Well, perhaps not a complete day, but a little insight into the mailbag – electronic and paper – that a parliamentary candidate gets.
Of course, I’m not an official candidate yet; after all the election has yet to be officially called, but my name is on numerous websites and databases, including the LibDem site, and so I’m fair game for every group and cause out there. It’s been interesting dealing with these enquiries and requests for my support, as while I have views on many issues (I am a politician after all, even if an amateur one!), I’ve had to sit and think about some of these.
All PPCs get lots of guidance from their HQs about what we can and can’t say, but I’ve tried to make sure that what I reply to people represents my views, checking to make sure I’m not radically at odds with my party of course! I do disagree with my party on some things – but we’ll get to that in another post…
Today, I’ve been asked to support lifting embargos on Cuba; what my views are on NHS payment for homeopathy; to support events for Congo Now, a group working for better security in the Congo; and to confirm that I pay proper taxes in the UK!
Cuba, of course, has been badly hit by the US trade blockade, but I have been concerned about the human rights violations and lack of free speech for some time, so it was fairly easy to respond in line with party views.
There’s a perception of LibDems as being woolly and a bit hippie-ish, so you might expect us to be in favour of homeopathy – but our MP Evan Harris has been outspoken on the subject, and even subject to some hate campaigning, and I agree with him that this isn’t something we should be spending taxpayers’ money on – it’s not just a case of unproven, it’s simply got no evidence to support it at all. If you want to pay for it yourself, that’s fine. If you want the NHS to pay, I’m sorry, I disagree.
I’ve left the Congo Now response for the moment – they are asking me to support their events in June and July when I’m an MP, and I think I might be tempting fate a bit to respond just yet. Although I will be hanging on to the letter for after May 6th!
And, taxes: yes, I pay them, and yes it’s in this country, and no, I don’t think tax evaders should get away with it. Easy!
One final thought on lobby groups – I was interviewed by the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child on Saturday morning, and questioned about abortion, euthanasia and embryo experimentation. I was actually surprised that I gave what they would probably have considered the ‘right’ answers to 2 of the 10 questions; but I don’t think that will be enough to get me many of their votes. But the important thing is that they have had the chance to hear what I stand for and believe in; truth is more important sometimes than agreement.
I’m sure people would prefer politicians to answer questions honestly. If politicians only give the answers that they know (or think) an audience want to hear, then there’s little way people can vote appropriately.
On another note, I don’t think anyone can support every policy their party comes out with — it’s more a matter of finding the ones that’s closest. For honest, hard working, tax paying, caring individuals, I honestly believe that that is the Liberal Democrats and, for East Worthing and Shoreham inhabitants, that is you!
I, like most people, appreciate above all honesty, something so rare in politicians, let’s face it.
So I shall be honest with you, too : I am wondering why you think that homoeopathy is somesthing “hippie-ish”? It may be an “alternative” medicine, but let’s not forget that homoeopathy was used long before “orthodox” medicine came about. What people fail to realise is that the two work very well together, and that it is so often better to use homoeopathy where one can, in order to avoid using too many strong drugs, antibiotics etc which can often have side effects.
To say that homoeopathy does not have its place in the NHS is, in my view, shortsighted.
Homoeopathy and alternative treatments are a valuable resource for doctors to be able to draw up when offering treatments.
I suffer with Fibromyalgia and M.E. There are no cures as yet, but with homoeopathy, I have been given a chance of more relief than what the orthodox medicine can offer me so far, i.e. anti-depressants to relax the muscles, and without it, I would be having to use a wheelchair permanently.
When my daughter was a toddler, instead of running to my doctor every time she had an ear infection, or when she had croup and other infantile problems, I treated her homoeopathically and therefore, not only was it better for her than being bombarded with antibiotics, but it saved a lot of money to the NHS.
(These days I even treat my dog with homoeopathy! and if it works in babies and even in animals, how can one say it’s all hippie-ish fantasy?)
Naturally, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I felt I needed to share mine with you.
Regards,
Myriam Bay
Myriam
Well, my use of the word hippieish was probably not well-considered, but I don’t think it stands up to any scrutiny. Homeopathy wasn’t used long before orthodox medicine, it’s only been around since the end of the 18th century; it’s not the same as herbal medicine, which does have a grounding in medicine and chemistry. All the scientific research that has been done has shown that any effect from homeopathy is merely a placebo effect, and I don’t think it’s ethical or effective for the NHS to support it on that basis.