Meet the new boss

How bizarre to have a coronation instead of an election to decide our new prime minister. I'm not sure if Gordon Brown will make a good / bad / better / worse prime minister, but it doesn't feel right to have him ushered in in this way, it's only going to cause resentment among voters when it comes to the next election. This means the Conservatives are likely to walk it, doesn't it? I am sure that would be A Bad Thing.

On the pllus side, in the time it's taken me to figure out how to reset the IPOD without iTunes being able to see it, it's sorted itself out and is talking to the computer again.

2007 :: Comment / reply

Alright, Mr Gordon Brown is listening to me...

Another petition, regarding a tax on plastic bags. With the news that M&S are stopping giving them away, things are rollling in a greener direction. With this, and the recent sunday newspaper story that Brucie probably WILL be getting his knighthood soon, I'm feeling like some sort of government advisor right now. Next stop; abolition of stamp duty in Canterbury, a reduction in ale duty, and a prohibitive tax on dairy products.

Thank you for signing the e-petition about the usage of plastic bags.

As you may have seen from recent media reports, this is a subject that the Prime Minister feels strongly about. As he said last year, our eventual aim should be to eliminate single-use carrier bags altogether. Plastic bags are the most easily reducible form of waste, cutting them out of our lives is one of the most straightforward ways we can all do something directly to improve our environment, reduce pollution and stop their harm to wildlife.

We want people to refuse disposable bags in shops, but if they do accept them, to reuse and eventually recycle them. If we all adopted this approach as a nation we could cut sharply the 13 billion plastic bags, or ten a week for the typical household, which are used and wasted every year.

But we can go further than this. As the Prime Minister has said, if Government compulsion is needed to make the change, we will take the necessary steps. The Government does not take such steps lightly but the damage that single-use plastic bags inflict on the environment is such that strong action must be taken. We have not decided on what precise scheme would work best - we will look at the experiences of other countries around the world in deciding how to approach the problem.The important thing is to come up with a scheme that will be of most benefit, most quickly. Ideally at the same time to secure funds for organisations that help protect our environment.

The actions of millions of British people will send a message right across the world that - as with light bulbs, and standby settings - we can address the danger to our planet. Through the Climate Change Bill, our Act on CO2 campaign, and a new impetus for renewable energy, we are leading the way.

2008 :: Comment / reply

Mr Gordon Brown refused my demand to abolish religious mythology in schools

Well fancy that. Do you think that one day a boy will ever be born who can swim faster than a shark one of these petitions will provoke anything other than a dismissal?

We received a petition asking:

"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Abolish all faith schools and prohibit the teaching of creationism and other religious mythology in all UK schools."

Details of Petition:

"Faith schools remove the rights of children to choose their own religious, philosophical and ethical beliefs. They also sanction ethnic segregation and create tension and divisiveness within society. Schools should be places where children are given a free education, not centres for indoctrination. Creationism and other religious myths should not be taught as fact regardless of the funding status of a school. Abolishing faith schools will provide children with more freedom of choice and help to promote a fully multi-cultural, peaceful society."

* Read the petition
* home page

Read the Government's response

The Government remains committed to a diverse range of schools for parents to choose from, including schools with a religious character or "faith schools" as they are commonly known.

Religious Education (RE) in all schools, including faith schools, is aimed at developing pupils' knowledge, understanding and awareness of the major religions represented in the country. It encourages respect for those holding different beliefs and helps promote pupils' moral, cultural and mental development. In partnership with national faith and belief organisations we have introduced a national framework for RE.

In February 2006, the faith communities affirmed their support for the framework in a joint statement making it clear that all children should be given the opportunity to receive inclusive religious education, and that they are committed to making sure the framework is used in the development of religious education in all their schools and colleges.

The Churches have a long history of providing education in this country and have confirmed their commitment to community cohesion. Faith schools have an excellent record in providing high-quality education and serving disadvantaged communities and are some of the most ethnically and socially diverse in the country. Many parents who are not members of a particular faith value the structured environment provided by schools with a religious character.

2008 :: Comment / reply