All over bar the shouting!

Tomorrow is D-day, as in the day that Northsampton South Labour Party finally select their (our) PPC for the next general election, local support is firmly behind my friend, at least as far as the activists are concerned. This is for obvious reasons, she works, she works hard and then she does more work, for The Party, the people and the community. She has principles, she has policies and she has integrity, so I am praying to the gods (whoever they may be) that those members who are eligible to vote give her their wholehearted support. Northampton South needs Anjona, The Labour Party need Anjona and the community needs Anjona, let us all hope they get her.

Again

So tonight we phone canvassed again for the Party, not for the prospective prospective parliamentary candidate but for the Party, although yet again (and this is weeks in) there was only one of the PPPC's with us, the others are all aware we do this every wednesday, so why, if they are serious about representing Northampton South and the Labour Party, are they not there?

Here we go.....

well it's 3 days to go 'til selection, one more mailing and then the hustings..... so far so good we hope, despite not because as they say.....

Finally moved!!

Well here I am, moved but seriously not unpacked! But am very glad I did. Anjona has been shortlisted with over 70% of nominations from the branches and a significant number of Trade Union and other affiliated organisations.

Hurray Hurray Hurray!!! But there is many a slip between cup and lip, so the serious campaigning continues! The difference between my friend and the other shortlisted candidates is that not onle is she campaigning to be selected, but that she is continuing to campaign for the Labour Party per se.

For example this week alone we have produced 2000 leaflets, folded and bundled ready for delivery tomorrow ( and the chances are that myself and Anjona will deliver them single handed), phone canvassed and contacted around 75 people, recruited a possible 3 new members, as well as Anjona's personal campaigning..... Not that I'm blowing any Trumpets ( actually more your full brass band.....including Euphonium, French Horn and full Percussion! ).

On a personal note I have the frustration of lack of internet and Sky Talk and the continuing unpacking saga......

Confused and concerned......

Why? As selection for Northampton South approaches I am confused and concerned that very few of those people applying for the seat actually come from Northampton, there are prospective candidates from London and as far away as Birmingham and Swansea. It seems that many 'politicians' will apply for any seat going, without any local knowledge, commitment or proven local activism, just to become a prospective parliamentary candidate! Not to mention those that apply whilst already having responsibilities in their own locality, personally I do not see how you can be an effective candidate AND fulfil commitments already made to the electorate in another constituency.

I would be asking questions such as, are you prepared to resign your commitments to concentrate on Northampton South, are you prepared to move to represent the electorate and most importantly why are you prepared to abandon those people who have put their faith in you to represent them?

I have always firmly believed that anyone who wishes to stand for election should live in the constituency (and if standing locally should preferably live in the ward! Although I do accept that this is not always possible.), have local knowledge and proven local commitment. This is the least the electorate deserve from their representatives, and tthe sooner 'politicians' recognise this the better it will be for all of us!

The papers again!!

Sometimes there are gems within the papers! The Guardian this week is running a series on the 'New Tories', one bit particularly caught my eye, regarding Health Visitors! apparently the Conservative Party are going to ensure that all new mothers receive regular visits from Health Visitors! My problem with this is not that all new mothers shouldn't receive support, but where exactly are a) these health visitors going to come from and b) where is the money going to come from to enable them to do their jobs effectively?

I have had 5 children, only two of whom survived infancy, Emma had multiple disabilities and was what is termed a neo-natal death, Sam and Eleanor were both victims of SIDS, when my youngest child was born the support of my health visitor was essential to me, but these were not minimal visits, these were daily visits for six months and further to that bi-weekly visits until Russell was 2. The majority of these visits were not funded by the NHS but by the CONI (Care Of Next Infant) Programme (based in Sheffield, details available from FSIDS) and I am very aware of how expensive it was and that if a sympathetic, empathic health visitor had not been available I would probably not have recieved this support.

How the Tories can carry on making these conflicting promises of both Tax Cuts and Improved Services is beyond me, I only have an O-Level in economics, but even I can do the math! Oh sorry, they are now the 'New Tories', where have I heard that before....

In the papers....

Over the past few weeks there have been some interesting little snippets regarding this government so called 'nanny' approach towards encouraging people to eat more healthily. The Tories stated not so long ago that they will be removing the red/amber/green labelling from food products that indicate how healthy certain products are as they are patronising to the consumer. Yesterdays Guardian covered a report that said that (due to the downturn) many of the supermarket offers are on unhealthy, high sugar, high fat, high salt pre-packaged food.

What intrigues me about this is why this is due to the 'downturn', and why no-one has put forward the notion that actually one of the main reasons convenience foods have gained in popularity over the past 20 years or so is because women, particularly, are increasingly time-poor. Not to mention advertising campaigns aimed at young children specifically, making it very hard for parents to resist the demands for branded products! Many more of us work, whether part-time or full time, shopping is something that is done during the lunch hour or after work and parenting tasks (such as reading with/to, helping with homework or simply playing) are relegated to the evening. Not to mention washing, cleaning, etc etc.

Overconsumption has increasingly been a problem within western societies, which in turn has led to an increase in health problems related to obesity both in adults and children. It is unecessary and if labelling products and banning advertising for unhealthy products is part of the answer so be it. This is not 'nannying' this is a responsible government and spurious arguments about 'consumer choice' etc really don't do it for me.