The candidates may be on their well deserved holidays (although with Eden Project talks by Miliband Jnr and constant communications by Team EdB the campaigns feeds are as busy as ever) but those of us with important voting decisions to make cannot ease up on the ever engrossing task of research. So, I took advantage of an hour long hole in my busy schedule (between dropping A off at a birthday party and taking her to the doctors - it wouldn't be the holidays without some infectious ailment)to multitask - catching up with the Archers and looking at the candidate's websites. First off Alice and Chris got married! In Vegas! Secondly it turns out website researching is so dull I needed the distraction of the Archers to keep me at the computer.
They are all so slick - good communications training comes as standard with this crop of wannabe leaders and their young, enthusiastic army of volunteers can put together good multi media whilst ordering a hot skinny macchiato. Every website urges us to follow them on Twitter(complete with the latest 140 character pearls of wisdom) and Facebook (you have still not responded to my friend request David!), join Labour and, of course, Donate. They want our money - and our time but most importantly our money. Don't they know that we are heading back for the double dip faster than Call-me-Dave's heading for his next diplomatic row and gambling £25 on a candidate who might not win is £25 that might be better spent on wine to numb the latest news headlines? The communications-savviness may explain why they are all so bland. I got no real idea who the candidates were and what they stood for apart from a fairer deal natch, but although the bastard Tories and lap dog Liberals may be disintegrating society faster than you can say "come on old chap", really candidates you had 13 years to sort all these things out and I hate to point this out but you didn't.
First off Andy Burnham at www.andy4leader.com. I do like Andy Burnham but couldn't help sniggering at the name, I could imagine A coming up with something similar in the playground. It's all very clean though with a nice picture and campaign messages clearly displayed "Reconnecting Labour putting the heart back into the people’s party”. Nice messages though not the snappiest slogan I ever heard - and makes me think a little of a cosy Sunday night drama set somewhere in the Dales. Andy is cleverly playing the anti-elitest card and positioning himself as the outsider and One of Us, for instance he wants payment for interns and to ensure all internships are advertised although I can't help pessimistically thinking that the elite will still find ways of favouring their own. Reading his blog I was treated to a dull selection of endorsements and articles sadly akin to reading the Council's self-congratulatory newssheet and there was no sense of him at all.
Next I looked at Diane. Who has also gone with the "4leader" web address. Her website kicks straight in with a movie which as I was still on the Archer's omnibus made her sound like a very loud background character in the Bull. I didn't actually hear what she was saying as I was too busy tutting over Will's jealously and devoutly hoping the writers aren't going to bore us with another Will Grundy storyline. The site is stylish and the most individual of the five with red slashes on a grey background and loads of really good photos but I didn't find it that userfriendly with text hard to read. When I found her campaign message five out of the first six lines begin with "I". Which I find offputting. I know, I know they have to sell themselves to us but it comes across as a little narcissistic. At least the blog is in the first person but unfortuantely it is more a series of defensive aruements, a little humour would have gone a long way although she does label call-me-Dave a Bully.
I found it really hard to find Ed Ball's leadership site and found myself on his constituency one which leads with things to do over summer holidays, he didn't mention canvassing and hustings, nor driving in a campervan through Boston but it was still a nice touch. Finally I managed to link through to edballs4labour.org.uk where I was quite disconcerted by his bizarre coronation st type logo. The blog is by his (very committed, they are Twitter fiends)team and again very article driven leaving no sense of him apart from the campaign message although I was amused by the “Ed said” and “Ask Ed” buttons at the top.
Miliband Jnr doesn't have a new website, he is using his own. He (or his evangelical team) is very comfortable with social media and it shows with his Facebnook page shown on the site along with Twitter feeds and lots of talk about his "innovative text conversations". I haven't signed up for these, I feel harassed enough by Twitter and now Facebook but am intrigued. Again the Blog is a series of articles and I was quite horrified to find a plea for £25 at the bottom of the page I read (skimmed through). People are very pro-Ed but his website gave me no reason why.
Last but not least Miliband Snr although by now I had had it with platitudes and was having to restrain myself from restarting one of my Facebook farms (8 months cold turkey but I still get tempted every day). Not surprisingly he has the best website (sign of all the money he has) with loads going on visually such as lots of photos. It felt really interactive with a Blog that was written in the first person and not just a series of lectures and sermons - not laugh out loud funny but human at least. He wants us to fundraise, with dinner parties (can you imagine inviting the Free School neighbours for a nice political debate over some Sauvignon Blanc and Kettle Chips?) and there was a very serious blog by a woman who had done exactly that with cocktails and Cheese Jack Straws and Gordon Brownies. Seriously.
Ithought it was Miliband v Miliband but now I am seriously wondering whether a. Andy Burnham can stand up to call-me-Dave and perform at PMQ and b. Is Ed B too tarnished by his association with and renunciation of Gordon (who I love, turning on Gordon is not favourably looked upon). Because maybe, just maybe, they could be my 1 and 2. Could they?
Friday, 6 August 2010
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Records and revelatiosn
SO. Time to take this seriously. Which means researching. I start off by declining Harriet's email asking me to take part in a q&a as it is at 2.30pm on a Monday in the School Holidays when most women, Harriet, are either at work or in a park/museum/play area wearily refusing a request for yet more sweets and wondering if 4am is too early for the first glass of wine....(no is obviously the answer, not in school holidays). My plan involves reading each candidates website in depth and watching some hustings on the labour website but severe lack of time means all I have managed so far is sending friend requests to the Milibands on Facebook. Ed has agreed, David, at this moment, has not. This could prove costly DM.
Instead I have taken a short cut and have used "They work for you" drawing up a nice little grid of voting histories and expenses. Ed wins the expenses race hands down coming in at 578 narrowly beating big brother at 569. Diane and Andy are also respectable but I was surprised to see Ed Balls was 199th. Could do better Mr Balls. Voting records are a bit of a shock and a wake up call that passionate as they all say they are about change they are all part of an establishment that made some pretty big mistakes. They attack the Con-Dems on education and health but both Eds voted to give schools more autonomy with only Diane disagreeing and David and Andy were both for Foundation hospitals with Diane again the only one to vote against. None of them voted for climate reform bills, all the men want to replace Trident and none wanted a more transparent Parliament or an enquiry into Iraq. On the plus side they were all pro smoking and hunting bans and Lords reform and strongly for Gay Rights.
Most disappointingly for me none of them were out right against ID cards and only Diane (again) was against the anti terrorism legislation. Not one of them openly rebelled against any party decision in the last Parliament. This does make their claims of change, new thinking and a new way slightly unbelievable.
Meanwhile the return to the eighties vibe I get whenever I switch on the news was reinforced with a trip to see Pet Shop Boys in Newcastle and a reminder that at least the last Tory government inspired some great music. My Twitter fear is intensifying with new followers to replace those that have dumped me and even some retweeting of my words of wisdom which is far far too stressful for this particular novice. Apparently most Tweeters aim for 500 followers - are they mad? My phone buzzes continuously with new tweets so I can wish Bon Voyage to Ed M as he travels to Cornwall and Ed B (flying to Boston), I am sure the others have equally nice holidays planned and will be twittering them to me soon. Better than a postcard - bring me back some maple syrup will you Ed B?
Finally the supporters of Ed M have set up a phone bank here in my own little dot of red. I am tempted to join in just to be involved even though I still have to decide. One tweeter suggested I volunteer for each campaign to help me decide which if I wasn't a hideously overstretched working mother would be a great plan. Other ideas on a postcard please!
Instead I have taken a short cut and have used "They work for you" drawing up a nice little grid of voting histories and expenses. Ed wins the expenses race hands down coming in at 578 narrowly beating big brother at 569. Diane and Andy are also respectable but I was surprised to see Ed Balls was 199th. Could do better Mr Balls. Voting records are a bit of a shock and a wake up call that passionate as they all say they are about change they are all part of an establishment that made some pretty big mistakes. They attack the Con-Dems on education and health but both Eds voted to give schools more autonomy with only Diane disagreeing and David and Andy were both for Foundation hospitals with Diane again the only one to vote against. None of them voted for climate reform bills, all the men want to replace Trident and none wanted a more transparent Parliament or an enquiry into Iraq. On the plus side they were all pro smoking and hunting bans and Lords reform and strongly for Gay Rights.
Most disappointingly for me none of them were out right against ID cards and only Diane (again) was against the anti terrorism legislation. Not one of them openly rebelled against any party decision in the last Parliament. This does make their claims of change, new thinking and a new way slightly unbelievable.
Meanwhile the return to the eighties vibe I get whenever I switch on the news was reinforced with a trip to see Pet Shop Boys in Newcastle and a reminder that at least the last Tory government inspired some great music. My Twitter fear is intensifying with new followers to replace those that have dumped me and even some retweeting of my words of wisdom which is far far too stressful for this particular novice. Apparently most Tweeters aim for 500 followers - are they mad? My phone buzzes continuously with new tweets so I can wish Bon Voyage to Ed M as he travels to Cornwall and Ed B (flying to Boston), I am sure the others have equally nice holidays planned and will be twittering them to me soon. Better than a postcard - bring me back some maple syrup will you Ed B?
Finally the supporters of Ed M have set up a phone bank here in my own little dot of red. I am tempted to join in just to be involved even though I still have to decide. One tweeter suggested I volunteer for each campaign to help me decide which if I wasn't a hideously overstretched working mother would be a great plan. Other ideas on a postcard please!
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Making my Mind Up?
Right up to Saturday night I was finding excuses for skipping Sunday's women's event - missing the daughter, getting there, lack of time. All perfectly valid reasons but I couldn't fool myself, I was scared stiff of going alone. Still there was a certain inevitability when I set the alarm on Sat night, printed out the directions "just in case" and fell asleep thinking outfits. Not a suit, not too frivolous, not too warm (it is summer) but not too much flesh either. So Sunday morning clad in a brightish dress with a demure cardigan and wedge sandals I climbed into the car, feeling a little interviewish, muttering to myself the whole way that I was an idiot and why wasn't I staying home (except when I passed the Dog's Trust when all I could whimper was "puppies").
My original plan was to hide behind a potted plant with a glass of wine but a. it was 10am, b. I was driving and c. there was a distinct lack of potted plants. I got a coffee and stood nonchalantly to the side "Yes, look at you all laughing and chattering and at home but I choose to stand alone" when hurrah, another lone soul with whom I could make polite conversation and very nice she was too and we were in the same group. Problem solved. And it was a great day thank you so much Labour WOmen! A brilliant talk and q&a from Yvette Cooper (why aren't you standing Yvette?) and new MP Rachel Reeves who were both funny and inspiring; an opportunity to get to know other attendees who were all friendly, interestIng and so diverse - long standing members, brand new like me, all ages and backgrounds and all ready to do whatever they need to to make a difference; lunch (teetotal natch but still very nice) and then the q&a with the leaders. And? Oh God I don't know, how do I choose?
First off Andy Burnham (or as D texted the one you won't recognise). Except I did recognise him. Vaguely. I liked him! We'll take intelligent, articulate and committed as a given as they all were and I can't keep repeating it, but he was warm too, had really long eyelashes (not a prerequisite but nice to see) and answered the questions really well. He said I asked a good question and I felt all glowey (it was of course about Free Schools). Is he a leader? Seriously, I don't know. I would vote for him to be an MP no doubt but a leader? I was undecided when Next!
Diane. Oh Diane I wanted to like you. And I didn't dislike you but you left me cold and I am not sure why. I didn't get the impression you wanted to be there although you were polite and gave some good answers but a definite no. Next!
Ed B. I liked him! Funny but not too much so, showed signs of wanting to sit down and have really long free school chat when he was ushered away. I liked him! He could be a good leader for sure BUT there is the tarnish. I hate that it is there but it is. he is so closely linked to Brown and is trying to deny it so I feel a little the cock crowed three times about him. Yet... Next!
David, see previous post, nothing has changed, still like him, still not quite sure. Next!
Ed M. There is a cult growing about Ed M. Did I join? No, not yet. Will I? I DON'T KNOW! We are so lucky to have four (yep, Andy I am including you) four such brilliant candidates I dn't know where or how to vote. For whoever will win a General Election but who?
My original plan was to hide behind a potted plant with a glass of wine but a. it was 10am, b. I was driving and c. there was a distinct lack of potted plants. I got a coffee and stood nonchalantly to the side "Yes, look at you all laughing and chattering and at home but I choose to stand alone" when hurrah, another lone soul with whom I could make polite conversation and very nice she was too and we were in the same group. Problem solved. And it was a great day thank you so much Labour WOmen! A brilliant talk and q&a from Yvette Cooper (why aren't you standing Yvette?) and new MP Rachel Reeves who were both funny and inspiring; an opportunity to get to know other attendees who were all friendly, interestIng and so diverse - long standing members, brand new like me, all ages and backgrounds and all ready to do whatever they need to to make a difference; lunch (teetotal natch but still very nice) and then the q&a with the leaders. And? Oh God I don't know, how do I choose?
First off Andy Burnham (or as D texted the one you won't recognise). Except I did recognise him. Vaguely. I liked him! We'll take intelligent, articulate and committed as a given as they all were and I can't keep repeating it, but he was warm too, had really long eyelashes (not a prerequisite but nice to see) and answered the questions really well. He said I asked a good question and I felt all glowey (it was of course about Free Schools). Is he a leader? Seriously, I don't know. I would vote for him to be an MP no doubt but a leader? I was undecided when Next!
Diane. Oh Diane I wanted to like you. And I didn't dislike you but you left me cold and I am not sure why. I didn't get the impression you wanted to be there although you were polite and gave some good answers but a definite no. Next!
Ed B. I liked him! Funny but not too much so, showed signs of wanting to sit down and have really long free school chat when he was ushered away. I liked him! He could be a good leader for sure BUT there is the tarnish. I hate that it is there but it is. he is so closely linked to Brown and is trying to deny it so I feel a little the cock crowed three times about him. Yet... Next!
David, see previous post, nothing has changed, still like him, still not quite sure. Next!
Ed M. There is a cult growing about Ed M. Did I join? No, not yet. Will I? I DON'T KNOW! We are so lucky to have four (yep, Andy I am including you) four such brilliant candidates I dn't know where or how to vote. For whoever will win a General Election but who?
Friday, 23 July 2010
Feeling hot, hot, hot
My tiny dot of red become was quiverful of excitement when one of the Big Five (to those who frequent members.net on the labour website, I challenge anyone else to name all 5 with the national media ignoring the leadership election)finally rode into town to woo us. And he was only 25 mins late. Me and many other party faithful crowded into a stultifyingly hot room (standing room only proudly tweeted the candidate) to witness a massive love in between our local MP and Milliband D. "He is so intellectual, honest and handsome" warbled our MP with tears in his eyes as he gazed up (MD is very tall)at the candidate. "I learned everything I know about politics from this man" riposted MD with an equally loving gaze. Beautiful.
And? Well, he is confident, a really good speaker, charismatic, clever. He is painting himself as the whiter than white cabinet member who turned down great opportunities in Europe in order to lead the faithful back into power. Do I believe he is as clean as he says? No but definitely less tarred than Balls. And he is good, will definitely run rings around Call-Me-Dave during PMQs and the international community loves him. He will make a good leader, who knows might even win a election. Not sure if he gets my vote though... he is handsome as one besotted member of the audience publicly pointed out. Let me make this clear this is politician handsome not boyband handsome, two completely different scales. So what did 6 year old make of the whole procedure? "Many of the questions made no sense" she opined. Truly it is out of the mouth of babes. How he managed to answer some of the long, rambling monologues that passed for questions from some audience members I do not know. No wonder they are taking August off if this is how they spend their days.
All candidates will be present and correct at Women Only event on Sun and I want to compare contrast and shake off bedazzlement at the perfect style and smile of Milliband D. But, apart from my natural fear of all such events, do I have the time? Its just one day. But I am volunteering tomorrow afternoon and 6 year old is being whisked away for half the week as my favourite annual event Finding Affordable Summer Childcare begins. Do I want to lose half my weekend with her too? MD understands - he hates the 24/7 campaigning he said with real believable conviction, because he misses his kids. I want to be engaged with this, I am engaged with this but 3 days without 6 year old is a day too many (2 days on the other hand is a relaxing break).
Meanwhile the 36 medium sized campers were returned, just a little scratched and bruised from 3 days of running riot in the woods, back to the loving bosom of their families leaving me needing 5 days of recovery time. Unfortunately the five days included overtired 6 year old also needing recovery time (expressed as tantrums), extra work commitments and executive meetings. The executive meeting took place in a local Church Hall where we camping survivors stared blankly into space with lost exhausted eyes, half the room also facing the bleak prospect of the annual school summer fayre. Next door was a meeting of a different stamp as another committee took shape, the steering committee for the much needed area Free School. Suddenly battle lines seem to be drawn in the community and interestingly, those who already do, those who spend their free time volunteering, organising, fundraising and keeping the community ticking over, they are the ones who are opposed. They stared as their neighbours and fellow parents slipped, half shamefaced, into the room next door commenting only "I should've known she was for it". The local councillor is confident they have no chance but the damage is already being done as those of it who are anti gather in corners to vent our frustration and anger trying not to make it personal because we live near, drink with and know these people. We don't want our friendships ruined but it is so emotive when our children are involved.
And? Well, he is confident, a really good speaker, charismatic, clever. He is painting himself as the whiter than white cabinet member who turned down great opportunities in Europe in order to lead the faithful back into power. Do I believe he is as clean as he says? No but definitely less tarred than Balls. And he is good, will definitely run rings around Call-Me-Dave during PMQs and the international community loves him. He will make a good leader, who knows might even win a election. Not sure if he gets my vote though... he is handsome as one besotted member of the audience publicly pointed out. Let me make this clear this is politician handsome not boyband handsome, two completely different scales. So what did 6 year old make of the whole procedure? "Many of the questions made no sense" she opined. Truly it is out of the mouth of babes. How he managed to answer some of the long, rambling monologues that passed for questions from some audience members I do not know. No wonder they are taking August off if this is how they spend their days.
All candidates will be present and correct at Women Only event on Sun and I want to compare contrast and shake off bedazzlement at the perfect style and smile of Milliband D. But, apart from my natural fear of all such events, do I have the time? Its just one day. But I am volunteering tomorrow afternoon and 6 year old is being whisked away for half the week as my favourite annual event Finding Affordable Summer Childcare begins. Do I want to lose half my weekend with her too? MD understands - he hates the 24/7 campaigning he said with real believable conviction, because he misses his kids. I want to be engaged with this, I am engaged with this but 3 days without 6 year old is a day too many (2 days on the other hand is a relaxing break).
Meanwhile the 36 medium sized campers were returned, just a little scratched and bruised from 3 days of running riot in the woods, back to the loving bosom of their families leaving me needing 5 days of recovery time. Unfortunately the five days included overtired 6 year old also needing recovery time (expressed as tantrums), extra work commitments and executive meetings. The executive meeting took place in a local Church Hall where we camping survivors stared blankly into space with lost exhausted eyes, half the room also facing the bleak prospect of the annual school summer fayre. Next door was a meeting of a different stamp as another committee took shape, the steering committee for the much needed area Free School. Suddenly battle lines seem to be drawn in the community and interestingly, those who already do, those who spend their free time volunteering, organising, fundraising and keeping the community ticking over, they are the ones who are opposed. They stared as their neighbours and fellow parents slipped, half shamefaced, into the room next door commenting only "I should've known she was for it". The local councillor is confident they have no chance but the damage is already being done as those of it who are anti gather in corners to vent our frustration and anger trying not to make it personal because we live near, drink with and know these people. We don't want our friendships ruined but it is so emotive when our children are involved.
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Call me
Tomorrow I take 36 medium sized children camping for the whole weekend as I am quite clearly insane. The beauty of it is that I will have no time to worry about the state of the nation, budgets (national and personal) or to join in David's conference call. My heart did leap slightly when I received the message with "Call Me" on (although I firmly pledged to one of the two Eds, I just need to decide which...) only to plummet when I realised I was just part of a cynical exploitation of communication media. Plus how hideous! Conference calls are mortifying enough when you HAVE to do them let alone join up with god knows how many (strange) people all politely trying not to interrupt , cough or snore whilst trying to sound intelligent. Besides I will be meeting David twice in the next two weeks both at the women's event (aaaggghh) and also when he visits my small dot of red. The local MP has kindly and bravely said I can bring small child along and sheis VERY excited. "Ask him what he can do for you" I have primed her but truth be told she would sell her vote for sweets.
Meanwhile the madness continues as I sent D along to the Free School meeting ensuring he missed the first half of Spain-Germany. Verdict? Never going to happen, he predicts calmly. They have no site, management team, formal proposal, proper grasp of the finances or real need - and they want to open in 2 years. All well and good BUT apparently as school rebuilding is stopped and education budgets are slashed the money for this particularly nasty Tory experiment with back door education privatisation is ringfenced. Priorities Call-me-Dave and Gideon, priorities. It will come as little surprise to anyone with half a brain that half the interested parties are consultancies... Still a small ray of sunshine comes in the form of Michael Gove having to grovel apologies in sackcloth and ashes. We need some stocks, I'll rot tomatoes especially...
Meanwhile the madness continues as I sent D along to the Free School meeting ensuring he missed the first half of Spain-Germany. Verdict? Never going to happen, he predicts calmly. They have no site, management team, formal proposal, proper grasp of the finances or real need - and they want to open in 2 years. All well and good BUT apparently as school rebuilding is stopped and education budgets are slashed the money for this particularly nasty Tory experiment with back door education privatisation is ringfenced. Priorities Call-me-Dave and Gideon, priorities. It will come as little surprise to anyone with half a brain that half the interested parties are consultancies... Still a small ray of sunshine comes in the form of Michael Gove having to grovel apologies in sackcloth and ashes. We need some stocks, I'll rot tomatoes especially...
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Keeping up with Ed et al
Twitter is a nightmare. I forget about it due to my phone's sensible rejection of the media then am bombarded with tweets when I remember to log in. As a result 3 of my 5 followers have deserted me. I don't miss the news organisation I deserted first or the insurance saleswoman but Labour_news? The shame and humiliation although as I haven't actually tweeted anything for a week I guess its fair enough.
A working weekend (last) followed by a volunteering weekend (next) with work and chauffeur duties (aka motherhood) inbetween has left me feeling very behind with the campaign. I have had to reluctantly decline my first invitation to a buffet and quiz night due to the weekend away but along with the terrifying prospect of the Women's-Only event is the dizzying heights of an afternoon with Miliband D. Well a 3.30 meeting (me and many others, its not a one to one wooing session mores the pity still at least ONE candidate is willing to visit our spot of red thanks apparently to our MP -guess who he voted for?). 3.30pm on a Thurs is perhaps not the handiest time for a worker or mother but obviously M.D is a v busy man. My request to bring a 6 year old with me to the meeting has yet to be replied to...
Nationally communication has slowed down. Diane hasn't emailed for 2 weeks, her last was about the budget with her three ways to sort out the budget which seems nice and simple, thanks Diane. She twitters a little but not to the same extent as Balls and MD who are quite the users of modern technology. Andy however hasn't tweeted at all - did I remember to follow him? On a lighter note I haven't had much from ME but he has emailed me personally asking me to allow him to text me. I've been keeping away from the texts but with balls and ME actively wanting my number its getting tempting, I am going to have to choose between them at some point.
Finally I am trying touse the old modern technology and watch newsnight and question time but I have a JOB and a CHILD and a husband who has to watch football 24/7 and I am TIRED by 10pm. Why are these shows on so darn late?
A working weekend (last) followed by a volunteering weekend (next) with work and chauffeur duties (aka motherhood) inbetween has left me feeling very behind with the campaign. I have had to reluctantly decline my first invitation to a buffet and quiz night due to the weekend away but along with the terrifying prospect of the Women's-Only event is the dizzying heights of an afternoon with Miliband D. Well a 3.30 meeting (me and many others, its not a one to one wooing session mores the pity still at least ONE candidate is willing to visit our spot of red thanks apparently to our MP -guess who he voted for?). 3.30pm on a Thurs is perhaps not the handiest time for a worker or mother but obviously M.D is a v busy man. My request to bring a 6 year old with me to the meeting has yet to be replied to...
Nationally communication has slowed down. Diane hasn't emailed for 2 weeks, her last was about the budget with her three ways to sort out the budget which seems nice and simple, thanks Diane. She twitters a little but not to the same extent as Balls and MD who are quite the users of modern technology. Andy however hasn't tweeted at all - did I remember to follow him? On a lighter note I haven't had much from ME but he has emailed me personally asking me to allow him to text me. I've been keeping away from the texts but with balls and ME actively wanting my number its getting tempting, I am going to have to choose between them at some point.
Finally I am trying touse the old modern technology and watch newsnight and question time but I have a JOB and a CHILD and a husband who has to watch football 24/7 and I am TIRED by 10pm. Why are these shows on so darn late?
Big Society
Its been a manic few days and I suddenly find myself so tired I can't summon up enough energy for the righteous anger that has carried me through the last few weeks. When Call-me-Dave's big society was first mooted to hoots of derision from anyone with a brain some self confessed Tory used the Guardian's CIF pages to boast that only the right volunteer and cited two teachers neighbours who "got home at four and watched their big TV all evening" as an example. Apparently spending all day attempting to educate the youth wasn't enough for Mr self confessed Tory, they also needed to spend their evenings making up food parcels to feed the jobless so we can save money on cancelling all welfare, or whatever Call-me-Dave's latest compassionate Conservative Crazy idea is.
So that's the Big Society! We feed our less fortunate neighbours on our left overs whilst using up the slashed school budget on Free Schools to make sure our children are kept away from the malnourished kids slurping down our out of date organic yogurt. Mind you who am I kidding? I can barely sleep for worrying that soon I'll be meekly standing in line to bob a curtsey in thanks as I am given my food parcel. We barely make ends meet yet thanks to Gideon we face the loss of £50 a month, there's a leak in the roof we can't afford to fix and my husband has no stability in his job at all.
I spend my life yelling at the TV or the computer "But they have no mandate!" Then I go to my third sector job (cuts in grants, cuts in donors'incomes), raise my daughter, volunteer at a local community project, fundraise for charity and worry that I don't do enough and wonder just where the time has gone. That enough for you Mr self confessed Tory or shall I start putting a few spare tins aside now?
So that's the Big Society! We feed our less fortunate neighbours on our left overs whilst using up the slashed school budget on Free Schools to make sure our children are kept away from the malnourished kids slurping down our out of date organic yogurt. Mind you who am I kidding? I can barely sleep for worrying that soon I'll be meekly standing in line to bob a curtsey in thanks as I am given my food parcel. We barely make ends meet yet thanks to Gideon we face the loss of £50 a month, there's a leak in the roof we can't afford to fix and my husband has no stability in his job at all.
I spend my life yelling at the TV or the computer "But they have no mandate!" Then I go to my third sector job (cuts in grants, cuts in donors'incomes), raise my daughter, volunteer at a local community project, fundraise for charity and worry that I don't do enough and wonder just where the time has gone. That enough for you Mr self confessed Tory or shall I start putting a few spare tins aside now?
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