Journal Entries
Robin Cook
Posted Aug 7, 2005
Robin Cook was my MP. He and I shared a passion for hillwalking the activity he was doing when he so suddenly died yesterday.
Our politics were not the same although on some issues the war on Iraq, reform of the House of Lords and Commons we very often touched base. Indeed the only letter I recieved back from him in this Parliament was on the subject of reform of the House of Lords.
My first in the flesh encounter with Robin was during the 2001 General Election when having just moved to Scotland I was illegible to vote in his constituency although I lived here. On the eve of poll he drove past our house on an open topped bus.
Two years later at the Scottish Parliament election I was in the middle of chcecking the votes at one of the counting tables when behind me I heard that very familiar voice talking to one of hte Labour activists.
Two months ago I was a fellow candidate, though in the other West Lothian seat for the General Election. I was standing by the door to the count hall when he whizzed into the room and went straight over to the press gantry he was full of life and vibrancy. hard to think considering yesterdays tragic news.
The last time I saw him was just before the Make Poverty History March in Edinburgh at the start of August. He was walking with the West Lothian Churches, by the look of things wearing his hillwalking baseball cap. I had a quick chat with him and parted with see you around. Sadly that is one thing I will never do again.
RIP Robin.
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Latest reply: Aug 7, 2005
When will my phone ring?
Posted Aug 5, 2005
Went for a job interview yesterday and was told I would be called back today. Time is now 15:40. When will my mobile vibrate?
Discuss this Journal entry [17]
Latest reply: Aug 5, 2005
Lib Dem MP dies
Posted May 31, 2005
The dust hardly seems to have settled and already we are facing our first bye election of the new Parliament.
Patsy Calton was the MP for Cheadle having been first elected on her 3rd attempt at the seat by only 33 votes the narrowest majority in the old Parliament. After the 1997 election she was diagnosed with breast cancer but had been in remission for years following treatment.
She had served on the Northern Ireland team from 2001-2 before moving toe Health from then on. She was advocate for a ban on smoking in public places as her cancer she said was a result of passive smoking for many years. She took a relapse in February and was unwell to do much campaigning during the election. She was too unwell to attend her count on 5 May when her majority rose to over 4000.
She turned up at Westminster by ambulance on Tuesday in a wheelchair to take her oath. Little did anyone realise it was going to be one of the last acts of a courageous personal and political battle.
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Latest reply: May 31, 2005
Where's my pic.....?
Posted May 13, 2005
I don't know I stand for election and get 7100 people voting for me but who gets their picture in the West Lothian News? EV and fords!
What do I have to do to get some exposure around here? 
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Latest reply: May 13, 2005
Election to be called?
Posted Apr 5, 2005
Today Tony Blair is widely tipped to go up the road to visit the Queen to set in motion the procedures for a General Election. Therefore I am liable to be busy for the next few weeks if you have anything urgent please leave a note below and I will attempt to get back to you. Normal DD service should be resumed after 5 May see you then.
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Latest reply: Apr 5, 2005
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