@Em - Always interesting to see manifestos :)
I read through yours though, Em, and 8/10 for effort and all, but I could only agree with about 1 or 2 of your 10 points, so I don't think I could promise you my vote.
I would agree that there does seem to have been a reduction in politicians of character, and far too many politicians are politicians for life, leaving uni to act as a researcher, then parachuted into a safe seat when it is felt they are ready. That system generates anodyne clones who rarely if ever disagree with the party line.
We could do with a more diverse political representation, but given our current voting system and the hold that the 2 major parties have on the electorate, it is next to impossible for small parties or independents to shine.
There are 50 or so doctors I think for example, who will be standing in 50 seats on a platform of support for the NHS, and another initiative called Democracy 2015 which is broadchurch and full of good intentions - but they fielded a candidate at the Corby by election and managed to poll just 34 votes...