Blog
European Commission plans to end cash refunds on shoddy goods
It seems we could lose our right to a cash refund on shoddy goods as there are plans afoot to harmonise EU legislation as refunds are not offered in other European countries. My MEP Robert Sturdy has objected to European Commission plans which would abolish...
Store bans staff from wearing poppy
I was appalled to read about the store in Wigan which has banned its staff from wearing a poppy, and even threatened disciplinary action if its wishes were ignored. This kind of insensitivity is impossible to understand, particularly following reports that five of our...
Epidemic Intelligence, Twitter and the 2012 Olympics
I’m really looking forward to attending the Infection 2009 conference in Birmingham next week as its press officer, a major scientific conference which is debating superbugs like swine flu, as well as epidemics and pandemics. One of the studies which will be...
How can these families seek justice?
For the first time ever, readers of my blog have phoned me at home about a post I wrote. They were very upset and seek justice. It concerns my report about disturbing failings of the Court of Protection following a story in the Mail on Sunday. This told how many...
Books, shoes and superbugs
It was great to hear from my author friend Richard Havers this afternoon; I needed a breather from the topics I had been working on – shoe prices and EU anti-dumping measures, and “superbugs†and Epidemic Intelligence for the Infection 2009 conference I am...
Headway Cambs seeks new trustees
We are very fortunate at Headway Cambridgeshire in having a young board of savvy trustees with interesting jobs. At the same time, being a trustee requires time and commitment and sometimes it has to give way for career moves. That’s the situation we find ourselves...
Not everyone lives in the Google era
Conservatives fell on their own sword of secrecy by not publicly revealing the names of candidates shortlisted for parliamentary seats. Within hours of the very accomplished Liz Truss being selected for the safe seat of South West Norfolk at the weekend, a Sunday...
Avon ladies can turnover millions
No wonder I have two Avon ladies who drop off their booklets at my house. If they are anything like Debbie Davis, they could be making a cool £250,000 a year, with a £7 million turnover. According to Sky News, Debbie is a Sunderland lass who five years ago was on...
York Lib Dems and student bribery
More than 100 students at York Uni were signed up to join the Lib Dems at a Freshers’ Fayre by being offered free membership, according to this report. It now boasts that it is the largest student group in the country. Their numbers are said to have increased...