Well Being Economics: First Reflections on Jo's FIrst Leader's Speech #JoSwinson #LDConf

The key thing that made me jump out of my seat during Jo Swinson's leader's speech was when she questioned why we measure the state of our country by GDP (Gross Domestic Product). It took me back to one of my first Economics tutorials  a little over 30 years ago.

In that tutorial the tutor said that economics was basically powered by everyone getting out of it what is best for themselves. I questioned that said what about those who were concerned about giving others a fair chance, cared about the environment etc. It will probably not therefore surprise you to know that in my elective courses in my second and third year I focused on Environmental and Developmental Economics along with my third choice European. The fact that after the second year and carried all three on deeper shows you that I have been tuned into this for over 30 years.

As Jo said with the level of well being for our planet and indeed everyone in our society we need to act now. We are in a climate emergency, we need urgent action. We have a President in the White House and another in Brazil who seem to not see the importance and actually don't want others to see this either. But the facts have been there for years and looking at some of my Environmental Economics books from 30 years ago even the predictions then are way sort of the disaster we are in now. 

However, as Jo points out if we have any Brexit, especially if we have a no deal Brexit we will be furiously kicking under the flood waters to keep ourselves afloat without the time, energy or resources to be able to deal with such big issues. We'll be in survival mode, like those developing countries I learnt about 30 years ago, who said they had to follow our path to development burning fossil fuels, massive factories, chopping down their forests. This was because we refused to share with them the benefits their resources had given us in colonial times and they now felt left behind. But that will be the Britain post-Brexit. 

We need to deal with things in the round, in conversation and coalition with other nations to deal with these issues, not heading to isolation behind the hulking, shulking Boris running from people who think differently from him.

We need to act. We need to demand better. We need to do it now.

Another week another Lib Dem wedding

Last Friday my dear friends and fellow Northern Ireland Liberal Democrat Members Michael and Andrew got were civil partnered. Today there is a rather special occaion. There have been husband and wife teams in the House of Commons before but I don't think any of them have got married while both were members, for example only Yvette Cooper was an MP when she and Ed Balls got married in 1998. (I'm prepared to be proven wrong). So congratulations to Jo Swinson and Duncan Hames.

However, it seems fitting that at Michael and Andrew's Ceremony of Commitment last Saturday at All Souls' Church in Belfast last Saturday that I was wearing Highland Dress as was one of the grooms, and some of the other guests that I keep my promise last Friday of the pictures to follow.

Here is me on the left in my Donegal tartan, with Kyle and Rory two of the Marshals, Kyle is wearing Red Ulster.

And here is one of last weekend's happy couple with family, yes that is the Campbell tartan on Michael.

Red magazine have named their top 20 women under 30 and includes three politicians one from each of the three main parties. From left to right they are Maryam Khan Labour PPC for Bury North, Jo Swinson Lib Dem MP for East Dunbartonshire and Chloe Smith Conservative MP for Norwich North.

Now I'm not a regular reader of Red Magazine but they did send me an email promoting their March issue in which the full list of 20 is discussed. I don't think Jo's use of Red in the Common's chamber while debating was the only reason she made this list.

Twigs Have Blemishes Too

Well I'm sitting on the HSS heading away from Scotland (actually currently still surrounded by Scotland as we're still in Loch Ryan) for the Christmas holidays, so I'm only just catching up on stuff that has been happening since my three trains to get here.

One thing I did see on TV before setting off was Jo Swinson talking about the Olay ad for wrinkle cream in which Twiggy's wriggles had been airbrushed out, it aired at 7:40 this morning a time of that show I don't usually see. Reading on Lib Dem Voice just now there is a party press release about the Advertising Standards Agency banning this misleading advert.

The fact that we live in botox world is no excuse for a company producing wrinkle reduction cream to try and compete on a par with that medical solution. The fact that the results as advertised where lies is something that the ASA needs to take a stand on and should be applauded for their decision in this case. Anyway I thought scientists had shown us that while the perfect image is our fantasy when it comes to reality it is the little imperfections of the person that we end up loving that endear them to us.

Listening to Jo this morning she put forward a very strong case for the whole body image argument against airbrushing in advertising giving false imagery for people to live up to. I say people because I was very impressed to her Jo say "and men too" when talking about the problem. Now I know that the campaign was part of the Real Woman initiative that the party made policy at conference in Bournemouth earlier this year, but as I pointed out at the time the issue it affects men as well.

To be honest I can't honestly remember if I've actually raised the issue with Jo in person on the numerous times we have met in the intervening months. I know I have raised it with a number of people and was doing so at conference, even though I had another appointment at the time of the actual debate. However, I was glad to see that Jo has taken that point on board and whether I mentioned it to her directly or she read it on the blog or from other source this is truly an issue that isn't really gender specific.

By the way Twiggy turned 60 on the day of the Real Woman debate of confernce. I know this without having to look it up as the debate took place on our mutual birthdays, though Twiggy is 20 years my senior.

The BBC Fail To Answer My Concerns

I see Mark Thompson has beaten me to it posting about the BBC's response to the complaints about the recent removal at the last minute of Jo Swinson from a Question Time panel in Edinburgh. However, that befits a man who shares his name with the Director General. Like Mark I'd raised the issue that the Lib Dems were the most differing opinion on the war of Iraq a big story of that week, on top of that I mentioned a couple of the more Scottish-centric issues that also popped up that week, I'm not sure if Mark mentioned those in his complaint, but I did.

Yet we both got the same response.

Thank you for your e-mail regarding 'Question Time'.

We forwarded concerns on this issue to 'Question Time' Executive Editor Gavin Allen who explained that we constantly monitor the balance of the panel and that in light of their national electoral strength, the level of representation for the Liberal Democrats on the programme remains very strong.

He added that on this occasion the panel was rearranged to reflect a change in the prominence of some of the issues due to be discussed on the programme and in order to facilitate debate by having representatives willing to question the central political consensus on these issues, of which the Liberal Democrats are a part.

He also added that:

"It was regrettable - but necessary - that the decision to replace Jo Swinson was taken relatively late, but we have to keep a constant editorial eye out for the best possible panel and this can of course mean last-minute alterations. To ensure the widest range of political views are heard there are occasions across the series when nationalists or minority parties are invited onto the panel".

We'd like to assure you that we've registered your complaint on our audience log. This is a daily report of audience feedback that's circulated to many BBC staff, including members of the BBC Executive Board, channel controllers and other senior managers.

The audience logs are seen as important documents that can help shape decisions about future programming and content.

Thanks again for taking the time to contact us.

Regards

BBC Complaints

I've highlighted a few of the issues that we of my own concern, issues that didn't answer the issues I raised.. One of mine was that while Nicola Sturgeon was on that show there wasn't a single other Scottish based member of the panel. I have, as I pointed out in my original complaint no qualms about the SNP appearing on Question Time. What I did raise that on a Question Time with a Scottish audience they removed the only other Scottish representation from the panel.

The prominence of the issues to be discussed. How they could know these 24 hours before the audience turned up to ask their questions is beyond be, however, I was far better at guessing these than the BBC editorial team seemed to be. Yes there was going to be the Iraq war enquiry and no the Lib Dems never have been part of the central political consensus on that issue. There were also Questions on:

• Jim Murphy's White paper delaying more powers to Scotland to the next Parliament
• the SNP alcohol's policy where the Lib Dems in Scotland do have an agreed alternative policy
  
• the banks getting away with more, another area that the Lib Dems are and have been leading the political debate

So how the BBC can justify

• a) dropping another Scot to counter Nicola Sturgeon, especially when they were already on the panel
• or
• b) dropping the one party that stand outs on many of the questions that were actually asked

is beyond me. I though it was meant to be "My BBC". Yet despite the questions that were going to be asked they went for three colours of sameness in Lord Falconer, David Davis and Melanie Phillips.

As for it being regrettable but necessary to drop Jo Swinson, this is the second time this year she has been dropped at such sort notice. At least this time she hadn't made plans to go out of her way. Edinburgh after all isn't that far away from her East Dunbartonshire constituency. Also when have they ever dropped the Labour or Conservative politician from the panel to add diversity, or indeed ever dropped one not to be replaced by another. Indeed only last week as well as a Conservative MP we had Kirsty Allsop who is advising the Tories on housing, where is the balance in such a panel. Often the Lib Dems only have a liberal leaning celebrity to raise our points instead not as well as a politician.

Lib Demming Across the Universe

Who says Glee Club is a waste of time? It certainly seems to inspire the songwriters amongst us Lib Dems. You may have read my posting from last night, this one is buried by anonymous commenter on Jennie Rigg's blog, I feel it needs a wider audience. Whoever wrote this is a genius, though as Jennie says 'has WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too much typing time'.

Lib Demmin' across the universe,
On the Starship Libbyduck under Captain Clegg.
Lib Demmin' across the universe,
No longer coming third because Labour's polling worse.

Lt. Swinson, report.
There's defectors on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow;
there's defectors on the starboard bow, starboard bow, Nick.

Analysis, Mr. Huhne.
It's P.R., Nick, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it;
it's P.R., Nick, but not as we know it, not as we know it, Captain.

There's defectors on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow;
there's defectors on the starboard bow, starboard bow, Nick.

Lib Demmin' across the universe,
On the Starship Libbyduck under Captain Clegg.
Lib Demmin' across the universe,
Only going forward, still can't find reverse.

Polling update, Mr. Davey.
It's worse than that, we're stuffed, Nick, stuffed, Nick, stuffed, Nick;
it's worse than that, we're stuffed, Nick, stuffed, Nick, stuffed.

It's P.R., Nick, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it;
it's P.R., Nick, but not as we know it, not as we know it, Captain.

There's defectors on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow;
there's defectors on the starboard bow, starboard bow, Nick.

Gunnery officer, Hilary Stephenson:
Ah! We come in peace, Focus to kill, Focus to kill, Focus to kill;
we come in peace, Focus to kill, Focus to kill, men.

It's worse than that, we're stuffed, Nick, stuffed, Nick, stuffed, Nick;
it's worse than that, we're stuffed, Nick, stuffed, Nick, stuffed.

Well, it's P.R., Nick, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it;
it's P.R., Nick, but not as we know it, not as we know it, Captain.

There's defectors on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow;
there's defectors on the starboard bow, scrape 'em off, Nick.

Lib Demmin' across the universe,
On the Starship Libbyduck under Captain Clegg.
Lib Demmin' across the universe,
Only going forward, and things are getting worse!

Engineer, Mr. Alexander:
Ye cannot change the manifesto, manifesto, manifesto;
ye cannot change the manifesto, manifesto, Nick.

Ah! We come in peace, Focus to kill, Focus to kill, Focus to kill;
we come in peace, Focus to kill; Hilary, beam me up!

It's worse than that, we're stuffed, Nick, stuffed, Nick, stuffed, Nick;
it's worse than that, we're stuffed, Nick, stuffed, Nick, stuffed.

Well, it's P.R., Nick, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it;
it's P.R., Nick, but not as we know it, not as we know it, Captain.

There's defectors on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow;
there's defectors on the starboard bow, better calm down!

Ye cannot change the script Nick.
Och, #!*& Nicky.

It's worse than that, it's national swing, Nick.

Bridge to engine room, deploy Cable.

Och, if I give it any more she'll blow, Cap'n!

Lib Demmin' across the universe,
On the Starship Libbyduck under Captain Clegg.
Lib Demmin' across the universe,
No longer coming third because Labour's polling worse.

Lib Demmin' across the universe,
On the Starship Libbyduck under Captain Clegg.
Lib Demmin' across the universe,
Never passed a policy the leader can't reverse.

Scotsman Backs Down

Earlier today the Scotsman's David Maddox posted on the Steamie the paper's blog an article which included unfounded allegations about Jo Swinson's expenses. Indeed this was the same day that the Grauniad had to apologise for printing those falsehoods.

Caron's article alerted me to the latest bit of sloppy and lazy journalism over this whole affair. After correcting the blog a David, possibly Maddox himself, left an apology on Caron's blog stating he had 'checked with the Telegraph who said they had not retracted anything on the original story'. Herein lies the rub, the Telegraph, as James Graham pointed out, are treading a thin line between fact, innuendo, sexism and fiction.

A superficial reading of the article would lead the casual reader to assume that the record of Jo Swinson MP’s expenses claims demonstrate that she had claimed for makeup and dusters. However, a more careful reading reveals the following information:

1 – that although receipts containing those items had been submitted, there is no actual evidence that these specific items had been claimed for. Indeed, this claim is explicitly denied by Jo Swinson herself and no evidence has been brought forward to give us cause to doubt this whatsoever.

2 – furthermore, that in at least one case the items which had been claimed for were clearly marked by an asterisk. In the case of the eyeliner and dusters this was not the case.

3 – the claim that Jo Swinson is "known in Westminster for the attention she pays to her appearance" is entirely unsubstantiated and innuendo-laden. There is nothing remarkable about a Member of Parliament not wishing to look unkempt; indeed they would be open to criticism if they did so.

4 – the headline epithet "makeover queen" is equally unsubstantiated. No-one appears to have called Jo Swinson this apart from the article’s author, Rosa Prince, herself.

5 – the page design is clearly intended to convey the idea that Jo Swinson has had numerous "makeovers" - yet the photographs provided are merely
pictures of her looking slightly different over a period of eight years.

As I pointed out earlier today just because the Tell-lie-graph has exclusive exposure to these expenses claim the fact that many of their points about MPs are merely leading questions, unsubstantiated, unchecked, unresearched, unjournalised if you will. Far from reporting public opinion they are leading it and don't care what half or even untruths they can spread in the telling.

The Tell-lie-graph should carry a health warning at present.

Somethings you read here should be done so with a pinch of salt. Read every word, our lawyers have carefully inserted some so as to keep us legal but to make you miss the meaning. By the way as salt is the root for the word salary we'll be looking for MPs who have mixed up salt and salary with expenses, we're still looking.

It doesn't which is more the point. Look into the facts yourself. Read carefully and look at the reaction and indeed history of your MP's quotes on expenses, transparency etc.

We are now in Election Year

Four years ago at this time I was just about dozing off after attending my first General Election count as candidate. Making my thanks and concession speech third at some point after the declaration at 1:45am. At a point which is now about a 5 minute walk from where I live.

Just before eaving Bathgate Leisure centre there was first a cheer from the SNP for one of their gains, followed swiftly by Lib Dems ones as we saw Jo Swinson take East Dunbartonshire. Then I retired to Caron's as we nervously waiting for results like Edinburgh South to role in. At some point Caron (who wasn't drinking unlike me) drove me home. I lay on the sofa watching the late results before my partner at the time came down and headed out out for work. I knew that the Northern Ireland results plus a few of the remote ones would be coming through in a few hours so now was the time four years ago to catch some sleep. After being awake for 30+ hours.

Therefore we are four years in from 05.05.05 there will be a Westminster General Election called in the next 12 months. Bet that for a prediction Nostrodamus.

The Economic Chill Bites and Save Our Forests

Here is the latest offering from Tavish TV, with guest appearance by Jo Swinson MP.



And on Scottish Forests with guest appearances by Jeremy Purvis MP and Jim Hume MSP

Prevention or Cure Prime Minister?

"The more important thing that we are doing is investing £15 billion over the next 10 years in trying to find cures to diseases including cancer and skin cancer."

Wake up Gordon!

Yes folks that is how our Prime Minster opened his answer yesterday to the following question from Jo Swinson:

The most rapidly increasing type of cancer in this country is skin cancer, of which there are more than 80,000 new cases each year. As the Prime Minister heads to Suffolk for his bucket and spade holiday, I am sure that he will be stocking up on sun cream. How can his Government justify charging VAT on that essential health protection item?

So rather that cut 17.5% off products already available as a preventative measure, the PM is quite happy that some of that £15 billion pounds which may well not be available is he were to slash the VAT on such a healthy option as suncream is more important to him. His answer to Jo carried on:

The action of the national health service in making it possible for people to be seen quickly when they are diagnosed with cancer means that 99 per cent. of people suspected of having cancer are seen within two weeks. Those are the actions that we can take, and they will get rid of skin cancer in the long run.

Diagnosis is also mentioned seemingly instead of prevention. What is prudent about that Mr Brown. Zero rating sunscream is hardly going to be a major dent in the governments coffers. However, it may well be marginal enough for some of our poorest citizens who ignore suncream and are most at risk of skin melanoma's to actually take some action to help themselves, rather than relying on diagnosis and then cure.

In the words of Baz Luhram:

Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of
fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the
ugly parts and recycling it for more than
it’s worth. But trust me on the sunscreen…

Well this advise isn't for the sake of nostalgia. Nor is it recycling old truths. PM this issue may have been looked at from time to time, yet still the wrong sort of message is coming back. Get rid of VAT on suncream, free up a few beds, doctors' hours and whatever else as a result of doing the right thing.