Debbie Purdy Wins Case on Assisted Suicide

Debbie Purdy has been fighting for legal calcification on the law of assisted suicide, in order to know when a person might face prosecution. She has multiple sclerosis and wants to end her life in Switzerland, yet she's concerned that her husband would be prosecuted if he helped her. Her case was put to the Law Lords today and the five Lords unanimously ruled in her favour.

A victory for common sense, decency and humanity. As I've wrote before on this blog, where is the compassion in families facing the prospect of prosecution, when a clear definition of the law would end it? Laws should of course protect vulnerable people, but there is a difference between inciting people into suicide and someone making a rational choice to end their own life, essentially for them it's an informed decision on the quality of their life.

Assisted suicide is a deeply personal decision and one that represents much more than a choice, it represents your right to your life and your body being your own, not the states, yours. It is long overdue that this should be debated in parliament, as that should be a human right. I hope this will be a spring board for that debate.

Tuition Fees - Lame Duck Government

As part of the deal stuck with Labour backbenchers when tuition fees were raised in 2004, they were to be reviewed this year. Labour have now announced that review though it won't conclude until after the next election, I'm shocked.

Other than striking me as incredibly cowardly, given they introduced these fees in the first place. It also makes you wonder what's the point of them continuing this charade of governing? When every controversial decision won't happen until after the election. What are they doing then?

Certainly not governing. They're just drawing out the time and hanging onto power for the sake of it. Do they really expect to continue doing this for the next 10 months? Putting things off until Brown graces the country with an election. I guess so.

Birther Movement USA

I first heard about this conspiracy theory that Obama isn't an US citizen shortly after he was elected, it appears this as now gathered momentum. Producing a Hawaii birth certificate and birth notices in the Honolulu press, has done nothing to dampen the idea that Obama is not American.

It seems amazing, of all the criticisms that can be made, yet I'm sure it has nothing to do with his colour. I wonder if after they've whipped themselves into a frenzy over this, whether Obama will release the original birth certificate. I hope so, though it won't make them look any sillier than they do already.

To think people wonder why his opinion polls are so high, Republicans make him look good.

Dishonesty Test

Researchers are conducting an on-line experiment which looks at how subjective honesty can be. The research is to determine if there is a common standard of what is honest and dishonest behaviour, this is because in law there is no clear definition, consequently juries will judge based on their own perspective.

The test is on their website, the site also has confessions from people on it, which range from amusing to completely shocking. It's strange the things that play on peoples mind years after.

Artist Jasper Joffe to Sell Life Possessions

This is an interesting idea. The artist Jasper Joffe is to sell everything he owns at an exhibition of his possessions. It does however pose the question is it art? The way he's describing it sounds more like he's short of cash and needs some money. Yet whatever his personal reasons, it provokes a challenge to the viewer - would you do it?

That's important in art to engage people. It's not conventional art nor is it amazing or aesthetic, but does art need to be? This notion that art is a painting or sculpture is restrictive, art can be a concept, an idea, a thought, a feeling, either conveyed by the artist or by the viewer. It isn't a solely a medium.

So could I do it? There are things I couldn't contemplate selling, others that fall more into the back drop of my life I could. Yet that wouldn't be as freeing, as it's a leap of faith. One that would leave me hanging off the edge of the cliff with my computer in hand, screaming for someone to save it. I fail.

Could you sell your life possessions?

Norwich North By-Election

Looking over the voting figures for Norwich North the most eye catching is UKIP's result, mainly because it's puzzling. Is the EU issue a bigger one than is being assumed? There are other possible reasons for the vote, a protest, still too soon after the EU election. Yet something doesn't seem right about it, UKIP's national policies are perceived as being singularly focused on the EU, with all it entails; immigration, budget, federalism etc.

Could we be seeing the stirring of what's in effect happened to New Labour, they moved to the right to increase votes and left behind part of their voting base. Is this the craving for more of the right in politics? It could of course diffuse when Labour are out of power, yet if it doesn't New Conservatism has the potential to do the damage New Labour did.

Left Wing Politics - Where Art Thou?

There has been a lot of debate triggered by James Purnell's born again leftie campaign, which asks the question - What does it mean to be on the Left today?

Defining politics like this is really subjective, as it's not what is the left, but what do you hope for. Yet an answer is needed, as in politics there's more than one way of approaching a problem and how to solve it. In order to have that debate left and right are like wings on a plane, dependent on each other.

Clearly the left needs to redefine who they represent, class is not defined in the way it once was, it's a lot more ambiguous. So who should the left aspire to speak up for? My Grandfather always voted Labour, as he said they were the voice of the people. In such a consumer driven society those people should be everyone. As though a left wing economy will never happen in Britain and nor should it, trying to be fair and protecting people can. Regulation shouldn't be considered a dirty word with the right intention.

Equality of course is important to the left, yet it isn't just about minorities or income, but also the way power is distributed and that has to be from the top down. Currently equality is being tackled by growing the state and legislating, punish people for their deeds not their beliefs. As authoritarian is not what the left should be.

Yet under New Labour it has become just that, along with close minded, unfair, unequal and unjust. All the things that the left should rally against. Perhaps therefore the answer to Purnell's question is just simply - unrepresented.

Brown - Winston Churchill?

Benedict Brogan writes in his article on the holiday reading of Cameron and Brown:

Mr Brown is currently obsessed with Winston Churchill, and how to avoid his fate. Those around the Prime Minister describe how he is preoccupied by the idea of a war-time leader who guided the nation to safety through dark times, only to be thanked with a thumping defeat.

Indeed, never in the field of human economics, was so much money owed, by so many, because of so few.

General Election Tory Landslide PR

Robert Smithson on Political Betting has a very interesting post on a new election modelling system he has design. Which instead of applying a national swing to all 646 seats universally, the model is based on more local data that takes into account safe seats. With the current polls figures that gives Conservatives a majority of 148.

That raises both eyebrows, with that sort of majority the government doesn't have to listen to anyone. We will be in the same position we are now, as to reduce that amount of seats another party will have to get a landslide, or it will lessen over several terms in government to a level that can be defeated.

That's a ridiculous situation to be in. It's not democracy when you go from one extreme situation to another. I've always been slightly torn on the idea of proportional representation (PR), yet if these figures are right, I can't think of a clearer need for PR.

The main disadvantage said of PR is that it will weaken the government, yet that's exactly what we need. I don't imagine it will drastically change the political landscape in Britain, fringe parties do tend to be very singular in their message. That won't appeal to voters unless they want to make a protest, most people will vote as they've always have done, to form a government.

It's more important that with the two main parties both being a source of disenchantment for many and voter turn out dropping, that something changes. The first pass the post system doesn't offer change, just switching back and forth between parties, that increasing people don't vote for.

Prostitution Legalise it?

I was reading this news article about the police trying to shut down some flats that were being used by prostitutes. The local residents stepped in to support the women, who say it is 10 times safer than working on the streets. Has the time come to ask the question whether prostitution* should be legalise?

Currently under the law in the UK** prostitution is not illegal, however the laws surrounding it are - soliciting (advertising sexual services), streetwalking, brothels (where more than one person sells sex in an apartment) and kerb crawling.

Though I'm sure for many the idea of selling sex is unthinkable, but for some it's a choice and others it's not, either due to being sold into it or circumstances they find themselves in. The police need to target the real crime, exploitation and human trafficking. Yet while prostitution is illegal and underground this can't be done effectively, nor can the situation be improved for the people that work within it.

Prostitution will never go away, laws vilifying it always has and always will just push it out of sight and is that really the right thing to do? For me omitting people from society rather than helping them is far worst than paying for sex ever will be. As it's easier to start again or get help when you are apart of society than on the fringe of it.

By decriminalising brothels or empowering the sex workers with rights. We give them access to full and equal protection under the law. Most importantly we get people off the streets where they are most vulnerable, as how can you report a crime when you are criminalised? Essentially there needs to be a shift so that laws focus on protecting people, not the state passing moral judgement. If an individual wants to judge, go ahead, yet that should not be the role of the state in 21st century.


*I use prostitution as a board term for ease.
** Different laws apply in Scotland.

A Mountain of Bad News Was Buried Today

26 ministerial statements were released today, timed so the government won't be able to face difficult questions in parliament. I don't even know where to begin with this, it's just uncensored ineptness. On the plus side we are all less likely to be killed by terrorists, after the terrorism warning level was downgraded.

Damian McBride Says . . . .

Gordon Brown was so angry at the time he could hardly speak. (read story)

He must be in a perpetual state of anger then.

I truly don't understand the running life of this story, why is it so shocking that politicians use underhand methods. After years of spin from No 10, is anyone really surprised? Or do I just have a high level of cynicism.

Man on the Moon 40 Years

40 years today Apollo 11 touched down on the moon, though there are still quite a lot of conspiracy theories surrounding whether it happened. The only concern for me is that the space ship looked like something I made out of tinfoil as a child. It does raise an eyebrow, though also makes the achievement all the more amazing. NASA has continued to surpass itself, yet it will be the words "one small step for man, one giant leap for man kind" that they will be synonymous with.

What could we do now that would have the same impact? At a rare public reunion of the Apollo 11 crew they've called for a manned Mission to Mars, that sounds pretty close.

Lords "Reform" = Don't Vote Labour

As part of New Labour's "root and branch" reform, Lords will be given the ability to resign and stand as MPs. Not get fired for abusing their position, taking bribes or money undue to them, just resign if they want to be a MP and do it. You would be forgiven for thinking the purpose of reform is addressing accountability, both within the House of Commons and Lords. In practice it clearly doesn't work like that.

Speculation has already started as to whether Mandelson will step down to become a MP again. Which is based on the presumption that he's still electable. Yet there are bigger issues with Labours "reform" than a potential Mandelson comeback. Such as where is the reform?

Though Brown said he would clean up parliament he obliviously doesn't want to give away any advantage he has left. Therefore if we want a parliament that holds the government to account and is accountable itself, we need to use our vote to shape that. So how do we do that?

Democracy is a wonderful thing yet alas it makes change painful slow, with the options we have in front of us, tactical voting is the best option. Tories clearly look to be the winners at this election, what's in dispute is who's in opposition. Lib Dems are averaging at 20% in the current polls, Labour 24%. If Liberals became the opposition party it would fire a shot across the bow of parliament and change the political landscape within it.

As an opposition party they would keep reform on the agenda and challenge the Tories conservatism. What would be the point of New Labour, who are just authoritarian Tories that spend more on public services being in opposition? It changes nothing and equals voting for the status quo. This forth coming election presents the opportunity for us to reform parliament, since they won't.

Oops . . . . .

Gerald Scarfe is on form in the Times to.

Checklist for a Fascist State

In light of this article on imprisonment without trial or charge for months. I went looking for a Fascist state checklist. How does our government score?

Continuing nationalism, such as flying the national flag everywhere and taking pride in the national identity.


Ignoring "Human Rights" ethics.


Martialling the electorate by identifying "enemies" and scapegoating sections or particular groups.

Influence of the military - measured by how much is spent on defence against how much is spent on "social" programmes.


Media control, whether by "direct" control or with control in the hands of "sympathisers".

National security having a high profile in policy.


Government is overtly religiously linked to a particular faith.


Protection of Corporate Interests.


Overt sexism, measured as "masculine supremacy" and "oppression of women".


Trade Union activity is restricted or controlled.


Denigration of Intelligentsia and or/ restriction or control of higher education.


Emphasis on Crime and Punishment, measured as how harshly the criminal is punished and how much effort goes to "reforming" the criminal.


Corruption and cronyism, again looking at who gets what job, is connected to who and how the appointment is made.


Fraudulent elections - measured by the level of smear campaigning against opposition members and parties, dirty tricks and ballot box rigging to name but a few "tricks".

Score - 8/14

Like a teenager attempting to grow one, stubble but not quite a bushy moustache.

Police Raid 'Rave'

This is just incredible, four police cars, a riot van and a police helicopter were sent to shut down an "illegal rave". If of course you consider a rave; 15 people legally in private field, toasting a 30th birthday, while eating burgers and not playing music, all at the late hour of 4 o'clock. How did the police know about this "rave", it was posted on Facebook as an "all-night" party. Or advertised on the internet as a "rave" as the police maintain, a police spokesperson said:

Had it gone ahead, it is likely that far more of our resources would have been used to police the event and there would have been considerable disruption to neighbouring properties.

Indeed a proportional response. Never mind the fact they pre emptive decided that the "ravers" were guilty and it was illegal. Call me old fashioned but no one had complained, you presume that they had no consideration for others and it was 4 pm, if you're going to act, shouldn't it be a response to something illegal.

LIFE Goes Inside Today's KKK

There are some amazing yet chilling pictures in Life from photographer Anthony Karen. He has documented the modern-day Klan. Perhaps it's somewhat native of me, but I had the perception that the KKK didn't exist as an organisation any more. Yet from the pictures there's a whole new generation, it's quite chilling how many kids and how young the people are.

I've not seen pictures of the KKK for awhile, you forget how awful the image of them are, there are few things that can symbolise prejudice like the hooded figure of the Klan.

You can see the full gallery here.

Barnett Formula Again and Again

Poor Lord Barnett again and again he and committees say the Barnett Formula is unfair, yet nothing happens. It's like the words are said in space, where no one can hear you speak. Another committee, this time the Lords have said the Barnett formula is "arbitrary and unfair".

Their proposal for a new Barnett formula is for it to link spending and need. Money going where it is most needed seems a fair proposal. There are however bigger elephants in the room that addressing this will draw attention to and for Labour this a really rocky road. Most of their support now lies in Scotland and Wales. Addressing this will leave the SNP wanting more and raise the question of where does England fit into this? Which could end up cutting Labour off from it's support base.

I don't have any problem with devolution for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, it makes sense to address regional differences. I do however have an issue with devolution not applying to England. That issue is MPs voting on bills that will not effect any one in their constituencies, or as it's known the West Lothian question. My objection to it is simply that who are MPs accountable to and who are they voting for, if not their constituency?

There's no simple answer to what happens next to Britain, but it needs to be asked. Labours devolution was ill thought out and badly implemented. It's created resentment and is becoming a glaring oblivious issue, yet they just leave resentment building as they bury their heads in the sand. Their inaction is dividing Britain and all for the sake of themselves.

Helicopters, Helicopters,Helicopters

Two Little Boys

The argument over the lack of helicopters in Afghanistan continues to rage on. Brown insists there are enough, almost everyone else disagrees. Yet at it's heart this isn't really about the helicopters, it's about the fact everyone knows Brown as Chancellor cut the Defence budget, everyone knows that troops were not equipped properly. This helicopter argument presents an opportunity to attack him on two accountants. Firstly it is beyond wrong to put peoples life's at risk for the sake of money and secondly people are frustrated with this war in the Middle East.

What really perplexes me about this is, why on earth would he be obstinate on something clearly morally wrong, what he does achieve? It's like standing on Custer's hill saying I see no Indians. He's on the wrong side of the British sense of fair play, again.