Blog
A little less Christmas cheer this year
Apologies for mentioning Christmas while still in October. But I was saddened to learn that soaring electricity prices have forced one householder not to put up their annual festive display of Santa and his helpers. Bernard and Denise Lumsden, Bristol, have annually...
Tuning in to Baroness Ashton’s Question Time
You can tune in on Monday evening to hear Baroness Cathy Ashton of Upholland being quizzed by MEPs over her new role as Trade Commissioner following the shock resignation of Peter Mandelson. You can watch the process before your very eyes by linking here...
80% carbon emission reduction – fantasy or fact?
Is an 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 achievable? It is a brave and ambitious target set by Ed Miliband, the newly appointed champion of climate change for the government. I'm sure he has had his ears bent by his brother David, who as Environment...
Most consumers not concerned about buying GM foods
An EU study by three academics has concluded that most consumers are not concerned about buying GM foods. My MEP Robert Sturdy hosted a press conference in Brussels to promote the report, entitled "Do European Consumers Buy GM Foods?” There are at least 69...
A Nokia N96 or Apple iPhone
The contract for my mobile phone comes up for renewal soon and I would like to swap it for either a Nokia N96 or Apple iPhone. I always kicked myself for not getting the Nokia N95 when I had the chance, and now it has been improved on with this slick little...
Why do we have such an unhealthy relationship with food?
Why is it that a vastly rich and intelligent man who is married to a divine Domestic Goddess chooses to live on nine eggs a day to lose weight? If Charles Saatchi doesn't know how to eat a balanced diet when he has a personal master chef at hand, what example is that...
Should trustees be paid?
I was in London yesterday for a NCVO Trustee Conference and one of the hot topics under discussion was whether trustees should be paid. Trustees, like myself as vice chair of Headway Cambridgeshire, do this work voluntarily. But Craig Dearden-Philips, founder of...
University initiations
Do those degrading ritualistic initiations take place at all universities, particularly with sports teams? If so, heaven help David who this week passed his football trials at Hull - the university, not to be confused with the top premier league club. David has...
Where are our famous women artists?
I heard a discussion recently on the Antiques Roadshow about the lack of recognition given to women artists. At the same time, I had an email about Theresa May's campaign for Equal Pay. It seems extraordinary to me that art should have an element of sexual...