Stop the DUP - a letter to Mims Davies MP

Dear Mims

I'll be frank - I didn't vote for you. 

I voted tactically for the party I felt would represent the majority of good, honest, hard working people in this country, and who had a more peaceful global view - not the one that represents the financial gains of the few. But here we are. And had the Conservatives won outright, then fine, we would continue as we were and we'd get back to business. 

But this latest development - a party that didn't win outright, and now in its death-throws are planning on forming a coalition with a group of people with the most foul, divisive opinions, who will seek to limit freedoms and rights of our people because it doesn't fit in their own narrow-minded, ignorant views of life is beyond repulsive to me. I am so concerned at this -  I cannot believe that this is what the majority of Conservatives also want - to sell their souls for the arrogance of retaining power? We fought hard in this country for people's rights - we don't expect to see them taken away - we don't want regression in place of progression.

Integrity in politics has never been more important on the local and world stage than it is today. 

Mims - is retaining power or displaying integrity more important to you?

If you truly represent me and my family in Parliament, then these are my views - and I want you to take them forward as representative of many people in your constituency. We do not want a Britain with the DUP in power. We did not vote for it - we do not want it. Help us by stopping this happening, please. 

Laura.

Let's gain some perspective, folks

Apparently there's a hashtag on Twitter #killallmuslims. Really? REALLY??! Why? Because a handful of disaffected youth have become radicalised by individuals with obscure, inhuman, selfish agendas and have gone out and murdered people in the name of their god? The very greatest majority of Muslims haven't done that - not as far as I'm aware. None of my Muslim friends are doing that. Almost all live peaceful, loving lives. Many push forward the human condition in a positive way.

If we were to simply focus on the actions of a very few and extrapolate their behaviour to an entire population, let's mirror that elsewhere and see where we end up:

killallchristians - because one or two become fundamentalists and plant bombs in public buildings and shoot up students on islands.

killallwhitepeople - because every now and then a white person becomes a mass murderer.

killallblackpeople - because every now and then a black person becomes a mass murderer.

killallusstudents - because every now and again a couple might decide to arm themselves to the hilt and murder their classmates and teachers.

killallmentallyillpeople - much like the US students - mentally ill people might get hold of a gun and commit an atrocity.

killallcardrivers - because car drivers cause car crashes and car crashes kill people.

killalldads - because every once in a while a Dad might the plot and commit an act of family annihilation.

killallmums - because sometimes a Mum might get post-natal depression and smother her baby.

killallpilots - because planes might crash and people might die and pilots will be flying the planes at the time.

killalldoctors - because Doctors can make mistakes and people can die as a result of those mistakes.

killallchefs - because people eat food and some food can be linked to obesity and life-limiting illnesses and people might die from those illnesses.


Is anyone left standing yet? Because we could go on here. And on. And on. Til we've all murdered each other and planet earth is left in peace at last.

Give a mum a job...

... and see what happens!

It occurred to me as I dashed around the house this am at terrifying speed, just what a lost opportunity some employers endure when they shy away from employing mothers on part-time or jobshare contracts. Of course, that's not in their overall HR / recruitment strategy - not written, at least. But give a mother ten minutes with a sleeping baby and see just what she can achieve.

Last night, fresh from the school run, Tilly slept in her pram long enough for me to wash up the day's (and previous night's) plates, hose down the kitchen, clean out the hamster, make the two bigger kids their lunches for the next day, de-mud the hall floor... and cook a roast dinner. Time take? Under 25 minutes.

This morning I got three kids up, dressed and breakfasted (porridge, no less), two off to school, shopping ready for tonight's invasion of little people, dinner already cooking, washing up done (again - it's never %&!ing ending!!), two loads of laundry done, two coffees drunk and this blog (maybe only partially) written... we'll see. Time check? 10 am.

Extrapolate that to the workplace and you're in for a winner! I'm lucky I have an awesome employer in this arena - but I'm very well aware of many who aren't so fortunate.

Two arms, a clear(ish) head and an undefined, yet short, period of time, can yield great things!! Right, I'm off to enjoy my next coffee before the inevitable screech that brings me back to a grinding halt again!

A taxing money situation

Forgive me for getting mildly political just this once (though no promises it won't be just this one time!) but Child Tax Credit... they say "tax doesn't have to be taxing", but the Government are really struggling with basic maths here, aren't they? Don't get me wrong, my maths was never great at school - I got a B at GCSE and every time I got a test back my teacher would pass behind me, theatrically lay the marked paper on the desk in front of me and exclaim "Laura! What went wrong?!". Erm... it was Maths, Miss. It wasn't English, or French or History.

Surely a child lives in a household - whether one, both or neither parent earns money - so whatever money comes into that household is to the benefit of that child?

Now take the current plans - if either parent is a higher rate of tax payer and earns more than £60K per year, Child Tax benefit is stopped for the entire household - even if the other parent earns just £5K a year. So total household income for Family A is £65K. Compare that to Family B where both parents earn £43K per year, total household income being £86K. And yet Family B will retain full Child Tax Benefit.

There's something array there - I'm pretty sure of it. I'm not an economist so perhaps someone can enlighten me where my calculations fall down? But if the folk in Government really can't realise that basic error, how are they going to fix major problems? The NHS, the Police, Pensions, the National Debt... ?! eek!

I've written to my Local MP about this a couple of times - I say MP - what he really is is a glorified and over-paid PA as all he does is pass my letters onto rubber-nosed desk johnnies in and around Westminster rather than review an issue personally, take a stance on it and take measures to tackle it head on for his voting constituents. No, because he's too busy fixing his speeding convictions and messy personal life. My theory on this is, however, that they know they've made a BIG mistake, but it's better for them to hold firm on it and hope no-one notices, than it is to admit they made a mistake and change direction.

I am definitely more forgiving of folk who recognise their error and take action to fix it than those who arrogantly plough on with a flawed plan. And trust me, I don't always forgive easily!

If I'm wrong, and it's been known to happen on occasion, please kindly tell me the actually situation here. Thanks!

It's the thought that counts...apparently

Being grumpy isn't the domain or sole right of the older generations... trust me, I've been afflicted with a growing grumpiness for several years now, and I'm only 35. So I reckon I need an outlet, and this blog is it. A little chance to rant about what's on my mind and give a voice to those younger grumps out there who share my views and experiences! Please do feel free to comment - but don't be rude - or you'll only get me going, and no-one wants that! So here we go...

My first rant is on the subject of birthdays. Very topical, since my latest one was yesterday. Yeah, yeah, yeah... happy birthday to me and all that jazz. Only my birthdays have the habit of making me miserable...and, by extension, a number of the people closest to me. The fact of the matter is, the only thing I ever want for my birthday is a little bit of time and thought - it doesn't have to cost the earth, I don't need mountains of gifts. I just want something a little bit special, that I wouldn't buy myself, or do for myself. But that's beyond the realms of capability for some folk. Last year my husband bought me a saucepan. Correction, a milk pan. Granted, I made the mistake of adding it as a last thought item on a very long list, but as more of a 'oh, here, have a little extra on the side' rather than as the main course. But that's what I ended up with. A milkpan. The resulting meltdown scared even myself. It was a guarantee that the same mistake would not be made twice.

Only, this year's offering made last year look like present heaven. I got a board game. I don't play board games. Unless, that is, I'm pinned into a corner at friends' when we're round for dinner and the wine's flowed enough for me to lose the ability to formulate a cogent argument against engaging in such an activity. I don't like the competitiveness board games build in me - I become thirsty for blood and must...will, win and the emotions make me physically uncomfortable. This particular board game, based on the films (and books) of Twilight, was particularly perplexing as no-one around me is especially into Twilight - very few of my friends have engaged their inner teenager to quite the same extent as I have on the subject - but then, I hardly recognise myself as a Twi-hard fan. So it looks like I'll be playing it on my own, then. Fab.

I dream of a little blue box secured with white organza ribbon with a little twinkle placed inside (anything from Tiffany's, for those that don't recognise the branding). First world problems, I know - I wholly recognise how selfish I sound. I got a present! For my birthday! Only I'm squinnying about it being the wrong one. I have two beautiful, healthy children and we all have just about perfect health. My back could be a bit better and I could always do with more sleep, yar-da, yar-da. But all should be absolutely spot on, perfect, tranquil and wonderful. If it wasn't for Maslow's hierarchy of needs, I guess.

I broached the subject of bad gifts with the breakfast club ladies and it appears, after all my upset, that I do actually do quite well on the present front. One lady received a Harrods bought and wrapped electrical extension lead from her husband for her birthday. I hope it was long enough to strangle him with. The other received a wrapped, yet empty, Harrods plastic bag as a Secret Santa from a family member. A plastic bag. The giver of the gift had bought something from Harrods, stuck it in a plastic bag, then wrapped the plastic bag as a gift. Words fail me.

I know it's the thought that counts. But when the thought is so warped, so unfathomable, so dislocated from anything logical, I do start to wonder. Men invented and designed jewelery so that they never needed to think about gifts or worry about getting the wrong present ever again. Occam's razor, lads - when in doubt, the most obvious answer is usually right. Just go with that one and you'll be fine.