

Our Education

If it’s for us, our brothers and sisters, or our children in the future, education is an important issue for young people everywhere. Will it be a pinnacle issue for the parties? Or has the economic situation lowered it on the priority list?:

The Lib dems want to phase out university fees in six years, provide incentives for teachers teaching the most underprivileged pupils, with aims to cut sizes of classes down to 20 pupils.

Conservatives want parents and charities to be able to run any failing schools, set up new Academy schools, and (as with the Lib Dems) will create incentives for teachers to teach the most underprivileged students.

Labour want to guarantee a training or education place for all 16 to 17 year olds and protect the school budget from being cut.

Our World

After a lot of conclusions failed to be reached at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference last winter, here’s what the parties are pledging to give us peace of mind and make our world a better place:

Lib dems want to aim for a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the UK by 2020, rising to 100% by 2050.

Labour want to cut greenhouse gas emissions by over 34% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.

Conservatives want an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and aim to generate 15% of energy from renewables by 2020.

For international aid, all parties have the same pledge to aim to raise aid to the UN international target of 0.7% of the countries’ wealth by 2013.

There's the run-down; hope you enjoyed it and are all semi-set for the polling booths...

Now - take action!

Ctrl.Alt.Shift believe part of shaping our culture and our world is through our right to vote. To get your candidate to take action on crucial issues like world poverty and climate change, get on board the “Ask the Climate Question” campaign, run by a coalition of NGO’s (like Christian Aid, Oxfam, Greenpeace and the RSPB) as part of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition. Public meetings, events and election hustings are taking place for candidates around the country where you can go and ask them the climate question; and find out what they will do as your MP to speak up for the world’s developing nations in the House of Commons. Get in their faces - and demand the answers we all need to know.

For details of a hustings or event near you, go to www.asktheclimatequestion.org.uk.

Words: Lucy Keen
Photo: Marble Giant

Note: This is a brief taster of how the parties plan to shake up the UK if they come into power - but to get the full picture, be sure to check up the policies, agendas and more on the Labour, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats websites.