Sorry to repeat my self but what I use is 5 parts general compost one part manure (bag from GC) and some perlite plus anything else I fancy at the time.
Sounds like a good mix @Waterbut hopefully slowly everyone will transition to a mix that fits their uses and environment instead of spitting feathers about the removal of peat.
Trying to make your own compost mix is potentially expensive and also very hit and miss. It shouldn't be necessary and isn't practical for everybody. The old MPC really did pretty much what it said on the packaging, and was suitable for majority of plants the majority of the time. What chance have we now when even two bags from the same supplier can look very different.
I think mixing is ok for more experienced gardeners but the majority of people who buy compost don't have very much knowledge and just want to pot up a few bedding plants.
I posted my disappointment with Westlands peat free compost last year and contacted them directly with my complaint after losing many packets of seeds that didn't germinate. I got a rather arrogant reply. I subsequently purchased B&Q's Verve multi purpose compost and whilst there was a few lumps and sticks it was more in keeping to the peat compost of old. My plants grew well in it. I've already had 2 large bags this year. Sieved and the seedlings appear to be doing well, so far. The larger stuff sieved out didn't amount to much and will be used to bulk up some larger pots or mixed into the garden.
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