25 ideas in 25 days

When I ran for the National Policy Forum in September 2015, 25 days out from the ballots closing I started posting 25 ideas - one a day - to demonstrate the kind of fresh thinking I'd bring to the Forum.  

The idea was for these to be micro-ideas that supplemented the radical policies that Jeremy Corbyn would later bring to the fore so wonderfully in our 2017 manifesto 'For the many, not the few'. 

One (maintenance loans for part-time students) has since become government policy and another (extending maternity pay to 52 weeks) has become Labour policy but the others remain ideas I'm keen to see the party pursue and will be submitting to the National Policy Forum again this time around.

My 25 ideas in 25 days

Click on the idea to see my proposal in more detail...

Idea 1: All fines should be levied proportional to income

Idea 2: Make the energy companies pay for the Winter Fuel Allowance

Idea 3: Bring back the Child Trust Fund...but better 

Idea 4: Electric car charging points for every block of flats

Idea 5: Be bold & long-term on high-speed rail (a truly national new network of maglev trains)

Idea 6: Abolish the 11+

Idea 7: Mutualise the BBC

Idea 8: A Chief Technology Officer for every LEP region

Idea 9: Maintenance loans for part-time students

Idea 10: Allow self-referral to physiotherapists

Idea 11: Support British film by turning BBC Films into a distributor

Idea 12: Future generations impact assessments on all policies

Idea 13: An Early Intervention Audit Committee

Idea 14: Empower teachers with proper technology training

Idea 15: Taking a global lead on the 'circular economy' and committing to zero waste to landfill by 2030

Idea 16: Regulate student rents 

Idea 17: Regional Arts Councils for a devolved England

Idea 18: Free home security improvements for the most vulnerable

Idea 19: Use fines for failure to buy shares in public utilities and give them to citizens to mutualise them

Idea 20: Support the divestment movement and take a lead with council pension funds

Idea 21: Split alcohol duty - one (higher) rate for retailers and another rate for pubs and clubs

Idea 22: Extend Statutory Maternity Pay to 52 weeks

Idea 23: Roll-out free gym, swimming and other activities at local authority leisure centres

Idea 24: Extend the school day to 5pm

Idea 25: Nationalise Openreach