Babies and the reconomic recession

"There is one area in particular where we both believe there is a need for urgent change. It is shocking that in many parts of Europe women still do not have equal rights in the workplace. [my emphasis] This is not just unfair; it makes no sense - because it deprives our economies of their full potential as workers and consumers."

Amazingly, the "we" who wrote the above are the prime ministers of the UK and Sweden. It is in an article in today's Financial Times - Reining in Europe's deficits is just the first step
It makes you wonder whether David Cameron is fully aware of how our country lags behind Sweden in terms of workplace rights not only for women, but for men too.

It is not good enough to keep the focus on women alone. Urge legislative change on behalf of women all you want, but that in itself won't shift cultural attitudes. Sweden's pro-active legislation for men in the workplace has made

J K Rowling - "I've never voted Tory before...

"I've never voted Tory before," writes J K Rowling in The Times, "... and they keep on reminding me why."

Fab article - short, cut to the point - brilliant - The Single Mother's Manifesto

Tory "Change" hype exposed

When David Cameron and his nasty party say they'll give power to the people beware. What they mean is they'll leave you alone to take the actions you know you need.

That's well and good.... BUT what if sometimes you don't know? What if you need advice? What if one day you need some-one to turn to?

Giving power to people assumes everyone has the power to solve all their own problems themselves. Labour knows that has never been true and never will be. Labour wants a future fair for all, not just the powerful.

What the Tory promise means is that people will be abandoned to their own fate.

Don't be conned by the Tory "Change" mantra. Wise warnings such as "Don't buy a pig in a poke" or  "The grass isn't always greener over the hill" remind us to look closely at what it is we might be giving up without really knowing what we're getting.

A Woeful Wooing of the Gay Vote

(image - me promoting membership of CTC - national cycling charity - at the UNISON LGBT Conference in Bristol 2008)

David Cameron wants the Gay vote, but he doesn't 'get it'

A good Labour friend tipped me off today about -

• Cameron visibly flustered in Gay Times interview
• Cameron edits gay reference from pre-election speech
• how the Shadow Home Secretary Chris Greyling had to apologise for his B&B Gay Comment

Tory internal strains over LGBT issues have been so bad that I'm voting Labour, founder of Tory gay rights group says   See her speaking out in this Pink News article

Why would anyone who is LGB or T ever want to vote Tory?

Only Labour is working for a future that is fair for all.