The Phoney War

The calm before the storm arrived last week, as the urgency which once accompanied our work was temporarily lifted. Yet make no mistake, this will change once the PM signals for the Queen to dissolve Parliament and initiate the General Election timetable. I am looking forward to this with  great anticipation and am eager to get stuck into the kind of work which takes place during this time. I will of course have to be discreet about much of the details but promise to provide some interesting blog reports. 

Preparations for the campaign continue to go well with more of the usual being completed. I am keen to learn more and will accept whatever new challenges come my way. Meanwhile, I hope you don't mind me asking if you ever had a disabled person apply for a job and wondered whether they could manage a simple phone call? Or take the other perspective, have you as a disabled person, wondered whether a barrier such as this or requesting your right to reasonable adjustments would harm your job prospects? This is not to forget the extra anxiety which comes from any legal action the DDA provides for if these rights are not met. This was a step in the right direction, yet we are already disabled enough without it being underlined in a court of law. I know from personal experience this kind of anxiety but it really need not be this way.

According to the UKCAE website (http://www.ukcae.com/), over 20% of the workforce are disabled and with an ageing populalation, this proportion is expected to increase. More needs to be done to alleviate this two-way anxiety. Perhaps then we will see more disabled people off benefits and into employment. Nevertheless I was pleased that I found myself in a position to demonstrate that this was no barrier for me, when Stewart kindly offered me his Blackberry in order to call Matthew. I hope I can continue to show that I have the potential to be a full and contributing member of his staff.   

I am encouraged by the determination of some politicians and of organisations such as UKCAE to address the issue of equality at work and of those in protected groups who persist in the fight for a more inclusive society. Yet a bigger effort is required to empower employers to recruit the disabled at cost and for people like myself to be able to strive for professional success with real confidence and conviction. There are plenty of organisations that supply equipment to the disabled at work, but perhaps there needs to be more financial support for businesses in making those 'reasonable adjustments'. This is just one idea. What do you think needs to be done?       

Westminster Beckons

If last week felt six days long, this one seemed to fly, as if it had been fitted out with hyperspeed engines. Amongst the hustle and bustle of a busy campaign office, survey followed survey and newletter followed newsletter with some other bits and bobs thrown in too. This was a week which went down to the wire. In fact, as I was running alongside the railway tracks on Friday evening, I arrived at the platform just two minutes before the train was due. Phew, made it. Home at last.

I have finished tweaking my CV and my application for the role of Researcher or Parliamentary Assistant has been sent off. I have also written to an old American History tutor who has been involved with political campaigns in the States, about the possibilities of working in U.S politics too. I shall keep you updated on what becomes of that. 

Yet I have enjoyed being in Peterborough and have put a lot of time and energy into Stewart Jackson's campaign. Over sarnies and a plate of chips, kindly offered by the Secretary, I inquired about the possibility of continuing with Stewart after the election. I was pleased to be told that I could intern at his Westminster office in October. Feeling closer to my goal of a permanent job in Parliament, I for one, can't wait :-)

Until then, I have been asked to stay at the Peterborough office where I will carry on being mentored in local politics and build upon my current experience. Part of that will be to develop further my file on procedures, which includes all aspects of working on a campaign and managing a political office. Sets me up nicely for managing a national campaign myself maybe?

Behind the scenes, the clockwork visibly whirs as the Campaign Manager continues to plan. I wonder what next week will bring and the surprises it has in store? Stay tuned to find out.   

Work, Chivalry and Motherly Wisdom - Don't forget the biscuits!

Do you ever get the impression that you've just completed a six day week? This one felt just like that, helped only by the constant supply of shortbread, which the ladies have now discovered are my favourites :-) Yet it's Mothers Day now, the sun has been shining and I have just got back from a lovely meal out with my family. I hope other Mum's out there have had a nice day too.  

Preparations for the election continued where we left off, with most of my week spent inputting postal voters into the system. This is a long and tedious process but the end is in sight. I will probably be cracking on with this when I arrive back in Peterborough tomorrow morning. I did manage to catch a break from this on Thursday and Friday when I was tasked with putting together the two parts of an eight page newsletter, counting them out and then bundling them together with surveys we prepared a few weeks ago. I don't mind this. Part of me rather likes the feeling of tangible work; the texture of the paper in my hands and watching the completed piles of newsletters tower up beside me. As much as I encourage the use of technology, there is something artificial about working with it. Just to prove my point about technology, I used a computer to find some new work opportunities as either a Researcher or a Parliamentary Assistant. Covering letter is done, just tailoring my CV. Wish me luck.   

I was also delighted to find that Stewart Jackson has implemented some of the suggestions in my initial communications plan, such as registering with Twitter. I have yet to convince everyone there of the merits of digital engagement but Stewart seems to like it. I must say I was expecting his tweets to be dry, but was surprised to discover not only an astute politician, but a humorous man who is not afraid to engage in friendly banter with allies and enemies alike. I am now working on a new inclusive communications strategy in the hope it will be just as well received.

On a smaller note, we have had a number of prospective councillors come into the office; presumably to check on the progress of their own local campaigns. One such lady had come in to collect some leaflets we had prepared for her. As she was leaving, she dropped a few on the floor. I instinctively stopped what I was doing to help her pick them up. I was promptly rewarded with a smile and a warm thank you. Chivalry pays! I had also been taken to heart when watching 'Eddie Izzard: Marathon Man' on television. I noticed would be gang members talk about new purposes to life or school children donating part of their pocket money to his Sports Relief fundraiser.

I mention these only because it reminds me of something my mother had told me. That having a conscience is doing the right thing even when no-one is watching. Something to think about perhaps?  

Anyway, thanks for reading. I wish you all a good week. Speak soon! :-)

Whatever Happened to Leadership?

I was interested to hear Baroness Warsi's views regarding the Equalities Bill last Tuesday. I will return to the subject of Equalities & Inclusion at a later date, as I have much to say about the matter.

This blog post is about political leadership. It is not leadership in the sense of managing employees or a business project; this kind is all too common in our working lives. The leadership about which I write is a rarer quantity.

Throughout history, there have been defining moments where mankind had found itself at a crossroads. The choices that we made determined the course of our moral future; the values that we live by, the nature of our democratic institutions and the way we relate to one another. Faced with injustices of such magnitude, it took extraordinary acts of leadership and self-sacrifice to take the road we knew was right. These moments are well documented, often standing alone against the prevailing tide of public opinion. Today we arrive at  another crossroads. Man-made climate change is no less a defining moment in the history of our species.

It has always had its doubters, but public confidence in the issue of climate change is at an all time low. Rumours of bogus emails and falsified evidence have done little to change this view. I lack the expertise to argue the scientific debate with any real credibility, yet it seems very probable that our climate is changing. Besides, it shouldn't matter what people like me think is true. There are far more informed people advising the Government on this issue than us. Take another scenario such as deciding whether the country goes to war. Should the public be able to dictate this? We don't receive the intelligence or security briefings necessary to make the decision. For the same reasons, if governments believe that climate change exists and that it represents a clear and present danger, then they should take the necessary action to combat it.   

Instead we get what Baroness Warsi  has called ‘window dressing’, a phrase she used to criticise the Equalities Bill in its current format. There has been much rhetoric flying around in Parliament about reducing the effects of climate change and which was subsequently hyped up in the media. Do you remember Kyoto or the Copenhagen Summit? The world was full of expectations. One would believe from the build up to these events, that our political leaders had finally taken action to match the occasion. Instead we got watered down targets to cut CO2 emissions without legal bindings. What followed were Governments implementing "green" initiatives such as Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and the farming of biofuel crops which are equally harmful to our environments. There are in the UK subsidies for electrical cars such as lower vehicle tax and exceptions to congestion charges. Are we supposed to be fooled into thinking that electricity is not produced by burning the very minerals we are trying to reduce? These initiatives seem designed to give the appearance that Governments are meeting targets and international obligations instead of actually "taking the problem by the scruff of the neck" and dealing with it properly.   

Furthermore, on matters of such importance, should Parliament's allow itself to be influenced by public opinion polls and lobbyists? Arguably, the best result would come if Parliament could take a broader view of the subject and allow the Government to implement the required solutions without it being voted out of office. In truth, the issue is so vast, the timing perhaps so critical and the threat to our survival so grave, that the only way to force change, would be impose emergency powers similar to the draconian security measures taken post 9/11. I very much hope that it doesn't come to that. Either way, the initiatives and legislation that may be necessary, could prove unpopular and politically self-defeating. Yet at this environmental crossroads, should politicians now fail to exercise that rare form of leadership? Perhaps we voters should all agree that the right thing is not always what wins elections.

Consider the following:

If we were serious about tackling climate change we would limit the amount of hydrocarbon based vehicles per household, with a clear deadline of abolishing them all together.

If we were serious, we would look beyond LPG and electrical cars (unless wind turbines can produce enough power) and subsidise hydrogen cars which emit only water.

If we were serious, building contractors should be made to include better insulation and power generation (such as solar panels) when designing new houses.

If we were serious, we would set aside a budget for alternative energy research in the same way we do with defence and medicine.

If we were serious, what would you do?

Toasted Cheese, Tea and Sticky Endings

Before I start, I would like to take a minute to remember those who died and have been displaced from their homes, during that terrible earthquake in Chile. The British Red Cross has launched a Chile Earthquake Appeal and I would encourage everyone to dip into their pockets and make a donation at http://www.redcross.org.uk/news.

If a May 6th election takes place as predicted, it is now 9 weeks until election day and I have just completed my 7th week at Stewart Jackson's Campaign HQ in Peterborough. It appears I was correct in my hypothesis, that the Conservative lead would continue to fall. This includes marginal seats which the Conservatives insisted would carry them to victory. One must begin to ask, what is David Cameron to do now?

The ladies and I managed to work our way through yet another load of literature this week. In previous sessions, we had all been peeling the labels, sticking them on and then stuffing in a prepaid envelope. We have since found it more efficient for the ladies to stuff the envelopes and me to peel and stick on the labels. So the process of peel stick stuff, peel stick stuff, has transformed into peel stick, peel stick, peel stick... I swear I catch myself doing it in my sleep. The monotony was halted briefly on Tuesday when I was invited out for toasted cheese sandwiches by one of the City Councillors and yesterday (Friday), Stewart was kind enough to make me a cup of tea. Very generous of them I thought. :-) So nice to feel that our elected representatives don't view such things as beneath them.

My hard work was rewarded when I was informed that I would be taken off sticking and stuffing next week and to continue my current task of inputting those who said they will be voting by post this year. We would then cross-reference these people with voting intentions and send letters to encourage Conservative leaning constituents to do just that. As I was leaving the office this evening, I was also told my communications plan has been passed on to Stewart. This is fantastic news but nervous times await... Could this be my big break?

Today, my sister has been given the day off work which is wonderful news as it is such a rarity. Both she and my brother in law will be coming over for curry in the evening. I do really enjoy it when the family are all together; they mean so much to me.         

Finally, coming to a blogspot near you, are two articles, one which addresses the Equalities Bill; criticised by Baroness Warsi in the House of Lords last Tuesday and the other, 'Whatever Happened to Leadership?', a discussion centred on climate change.

Watch this space and have a great weekend