Election 2015 - Questions for your Candidate

Banking & Finance

I’d like to take the opportunity of this coming Election to ask that candidates do not ignore the issue of Britain’s broken and bloated banking system. I and many others haven’t forgotten the real cause of the 2008 crisis, and we know that our economic future is in the balance.

1. Do you agree that Cheltenham would benefit from a local bank with a specific mandate to lend to local businesses?

2. Would you support measures to give savers rights to know how and where their money in savings accounts and pensions is being invested, and all of the fees that they are being charged?

3. Should the UK join the European Financial Transaction Tax to curb ‘casino capitalism’?

4. Should Britain have a State Investment Bank, with independent borrowing powers, like most other European countries?

5. 97% of all money is created by private banks.  Only 10% of this is lent to businesses.  Would you support the setting up of a Commission in the next Parliament to consider reform of the monetary system?

These questions are suggested by the New Economics Foundation and are backed by their extensive research into our current banking and finance system.

http://www.neweconomics.org/blog/entry/how-to-put-banking-reform-back-on-the-political-agenda 

Using up a day #1

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Lord Green [update]

Good riddance ....

I am so angry about this banking miscreant.  He has overseen the impoverishment of millions of people.  He was in charge of the bankrupt bank HSBC, which we all had to bail out [indirectly].  The collapse of HSBC and the other big banks reeked much destruction on the real economy [where most of us mere mortals live and work]. 

The destruction of the real economy continues with Austerity, or as I like to call it, the age of 'can't do'.

The bankrupt banks should have been allowed to fail [following the rules of capitalism] and their leaders should be in prison.  As they have done in Iceland.  Oh I wonder how their economy is doing?  Very well has it happens in comparison to the UK.

Ex-HSBC chairman Lord Green steps down from The City UK

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-31470627

Eman Mohammed

Powerful stuff from Gaza.
http://www.emanmohammed.com/#/portfolio?i=367

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/emanmohammedphotos

TED Talk
http://www.ted.com/talks/eman_mohammed_the_courage_to_tell_a_hidden_story?language=en

Probability

"What are the chances of that?"  Is a question that annoys me as probability is counter-intuitive.  This is why I generally have a problem with intuition, as it is invariably wrong!
Probability is a really important way of understanding the World.

23 and Football Birthdays
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2ey9a70yY0

Child marriage

Someone mentioned on Radio 4 that Richard II [1377-1399] had a 12 year old bride.  This website says that Isabella was 9 years old when they were married.
http://www.britroyals.com/kings.asp?id=richard2

In contrast, there is this:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/02/08/opinion/sunday/exposures-child-bride-mother-stephanie-sinclair.html 

There are many countries in Europe which still have their Age of Consent at 14 years old.  America used to be similar e.g. Jerry Lee Lewis married his 13 year old cousin.

What is the right Age of Consent?  Or, with the vast variation across countries and cultures there isn't one?  Do we take our lead from Biology or do we just ignore that?

The NHS Culture of Bullying

The highly damning Francis Report is out. But I fear that this is way too late, as the bullying culture is deep rooted within the National Health Service.

This is the BBC report:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-31408795

Maybe Jeremy Hunt should have read 'Workplace bullying in the NHS' by Jacqueline Randle first?  This was published in 2006, only eight years ago!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Workplace-Bullying-NHS-Christine-Webb/dp/1857757831

The Foreword is given by Christine Webb, Professor of Health Studies, University of Plymouth. This book is full of practical strategies and advice for dealing effectively with bullying in the healthcare environment, designed specifically for employers and employees. It offers easy to implement advice and guidelines on intervention and prevention. The user-friendly format includes guided activities and case studies to illustrate the realities of bullying, aid in comprehension and assist in no-nonsense application. All healthcare employees, particularly those in human resources and management roles should read this invaluable book. It also contains vital information for victims of bullying, healthcare students and patients' rights groups. 'Most valuable. Whilst I am pleased to have the opportunity to write the foreword to "Workplace Bullying in the NHS", I am sad that such a book is needed - and I can confirm that it is needed because I can recall many instances of bullying and poor responses to it from my career as a nurse, researcher and educator. Illustrations go right across the board in terms of types, levels and possible ways of tackling the problem. The concrete suggestions for action should go a long way to helping individuals and groups of staff to make the workplace a more comfortable, productive and caring one in which to work.' - Christine Webb, in her Foreword.