Political exclusive
December 2009 edition.
(College magazine: Xaverian X-press)
In August 2009, I secured an exclusive interview with Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrat Party.
Here are excerpts from my interview published in Xaverian-Xpress, the official college magazine for Xaverian College, located on Lower Park Road, Rusholme.
Will you be committing the party to any new policies at the Liberal Democrat conference?
It’s a democratic forum, and I can’t be certain what will or won’t be voted through, but I hope we’ll be passing a lot of important new policies. We’ll be looking at ways to protect consumers from greedy banks and businesses, ways of generating electricity from tidal energy and at protecting our civil liberties. There will also be policies on stopping MPs abusing their expenses, improving our rail network and better support for our armed forces.
What are your thoughts on MPs who ‘tweet’ during sessions in the House of Commons?
I prefer to concentrate on the debate. Twitter’s better when you’re out and about. Parliament is on the television if people want to know what’s going on.
Gordon Brown’s continued mantra in PMQs is that “The Liberal Democrats have no policy for jobs, no policy for growth and no policy for housing.” Is this the case and is the Prime Minister telling the truth when he says this?
The Liberal Democrats are the only party with a clear plan to get British people back to work, rebuild the economy and build the homes people need. We’re the only ones ready to do things differently by moving away from the mistakes that got us into this mess. We want an economy that’s not just centered in London and on financial services, but strong throughout the country. And we want to build growth and jobs out of going green, so we can stop dangerous climate change.
Out of Labour and the Conservatives, which party is closer to the ideals and values of the Liberal Democrats?
I think they’re closer to each other! Both are fundamentally parties of the establishment who won’t change anything fundamental about the way our country works and that’s why nothing ever really changes when they’re in government. Liberal Democrats are different – we want a fresh start, a better way of doing things and an end to the same old mistakes.
Your party have highlighted that the recession has increased the number of people on unemployment benefits which has caused the number of cases of mental illnesses such as depression to rise. Why are the Liberal Democrats opposed to renewing Trident when this will send people to work?
We do not need the comprehensive Trident nuclear weapons system to protect Britain – and at a cost of up to £100bn, it is far too expensive for our needs. The government should make strategic defence decisions on the basis of protecting the country, not to make jobs for people. A far better way to create jobs for unemployed people is to invest in building new homes and renewable energy, so that we can build a new, green economy. That’s a better and more sustainable solution.
Do you believe we will still be in Afghanistan in 10, 15 or 20 years?
We could be if we don’t sort out the political strategy for building up the Afghan government, police and army. That’s why I’ve been so outspoken in arguing for better co-ordination between international forces, governments and aid agencies, so that the work our troops do leads to long-lasting peace. If we are to stop Afghanistan from being a haven for terrorism and drug traffickers, all nations need to work together.
Do you get a lot of young people visiting your surgeries?
I get a whole mix of people with all sorts of questions and problems. It’s a great way to really keep in touch with what matters to people, and often help get their issues sorted out, too. Sheffield has two big universities, so I often meet a lot of students locally too.
Many teenagers, including myself will be voting for the first time in a general election that carries huge importance for the future of this country. How can Nick Clegg ‘get down with the kids’?
I’m in my early 40s, and I don’t think it’s any use pretending otherwise. I think it’s pretty patronising to teenagers when politicians try to be ‘cool’, as if teenagers don’t have the intellect or capacity to engage with them on adult terms. I spend a lot of time out and about in the country, and my favourite thing to do is hold an open forum meeting where people can ask me any question they like. Some of the best discussions have been when we’ve had public meetings at schools or colleges and young people come along. It’s corny to say, but young people are the country’s future and I think engaging with them is one of the most important things I can do – and that means taking them seriously, not trying to be “down with the kids!”
The power of enrichment activities
October 2009 edition.
(College magazine: Xaverian X-press)
For the majority of us, our college years are spent working on that latest coursework project, homework assignment or revising for those dreaded exams. However, putting aside some time to commit yourself to just one extra curriculum activity will really help to shape your college experience.
For me, it was the college and schools’ public speaking competition. Yes, you have probably heard a similar cliché before, but signing up last year was one of the best decisions that I have ever made.
Last September we were encouraged to sign up for as many activities as possible, because ‘it would look good on our UCAS forms.’ I tried not to be someone who would sign up for every activity and not be able to commit to them. But I had a burning desire to sign up for public speaking. Addressing a crowd with a message that has meaning and purpose has always been something that I have aspired to do, and public speaking would give me the platform to do this.
Preparation for the Rotarians’ Public Speaking Semi-Final was quite intense. I needed to write a speech that a varied audience could relate to. Choosing a topic can sometimes feel more of a challenge than writing the speech itself! I decided to deliver my speech entitled ‘Education Maintenance Allowance’ that I had delivered in the college competition. My argument was that the allowance system was flawed because there was an assumption by the government that all parents earning above £30,000 would support their child financially.
On the night of the semi-final at Burnage High School For Boys, the other competitors in the senior category were: My Upper-Sixth colleague Becci Raine, with her speech ‘Does the ends justify the means?’; Loreto Sixth Form College pair Dominic Biddle and Addy Dada, St Bedes College David Callaghan and two students from Manchester Grammar Sixth Form College.
I was the third person to deliver my speech. I was feeling slightly nervous but once I was standing in front of the audience, my nerves began to subside. Overall, I had delivered the speech fairly well, remembering large parts of the speech, but still occasionally having to peer down at my notes. As I walked to my seat, I felt quietly confident that memorable sound bites like “What EMA is doing to the value of education is a bit like what prostitution is doing for love” would get me through to the final.
All junior and senior semi-finalists were told to wait in the hall pending the judges’ announcement of the four finalists for the two categories. The refreshments were disappointing! Some speakers tried to convince others around them that they would be unconcerned if they failed to reach the final, but their true feelings were pretty evident.
The senior semi-finalists were kept in suspense a little longer, since the junior finalists were announced first. It wasn’t much of a surprise that the polished David and dramatic Dominic were the first speakers to reach the final. Thus, there were two more places left. “SAMSON DADA,” one of the judges announced, however I did not let myself get too excited; I was looking ahead to the final.
Addy Dada was the last name to be called out and both of us would be faced with repetitive questions of whether we were related. Just to clear that up, we are not related.
On the way home, Mr Birch and I were discussing possible speech topics for the final. He suggested that I could write a speech about the importance of names.
A few weeks later, I had written ‘What’s in a name?’ There were nine points of discussion in the speech: Speaking directly to parents; why I might have been given my name; the meaning of my first name and how it can be ‘humored’ by others; how I fail to live up to my biblical namesake; the cultural movement of Dadaism; the link between Dadaism and my interests; the meaning of someone’s name does not necessarily mirror their personality; outrageous names of celebrity babies and the importance of parents choosing the right name for their child.
Practice sessions during lunchtimes and free periods had allowed me to work on perfecting pronunciation of key words in the speech, varying my delivery and learning as much of the speech as possible.
Alma Lodge Hotel in Stockport was the venue for the final, with over 100 guests in attendance. There were about 5-8 dinner tables, each with the names cards of the speakers, their guests and members of the public who had paid £25 to hear us speak! Mr. Birch pointed out the lectern to me and explained that the absence of a microphone and the positioning of the lectern meant I had to project my voice very well so all sides of the room could hear me. It was also vital to connect with the audience too.
The three-course meal was very appetising. The starter was asparagus soup, followed by Etruscan Style Lamb and rounded off with lemon meringue pie, coffee and mints.
Like the semi-final, I was the third person to speak. I was very pleased that I had projected my voice well, maintained eye contact, looked at my notes only for the last few lines of the speech and received some laughs from the audience for my humorous content.
Before the presentation of the prizes, each speaker was given feedback by the adjudicator, Dr Christine Smith. The winner of the junior competition was Charlotte Ward, who had the audience in stitches with ‘You make me sick’. I was described as an “accomplished speaker” but the speech could have included more variety. David Callaghan, a frequent participant in public speaking contests walked away with the senior title.
I could not help feeling a little upset that the trophy was not heading to Xaverian, but putting things into perspective it was a great achievement that I had reached the final in my first ever public speaking competition, and the £25 book voucher was not bad either.
Trust me; take a look at the enrichment activities available, you never know just how far they may take you.
Puzzled
The devastation that has swept Cumbria is there for all to see.
Naturally as Prime Minister, Gordon Brown has visited the region and has pledged £1m in aid to go towards rebuilding the community.
Why has there not been any statements released into the national media from the leaders of the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats?
Sunday school
Sunday 1 November 2009
(Circuit mission magazine 2009)
When there are no all age worship services, Sunday school is held in the church school room and is moderated by Joan Charlesworth and Chris Snelson.
Sunday school starts with a short prayer by Mrs Charlesworth. After this, the main part of the lesson gets underway consisting of some of us reading passages from New Testament chapters in the Bible, discussions about the Word of God or Mrs Charlesworth reading from a related religious book- One she has regularly used down the years is called ‘The Boil in the Bag Meditations’ by Ernest J. Hewitt.
Over the years, our group has increased in its attendees and has become much more varied in terms of age meaning that the younger children get creative with colouring pencils, while the older members of the group discuss important issues such as poverty, the environment and the broader aspects of religion. One particular lively discussion that sticks out in my memory was about MPs expenses!
As part of our missionary work, we write messages of hope in cards for the sick and Mrs Charlesworth keeps records of the birthdays of members of our group. Through Sunday school, several members, including me, have contributed to conducting the church service and reading bible readings, prayers and poems before the service and during the service.
We conclude with a prayer for any individuals who are present and those who are unable to attend the service. Chris hands out some confectionary, the carpet is rolled and the chairs are stacked until the next Sunday school.
Coffee Morning, Good as New and Stationery
Sunday 1 November 2009
(Circuit mission magazine 2009)
For twenty years every Thursday, Clayton Methodist Church has been pleased to hold The Coffee Morning, Good as New and Stationery. The idea of these three events first came to light when four residential homes were built near to the church, so it seemed a great idea to run a coffee morning to allow the elderly to come together and enjoy a cup of coffee and some biscuits. It proved to be an instant success with large numbers of residents coming from each home.
Clayton has always been a deprived area blighted by crime and unemployment, so the church decided to offer their hand of mission to single parents, asylum seekers and parents new to the area by selling clothes and prams at affordable prices.
What started as very little has grown to include the sale of stationery, Christmas and birthday cards. Church Treasurer and long standing stalwart of the church, John Stewart MBE told me that “it was a most successful weekly event, well attended and has proved a blessing for the community in so many ways.”
So let’s take The Coffee Morning, Good as New and Stationery to even greater heights and drop by when you can on Thursday at Clayton Methodist Church. Everyone will be happy to see you there.
There cannot be a runoff
President Hamid Karzai could not have wished for an easier path to victory, now that Dr Abdullah Abdullah has decided to withdraw from the second round of the Afghan presidential election.
When Dr Abdullah said that his decision was made “in the best interests of the country” he truly meant what he was saying.
President Karzai’s spokesman Waheed Omar obviously wants the second round to take place, but a run-off may be more problematic than people realise.
I was very surprised by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s comments that a runoff with only one candidate would not necessarily threaten the legitimacy of the process.
“There have been other examples in our country and around the world where in a runoff election one of the parties decides for a reason that they are not going to go on,” she said.
Well, the difference between the unnamed example she made reference to in the United States is that no American general election has been subject to allegations of widespread electoral fraud- depending on whether you consider the Bush v Gore recount worthy of the term “electoral fraud.”
Mr Karzai will face a weakening of his legitimacy once the electoral process comes to an end. If Karzai wins a large majority of the vote, he will look illegitimate in the eyes of many of his opponents and those of the European governments and of the Obama administration.
A runoff will not suddenly wipe away the widespread fraud that undermined the results of the first round.
Supporters of Dr Abdullah may use direct and indirect forms of action, such as protests and ironically abstaining from voting to vent their anger at their candidate being forced to pull out.
The international community must stand together to call a halt to the runoff on November 7. Dr Abdullah Abdullah is more likely to train the Afghan army and bring better governance and credibility to Afghanistan than Hamid Karzai. So, every effort has to be made to convince Dr Abdullah to reconsider re-entering the second round.
There is not much time for any diplomats to sit round a table with Abdullah, but the Afghan people deserve better than their current President.
Examining Gordon’s record
As I was browsing on Hansard, the database that features parliamentary transcripts as well as profiles and voting records of MPs, Gordon Brown’s record made interesting reading.
The man who says that we face a climate ‘catastrophe’ and the planet has fifty days to save the world has never voted on laws to stop climate change.
It is by looking at a politician’s voting record that gives you an idea of their position on domestic and international issues such as tackling climate change.
Osborne’s bonus plan
I welcome Shadow Chancellor George Osborne’s announcement to ban High Street banks from paying bonuses above about £2,000 in cash.
Unlike, the government is it encouraging to hear that an economic minister is talking about how to place restraint on the enormous bonuses being awarded to senior management and executives working for financial institutions.
It is also heartening to hear that someone is talking about freeing up credit for small and medium-sized businesses.
Moving slightly away from the main issue, when will the Chancellor get tough on the banks to lend credit to responsible lenders?
Now Mr Osborne says that his plan would free up £20 billion that could then be given to businesses and consumers- the response by Liam Byrne, chief secretary to the Treasury is that Osborne is a “hypocrite.”
He said: “Mr Osborne’s hypocrisy beggars belief. The Tories have fought against every plan we’ve delivered to support jobs and businesses.”
Mr Byrne believes that Conservative plans would “water down the toughest rules in the world”, saying: “I can’t understand the logic of that.”
On the surface, Mr Osborne’s plan seems perfectly logical, although there are flaws in it.
If he considers this a serious plan, then he must explain why the rules do not apply to investment banks.
Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Vince Cable pointed out that the Tories “have not given full backing to Mervyn King’s proposals on splitting up the banks and these bonus proposals are short-term, stop-gap solutions designed to stem public anger but which fail to get to the heart of the problem.”
I wonder why the Chancellor has not really spoken about splitting up the banks.
One could argue that the Conservative Party have said more about the freeing of credit than any other political party during this recession.
I am referring to the £50bn National Loan Guarantee scheme talked about by Mr Osborne during the early days of the crisis.
What confuses me is why the loan guarantee scheme is not used to counteract Labour’s argument that a Conservative government have would have let the recession run its course.
President Blair?
Tony Blair cannot be elected President of the European Union, because him and George W.Bush invaded Iraq without any support from their European allies.
Anyone, remember “French fries?”
If Mr Blair seriously wants this role, he should explain to the rest of Europe what he feels he can bring to the European Union.
No statesmen or stateswoman should be automatically placed into such an influential position.
Not really surprising
On Friday, many business journalists and economists were a little surprised when GDP figures showed that the UK economy had contracted by 0.4% between July and September.
This is now the longest period that Britain has been in recession since records began in 1955.
Labour ministers who claim that this recession is not as severe as the recession of the 80s and 90s should seriously think about what they are saying.
Unemployment is moving ever closer to the 3 million mark, and Chris Dillow suggests that up to 5.6 million people are out of work.
Irrespective of these figures, no one should delude themselves in thinking that the recession is over because of a recent improvement in property sales and mortgage approvals.
As President Barack Obama often says, “we won’t rest until everybody who wants to work can find a job.”
Only when the unemployment rate is dramatically reduced, can we even consider declaring the end of the recession.
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