Lynne Featherstone's Parliament and Haringey diary

A nine-word summary of what is wrong with so much of our tabloid journalism

2008-07-18T11:53:00.002+01:00

“Now Labour plans to bar white men from jobs” – just one of the recent screaming tabloid headlines about the Equality Bill. What a fantastic nine-word summary of what is wrong with so much of our tabloid journalism: whipping up fear and division based on a fairy tale. I’m not sure what is worse – believing that the person who wrote the headline was so ignorant of the story they thought it was true – or so cynical they were happy to write it knowing it wasn’t.

Because the truth is there is no provision like that in the Equality Bill. Nowhere. All the Bill proposes is that if two different people are equally qualified for a job (and that is a very big if!), it should be ok to choose between them on gender or race grounds.

And why may you want to do that? Well, to take one example - there’s a real shortage of male teachers in primary schools. We all bang on about the need for more male role models for children at this stage. So why shouldn’t the law allow give the school the option if it wants (because yes – that’s all the Bill would do – it wouldn’t force this upon any organisation) to decide that faced with two equally qualified people, it wants to introduce a bit more balance amongst its teachers and employ a man? And if the school wanted just to ban white men regardless (or indeed black men – though notice how that didn’t make it into the headline) – then that would be illegal. End of story.

This sorry tale is though a good reminder as to how we can’t take the case for equality for granted – particular when there are Conservative MPs like Mark Pritchard jumping on the bandwagon happily exaggerating away and mirroring these fairytales too.

It is also a distraction in some ways from the big issue missing at the heart of the Bill – effective action to tackle the continuing discrimination in pay. So, the private sector – in which around 80% of the population work – will escape any form of mandatory measures to ensure that there is no discrimination in their workplaces – thus probably ensuring that the gender pay gap and the employment barriers that exist in race, disability and so on continue barely troubled by the Single Equality Bill.

Given that there are something like 120,000 cases waiting to be heard at equal pay tribunals this is not some trivial niche issue. That is approaching 200 cases per Parliamentary constituency. It should be a huge scandal, grabbing every MPs’ attention – but instead, it is overlooked and sidelined by our political system.

So I will aim to help push those better intentioned MPs in all parties to add in more effective measures to the Bill as it wends its way through Parliament. Lord Lester (our Lord Lester) who basically wrote the book on the equalities agenda is quite clear that mandatory pay audits are absolutely vital to deliver any sort of significant change.

What is to be welcomed in particular in the Bill, and which seems to have been agreed at the eleventh hour, is the inclusion of our older citizens into the public sector equality duty and following on from that - although no timetable was given - the end of discrimination against them in goods and services.

Helped the Aged – and others – have done some great work to illuminate just what goes on at the moment. Take two examples. First, the Disability Living Allowance. People aged 65+ who become disabled are not eligible to receive this allowance - they qualify instead for Attendance Allowance, which takes longer to qualify for and pays less. Second – car insurance, where it is seen as acceptable to charge people more for being old, regardless of their health or driving record. Charging more because someone is genuinely a higher risk – that would be fine– but simply assuming “old = risky driver” in the absence of evidence to back that up – that is discrimination as plain and simple as if someone was to say, “they’re black – so let’s charge them more”.

The Bill will also bring in a much-needed consolidation of the huge number of different laws, rules and regulations – good news again. And of course the passage through Parliament will provide plenty of opportunities to try to make the legislation better!

This article first appeared in last week's Liberal Democrat News. For subscription details, click here.

Young people? There's more to it than knife crime!

2008-07-17T19:23:00.001+01:00

Women's Parliamentary Radio have put up their piece with me:

You can listen to our audio report of Lynne defending young people here. It's not all knife crime... there's much more to being young.

The plans for food skyscrapers that are not pie in the sky

2008-07-16T21:23:00.002+01:00

I was on Sky News again today, talking about the stories creating a buzz on the internet:

Parking fines

2008-07-14T10:49:00.003+01:00

Had a meeting last week with three people who are fighting the fight for fairness for motorists. In the wake of the revelations over Labour-run Haringey Council fining motorists for being in two yellow junction boxes in the borough which were illegally drawn - I am meeting them at their request. Some may regard it as supping with the devil - but that's the point - motorists aren't devils and they have as much right to fairness under the law as everyone else.

When I was Chair of Transport at the London Assembly I carried out an investigation publicly into parking enforcement in London. Judging from the visit I had from three borough leaders - yes one from each of the main parties - I was lucky not to end up with concrete boots in the Thames! The boroughs didn't want me to look at this - and that just made me want to look harder. Without going into the findings - suffice to say - that income from parking etc. forms a standard part of the budget of many councils and therefore not all concerns by the motoring lobby are unfounded.

As someone who has often campaigned for parking restrictions and regulation - my concern is that they must be fair and reasonable - and they must be there for a good reason. The scrutiny at the London Assembly found many, many unfair practises and there were loads of recommendations. One - which I think Westminster took up - but not as strongly as I would have liked - is greater sensitivity to the severity of the offence. For example I don't think that being a couple of minutes late back to a meter when time has expired should carry the same fine as a more serious infringement.

Back to my meeting last week. What Haringey's illegal junction boxes boil down to is 'unlawfully earned income' - which in my view Haringey should therefore be refunding. (A view shared by at least one Labour councillor - Alan Stanton - though he has got into hot water with his colleagues for saying that in public).

Councils cannot and should not be above the law on such things. If we, the public, are to respect the laws and abide by them - they must be fair and be seen to be fair. And that includes the law applying to councils as well as to residents.

What is so interesting - is that if you get a ticket and the signing has been misleading or the junction box illegal - you can challenge it - and chances are that you will get your ticket written off. But there is no comeback on the firm/council/authority as a result. What I would prefer to see is that if it's decided that you got a ticket wrongly - then there should also be scope for part of the ruling to be that the misleading sign or whatever must be changed.

Anyway - Cllr Martin Newton, who is the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for traffic etc on Haringey Council, attended the meeting with me and he is taking it forward at council level. I have written to the Chief Executive, however, to ask if Haringey is going to refund all the motorists who were illegally fined for the two yellow junction boxes. We will see!

Chariot Festival

2008-07-13T14:12:00.002+01:00

Saturday afternoon saw a pair of local party events. First in my own patch - Strawberry Tea at beautiful home of Harold Margolis - and then off to to Tunbridge Wells local party as Guest of Honour at their Summer BBQ fundraiser. Sat Nav saved me!

The house in Paddock Wood was just beautiful: an old Oat House and Hop Press - now fantastic home with fantastic where there were table and chairs and lots of delicious food. And after food - came me! It was a lovely evening - and they seemed to be such an optimistic group - so I have good hopes for their future prospects.

Sunday morning saw me go to the amazing Chariot Festival outside the Murugan Temple in Highgate. I lived next to the Temple (Wembury Road) when it first rose out of the ashes of the old Highgate Synagogue on corner with Archway Road. I will be meeting the Chair and Trustees again to discuss all of the issues - but for today - just look at the photo. Such colour and such delightfully warm and friendly reception. Loved it!

Proud of Pubs week

2008-07-12T13:27:00.003+01:00

This coming week is 'Proud of Pubs' week, so Ive done a photo with the landlord and barman at the Three Compasses Pub in Hornsey High Street - which is situated just underneath my office!

I am very, very proud of this pub. They are phenomenal example of community public spirit - and beyond that - pubs are soon going to be just about the only community location left as the Labour government runs a coach and horses through our local post offices etc. So - three cheers for the Three C's!

Nightingale Primary School: bright as buttons

2008-07-12T13:21:00.002+01:00

After Woodside House, dashed to Nightingale Primary School where the children had written to me about the terrible situation for water in Tanzania. I had already written back to them all individually (hopefully giving them a good idea of how our democratic processes should work!). This bunch are bright as buttons. Hand after hand shot up with question upon question. And full marks to their teachers - as it was clear that they had been prepped for my visit and their interest had been really stimulated. That's the way to do it.

In writing their letters to me (which had all been individual) they had learned, not only about the water issues in Tanzania, not only about helping and caring about people across the world and about poverty, but also about democracy, how to write a letter and lots of other stuff that life is made of. I was well impressed by this group.

What was funny in their letters was that the last paragraph in one form or another asked me, as the MP, to give lots of money to Africa and hold charity events to raise money to Africa. They were a bit shocked when I explained that my salary went on my house, food and children - just like everyone else and that I had no money as such as an MP to give.

So I explained that the Government has money for international aid and that I would write to Douglas Alexander (Secretary of State for International Development) and ask him to help with the situation in Tanzania. And in terms of me holding a charity event myself - I explained that if I did that for one cause then how would I refuse another equally deserving cause. But that if they wanted to do a charity event - then I would be very happy to come and support it. I just wish I did have a magic wand - but it's not yet part of the MP kit!

Anyway - as I say - these children were absolutely great and I have suggested they come up to Parliament for a tour and then they can have another hour to interrogate me - as there were clearly lots more questions but time ran out.

Popular classes under threat

2008-07-12T13:11:00.004+01:00

Off to Woodside House yesterday where I meet a huge class of Asian ladies doing exercise. As you can see from the photo - very colourful and very determined that Haringey's Labour Council are not simply going to remove their vital facility without a fight!

Woodside House is the proposed target for Haringey to redevelop into a new Civic Centre for the Council (with the idea of selling off the current one). That is why Cllr Robert Gorrie, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Council group, and myself have come to see what's what.

Thus far - the Council (Labour) have not been able to answer any questions as to why this site, what criteria, what consequences, were alternatives looked at - nothing. Nada! Hopeless as usual. And with the vital Woodside Luncheon Club under threat as well as the exercise classes - not to mention the building that has been done up to provide English lessons, computer skills etc - Haringey Labour are really asking for trouble! And I will almost certainly be happy to give it to them. No consultation. No discussion. No investigation. No nothing. Bastards!

Highgate Tube fence rides again...

2008-07-12T13:02:00.002+01:00

First up on Friday is meeting at Highgate Tube to discuss the dreaded fence issue. Without going back over the arguments - residents are divided about the fence on Archway Road by Highgate Tube station as on the one hand people living on the roads behind the station want good protection against all the noise from the road, whilst those on the road or going along the road don't want an eyesore.

Anyway, a fence got put in with Transport for London also promising a lot of planting that would end up screening the fence - and allow it to be replaced with a chain link fence instead. Problem - the planting never grew - well not fully.

Anyway, TfL had obviously done their work to find a solution - which is to put in maturish trees and new planting so that before too long - the cutting will look beautiful and dense and the solid fence will be able to be replaced with chain link. But still a long way to go...

Save our Parks Police

2008-07-11T10:08:00.002+01:00

Well - Haringey Council's plans for our parks and open spaces - which include a proposal to disband the Haringey Parks Constabulary - are in full swing. This is despite the massive concerns about young people and knife crime and Met Police statistics that indicate there were over 700 offences in parks and open spaces in Haringey over a one-year period. Ten dedicated Constables are to be made redundant.

My local Liberal Democrat councillor colleagues have proposed a fully costed, practical alternative to these cuts, which instead builds on the work of the Parks Constabulary, meets the needs of residents for safe, secure and green open spaces and will ensure that Green Flag status is not threatened by Labour cuts.

We propose keeping the Parks Constabulary, appoint dedicated Park Wardens and continue the role of the Parks Police securing council buildings and Alexandra Park. This would avoid the unnecessary and expensive tendering out of these last two functions - and the risks associated with private security companies.

That would provide some savings to help fund our plans, with the rest coming from cutting out one of the Council's spin-doctor posts, the inspector post in parks police and Labour's "nanny state" parenting advisor. What we'd get instead would be far, far better.

Our plans would also integrate the Parks Police into Safer Neighbourhoods Team, allowing our parks to benefit from close coordination between both these groups of people who are essentially doing the same thing - fighting crime.

If you want to join the campaign to save the Parks Police you can sign our petition at ourcampaign.org.uk/parkspolice

Women's Parliamentary Radio

2008-07-09T16:06:00.000+01:00

Boni Sones is a real trooper. She has campaigned, cajoled, recorded and encouraged womens’ political voyage. Today, Women's Parliamentary Radio – which is really her baby – held a lunch with GCap – a huge commercial radio company (who themselves are being bought out by Global – that’s the way the radio cookie crumbles). GCap are partnering Women's Parliamentary Radio and hopefully this will be good for both parties – giving them a niche market and a pathway on a load of issues. You go girl!

Voluntary services

2008-07-09T16:03:00.001+01:00

Spoke yesterday to the National Council of Voluntary Youth Services. Strikes me that the Government’s shift to making the voluntary sector deliver services is full of all sorts of dangers. Too much to go into here – but from those in the room it is clear that there are huge concerns about funding; the nature of the hoops that volunteers have to go through – even if they are still relatively small organisations where people only give a couple of hours; the media’s incessant attacks on young people; the bias against funding for faith based organisations by local authorities – and the list went on. Much for me to think about particularly in relationship to the new Liberal Democrat policies on youth which I am responsible for and am just embarking upon.

Flexi-working: Mirror story today

2008-07-09T10:14:00.002+01:00

Quick link to the Daily Mirror who have got a story about a Conservative MP criticising plans for flexi-working to help parents:

A Tory MP provoked fury yesterday by claiming that parents will use flexi-time working as an excuse to shirk.
Brian Binley was responding to hints from Gordon Brown that Labour could offer more flexible working rights to parents of children up to the age of 16.
[Lynne Featherstone said] "Without flexible working it's impossible to be a mother.
"Most parents are responsible, and flexible working allows them to bring their skills and energy to work.

You can read the full story here.

Ex-MI5 head's verdict on 42 days detention without charge

2008-07-08T19:17:00.002+01:00

"In deciding what I believe in these matters I have weighed up the balance between the right to life - the most important civil liberty - the fact that there's no such thing as compete security and the importance of our hard won civil liberties. Therefore on a matter of principle I cannot support the 42-day pre-charge detention in this bill ... I do not see on practical basis as well as principled one, that these proposals are in any way workable."

Precisely.

Women bishops

2008-07-08T16:27:00.002+01:00

Dragged kicking and screaming - the Church has sort of voted for women bishops. Hurrah!

If the Church had wanted to preserve its tradition of male dominance - then fine (well not fine) - but it should have given up the 26 places for Bishops of the Church of England in the Lords: we shouldn't hand over a wedge of seats in our Parliament and say "men only".

So - from the brink - the Church creaks into the 21st century. I'm glad that they rejected the second class (for women) bishops and all the other equivocations that would have been all things to all men (literally).

I don't think we're quite there yet - but I did heave a sigh of relief that the vote went through. There are enough issues that the Church could get involved in in a helpful and constructive way. Their eternal obsession to keep women in their place and homosexuals at bay has no place in the modern world. No-one said change was easy - but it is necessary.

Good news on the FAITH centre so far...

2008-07-07T21:21:00.003+01:00

Straight back to Haringey after the school trip as Richard Wilson (Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health on Haringey Council) and I have asked for a meeting with key officers to discuss the future of the FAITH centre.

Since Richard and I went there to start the campaign with local people and residents - and called for Haringey Council to at least provide interim funding until new longer term arrangements could be found – the Council on Friday responded positively and came out with £125,000 which will fund the centre until March.

George Meehan (Council Leader) seemed to be willing to look at where funding partners might be found – and the Council staff seemed keen. There isn’t much time – but this is a vital battle to win. Those 50 vulnerable adults who find some life and training at the FAITH centre in a world which doesn’t really accommodate them by right are relying on us to make sure that the scheme can remain open. That’s the challenge. And so – saved from the brink of disaster – but nowhere near home yet!

Memories of my days at school

2008-07-07T21:17:00.002+01:00

Guest of Honour at my old school – South Hampstead High School – for a prize giving for years 7-10.

I go first to the Head’s (Ms Jenny Stephen) which is in the first classroom I was in – Upper III as I recall. That’s why I’ve never really understood which is which year these days – even for my own children – as it is different from when I was a lass!

About 400 girls, teachers and prize winners’ parents are gathered in the Hall as we, the platform party (albeit there’s no platform), walk in. The girls are all standing and sit only after we are seated. It was quite nice, actually, to be called by my surname – Ms Featherstone.

Ms Stephen gave a really excellent speech- and to my relief a balanced speech – yes exhorting academic achievement but also all the other things that make someone a proper person.

We were treated to a really lovely musical ensemble, poetry and then a presentation on issues around water. The last – extraordinarily pertinent – in terms of the real battlegrounds of future wars as water becomes scarcer and scarcer.

The speech I gave – outside of amusing anecdotes about my time at South Hampstead (of which there are many – and some I dare not tell) was really about social justice. South Hampstead is a wonderful school and the girls who go there have an advantage - and therefore a responsibility too. They must realise too that the world is hard and gritty – and that isolating and insulating yourself from the world out there is not the answer. So – I hope they enjoyed my rant. I certainly enjoyed going back.

It's funny really – I had only gone there because my Headmistress at Highgate Primary School had told my mother that I was a clever little girl and could probably get a scholarship. My parents would never have paid for education – they didn’t really believe in it. Getting out and earning a living was important to them. However, my Head (Ms Jobson) won the day. She sat me in her office for six weeks to teach me herself the things I would need to know to take the scholarship exam. I won a scholarship – and so that is how I ended up at South Hampstead.

Memories certainly came flooding back – but they are all another story...

It’s the season of street parties and summer fairs, horticultural shows, local fetes and strawberry teas

2008-07-06T17:27:00.000+01:00

This is British – and then some. But I wonder if it is more than it seems on the surface – for I wonder if it is part of the answer to many of the ills that beset us today by helping to give a greater and stronger sense of community with our neighbours. And so, that is the topic of my latest newspaper column ... read on!

The art of waving

2008-07-06T11:50:00.003+01:00

Saturday was Hornsey Carnival day - and myself and Mayor Alan Dobbie are transported in a white open-topped car at the front of the parade. The sun came out - and for over two hours we waived and smiled as we passed very slowly along the carnival route - behind the float carrying the Hornsey Carnival Queen and Princess.

The organisation of this annual event takes quite a lot of doing and raises money for charity. In the parade are Carnival Queens on their floats from other areas of the country who come for the occasion - just as ours go to their carnivals.

There is something very wonderful about parades. People bring their children out to watch and we wave and smile - and everyone waves and smiles back. And it is, bizarrely, a very cheering and happy feeling that works both ways. Now a veteran of waiving and smiling - I have discovered that virtually however grumpy a person walking along minding their own business is - if you catch their eye and give them a genuine smile and waive - it is almost impossible for them not to waive and smile back - even if some are a little sheepish about it.

There are a lot of people out to see the parade - and despite it being Women's Final day at Wimbledon - the morning rain has cleared to deliver perfect sunshine for the parade.

The funniest people to wave at are the poor souls who are driving along and find themselves stopped by the police to allow the parade to pass. You can understand why they can look very grumpy - particularly if they were in a hurry. But again - as I catch their eye and smile directly at them and wave - on the whole they smile and wave back and cheer up.

Even in a population that mainly likes to keep itself to itself and is intensely private - no one can resist human relationships - and we all want to come out of our shell. When someone inanely waiving and smiling at you comes along for no reason - somehow the absurdity (at one level) breaks down the normal barriers and we respond despite ourselves. 'Cos in the end - that's what makes the world go round - human relationships.

Haringey's health services

2008-07-06T11:42:00.005+01:00

Surgery, then met new Head at Hornsey Girl's School (what a great new head!), then had my usual meeting with David Sloman (CEO of Whittington Hospital - who assures me that my endless banging of the drum on how patients are treated in terms of care and compassion is now top of the list) and then on to Haringey's new Sixth Form Centre to present a prize to one of the Haringey Heroes. This is an awards event for young people across Haringey who have showed exceptional talent, or caring, or leadership in their lives. For example - one was a carer's award for children who have (on top of everything) to care for parents with disabilities. It is one of Haringey's better efforts - and I was very happy to be there.

Thinking further about local health services - and watching Lord Darzi talk about the NHS plan - I am struck by the contrast between what he says - which is that polyclinics are about providing extra services - and what people are most worried about locally - which is that their doctor will be plucked from their current location and put in this amorphous 'polyclinic' further away.

It is still unclear to me - for example - whether our new local health facility (I doubt whether it will carry on being called a polyclinic) currently rising from a building site - will be only 'additional' as Darzi (and ministers) claim. When building is already taking place and this is still unclear, matters are far from as clear as they should be.

It is also still unclear what services will be provided on site and what say we the people actually will have. I have no doubt that the west of Haringey needs a new health facility and it is pretty difficult to get any money spent on us - as we are always in direct comparison to Tottenham where the need is obviously greater as an area of high deprivation and unemployment. However, there is plenty of need and unemployment this side too - and quite frankly - we all need and are entitled to proper health provision.

Haringey Council: 13 years behind schedule

2008-07-05T18:27:00.001+01:00

I think this press release pretty much speaks for itself!

Delays in Haringey Council making important decisions effecting residents' schools, houses and key services currently total 4,937 days - or more than 13 years - it has been revealed by the Liberal Democrats.

Haringey Council's monthly forward plan, which lists important decisions to be made by the Labour-run council in the next four months shows that only three out of sixty-three decisions will be made on time. Local Liberal Democrats have criticised Haringey Council for failing to decide on key projects and have said that residents will bear the brunt of the failure to deliver on time.

Cllr Robert Gorrie, Haringey Liberal Democrat Leader, commented:

"Haringey Labour have for forty years failed to deliver the services needed by residents in Haringey. Their history of delivering major projects late and over budget is legendary. Now we see that they can't even manage the process of deciding what to do. Their performance is an embarrassment to the Borough.

"Decisions that would hopefully tackle major issues in Haringey have been delayed by the Council and residents will be the ones that will lose out as a result."

Lynne Featherstone MP added:

"Haringey Council runs a lot essential services such schools, elderly care and services for people with disabilities; so no-one wants important decisions rushed. But when time and time again Labour procrastinate and dither about making choices that will have a real impact on people's lives, it is the quality of these services that suffers.

"No organisation can function properly with such indecision at its top and sadly local residents bare the brunt."

Top nine delays by Haringey Council (based on difference between original date and current date the decision will be made):

Tree Policy and Planting programme (302 days late)

Disposal of properties in NDC area (186 days late)

Bull Lane/Pasteur Gardens (186 days late)

Parks Asset Management Plan (150 days late)

Markfield Park listed buildings refurbishment contract (136 days late)

Electrical re-wiring to Winkfield Road N22 (136 days late)

Accomodation Strategy (118 days late)

Sports Club charges (114 Days late)

Building Schools for the future (BSF) contract for John Loughborough School (100 days late)

MPs and money

2008-07-04T11:34:00.001+01:00

I wasn't at the vote on MPs' expenses and salaries as I had to be somewhere else. But, as I have said before publicly, I will not vote on my own salary or expenses. I will vote for such things to be decided by an independent body - in just the same way as I have supported the independent pay review for nurses and teachers etc. And when the Government fails to deliver - I stick by what the independent pay board has recommended.

I think the MPs' system of pay and expenses is absurd. So - our pay should be set by an independent body. Our expenses - in terms of staff and office - should be set by independent body and administered by House Authorities. And no one should be able to make money out of public money by buying a house on public funds. Of course MPs have to work in both their constituency and in London, and those live too far to commute should have London accommodation - but any capital gain on a property accrued during years of service should return to the state.

What teachers are writing to me about

2008-07-02T11:54:00.001+01:00

Have been receiving letters from worried teachers about Big Brother! No - not the one on the television - but the fact that from September 2008, each child living in the UK will be issued with a unique number at birth which will be required to access services (schools, health visitors, housing, benefits etc).

If a family moves, the number remains “attached” to the child, so - the plan goes - children can no longer slip through the net, as in the case of Victoria Climbie.

A laudable intention, and whilst understanding the need to protect children and for agencies to have a robust mechanism whereby they can work together - not sure this isn't baby identity cards. Anyway - needless to say - am tabling a raft of questions about this new database identifier to follow up on the letters I've been sent.

Ten most popular blog postings (2nd quarter, 2008)

2008-07-01T12:18:00.005+01:00

In traditional reverse order, here are the ten postings which have proved the most popular over the last three months:

10. The morning after the night before: the moment when it looked like Paxman might punch Johnson - one of the (few) TV highlights of the London Mayor election: Boris Johnson flounders over his bus policy.

9. The real lesson of the 10p tax rate fiasco - it wasn't just the tax policy that was wrong, it was the whole way we do budgets.

8. What will Boris Johnson be like as Mayor of London? - no prizes for guessing the topic of that piece!

7. The London results - yes, Boris is Mayor.

6. Olympics protest - I joined the protests as the Olympic torch passed through London.

5. Crewe & Nantwich by-election: are the rules wrong? - should election campaigns really be rushed through at the convenience of the incumbent party rather than giving the public time to find out about the candidates and their policies?

4. Iris Robinson - homophobia is certainly still alive in Northern Irish politics.

3. Nine years in a squalid and infested flat - a tale of failure that should make Haringey Council ashamed.

2. David Davis and his resignation to fight a by-election.

1. What did you think of the BBC TV local elections results program on Thursday night? Not a lot by the looks of it, though given the amount of traffic to this post long after the poll has closed it's clearly an issue still on some people's minds!

No surprise to see the London elections features so heavily in the list - but interesting to see that several of these posts are very brief and basically just me saying what my view is on an issue of the moment. I guess people have read them either because they've been very timely - or perhaps because they do want to know my views on issues!

Visiting St Ann's

2008-06-30T21:51:00.002+01:00

Go to St Ann’s Hospital to celebrate its Lordship Ward becoming the 300th ward of the national ‘Star Wards’ project. David Lammy (MP for Tottenham) is on the visit too.

We start by meeting Marion Janner. Marion is a service user from Haringey and is a vocal campaigner and mover on the Star Wards project. This is a national project started to begin to address one of the great challenges of mental health care – that on an inpatient ward the boredom is enough to drive you to madness. It is totally counterproductive to a therapeutic outcome – and so Star Wards begins to address some of those challenges.

St Ann’s is only at the beginning of its program to generate and implement Star Wards – but judging by the enthusiasm of both staff and patients that I met this will deliver real improvement. I also visited the ‘healthy living’ part of the equation and met patient and trainer in the gym.

St Ann’s has had a difficult recent history in terms of administration at higher echelons – but as they move towards their application for ‘foundation status’ with their new Chair, Michael Fox (who I met later in the day at Parliament – coincidentally) they have hopefully moved onward and upward. And there certainly was a very positive attitude around the wards and the patients and the potential.

Two notes of discord did surface. The first was a desperate plea for me to tell the Government that they don’t want, and can’t cope with, endless new initiatives. They feel that they are barely given time to get a new directive in place and begin to embed it – before it is changed and the next headline initiative rolls in – and it's all change, thereby never reaching a point of proper implementation and smooth running.

The second was about the service provided by the crisis centre – which deals with emergencies. The problems ranged from being answered by an answerphone (not great if you are suicidal) to being told to ‘pull yourself together’.

As I said, later in the day, I met with the new Chair of the Mental Health Trust who seems very determined to turn St Ann’s into a modern and exemplar service deliverer. There will be a need to sell around half the site to fund the new building etc. My criteria – as I told him – was about what would be provided post development, how real and thorough the consultation would be (we are sick of faux consultations) and so on. St Ann’s is not a great layout for a hospital – but it is friendly and human scale. So – we will see how all this develops over the next period.