Attended my first rave last night well a Techno party in a pub in Dereham and it was quite an eye opener.
Since 1993 I have been going to nightclubbing off and one thing that struck me last night was how friendly people were without the large amount of booze being drunk that you get in nightclubs with the aggro and aggression that goes with it.
A drug called MDMA which I guess the new version of ecstasy seems to be the drug of choice and very popular.
Maybe I am weird but I no not get the point of going out and getting wreaked when partying any drug be MDMA or booze true I did have a pint of larger shandy during my nightout but that was enough to ensure I had a good night.
Drug use should be a personal choice the state's policy of prohibition of certain drugs has spectacular failure the system of licencing we have in UK works OK for Alcohol users.
Of course where some individuals get into health related problems through excessive drug use then the state has a duty of care to help those people.
For example when people go into a pub and buy a pint of beer they know what they are getting and that a pint is a pint and not an 8th of a pint and of a certain quality.
Given the vast amounts money that are wasted on enforcement of prohibition of drugs and the potential for Government to gain tax revenues the current UK drugs policy is quite simply a no brainier.
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Sunday, 1 August 2010
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Charles Clarke and the NEC Elections
It was interesting to read in today's EDP an article about Charles Clarke the former Labour MP for Norwich South who for I have actively campaigned for over the years.
Charles is totally right in his view that the Labour Party must learn quickly the lessons for the defeat if it is to avoid 20 years in opposition as happened after the Labour Government of 1974-79 suffered defeat.
With hindsight when Charles called for Gordon Brown to stand down after Labour disasterous European Election campaign it was probably the right call.
However it would have taken a very special leader to halt the slide as the mood of the country was that it was time for a change even if it did not know what type of change it wanted.
UK politics could over the next few years be very different if plans to reduce the number of MP's from 650 to 450 go ahead along with the introduction of Proportional Representation through the alternative vote system it is possible that we might never see a Labour Government again with an overall majority.
I am pleased to see a friend of mine for my time on the Labour East Regional Board and fellow former Labour Parliamentary Candidate Julian Ware-Lane running for the election to the Labour Party National Executive Committee.
Charles is totally right in his view that the Labour Party must learn quickly the lessons for the defeat if it is to avoid 20 years in opposition as happened after the Labour Government of 1974-79 suffered defeat.
With hindsight when Charles called for Gordon Brown to stand down after Labour disasterous European Election campaign it was probably the right call.
However it would have taken a very special leader to halt the slide as the mood of the country was that it was time for a change even if it did not know what type of change it wanted.
UK politics could over the next few years be very different if plans to reduce the number of MP's from 650 to 450 go ahead along with the introduction of Proportional Representation through the alternative vote system it is possible that we might never see a Labour Government again with an overall majority.
I am pleased to see a friend of mine for my time on the Labour East Regional Board and fellow former Labour Parliamentary Candidate Julian Ware-Lane running for the election to the Labour Party National Executive Committee.
Monday, 31 May 2010
Two Chief Secretaries and more questions
Its been a rather interesting 48 hours at the Treasury firstly it turned out that David Laws had paid his partner £40k of taxpayers money he was not entitled to and now his replacement Danny Alexander seems to have dodged Capital Gains Tax.
It was dodging of Capital Gains Tax that resulted in Hazel Blears resigning from the Cabinet and Ian Gibson giving up his Norwich North seat.
If Nick Clegg and Dave Cameron are serious about restoring the public's faith in politics its hard to see how Danny Alexander can remain in the Cabinet.
With the standard's of MP's exected to be so high at the moment it looks like we will be seeing lots more politians running into scandals in the coming months and years.
It was dodging of Capital Gains Tax that resulted in Hazel Blears resigning from the Cabinet and Ian Gibson giving up his Norwich North seat.
If Nick Clegg and Dave Cameron are serious about restoring the public's faith in politics its hard to see how Danny Alexander can remain in the Cabinet.
With the standard's of MP's exected to be so high at the moment it looks like we will be seeing lots more politians running into scandals in the coming months and years.
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Hung Parliaments and recession
Over the last few days their has been talk of what happens in the event of neither the Labour or Tory Party having an overall majority.
The simple answer is that the political uncertainity would cause the financial markets to go into a state of panic not seen since the start of the recession.
All the good work done by the Labour Government in getting Britian out of recession would be undone in a matter of minutes after the election result.
The simple answer is that the political uncertainity would cause the financial markets to go into a state of panic not seen since the start of the recession.
All the good work done by the Labour Government in getting Britian out of recession would be undone in a matter of minutes after the election result.
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Real Progress on the NHS
The Kings Fund report out today shows the real progress that has resulted from Labour's commitment and record investment in the NHS.
The reduction in waiting times is very welcome.
The challenge for the NHS over the next few years is dealing with the health inpacts of rising levels of Alcohol and the problems caused by obesity.
In England 46% of men and 32% of women are overweight with a Body Mass Index of over 25-30,
Whist 17% of men and 21% of Women are classed at obese ie BMI over 30.
Oh and before you get the idea that I am some mega skinny person telling you about this I have to confess to my own battle with weight I am currently 14 and half stone battling to get down to 13 stone.
The reduction in waiting times is very welcome.
The challenge for the NHS over the next few years is dealing with the health inpacts of rising levels of Alcohol and the problems caused by obesity.
In England 46% of men and 32% of women are overweight with a Body Mass Index of over 25-30,
Whist 17% of men and 21% of Women are classed at obese ie BMI over 30.
Oh and before you get the idea that I am some mega skinny person telling you about this I have to confess to my own battle with weight I am currently 14 and half stone battling to get down to 13 stone.
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Declaration of interests
As the Labour candidate for the House of Commons for South East Cambridgeshire I am making public all my commercial and financial interests in accordance with Ministry of Justice recomendations.
This will be up on my campaign website www.labourparty-secambs.org.uk
This will be up on my campaign website www.labourparty-secambs.org.uk
Saturday, 27 March 2010
Methadrone
On monday the Advisory Council on Drugs Misuse reports to Jack Straw the Minsiter for Justice on whether Methadrone should be included within the current Misuse of Drugs Act as either a class A, B or C drug.
I have never used Methadrone nor do I have any particular desire to do so however I express my concern over a possible panic ban on the back of a few stories in the press.
In 2008 9,031 people died as a result of a legal drug called Alcohol and another legal drug Tobacco accounts for 80,000 deaths a year.
Banning Methadrone would not stop its use in fact it would just push it under ground leading to more danger for users as dealers cut it with other substances.
The other issue is that even if a ban does dry up supply it is only a matter of months before the chemists come up with a new legal high which may have even more harmful side effects.
Regulation to control the quality and doses of Methadrone would have a far less damaging effect on users.
I have never used Methadrone nor do I have any particular desire to do so however I express my concern over a possible panic ban on the back of a few stories in the press.
In 2008 9,031 people died as a result of a legal drug called Alcohol and another legal drug Tobacco accounts for 80,000 deaths a year.
Banning Methadrone would not stop its use in fact it would just push it under ground leading to more danger for users as dealers cut it with other substances.
The other issue is that even if a ban does dry up supply it is only a matter of months before the chemists come up with a new legal high which may have even more harmful side effects.
Regulation to control the quality and doses of Methadrone would have a far less damaging effect on users.
Friday, 5 March 2010
Tories and VAT
A few years back prior to Labour winning the 1997 General Election I remember going out and campaigning against the Tory Government's plans to put Value Added Tax on domestic fuels.
There for it was interesting to read of Tory leaning Think Tank Reform www.reform.co.uk proposing that VAT be extended to areas such as Food and Childrens clothes.
Indirect taxation hits the weaker members of society the hardest as there have less disposable income the Tories have a pretty bad record of VAT increases.
It was Tory Governments that increased VAT from 8% to 15% and finally to 17.5%.
Whislt the the Tories pretend to be the party of low taxation the truth is far from with plans to give Inheritance Tax breaks to the richest 500 estates in the UK the Tories really can not be trusted when it comes to taxation.
There for it was interesting to read of Tory leaning Think Tank Reform www.reform.co.uk proposing that VAT be extended to areas such as Food and Childrens clothes.
Indirect taxation hits the weaker members of society the hardest as there have less disposable income the Tories have a pretty bad record of VAT increases.
It was Tory Governments that increased VAT from 8% to 15% and finally to 17.5%.
Whislt the the Tories pretend to be the party of low taxation the truth is far from with plans to give Inheritance Tax breaks to the richest 500 estates in the UK the Tories really can not be trusted when it comes to taxation.
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Single parents and pubs
Was interesting to hear today that all three of the mainstream political party leaders have backed Gingerbreads campaign to remove the stigma of being a lone parents.
Whilst backing this campaign might not be so hard for Labour and the Lib Dems back it shows what a long way the Tories have come from party that was attacking single parents as part of its now infamous back to basics campaign.
Single parents still get a pretty tough time and the Gingerbread Campaign is very welcome and well help in removing some of the stigma that single parents face.
Pubs play a very important role in the community and are as much an asset as post offices the pub industry has been in decline for a number of years factors such as changing lifestyles all are factors however one measure that would help would be a reduction in beer duty.
The Labour Government has recognised many of the challenges that the pub industry faces and John Healey has been appointed Minster of Pubs.
At the Labour Party Conference in Brighton last year I meet with John Mann MP of the All Party Beer Group and the Chief Executive of the Pub Industry Association to raise my concerns at the decline of the pub industry.
Whilst backing this campaign might not be so hard for Labour and the Lib Dems back it shows what a long way the Tories have come from party that was attacking single parents as part of its now infamous back to basics campaign.
Single parents still get a pretty tough time and the Gingerbread Campaign is very welcome and well help in removing some of the stigma that single parents face.
Pubs play a very important role in the community and are as much an asset as post offices the pub industry has been in decline for a number of years factors such as changing lifestyles all are factors however one measure that would help would be a reduction in beer duty.
The Labour Government has recognised many of the challenges that the pub industry faces and John Healey has been appointed Minster of Pubs.
At the Labour Party Conference in Brighton last year I meet with John Mann MP of the All Party Beer Group and the Chief Executive of the Pub Industry Association to raise my concerns at the decline of the pub industry.
Friday, 22 January 2010
Broken Britian I think not
Dave Cameron's political opportunism at the tragic case of two dysfunctional boys who carried out an attack simular to the killing of Jamie Bulger in Bootle in 1993 is in rather poor taste.
Events of Children carrying out violent attacks are thankfully rare.
Questions must be asked how in the future disturbed children can be spotted and given suitable professional help.
Strange really that the Tories propose scrapping the Sure Start Scheme which will increase the chances of spotting children who may have serious emotional problems.
Events of Children carrying out violent attacks are thankfully rare.
Questions must be asked how in the future disturbed children can be spotted and given suitable professional help.
Strange really that the Tories propose scrapping the Sure Start Scheme which will increase the chances of spotting children who may have serious emotional problems.
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Photo's
Having a nightmare trying to sort out my photo for the Election leaflet.
The orginal photo was not the right size which means I am chasing around to get a suitable photo sorted.
Least my blog is now live on the Evening News website.
The orginal photo was not the right size which means I am chasing around to get a suitable photo sorted.
Least my blog is now live on the Evening News website.
Friday, 15 January 2010
Cold of runny nose type
Feeling very feed up with a cold and fever have spent most of the day indoors sleeping today.
The last couple of days have been quiet busy getting ready for the General Election preparing leaflets and Chairing a Council meeting last night.
Because of this rather annoying cold my planned activities for the weekend of going tothe Gym then to play pool with Becky have had to be deferred.
The last couple of days have been quiet busy getting ready for the General Election preparing leaflets and Chairing a Council meeting last night.
Because of this rather annoying cold my planned activities for the weekend of going tothe Gym then to play pool with Becky have had to be deferred.
Monday, 11 January 2010
Notes on a Scandal
Saw the Panorama report tonight on the growing scandal effecting Northern Irish politics involving the first Lady of Northern Ireland.
Sex, Loans, possible corruption not to mention some breaches of the Councillors code of Conduct.
Just wondering how on earth Peter Robinson can carry on as First Minister ?
Sex, Loans, possible corruption not to mention some breaches of the Councillors code of Conduct.
Just wondering how on earth Peter Robinson can carry on as First Minister ?
Friday, 8 January 2010
A week is a long time in politics
As the saying goes a week is a long time in politics.
Wednesday attempt by Geoff Hoon and Patrica Hewitt to force a secret vote on Gordon Brown was quite rightly given a very short life by the majority of the PLP.
Divided parties do not win elections and the timing of this stabbing of the Leader in the back was rather damaging to say the least however the public I believe are still not stupid enough to put the Tories back in charge of the UK Government.
If life in politics is challenging for Gordon Brown spare a moment for Iris Robinson wife of DUP Leader and fellow MP Peter Robinson as if having and affair with a 19 year old toy boy was not bad enough questions are now being asked about financial issues involving her lover and herself.
Maybe Mrs Robinson was trying to live up to the character in the Graduate also called Mrs Robinson who has an affair with a toy boy.
Maybe I would not take so much pleasure in the Robinson's discomfort were it not for Mrs Robinson's homophobic views.
Wednesday attempt by Geoff Hoon and Patrica Hewitt to force a secret vote on Gordon Brown was quite rightly given a very short life by the majority of the PLP.
Divided parties do not win elections and the timing of this stabbing of the Leader in the back was rather damaging to say the least however the public I believe are still not stupid enough to put the Tories back in charge of the UK Government.
If life in politics is challenging for Gordon Brown spare a moment for Iris Robinson wife of DUP Leader and fellow MP Peter Robinson as if having and affair with a 19 year old toy boy was not bad enough questions are now being asked about financial issues involving her lover and herself.
Maybe Mrs Robinson was trying to live up to the character in the Graduate also called Mrs Robinson who has an affair with a toy boy.
Maybe I would not take so much pleasure in the Robinson's discomfort were it not for Mrs Robinson's homophobic views.
Thursday, 31 December 2009
New Years Resolutions
Decided to share with you some of my New Years Resolutions.
1. Reduce my mileage
2. Do a minimum of 2 hours of exercise a day
3. Make 10 new friends
4. Increase my profile
5. Drive in a fuel efficient manner
6. Drink less beer
7. Eat less junk food
8. Keep in touch more with friends and family
9. Swim more often
10. Eat more fruit and veg
1. Reduce my mileage
2. Do a minimum of 2 hours of exercise a day
3. Make 10 new friends
4. Increase my profile
5. Drive in a fuel efficient manner
6. Drink less beer
7. Eat less junk food
8. Keep in touch more with friends and family
9. Swim more often
10. Eat more fruit and veg
Tuesday, 29 December 2009
Mary Robinson
Was pleasing to see Mary Robinson's openness about her decision to stand down from Parliament due to depression.
Depression is a horrible illness that eats the person from the very inside of there soul.
All to often Mental Illness is stigmatised in the UK so Mary Robinson's decision to go public is helpful.
Alistair Campbell, Tony Bliar's media guru has done much to highlight many of the issues associated with Mental Illness.
www.time-to-change.org.uk
Depression is a horrible illness that eats the person from the very inside of there soul.
All to often Mental Illness is stigmatised in the UK so Mary Robinson's decision to go public is helpful.
Alistair Campbell, Tony Bliar's media guru has done much to highlight many of the issues associated with Mental Illness.
www.time-to-change.org.uk
Monday, 28 December 2009
Sometimes it dangerous being in public life
Two incidents highlighted the very real dangers that figures in public life face in past month.
Firstly their was the attack on the Prime Minister of Italy with a stone model of Milan Cathderal which resulted in him having to spend two nights in hospital.
Then on Xmas Eve a woman tried to attack Pope just before mid night Mass.
Althrough no major injury happened on both these occassions it is a stark reminder of the risk that public figures take ever day.
Firstly their was the attack on the Prime Minister of Italy with a stone model of Milan Cathderal which resulted in him having to spend two nights in hospital.
Then on Xmas Eve a woman tried to attack Pope just before mid night Mass.
Althrough no major injury happened on both these occassions it is a stark reminder of the risk that public figures take ever day.
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
World Aids Day
Today is World Aids Day last year for World Aids Day I handed out Condoms with Dhiverse a Cambridgeshire based Sexual Health Charity.
Aids like so many medical conditions has much sigma against those who fall victim to it.
This morning I read about some suffers lives here www.worldaidsday.org/hivreality/living-with-hiv.aspx
Since 1981 over 25 million people have died of AIDS.
Sex Education has key role in preventing the spread of HIV.
Aids like so many medical conditions has much sigma against those who fall victim to it.
This morning I read about some suffers lives here www.worldaidsday.org/hivreality/living-with-hiv.aspx
Since 1981 over 25 million people have died of AIDS.
Sex Education has key role in preventing the spread of HIV.
Monday, 23 November 2009
Offending behaviour
The recent comments in a report by the Sainsbury's Centre for Mental Health highlight the links between children that have conduct issues in early years such as fighting and stealing often go on to a life of crime.
This is fine example of the need for progammes such as Sure Start which the Conservatives want to abolish.
It cost £30k to keep a adult in prision for a year whilst a Group Therapy programme costs £900 per child or about £4,000 if more intensive work.
Yesterday I attended the Young People of the Year awards where young people who have made a positive impact on there communities were awarded.
One of the winners had with the help of Social Services and the Police really turned her life around from a life that was going of the rails fast with substance abuse and involvement in crime.
I hate to think that Tory cuts would leave people like this young lady to fall through the net and in the long run cost society more in the long term.
Copy of the report below.
http://www.scmh.org.uk/news/2009_preventing_conduct_disorder.aspx
This is fine example of the need for progammes such as Sure Start which the Conservatives want to abolish.
It cost £30k to keep a adult in prision for a year whilst a Group Therapy programme costs £900 per child or about £4,000 if more intensive work.
Yesterday I attended the Young People of the Year awards where young people who have made a positive impact on there communities were awarded.
One of the winners had with the help of Social Services and the Police really turned her life around from a life that was going of the rails fast with substance abuse and involvement in crime.
I hate to think that Tory cuts would leave people like this young lady to fall through the net and in the long run cost society more in the long term.
Copy of the report below.
http://www.scmh.org.uk/news/2009_preventing_conduct_disorder.aspx
Saturday, 31 October 2009
Alan Johnson gets it badly wrong on drugs !
Yesterday's decision by Alan Johnson to sack the Chair of the Advisory Council on Drugs Misuse is quite frankly bonkers.
Their is little point in the Government having expert advisors if it is going to run rough shot over them and then sack them every time there say something that a Minister does not agree with.
Its rather like going to the going to an A & E department having cut ones finger off asking the doctors what to do about it and when the Doctors offer to sew it back taking the finger and throwing it in the bin.
When decisions are made on a political whims rather than facts makes Governments and the Ministers making the decisions look remote and out of touch with the general population.
Their is little point in the Government having expert advisors if it is going to run rough shot over them and then sack them every time there say something that a Minister does not agree with.
Its rather like going to the going to an A & E department having cut ones finger off asking the doctors what to do about it and when the Doctors offer to sew it back taking the finger and throwing it in the bin.
When decisions are made on a political whims rather than facts makes Governments and the Ministers making the decisions look remote and out of touch with the general population.
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