Now, I don't claim to be an "A" student

And so to the Liberal Democrats.

They are the last of the three major political parties to launch their manifesto** - the delay caused by the birth of Charles Kennedy's first child a couple of days ago. Indeed, the leader was looking more than a little tired and bedraggled at the launch this morning. Part of this is almost certainly due to the presence of the newborn in his house, but I suspect that as a canny politician, he has realised that this rather unique event has generated him an enormous amount of goodwill amongst the electorate, and has cut him an awful lot of slack, and is determined to make the most of it. Is that cynical of me?

So what policies have they come up with to convince us that they are a genuine alternative to Labour and the Conservatives?

Here's our Swiss with a quick reminder:

Health

• This is a good thing and we are for it
  

Education & Skills

• This is also a good thing and we are for this too
  
• Furthermore, anyone who is against this is a bad person, and we oppose them
  

Justice & Crime

• This one's more tricky
• We think our position is yes to the former, and no to the latter
• Is that right?
  

Economy & Business

• We don't know much about that, but we do like kittens
• They're all soft and fluffy
  

Pensions & Benefits

• Yes, if you are eligible for them
• No, if you are not eligible for them
  

Local Communities

• Um
• We think on balance that we agree
  

International Affairs

• Crikey, this is hard
• Can we crib?
  

Rural Affairs

• Ah yes, we know about this one
• We think that voles are a much abused part of rural society. Just because they don't have a vote doesn't mean that they don't matter. They should have more sanctuaries and stuff.
• Lambs are quite cute aren't they? We like them
  

Transport

• The wheels on the bus go round and round
• Round and round
• Round and round
• The wheels on the bus go round and round
• All day long
  

Better Government

• Well, the current one's alright, isn't it? We don't mind them really.
  
• Although we'd like you to vote for us really
• But it's up to you, of course
  

Environment

• Yes
  

Well, I think you'll agree it makes more sense than anything the Conservatives have come up with, doesn't it?

If you can be bothered, you can find proper analysis here, although I warn you now, even if you do spend the time reading this, Labour still win.

Sorry.

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** Veritas also launched their manifesto today. I won't be covering them, although I reserve the right to laugh at them regularly as they discuss their policies - sorry - policy.