expenses claimed all other sources of income ... directorships, consultancy roles etc ... anything that detracts time from their core job EDM signatures vs. voting record their view on a referendum for electoral reform, so that everyones' vote counts their plan to deliver greenhouse gas reductions within the next one hundred months their stance on UK population levels their view on endless economic growth vs. a steady state economy

I would find its valuable to know the following about a 'sitting' candidate (existing MP) Voting record Outside interests - business/ pressure groups/ special interests or causes (eg. charity or 'cause') including all paid employment. Attendance record at the House when sitting. Membership of any parliamentary committees/interest groups/ working parties. Expenses claimed during the life of the parliament. Any family members employed by MP. Occupation and activities prior to election as MP. Of a non-sitting candidate I would expect to see full details of their past political and 'pressure group' history - the usual stuff around personal and professional experience. Membership of public bodies, and public service. Not sure that this is exhaustive - am sure that other will bring added insights Best wishes

What is their work experience? How have they and do they lead their own lives in the green context. What concrete plans do they have for reducing greenhouse gases in the UK in the next 10 years? How do they intend to make the UK energy self-sufficient and what plans do they have for reducing our reliance on fuel imports over the next 5-10 years? What are their plans for a sustainable and affordable public transport system for all in the next 10 years. What would they do reduce waste in all areas of our lives? What would they do to promote awareness of the folly of endless consumption and bring about a steady state economy rather than unsustainable economic growth? What would they do to promote localism where it is possible?

It would be useful to have a separate, related database where pressure groups/interest groups/think tanks would be listed with members, interests, publications and funding routes. This can then be cross-referenced with MPs and prospective MPs who have links to these organisations.

I'd like to know exactly why they became an MP and the three most important changes they would implement if they were PM for a day.

I am a little concerned about what we as the citizens need to know and what the gutter pres thinks we need to know. Clearly if an elected person was doing something which made him/her liable to illegal coercion and the behaviour was in its self not illegal who gets to know and how. I have in mind that not so long ago it was illegal as a male to be sexually involved with an other man. What safe guards need to be in place to protect us all from the bigots.It has been suggested that if we are too censorious it wiil prevent good people from becoming candidates. I do however feel that all financial and political links need to be open and explicit. Whether the links are to "age concern" NSPCC or HBOS we know them. Perhaps there should be for people elected to public office a form of Home Ownership Pack which has the effect of making any false declarion or significant ommission punishable in law (prevention of standing again.. This may give the electorate the means sorting the wheat from the chaff. I would be worried if youthful mistakes would prevent otherwise good candidates from standing. ie a conviction for shop lifting as a teenager. This may come across as a bit garbled but I guess that whilst not wishing the status quo to remain I would not wish to see what was in effect a national/local witch hunt surrounding each candidate.

Many prospective candidates are local councillors so their voting records can be looked at in the same way as sitting MPs. Views on electoral reform, the private finance initiative, Trident renewal, reform of the taxation system, cross-party co-operation and public-spending priorities, where any of those were on record, would be helpful in forming a view.

Key Questions: Do you think that Britain's involvement in the War in Iraq was legal under international law? Do you think that the Welfare State can be expanded entirely through a growth in the economy or do you think that increased progressive taxation is essential? Do you think that the present financial crisis and associated collapse of the domestic housing markets was essentially caused by failures in the US or does the UK - Government and financial institutions - have responsibility for what happened here? Do you accept that Global Warming is a scientific reality? Do you believe that the National Identity Card scheme will have the intended benefit of reducing the potential for terrorist attacks? If so, how?Following the G20 protests in London, what is your view on the right to demonstrate? What is your view on legislation making it illegal for members of the Police to be photographed or videoed?

I would like to know what their convictions and stands are in connection with the issues of depleting energy sources/climate change/ecological crisis. If they believe it is all balderdash and have no track record of any interest in these matters, whatever their political colours, I feel it would be dangerous to elect them. Have they heard of the Transition Movement? If not, they are not well informed enough to represent us.

Voting record, both as MP and local councillor, if applicable; attitudes toward major issues - climate, civil liberties, immigration etc.; general CV including eduction, experience etc.; directorships or other outside interests and remuneration for same; expenses claimed; criminal record.

The first thing is to narrow the list down to the most marginal (100 or maybe more). No point messing around in 'safe' seats. Analysing sitting MPs is easy enough. Establishing the true positions of non MP candidates is more difficult (presumably they'll all say they were against the Iraq war, even if they weren't!)

I would be interested in their views on representative democracy.Do they vote for the party if it conflicts strongly with the wishes of their constituents?The issue of whipping concerns me greatly(in a parliamentary sense obviously). I want to feel better represented when my vote sends someone to what is undoubtedly a fairly lucrative and interesting position.

Are they prepared to support: radical reform of Parliament itself returning power to members to hold the executive to account in a meaningful way. Lords reform - a 100% elected second chamber. Electoral reform (STV). On defence - unilateral nuclear disarmament. An ethical Foreign Policy incl. aid to third world countries with no strings attached.

Does this initiative also extend to MSPs and AMs or are we only thinkignof Westmisnter here?

Expenses & other jobs. Civil liberties & "big brother" legislation. Police violence & politicisation. Electoral reform & solution to non-English MPs voting on matters that don't affect their constituents. Child poverty & progressive taxation.

What are the views of candidates on the failure of the capitalism experiment? It does not work, and there is plenty of evidence around us now to show that. Capitalism relies on growth and the limits to growth are becoming more and more obvious, so do they have alternatives to offer?

In addition to the above, I'd like to add: What are your view on nuclear proliferation? What are your views on Trident or any other so called independent deterrent? Where do you stand on nuclear energy? What are your plans for achieving sustainable, self sufficient power generation? Would these involve sustained long term investment in tidal, wave, wind, solar and other renewable, sustainable power sources? What are your views on factory farming? What are your plans for sustainable food procution and distribution? What are your views on corporate lobbying and its impact on parliamentary democracy? What are your views on mutuals rather than profit making structures for running basic services?

What are prospective candidates doing about climate change? Not 'what are they saying about it'. What are they actually doing, and pledging to do?

What I think has been missed out of the above is - 'what does the candidate think education is mainly about, preparation for a job or preparation for thinking for yourself?' Also 'how would they like to see our schools develop - more information being fed to students or practice in finding things out for themselves?' and 'should schools be more focussed on parents as "consumers" or kids as future citizens?' If the latter then - 'what is the right relationship between schools, parents and young people?'

Prospective parliamentary candidates should share specifics on their policy positions on climate change and how this country should be tackling it now; attitude to local, transition type initiatives including when and how UK will become food and energy self-sufficient; position on nuclear power/identity cards/Trident et al. Certainly any political or economic affiliations they have, and work experience should be opened up.

The knowledge that they are public servants, working to improve the lives of the citizens of this country, is the most important criteria. What their salary will be, benefits, patio heaters and porn allowance makes a mockery of the ordinary citizens who slog away each day to pay their taxes. Basically, they work for us, and should start respecting that.

What is wanted is an mp who is concerned for the welfare and well being of the people in their constituency. All too often, mps seem to want to get elected just to travel on the gravy train and look after their own interests. No mp should have outside work. Being an mp, secretary of BAT and practising as a barrister, is not acceptable. Jim Prior, farmer Jim as he was known; who has time to farm and help run the country? People rightly hold most mps in contempt for what they are perceived to be, either corrupt or just self interested lobby fodder. There has to be something much better.

I would like to know particularly what their plans would be for green actions, e.g. better facilities for safer cycling and walking. for those seeking re-election, data on how they have performed in this regard, i.e. what they have actually achieved, not just what they promised. also, how they have performed relative to their party's promises.

I suppose what i really want to see is a CV! This should include ALL history from leaving school, ALL affiliations, ALL expenses, ALL Income, ALL Salaries and Expenses of staff employed to assist them, special note of ALL family members employed to assist them, Attendance record in the house. Everything, i want to know everything. We elect them to represent us, and we are entitled to know how they represent us and if they have agendas we may not actually want to support. We employ them, my boss knows how much i am paid, what bonus i get, what expenses i claim - i want to know what i am paying them.

Does this initiative also extend to MSPs and AMs or are we only thinkignof Westmisnter here? -MARC CARLTON

We'll be piloting it with prospective Westminster candidates, but we should be able to expand it to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly relatively easily if there are enough people out there willing to do the legwork.

Also- just wanted to clarify- though we will be analysing candidates' campaign promises, the main focus of the site will be on collecting factual information available in the public domain (mostly online) that helps us to assess candidates' credentials so far as environmental issues, social justice and civil liberties are concerned. So the information we collect will hopefully be substantive, and relevant. And we have no interest in delving into people's private lives just for the sake of it.

The most important question I would ask a prospective candidate would be - Would they vote according to their conscience, rather than what their party whips wanted? Unfortunately only independent candidates would answer truthfully.

I agree with the idea of a CV. I'm interested in what paid and/or voluntary work a prospective MP has done - this can tell you a lot about the knowledge they would bring to parliament. Also, I would like to know if they have been a member of a trade union - which would show some commitment to improving the pay and conditions of ordinary workers.

Shaun O'Connell is right, MPs should disclose all the information regarding their business links or interests. Providing false details should be punishable with a significant jail term and a permenant ban from office. Enough is enough, I am sick to death of dodgy politicians. If we have to swallow this 'if you've got nothing to hide you won't mind the 50,000 cctv cameras/reading your emails/tracking your phone calls' bollocks then they can at least tell us what they're doing with all our money, after all, if they've nothing to hide.....

In addition to many of the above with which I agree, (a) Candidates' answer to the question "how is money created, who by and why?"; (b) (i)Their definition of Peak Oil, (ii)whether they accept the theory, (iii)if they do, how long they expect it will be before real energy shortages impact on ordinary people and (iv)their proposals for addressing the problem; (c) Their response to "The manufacture of, and trade in, arms and weapons systems by private corporations is immoral and government connivance in it doubly so".

Wow, if we have all of the above this will make a huge difference to our knowledge about candidates. I would love to see some proposals from prospective and sitting candidates as to how they might improve their own accountability as our servants in governance - how can we a) follow their progress in keeping their pre-election pledges and b)how can we (more or less easily) invite them to re-energize their commitments when they appear to be wavering and c) in what effective ways can we let them know our frustration if they are persistent back-sliders. I have in mind some of the peoples participatory policy making systems and subsequent representative accountability forums that are appearing in places like Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Yes, CVs are what we need. But to make them easier to scan, how about arranging achievements routinely for each candidate under headings such as the following? Action on climate change Promoting sustainability Promoting cooperation Other As the first three are of key importance for our future, blank entries would quickly reveal, by default, who are the candidates who deserve most support.

Bill Finlay makes some good points. I'd also like to see their views on Proportional Representation to give the UK a more representative political system rather than the two horse race that it is now. I'd also like to see evidence of successful business or real-world experience. They do want us to trust them to run the country after all. It would be good to see demonstrable and long term support to environmental and ecological issues. I'd like their view on representative democracy (party vs. personal convictions) and their views on the fairness of the remuneration and pensions of civil servants and MP compared to the private sector.

Voting Record. Attendance record. Expenses claimed. Business, media links and lobby links explicitly declared. 2nd jobs / consulting. Areas of influence within their party organisation (networking). What evidence can they provide that their actions are congruent with their stated views on the issues we are trying to address? Would they accept a citizens audit so we can check your performance against your pledges?

For sitting MPs, voting records - did they back ID cards? Or a transparent parliament? Did they back the Gurkhas? For challengers, public statements on the same issues. We need to compare like with like. So, not vague support for freedoms, but a statement - on their websites, in the press, or campaign literature - against ID cards, for Freedom of Info etc.

Challenges to own parties orthodoxies. Evidence of sustained set of socially supportive values. Published statements on equality issues. Evidence that they are comfortable challenging the pressure of power and money. Voicing support for eliminating barriers to two tier public services. Daring to say you get what you pay for and campaigning to increase tax and level wealth. Analysis of public records and esources. Tracking their meetings as soon as possible .

Many candidates do not necessarily originate from the area they represent so one might argue that they are not fully conversant with the requirements etc of the local population. Perhaps some indication of how much time they have spent in the constituency to understand the community and its issue and what do they perceive these issues are. Although they are likely to be 'on message' with the party they represent, perhaps some indication of how they believe they address the issues or draw them to the governements attention.

I think if too much attention is paid to a prospective MP's past indiscretions or apparent misdemeanours, we could lose out on valuable experiential insights and much needed political courage. Personally, I would like to know what prospective candidates have so far done in real terms to champion people's rights or campaign for legal reforms or a change in social policy. Examples of this might be Peter Hain's run-ins with the police as a young anti-apartheid campaigner. Or Harriet Harman and others' campaigning as local activists and counsellors for the extension of women's rights in the 1970s. Today, a number of people who have protested against the Drax power station in Leeds or risked their careers campaigning against the extension of Heathrow airport could find themselves with criminal records. Should this necessarily discount them from seeking parliamentary office in future? I don't think so. Peter Hain was once framed and prosecuted by Wandsworth police for bank robbery, don't forget. Had he been wrongly convicted at the time, it is unlikely he would have been elected as a constituency MP in England. These are important considerations in an age when those radicalised by current policies could find themselves on the wrong side of the law. So having a squeaky clean image is not always a desirable profile for someone seeking political office.

A good resource for checking up on the nuts and bolts of MPs' voting record, committees attended, expenses, register of members interests etc is www.theyworkforyou.com This is a good starting point - I am now very clear that my MP (Labour, Plymouth Sutton) has a 99% record of sticking to party orthodoxy on issues like ID cards, Iraq, and anti-terrorist legislation (42 days), and I won't be voting for her next time even though I know she has worked hard for Plymouth over the years. In some respects theyworkforyou.com tells me all I need to know about my own MP but I need to read between the lines in order to form an opinion. It would be good to put flesh on some of these bare bones along the lines suggested by some of the other comments so that I could make a more informed/ sophisticated judgement.

In no particular order: Will they (the candidates) promote legislation to prevent the mis-use of Anti-terrorist legislation against people who clearly are not involved in terrorist activities? Will they ensure that demonstrations are policed on behalf of both demonstrators and the objects of demonstration but not violently biased in favour of the Estabishment, as at present? Will they ensure that all people and companies earning and making money in the UK are equally liable for full taxation on profits and earnings, closing the loop-holes which curently allow prsently legitimate but unfair tax avoidance? Will they ensure that all members of a two house legislative system are democratically elected? Will they ensure that all citizens are subject to the laws of the country, without exception on any grounds, including religious belief or membership of an ethinic ethnic group? Will all legislation be carefully and fairly drafted to serve the real interest of all citizens and not the short-term political interests of their party? Will they ensure that the country does not go to war at the behest of the leadership, without regard for wishes and demands of the people? Will they vote to serve their country, the interests of their constituents; their party or themselves? Will they answer questions directly and honestly, without prevarication? Will they refrain from bowing to media pressure to keep or gain percieved popularity? Will they be prepared to listen to the views of all interests on any question and reach a conclusion without fear or favour? Will they examin existing legislation which infringes Civil Liberties and reform this in the interests of the freedom of the individual rather than the convenience of the State, ensuring that all future legislation is passed in the spirit of this? Do they regard their constituents as citizens or subjects of the State?

On day (8/5/09) when MP's expenses have pushed aside a much more important report that says the wealth gap now, under a Labour government, is the greatest since 1961 I would prefer pushing them on their policies and not their conditions of work. Environment Social Justice Poverty Health are just some examples.

For non-existing MPs (if that makes sense) 1.Links to NFP organisations, campaigns, charities - Board membership etc. 2.Business interests/ affiliations to trade unions/ Churches/ lobby groups etc. 3.Views and activism on nuclear weapons, environment and civil liberties

I'd like to know the guiding principles/beliefs/values that the candidates hold. Actually I think we should try to make politics more principled in general. We could invite candidates to submit their own vision/mission statements, or we could collect references and quotations and put them into broad categories, so you can see how consistent they are. Perhaps we could have a "flip-flop" section, to highlight the people who act most inconsistently. Also, something we shouldn't include: the mainstream media agenda. I notice the first comment on this page is just the hot potato of the day. Apart from the fact that its boring (IMHO), it isn't progressive at all (whatever 'progressive' means).

I think it would be useful (for sitting MPs anyway) for individuals to write to them with specific questions and then publish their replies online for all to see

I have worked on the railways for 32 years and in all that time I have never known a government do anything for the betterment of the railway network. I would like to know what a prospective MP would do for the transport system in this country.

Many of the above comments are in the nature of questions to put to prospective candidates, which is all very well up to a point but as we know to our cost with the present administration, so many fine promises/principles were betrayed once they got into power. Also, the foot soldiers on the backbenches often stick to their principles whereas the system of patronage represented by the party/whips/jobs for the good boys system, tends to promote cynical pragmatism and complete compromise of values. We need to be thinking about how to arrive at solid facts and evidence about prospective candidates, rather than what they tell us. One small suggestion is to ask if they have calculated their carbon footprint and if so how big it is. (If not, why not?) Facts about a person's employment history are highly relevant too, as it is as if we are the interviewing panel for a new job. Also, we should be thinking about a suitable skill set. Up until now a very high proportion of MPs have been lawyers, particularly barristers. While they are obviously very clever, highly articulate people, they are also practised in putting a case, any case, no matter what the moral justification might be, or indeed might not be. We have to listen to this sort of thing all the time as MPs twist and turn with their weasel words as they avoid answering any question with a straight answer and appear to be able to justify any course of action no matter how morally shaming. If a person has spent some years of working life in one of the caring professions, particularly the lower paid ones I would perhaps suggest, then might they be better qualified to fulfil some of the qualities that we are looking for in candidates?

do they have another job? If so., why? How cam they be paid £60k and still a) have time for another job. b) think they need the money. How much expenses do they claim? Again on that salary why are they claiming twice their income? I think I'm only prepared to vote for someone who is actually in touch with the real world, which doesn't seem to be anyone in the current parliament! I would also like a moratorium on ANY road building in order to maximise the investment in railways. Lastly a real commitment to narrowing the gap between rich and poor - so, an increase in the minimum wage and regulation of tax and corporate governance of companies. Alan

As we now live in an increasingly unequal society where government seems to show nothing but contempt for public opinion and seems to be out of touch with 'ordinary' people I would like to know candidates' opinions on representation of public opinion on both national and local levels.

We are the British public and therfore, WE ARE THE VOICE. The trouble is NO-ONE IS LISTENING. I would like every MP to actually listen to the voice of the pulic. Yes they promise to listen to secure the votes then they become so greedy they forget what they are there for in the first place. I would like them to stop showing how geedy they are in their expence claims. The public money that they are wasting can then go on things that the public truly need. Ceinwen Macnaughton

The MP for my constituency, Dover and Deal, is Gwyn Prosser. His stance against the privatisation of Dover docks is encouragaing. But I would like to know: is he against the part privatisation of the Post Office; does he want to separate retail banking from the institutions whose only interest is casino financial capitalism; does he agree that the years of New Labour have only enriched the already rich and subjected the those on median and low income to relative impoverishment - and if so, what are his political ideas for a more equal society? He does not answer my e-mails, though I have spoken to him face to face, and he promised to do so. Alan Gleave

whether it will be their only and/or main full-time job, including declaring any other income from other work annually? What is their employment background and history? What are their three priorities as an MP and what would be the subject of their first Private Members' Bill were they to win in the MP ballot? Do they and would they educate their children in the state sector? What makes them most proud to be British? What is the achievement they are most proud of as an individual and at work?

I like Marc's suggestions. Problem solving abilities, imagination, an ability to network effectively and win over others, ideas on practical, vocational training/education,support for the Arts,what values do they espouse and how do they practice them, personal energy level, is citizens' stakeholding and responsibilty towards their community important, attitude to preventative health care, how will they deal with child deprivation, how would they tackle binge drinking

any criminal/legal convictions ... list of meetings (times and dates) with all external bodies/corporates

Now that many MPs have been shown to be milking the system, or creaming the system, how about all of them being subject to re-selection at their local party level. Then we could fire many of the comments above at them and get them to justify their positions.

How about setting up "Ofgov", and outfit to monitor our "betters" generally assessing them in accordance with some of the good ideas written here? Completely independent, transparent, all results published quickly. Mind you we could do with "Ofbank" to keep an eye on the banksters!

I don’t think this post sits naturally with ‘candidate info’ but there is nowhere else to go. Perhaps you could consider opening a new blog on this if it attracts any interest? The expenses saga shows a significant proportion of MP’s have been claiming expenses on things that can hardly be categorised as wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties. The fact that they have had a compliant fees office helping them in this deception is irrelevant - all claims that they have made are required to be above reproach should the details get aired in public. So we have ‘Troughgate’ and the realisation that many MP’s have removed themselves so far from the realities of normal life experienced by their constituents that they haven’t a clue. They already earn in the top 1% of the population. Why they should feel this sense of entitlement to trough taxpayers money is hard to fathom. Part of the problem I think is that MP’s have not (in the words of Mr Mandelson) been ‘intensely relaxed about other people getting filthy rich’ without getting a bit of the action themselves. And now of course we know the result of the City’s bonus culture and so-called ‘wealth generation’ that they were responsible for. Resident UK taxpayers are the ones who will pick up the tab for this neo liberal twaddle for the next decade and more. We also had to witness the embarrassing (and fortunately unsuccessful) stitch up by the PLP to ease Philip Gould’s daughter into a safe Labour seat aged 22. Who do these people think they are? In reality the whole system is failing us. Most MP’s are career politicians with no real experience of life outside the Westminster bubble. They don’t have principles. It’s all about clinging on as long as possible and enriching themselves in the process. I also resent the fact of the almost ‘softly softly’ approach adopted by the Police and Revenue and Customs. The eerie silence from these institutions regarding MP’s misdemeanours compares markedly to their reactions when ordinary members of the public are involved. Whose interests are they meant to be looking after - the people of this country or its ruling elite? We joined DSAI because we believe strongly that we must ‘do something about it’. Candidate info is a first step in that process but I suspect that the pace things are moving at the moment it’s time to consider other types of action. One good thing about the expenses furore is it provides an exceptional opportunity for real and rapid change to occur. In my view DSAI must seize this moment to promote its campaign priorities. What do we do? We need to achieve a dissolution of Parliament. How on earth can the existing lot continue when they are immersed in so much controversy? I know it is hard on honest MP’s who have been swept up in this flood of scandal but their constituency parties will be only to happy to re-select them if they are above reproach and have been doing a good job. More importantly we need new MP’s drawn from a wider pool of talent and greater ambitions than towing the party line. We need people who are not beholden to the tired policies of the main parties. We need to change the whole approach to focus on people, their communities, the Post Office and other urgent issues such as climate change and green energy. We need people to challenge the existing cosy political arrangements so often promoted or dictated by big business and its lobbyists. How do we do it? We march again. Like the wonderful friendly and enthusiastic Put People First march earlier this year. We should march along the Embankment to the Houses of Parliament to complain loudly about expenses and the unfitness of the institution and its incumbents to continue a day longer. We can squeal like pigs as we march past Westminster and hold our noses at the stench of their corruption. What we need them to feel is the roar of disapproval. We must also deliver a petition to No. 10 demanding immediate dissolution of Parliament followed by a general election to reinstate legitimacy in the political process. If DSAI members agree, shouldn’t we grab the wonderful opportunity afforded to us and start the ball rolling? We need to get a march organised as soon as possible?

How I agree with the above comments. I listened to David Cameron on Radio 4 this morning going on (and on) about how the country should have an election now to sort out this appalling "greed" crisis. The last thing I would want now is an election if it were to consist of voting for one or other of the current MP's. I worked for a long time in a primary school and have seen many, many children upset and "sorry" after poor behaviour. Very, very few were genuinely sorry for their actions - they were sorry because they'd been found out... and this is the situation we are currently in. It isn't enough to be "sorry" and to pay back unethically acquired money and then to expect nothing more to happen. All MPs should have to go back to their constituencies and ask for re-selection, and that selection should be done by the grass-roots supporters. It could also be the right time to press for proportional representation; that way those in Parliament would, of necessity, have to co-operate instead of blindly (rather like the Gadarine swine(!)) following the designated party line. If "Do Something About It" really intends to D.S.A.I. then there cannot possibly be a better or more pertinent opportunity. It may well be that the validity (and future) of this organisation depends on it's reaction to this crisis!

hello hello anybody there?

In response to Angus' question- yes, we're here, and we will be sending an email update after the bank holiday. Thanks for all your suggestions about collecting candidate information. We agree that the present expense scandal offers a great opportunity to spread the word about DSAI, but we wanted to ready a couple of changes to the site first which took longer than anticipated.

I admire the ambition here. Trying to come up with a comprehensive list is going to be difficult though, primarily I suspect because different people want to know different things. If we were to look for commonality I am guessing - and humbly suggesting - that we are looking for information that would indicate the degree candidates are invested in the "old ways" of doing things or rather how progressive they are. This is often easier to judge once they enter the house I feel. In my humble opinion, the following could maybe give an indication of where the candidates priorities would lie.... - how committed are they to the environment ? what are their opinions regarding curbing emissions ? how familiar are they with grass roots organizations such as the transition movement ? - what is their stance on civil liberties ? are they for the id cards or against them ? - what is their stance on the freedom of information act ? How keen are they to see this get real teeth and for more parliamentary business to be open to scrutiny ? - what is their position on re-balancing the inequalities in society ? - do they support the grass roots oeganizations that are emerging. These are exciting times and we could see a fundamental shift in society a move from the old centralization and back to the local communities eg think globally but act locally - how often are they meeting with their constituents ? how often are constituent's issues being raised in the house The problem with these questions is how do we get satisfactory answers ? I believe any prospective MP would of course answer favourably to any of the questions listed above (would anybody be pro-inequality ?), so how do we get a feel for how true they are to their word before giving them the mandate ? (isn't this the age old problem ?). I think the detail provided by theyworkforus in showing how they have voted for major issues, is a good start , but not sure it is enough. Sorry I don't have an answer for this.