Any parent will know that feeling of dread when they allow their teenage son/daughter to have a Party in the House.
Eric Pickles the Tory Party Chairman must have had feeling when a fight broke out at a party he was hosting for journalists.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7973346.stm
Strangely journalists getting drunk, fighting and abusing expenses does not seem to get as much coverage as when MP's do it.
Would love to know which media organisation the involved Journalists work for I bet todays editorial meeting would have been fun for those involved.
Tuesday 31 March 2009
Tuesday 24 March 2009
MP's Allowances
The upcoming enquiry into MP's Allowances and Expenses is very welcome if it restores the public's confidence in us Politicians.
Their was a time when MP's did not get paid or get expenses and the House of Commons was made up of wealthy landowners.
In the 1970's some MP's were having to sleep in their offices so the London Housing Allowance was introduced.
If Parliament is to attract quality MP's then they do need to be paid at a level to simular professionals such as a GP or secondary School Headmaster around £125k per year.
What amazes me is how so many MP's have a 2nd Job nothing wrong in this as it helps MP's keep a foot in the real world but surely if a member is making large amounts of money from outside earnings they should have their income reduced accordingly.
Someone on Job Seekers is allowed to earn up to £20 per week before lossing benefit on a pound for pound basis maybe it should be the same for MP's
Working in Parliament is very hard work and not very family friendly if more women are going to be involved in politics, the House of Commons must become more family friendly for example with MP's being allowed to vote over the net from an office at home for example when the House is sitting late.
The Tories are proposing reducing the number of MP's given the workload of MP's I can not see this working very well.
Their was a time when MP's did not get paid or get expenses and the House of Commons was made up of wealthy landowners.
In the 1970's some MP's were having to sleep in their offices so the London Housing Allowance was introduced.
If Parliament is to attract quality MP's then they do need to be paid at a level to simular professionals such as a GP or secondary School Headmaster around £125k per year.
What amazes me is how so many MP's have a 2nd Job nothing wrong in this as it helps MP's keep a foot in the real world but surely if a member is making large amounts of money from outside earnings they should have their income reduced accordingly.
Someone on Job Seekers is allowed to earn up to £20 per week before lossing benefit on a pound for pound basis maybe it should be the same for MP's
Working in Parliament is very hard work and not very family friendly if more women are going to be involved in politics, the House of Commons must become more family friendly for example with MP's being allowed to vote over the net from an office at home for example when the House is sitting late.
The Tories are proposing reducing the number of MP's given the workload of MP's I can not see this working very well.
Wednesday 11 March 2009
Financial pressures on parents during holidays
With the Easter Holidays coming up my thoughts turned to the problems faced by parents on low incomes over holiday periods.
Children are expensive enough at any time of year but for a family on a low income holidays present extra challenges on already limited finances.
Of the 13.2 million people living in poverty in the UK 54% have at least one child or more.
In Government, Labour has made some progress on addressing the issue of child poverty the number of children living in low income household has dropped from 3.4m in 1998/99 to 2.9m in 2006/07.
During term time children have access to free school meals, free fruit and a large proportion of their time taken up. However holidays can be a nightmare for parents on low incomes not only is there the issue of having to provide extra meals not only to your own children but often their friends as well but also time taken off work or childcare costs.
When growing up I lived in a household in poverty as did most of my friends true there are lots of play schemes that run over the some more so if you are lucky to live in Labour controlled Council area.
Areas of policy that could be looked at is a special holiday credit to help cover extra costs associated with holidays for low income households with children, which could be credited to Child Tax Credits or other benefits.
Of course the amount of extra holiday bonus could be adjusted to reflect that some families have more than on child.
The other benefit of such a credit would be add an injection of extra consumer spending into the economy.
Children are expensive enough at any time of year but for a family on a low income holidays present extra challenges on already limited finances.
Of the 13.2 million people living in poverty in the UK 54% have at least one child or more.
In Government, Labour has made some progress on addressing the issue of child poverty the number of children living in low income household has dropped from 3.4m in 1998/99 to 2.9m in 2006/07.
During term time children have access to free school meals, free fruit and a large proportion of their time taken up. However holidays can be a nightmare for parents on low incomes not only is there the issue of having to provide extra meals not only to your own children but often their friends as well but also time taken off work or childcare costs.
When growing up I lived in a household in poverty as did most of my friends true there are lots of play schemes that run over the some more so if you are lucky to live in Labour controlled Council area.
Areas of policy that could be looked at is a special holiday credit to help cover extra costs associated with holidays for low income households with children, which could be credited to Child Tax Credits or other benefits.
Of course the amount of extra holiday bonus could be adjusted to reflect that some families have more than on child.
The other benefit of such a credit would be add an injection of extra consumer spending into the economy.
Monday 9 March 2009
Barbie is 50
Today Barbie is 50 years old.
Was thinking today a few questions why does Barbie's partner need to be Ken and not Karen ?
Come to think of it how come toy stores do not sell Barbie the Bricklayer kits ?
Companies like Mattel have a mamouth social responsibility in the social values that they impart their has been some suggestion that Barbie is linked to eating disorders.
Was thinking today a few questions why does Barbie's partner need to be Ken and not Karen ?
Come to think of it how come toy stores do not sell Barbie the Bricklayer kits ?
Companies like Mattel have a mamouth social responsibility in the social values that they impart their has been some suggestion that Barbie is linked to eating disorders.
Sunday 8 March 2009
Northern Ireland
Rather sad that last night two soldiers were murdered by terrorists.
Hopefully it is not the start of troubles again in Northern Ireland since Peter Hain brought peace to Northern Ireland.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7930837.stm
Hopefully it is not the start of troubles again in Northern Ireland since Peter Hain brought peace to Northern Ireland.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7930837.stm
Saturday 7 March 2009
A few little facts about me other Labour Candidates to follow
Full name: John Cowan
Constituency that you hope to represent after the next General Election: South East Cambridgeshire
Favourite football team: Histon Town and Norwich City
Do you play sport?: Not actively anymore but played Youth football a few years back and was once on the wrong side of a 38-nil win mind you the other team did have one Chris Sutton playing for them who later went on to play for Norwich City, Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea.
Unusual fact about yourself: As a toddler when in Montana on holiday I once picked up a Rattle Snake and shock it.
Unusual fact about your constituency: Oliver Cromwell lived and worked in Ely as a Tax Collector
Why do you want to be a Member of Parliament?: To build on the work of the past 13 years of Labour Government and make progress on tackling poverty and social exclusion
Do you have a website?:Yes http://www.labourparty-secambs.org.uk/home
Constituency that you hope to represent after the next General Election: South East Cambridgeshire
Favourite football team: Histon Town and Norwich City
Do you play sport?: Not actively anymore but played Youth football a few years back and was once on the wrong side of a 38-nil win mind you the other team did have one Chris Sutton playing for them who later went on to play for Norwich City, Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea.
Unusual fact about yourself: As a toddler when in Montana on holiday I once picked up a Rattle Snake and shock it.
Unusual fact about your constituency: Oliver Cromwell lived and worked in Ely as a Tax Collector
Why do you want to be a Member of Parliament?: To build on the work of the past 13 years of Labour Government and make progress on tackling poverty and social exclusion
Do you have a website?:Yes http://www.labourparty-secambs.org.uk/home
Friday 6 March 2009
Long meetings
Attended a meeting of the Rural Commuinity Council board quite productive but dragged out to 3 hours which is rather long for a meeting imho.
Not a great fan of long meetings !
Not a great fan of long meetings !
Wednesday 4 March 2009
Tuesday 3 March 2009
SNP plans for booze
The Scottish Nationalist Party in Government in Scotland is planning measures to reduce alcohol use in Scotland.
The video did not upload here so go to www.youtube.com/johntheactivist
Cricket Attack
Let me start todays blog by saying my throughts are with the Sri Lankan Cricket Team who were attacked to whilst on tour in Pakistan.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7920260.stm
Terrorism is never a valid means of expressing ones oppinion.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7920260.stm
Terrorism is never a valid means of expressing ones oppinion.
Sunday 1 March 2009
Ryan Air
Totally in shock that no frills Airline are planning on charging fliers either £1 or 1 euro to use the loo when flying.
Loos are one of those things that you normally take as read as being included in the price of service or product you buy.
Personally even having charges for loos is something I find annoying particulary at the London Rail Stations.
Loos are one of those things that you normally take as read as being included in the price of service or product you buy.
Personally even having charges for loos is something I find annoying particulary at the London Rail Stations.
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