What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com
Hmmmmmmmmmmm dont’ know about incresing sexual options. The writers of this
quiz have clearly not looked around the House of Commons gene pool lately!
Problems at the Whittington
Surgery all morning meeting residents who wanted to raise issues – with a pause for a live radio interview right in the middle of it. Our Shadow Home Secretary Mark Oaten was otherwise engaged – so I had to just take it there and then. ASBOs – need I say more. I will. There has been something like an 86% increase this year – and still it doesn’t (according to the radio presenter) stop or deter anti-social behaviour. Shock! Horror! Of course it doesn’t. Banning people from doing anything rarely works in any real or sustained way. Tougher would be to really tackle those youngsters as with Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (pioneered in Liberal Democrat run Islington with the Met) where parents, the young person, teachers, police, local authority, social workers, or whoever is necessary sit down and work out an agreed program – and come back to it – week after week after week. Sustained interest and effective mentoring works – but it is truly tough liberalism.
Then the presenter meanders into the territory of whether policy should support marriage and the nuclear family (probably following on from the Tory leadership debate last night). I say that’s a difficult one! The world has changed – and I don’t know that you can change it back even if the ‘wholeness’ of a two-parent family unit were proven to be ideal. So I opt for the important thing – which is loving and caring for your children whatever the surrounding construct.
Afterwards surgery I make a home visit to an elederly lady who wants to talk to me about people not listening to old people and trying to get rid of them. Her son is there when I arrive – and I sit down and have about an hour’s chat with her. She highlights the recent treatment of herself at the Whittington – and cites the dismissive way in which old people can be treated and worse. I totally agree. I have some terrible tales from the Whittington – and I have been there and met with the Chair and the issues I raise have been batted away on the whole by generally suggesting that the complainant is a difficult person etc.
I will regale you with one tale from my own experience to exemplify what my constituent and I are on about. My daughter was admitted to the Whittington overnight a while back. From A & E she was put in the womens’ geriatric ward as the only place with space. She told me this tale. During the night an old lady in a bed not far away was calling for the nurse for quite a while. The nurse kept walking past and not responding to the woman. Eventually, my daughter got up and went over to the woman to see what was wrong. She wanted to go to the toilet. My daughter went and found a nurse and told her that the old lady in the bed needed to go to the loo. The nurse basically said that the woman was a nuisance, always wanting something and she would just have to wait. The old woman wet herself in the end.
It is a terrible tale – but I have other similar ones. When I have presented them to the Whittington – as I say – they are batted away one way or the other. We are currently waiting for an apology for the way another of my constituents was treated and have been told one will be forthcoming. We will see on that one. I appreciate that nurses do a great job under incredible strain and stress. Nursing care – not the clinical medical side – but the caring, motherly side of nursing – is what is needed as well as the clinical and medical excellence. How to make time for nurses to give that care alongside the tablets is where I want to head. It can only be (or I hope that the reason is) that nurses have no time for any real degree of that side of nursing anymore. And my constituent old lady was voicing just that need, particularly from an older person’s perspective of being treated so poorly. I will continue to work on this issue.
Then back to my constituency office to meet with a foster care expert who is concerned over the gap in the care that is given to those leaving foster care. Government is meant to be funding people to do this job. But the system isn’t working as it should – another one to pursue.
Then last job of the day is my quarterly meeting with the Labour Leader of Haringey Council, Charles Adje. We run through an agenda of local issues and council business and whilst there are no major issues on the table, it is a useful regular meeting – as we are all working for Haringey’s benefit – whatever our political persuasion and whatever our different roles.
Labour's terrorism plans
The Terror Bill marched on through the Committee Stage in Parliament today – but without the fever of the previous day when the Government nearly suffered a defeat – a close encounter which made Charles Clarke back down on the 90 days detention plans.
Today’s most serious debating issue was around the definition of ‘terrorism’. This is at the heart of the difficulty we are all having with the proposals. We all know what we mean by ‘terrorist’ in terms of suicide bombers in London. But when you try and legislate – particularly around vaguer legal concepts like ‘glorification of terrorism’ or ‘incitement to terrorism’ – then you are into real trouble.
To encapsulate – we (our nation) may well believe (and does I hope) that Robert Mugabe is an evil bastard oppressing his people and worse. We might incline to praising and encouraging those who stand up against Mugabe and fight this oppression and evil dictator. If we did so – we would be guilty of both of the above charges. Clearly ludicrous. And yet – as brilliant argument upon argument rained down on the Government’s front bench – they seemed incapable of dealing with the need to find a new definition.
A proposed amendment by a Labour member put forward a reasonable amendment that would have gone a long way to deal with the problems – but even when it’s as plain as the nose on their face this Labour government does not budge until it faces defeat on the floor of the House. So we will see what they come back with next week in terms of movement on the key issues – including their promised revision to the 90 days detention proposal.
I rush back to Haringey after the close of play to our Liberal Democrat AGM where I rally our troops to get out there to win the Haringey Council elections looming in May. There is a good turnout and much enthusiasm for the road ahead. A few new faces volunteer and stand for various positions – which is encouraging as the old hands need to be out there pounding the pavements not administrating. At the end they presented me with a montage of photos from the night we won our first ward and got our first three Lib Dem councillors (all women) on Haringey Council right through to now. Being female, what struck me most was my changing hairstyles, lengths and colours over the intervening years!
Then rushed home to catch the Cameron-Davis Question Time. I thought Cameron was exposed as almost completely style over substance – and that Davis did far better in terms of demonstrating that he was the seasoned hand, the one who could handle the pressure etc. So – I guess – as Lib Dems we are in a win-win position!
PRIORY PARK – LIB DEMS CALL FOR 'PROPER, ACCOUNTABLE AND TRANSPARENT CONSULTATION' OVER SKATE PARK
Lib Dems councillors in Muswell Hill have called for Haringey Council to put on hold its plans to build a skate park in Priory Park, N8 after they received complaints from residents that they had not been properly consulted on the issue.
Muswell Hill councillors Lynne Featherstone MP, Gail Engert and Jonathan Bloch have written to Haringey Council highlighting the reasons why the consultation has been inadequate:
Many said they never received the consultation document, and reports from those who did say it was a generalised questionnaire with the skate park hidden amongst other questions. The forms were sent out in August with only about two weeks to respond – despite it being a time when many residents were away.
The councillors are also angry that despite numerous requests, the Council has failed to keep them informed on the progress of this issue. Furthermore they are pressing for an explanation as to why, despite over 70% of respondents being against the proposals, the Executive approved the scheme.
Lib Dem Councillor Gail Engert who has been leading on this issue says that despite Lib Dem support for a skate park in the area they are angry at the Council’s failure to consult residents and ward councillors.
She says that residents must have their concerns addressed before any plans can be approved.
Cllr Engert (Muswell Hill) comments:
“It is clear from the letters we have received that Haringey Council has failed to carry out a meaningful consultation with local residents and failed to keep Friends of Priory Park and ward councillors informed.
“It is another bodged consultation from Haringey. This is completely unacceptable and we are demanding urgent action to resolve the situation.”
Cllr Lynne Featherstone MP adds:
“It is vital that young people have somewhere safe to skateboard. All proposed sites should be properly assessed and then properly consulted on with local residents. The results of that consultation must then be taken seriously by Haringey Council.”
Blunkett's demise
As I drove in today listening to the radio, the news started to roll across one of the two big stories of the day – from Blunkett may resign – to – hasn’t turned up to Pensions Select Committee – to – coming out of Downing Street – to had handed in his resignation.
I don’t think there was any way out for him really. I was talking to Menzies Campbell (Lib Dem deputy leader) later in the day who was saying (in jest) that it was my fault for asking the question and that other Ministers should be afraid.
I asked him whether he thought it would have made any difference if Blunkett had chosen, instead of attacking me for daring to ask a question about whether his judgement being so publicly called into question meant he was still able to do his job as a minister, to instead say something like ‘the Honourable Lady is right. I have had so many personal disasters in recent times that I have done things, albeit unwittingly, that have resulted in my making errors of judgement – but I apologise to the House and am putting all in order as the job I have to do is the single most important thing on this nation’s agenda and on mine …’ Menzies said he thought that contrition went a long way in the House. But contrition so isn’t David Blunkett. His position worsened between Monday’s questions and today – and the inevitable conclusion was reached.
It is extraordinary that a man so brilliant in a work situation (whether you love or hate his policies) could be so floored by personal relationships – but that’s just the truth of how life is.
Prime Minister’s Questions followed quickly on – and Tony B decided on a strange defence of his actions vis a vis Blunkett. He said that Blunkett had broken the Ministerial Code – but that he shouldn’t go. He said that it wasn’t a sacking offence. This shouldn’t be anything to do with what Blair or any other Prime Minister thinks is ‘serious’ or not. So I would suggest that the decision is taken out of the Prime Minister’s hands – and that there is an independent panel to decide about such matters. You simply cannot have a Ministerial Code that is broken and have a Prime Minister saying basically – well it doesn’t matter.
On the run and wounded Blair looked weak as he wanly defended himself against accusations of being a lame duck as power and influence and friends in the Cabinet drained away. The colour drained away too from his face. Nasty business today.
And it got worse as we spent the rest of the day debating the Terror Bill where the Government was forced into retreat on its proposals for extending detention for 90 days without charge. Having come within one vote of defeat on an earlier amendment – Charles Clarke (who is no fool) backed down and conceded talks – thus avoiding a vote against the proposals. We’ll see what happens. Only other thing to report is dashing out into pouring rain to meet with the lobby for Trade Justice. There was a Hornsey & Wood Green delegation and I am so glad I was able to get out and talk to them (the votes and getting out the chamber was not easy).
Poppy protocol
Had lunch with the Bishop of London at St Paul’s Deanery. There were about five MPs and then a clutch of clergy who had had real input on the day of the July 7 bombings. Truly interesting conversations and get the feeling that the Church is so much more engaged than it was a decade ago with the real issues. There was virtually no comment from the Church during the years of the IRA bombings in London – but now they rush in not fearing where angels used to fear to tread. It is much healthier for all of us.
Sods law, I have been drawn as Question No 6 on the Order Paper for a question about Human Rights in Turkey today – so I will be unable to attend the Memorial Service following the lunch and will have to leave the lunch early too. The Bishop of London is very interested in the question – which he already knew about – and makes some helpful suggestions as to a supplementary. My supplementary will be on whether, whilst we have the Presidency of the EU, the Government has any plans to discuss minority rights in Turkey with the Turkish Government? Whilst I am really pleased that negotiations for Turkey’s accession to the European Union are now opened – and in fact am arranging to meet key members of the Turkish community in the next week or so – I am very keen to ensure that nothing will stand as an immutable barrier to their final and full entry to the EU.
So off I go – and ask my Turkish question to the minister. He doesn’t really answer the supplementary – so I guess that the Government isn’t going to use this opportunity to help Turkey!
There is some follow-on after my question to Blunkett yesterday. Opinion is hardening against his being able to stay – but I doubt whether my question will have registered on the Richter scale of his imminent destruction!
On a lighter note – I am having etiquette lessons from the Secretary to Mr Speaker (by email correspondence) – for which I am grateful. I had no idea that when I wore my Poppy on my right lapel that England might fall!
I love it!
Remembrance Day Poppies
– not worn before 1 Nov and not after 11 Nov unless the Cenotaph event falls on the following Sunday or you work for the BBC
– normally worn on the left hand side but sometimes this is not practical (never worn in the hair)
– if the poppy has a leaf it should be in a vertical position between 10 to 2 (bit like driving) (Scottish poppies have no leaf this year to catch out those Scots who were hoping last year’s poppy would do)
which leads to:
-always buy a new one each year
-always buy two (one is bound to fall out somewhere, indeed they are designed to fall out in order to force you to buy another one )
-never lend a poppy unless you can be sure the borrower will put money in the box
David Blunkett
First thing Monday discover I have question number 1 on the Order Paper to David Blunkett as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. And yes – today is the day when he is all over the papers for buying shares in a DNA company and being on the Board without asking the advice of the Advisory Committee – a committee set up to help ex-ministers stay out of trouble.
My question is on pensions – which is the real issue – and the real problem with having a Minister seemingly too distracted by other issues. I get one supplementary and have a dilemma – if I don’t mention the current problems it would be bizarre – if I do the House will not like it (apparently it’s not “the done thing”). So I steer a middle course, merely asking if his judgement having been so recently called into question might make it a problem for him to unite a divided cabinet over solving the urgent pension crisis.
He was not best pleased and gave me a right bollocking for daring to ask and for not understanding that it is impolite to use questions to the Minister to ask a question to the Minister (!). He clearly didn’t like the question and raw nerves are, not surprisingly, easily set off.
For all Blunkett’s condescension, he – in answer to another question – happily joked about his virility. So talking about his virility at question time is ok, but asking if he’s able to do his job isn’t!
The more important point is what is going to happen to pensions. Blunkett may well survive this time, but the need for Labour to join the growing consensus around radical pension reform is pressing – and hopefully that is where he will turn his attention.
Late evening on Monday do a live radio show from a radio car outside my home. A Labour MP down a line somewhere else, Edwina Currie and another in the studio – all about Blunkett. Found myself in uncharted water with Edwina Currie congratulating me on my confrontation with the Minister. Politics makes strange bedfellows…
MP BACKS RED GABLES CAMPAIGN
Lynne Featherstone MP for Hornsey and Wood Green has thrown her weight behind the campaign to keep Red Gables open.
It is almost a year since the opposition group of 16 Lib Dem councillors voted against the closure of Red Gables at a scrutiny meeting in November 2004, blowing the whistle on Labour plans and forcing them into a review over the decision.
Red Gables is a vital and well used local service, providing quality support for families from all areas of Haringey.
Its future is under threat following a new Government agenda that will see Haringey Council establish 18 new smaller ‘Children’s Centres’ across the borough.
Lynne Featherstone MP said:
“I visited Red Gables last month and was so impressed by the commitment shown by staff and parents.
“This is a fantastic family centre in Crouch End – which the Labour Government and our local Labour councillors want to close.
“The Government is funding 18 new child centres in the borough – but because Red Gables is in the ‘wrong’ area and doesn’t fit the criteria precisely, rather than make Red Gables one of the eighteen and celebrate this exemplar facility, they plan to close it down.”
HIGHGATE – LIB DEMS CONCERNED OVER IMPACT OF TUBE CONTROL CENTRE
Lib Dem Environment Spokesperson and Highgate councillor Bob Hare has welcomed alterations to the planned Northern Line Control Centre in Highgate Woods. However he says more needs to be done.
Cllr Hare’s comments come following a site visit to inspect design alterations earlier this month along with representatives from the Highgate Society and the Corporation of London, which manages the wood.
Following pressure the wood’s consultative committee, local residents, Lynne Featherstone MP and local Lib Dem councillors secured an agreement to replace the planned lightweight pitched roof with a heavy concrete flat roof that will be able to support a shallow layer of soil and create what is called a ‘brown roof’ which will be able to allow plants and flowers to grow on it.
However despite this success there is concern that the designs for the boundary fencing that will surround the Control Centre will be both visually and physically intrusive to the wood.
Due to the need for high security, a tall, double wall of fencing will make an outer barrier, with an inner single wall closer to the new building and a ‘sterile zone’ between the outer and inner barriers.
The consultation group has expressed its desire to see any outer fence camouflaged with climbing plants, and have asked for action from Tubelines.However, Cllr Hare believes there is little doubt that if a fence of this high density is installed, it will be very visible from a large area of Highgate Woods.
Something of this density will also significantly reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the ground at the fringes of the wood, affecting ground plants and undergrowth which until now have benefited from the less shaded conditions at the wood fringes and have been useful habitat for a range of insect species that need a lighter environment.
Tubelines has agreed to return to the wall issue next year when the construction stage is reached.
Highgate Woods is classed as an ancient woodland, and has a unique ecology of trees, plants, insects, birds and bats and other small mammals. Cllr Hare says that it is essential they be protected.
Cllr Hare (Highgate) comments:
“We welcome the numerous steps which have been taken by Tubelines in response to everyone’s concerns to protect the sensitive ecological site of Highgate Woods.
“Nevertheless, on the walls of the building, and particularly on the boundary security fencing, we have many concerns about visual impact, and some ecological effects. We will be pressing Tubelines to work with us to find solutions that meet their aims of security without creating a problem for the woods.”
LIB DEMS CALL FOR ACTION OVER BLOCKED DRAINS
Lib Dem councillor for Alexandra ward, Susan Oatway has demanded Haringey Council takes immediate action to clear drains blocked in the area.
The request comes after Cllr Oatway was inundated with emails and phone calls from residents complaining of flooded roads and pavements covered in wet leaves following heavy rain fall last week.
The worst of the 14 roads reported to Cllr Oatway was Coniston Road, where residents reported that their basement flat had been flooded partly due to a blocked drain outside the property.
In response Haringey Council has assured Cllr Oatway that they will address the problem in this road but confirmed that it is yet to finalise its leaf clearing rota, which is due to begin in November.
The Liberal Democrats are concerned that despite complaints from residents and councillors regarding this and other blocked drains, Haringey Council has been very slow to respond to a very serious problem.
Cllr Oatway (Alexandra) comments:
“Once again the Council has failed to heed warnings and requests from Lib Dems and local residents and we are facing another winter of blocked drains and flooded pavements.
“The Council and its contractors must address this problem urgently and I will be working closely with my Lib Dem colleagues to press them to do so.”
Lynne Featherstone 