Blog
Sandi Toksvig not standing as PPC in Cambridge
I was disappointed to read that comedian Sandi Toksvig has dismissed rumours that she is standing as a Lib Dem parliamentary candidate in Cambridge; her colourful profile would have added some fun and attracted higher media attention for the election campaign. She...
No hope of finding ET now
I enjoyed this quote of the week by Thomas Cawston at Reform taken from The Sun: "The truth may be out there. But now we'll never know. The Defence Ministry is closing its UFO department to save money. Even ET can't escape the recession." Let’s hope the...
What can political candidates learn from Jedward?
So it’s nothing to do with talent and all to do with running order. That’s the reason why Jedward were booted out of X-Factor, according to researchers at Cambridge and London universities. But is there a lesson here for our aspiring parliamentary candidates?...
Will you eat less meat to reduce climate change?
Sir Paul McCartney rolls into the European Parliament in Brussels today with the “Meat Free Monday†campaign he launched with daughters Mary and Stella. He wants everyone to avoid eating meat one day every week in order to fight climate change. My MEP Robert...
Why political parties need all-women shortlists
I’ve just been reading some latest figures about the number of women candidates selected for parliamentary seats which were presented to the Speaker’s Conference. This conference is convened by the Speaker of the House of Commons following an invitation...
Copenhagen talks must not stall like Doha
I’ve been closely following the Doha trade talks as my MEP Robert Sturdy, who as vice-chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary World Trade Organisation Committee, has played a key role in these negotiations. I know his frustrations only too well as year after year, world...
How the NHS should clean up its act
Today’s alarming report on the Dr Foster Hospital Guide about our under performing NHS trusts - based on a range of indicators including death rates, infection rates and staffing levels - reminded me of something worrying I learnt at the Infection 2009 conference...
Have you gatecrashed a party?
Appearing confident and dressing the part – as well as being daring - opens any doors, as Michaele and Tariq Salahi discovered when they gatecrashed a presidential dinner at the White House hosted by President Obama and his wife Michelle. “I belong here too,†is...
Getting to grips with depression
Depression is one of those terrible illnesses we handle so badly. Mental illness is sadly still tabooed, and it is only when we hear about those who can no longer live with their tortured minds and commit suicide, like Germany’s famous goalkeeper Robert Enke,...