What you didn’t see at Conservative conference 2009

For the third year running I am the Sun’s ‘man on the ground’ for the political party conference season. That means getting the kind of video material you don’t see on TV.  Click the links to watch footage.

What you didn’t see at Labour conference 2009

For the third year running I am The Sun’s ‘man on the ground’ for the political party conference season.  That means gathering the kind of video material you don’t see on TV.  Click the links to watch footage.

What is the Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organisation?

I wrote this for Channel 4 News the day after George Russell died and to be honest I’m still not entirely sure I get it.  Perhaps you can elaborate in the comments below? What I’m looking for is a simple explanation that everyone can understand. I’m not sure it’s possible if you aren’t already a practicing musician?

Bring back the Hereditary Peers?

Members…

‘…must never accept any financial inducement as an incentive or reward for exercising parliamentary influence.’
‘…must not vote on any bill or motion , or ask any question in the House or Committee, or promote any matter, in return for payment.’

Yet following a recent Sunday Times sting it’s alleged that four Labour Lords have been breaking the rules, getting paid large sums of money, for, it’s suggested, doing just that.  Now of course it’s down to grammar, with lawyers analysing exactly what was said to undercover reporters and explaining to you and I what was meant.

Reform not Rhetoric

This was written on behalf of Conservative MEPs in the European Parliament…

1. A Europe of Nation States
‘The Union needs to become more democratic, more transparent and more efficient… restoring tasks to Member States.’
The Laeken Declaration, Signed in 2001 by the EU Heads of Government.

Securitas 2006 – Britain’s Biggest Armed Robbery

Five men have been jailed for at least fifteen years for their part in Britain’s biggest ever robbery.

The 53 million pound heist happened back in February 2006 at the Securitas depot in Tonbridge.  The men were convicted of kidnap, robbery and firearms charges.

House of Lords – Second Stage of Reform

Since New Labour came to power in 1997, Tony Blair has pushed through massive changes to the House of Lords.  Changes which were never going to happen under a Conservative government, after all up until 1999 the vast majority of the House was Tory.

However, other than the hugely outdated ’hereditary peers’ who’ve been chopped down to just 92 members following the first stage of reform, the House of Lords was made up of extremely intelligent, worldly, experts in their field.  This ensured serious debate unlike the House of Commons where most of the time those present behave like animals.

Is ‘Enhanced 2-Tier Status’ the Answer for Local Government in West Sussex?

The ‘Local Government Bill’ is currently going through Parliament.  It aims to place more power at local level and give people a bigger say in how local services are run.  It also gives shire counties the opportunity to apply for Unitary status.

However, West Sussex County Council believe that amalgamating all the District Councils into one Unitary Authority would give central government even more control and would result in less democracy locally.

Another option is to submit a ‘pathfinder’ bid.  This would greatly enhance the structure of local government but due to time constraints (plans have to be submitted by 25th January) and the fact that it would take those involved away from their day jobs, a bid couldn’t be put together in time.

Instead the County Council have chosen to submit their own plan:  ‘The West Sussex Way.’

The Nightly News – Issue 1

As a broadcast journalist with a conscience ‘The Nightly News’ is refreshing.  Many of my colleagues sensationalise tragic events, not pausing for a second to think about the effect it could have on those involved.

Only last week I was reporting on a story about an old couple found dead in their home.  Two weeks passed before they were discovered, one of the bodies was in such a bad state of decomposition it’s head had come off.

The reader that afternoon sounded like she was getting off on the fact!