Dear Editor
Many of your readers will know at least one of the 250,000 children and adults in the UK with myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.), also diagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS, or M.E./CFS) – though they may not see the devastating toll this serious neurological condition can take. Continue reading Letters: Support the M.E. study
For all the divisions on display in this election campaign, there’s one point nearly all voters agree on: the desperate need for reform in Westminster.
Yet despite many parties commenting on the need for change in their manifestos, the issue of political reform has been dangerously absent from the campaign trail.
This radio silence is indefensible when polling for the Electoral Reform Society shows 85% of people feel that politics isn’t working, and 80% feel they have little or no influence on decision-making today. With public faith this low our politicians cannot afford to stay silent.
The signs of democratic decay are all around us – from an electoral system that wastes votes on an industrial scale, to the private members’ club that is the unelected House of Lords. This year we’ve seen our parliament lunge from crisis to crisis.
This election is a watershed moment for our democracy – inaction is not an option. Today we are calling for leaders to make the issue of updating and transforming Westminster front and centre, as part of #DemocracyDay.
We are asking them all to commit to a constitutional convention involving citizens, to set out how to reform Westminster after the election.
There is a high degree of cross-party unity around issues like updating Britain’s analogue-age campaign rules, spreading power outside of London and reining in our crumbling constitution.
With trust in politics at record lows, voters want to see parties open up about how to overhaul Westminster. Today is an opportunity to do just that. It is time for all parties to present their proposals with pride and passion.
Let’s start to build a better politics.
Willie Sullivan Electoral Reform Society
Ruth Lister Compass
Klina Jordan and Joe Sousek Make Votes Matter
Frances Foley Citizens Convention UK
Alexandra Runswick Unlock Democracy
Neal Lawson Up To Us
Anthony Barnett OpenDemocracy
Jennifer Nadel Compassion In Politics
Matteo Bergamini Shout Out UK
Tabitha Morton More United
Richard Murphy Professor of International Political Economy, City, University of London
Heidi Allen and Peter Dunphy Unite to Remain
Ed Dowker Represent.me
Mark Cridge mySociety
Richard Tunnicliffe and Sue Ellar Represent Us
Dimitri Scarlato the 3million
Paul Thistlethwaite XR Future Democracy Hub
Indra Adnan The Alternative
Andrew Pendleton New Economics Foundation
John Doolan and Paul Blomfield Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform
Keith Sharp Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform
Frances Scott 50:50 Parliament
Jon Christensen Tax Justice Network
Dear Editor
Imagine being diagnosed with a cancer that no-one has heard of, that even your doctor might never have seen before. This is the case for over 5,300 people in the UK diagnosed with sarcoma every year.
This is a tenth of those found with breast cancer, meaning that those diagnosed with sarcoma might never meet someone who shares the same type as them; in many ways, sarcoma is the loneliest cancer.
Sarcomas are tumours that develop in the body’s soft tissue or bones and they can appear in almost any part of the body.
I am all too aware of the devastating impact of sarcoma as my close friend and mentor Simon Mellows tragically died of the disease. He was a constant inspiration to me and was instrumental in my journey from running my first marathon to becoming the world record-holder for leg amputees and 200m Paralympic champion.
As patron of Sarcoma UK, I am supporting the launch of a new report which I hope goes some way to raising awareness among the general public and healthcare professionals of the condition and silent symptoms which can lead to late or misdiagnosis, often with heart-breaking consequences. Indeed, only 55% sarcoma patients survive for five or more years after diagnosis.
With greater general awareness, diagnosis could be quicker, treatment could be more effective and funding for pioneering research could be increased. Lives in the UK could genuinely be saved and at the very least cut the suffering caused by this rare, aggressive and often cruel cancer.
If you want more information on our new report or symptoms of sarcoma visit: sarcoma.org.uk.
Richard Whitehead MBE
Paralympian & Patron of Sarcoma UK
Dear Editor
When you consider the vast array of skills developedand used every day by working people in all walks of life; it is truly amazing.
We all rely on the skills of others in so many ways.
Sometimes we forget that it is people like us who are providing all the goods and services that we take for granted. It is the ordinary working people who, with their skill and compassion, make life possible for everyone.
It is the same 99% of the peoplewho create, clean, repair and care for us that also generate the wealth, but have little control over. The ownership of that wealth has now become the property of others.
The workers who created the wealth now find themselves with no say in how it should be invested or distributed, and low pay and unfairness continues.
The workers who created the wealth now find themselves with no say in how it should be invested or distributed and low pay and unfairness continues.
The wealth created by the 99% now belongs to the few. It is time that this historic confidence trick is challenged and all workers are awarded, and involved in, who benefits from our national wealth.
A. Delahoy
Silverknowes Gardens
Dear Editor
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E., sometimes diagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome) is a fluctuating, neurological condition that can severely affect someone’s ability to live and work.
Difficulties in diagnosing it can leave people searching for answers about how to manage. The free Mentor M.E. project can help.
Being a parent, coping with work, managing well-being, feeling isolated, losing contact with friends, and challenging misconceptions about this invisible illness are all topics our mentors have supported mentees with.
If you have M.E., or care for someone who does, get in touch to find out how we can help.
Avril McLean
Scotland Project Coordinator, Action for M.E.
Tel: 07753 247099
Email: avril@actionforme.org.uk
Dear Editor
Cats are much-loved pets, yet many of your readers may be surprised to learn that they do not have the same level of protection as dogs when it comes to microchipping. Continue reading Letters: Cats Protection calls for mandatory microchipping
Dear Editor,
You never know how you would act in an emergency, yet our actions could save a life.
This is why I think it’s fantastic that, after 10 years of campaigning by the British Red Cross, it will be compulsory for first aid skills to be taught in all state schools in England from 2020. It’s an impactful way to give young people the confidence they need to help someone.
As parents, Ben and I are so thrilled our children will be able to learn these important skills so that they never feel completely helpless in an emergency situation.
It’s also a relief knowing that if anything were to happen to them in the future, more people might be able to help.
So many women I know, especially those weaning their babies, are terrified of the possibility of their child choking. But children learning first aid could make all the difference if one of their younger siblings was choking at home.
This new legislation, however, is just for schools in England. At the moment teaching first aid in schools in the rest of the UK is optional.
We support the British Red Cross’s calls for it to become a compulsory part of the curriculum throughout the UK so all school children get the same chance to learn how to save a life.
Marina Fogle
Marina Fogle is a campaigner, co-founder of the Bump Class and host of The ParentHood podcast. She is married to British Red Cross Ambassador and TV adventurer Ben and mother to Ludo and Iona.
Dear Editor
A pet cat can be the centre of home life, being a constant presence in their owner’s lives for many years. It’s therefore understandable that the death of a cat can come as a shock, and many owners can find it difficult to come to terms with their loss.
Grieving for a cat may become more difficult as the death of a pet is not always seen as a significant loss, leading some people to hide their feelings. This means many people avoid talking about how grief has affected them, which can cause them to feel very alone.
Ahead of Grief Awareness Day (30 August), Cats Protection is highlighting its free and confidential Paws to Listen support service, so people facing the loss of a cat do not have to feel alone.
The service is run by trained volunteers who offer emotional support in coping with the loss of a cat. The service also includes a range of resources and information on its website, including understanding euthanasia and how to help children deal with the death of a cat.
The service is available between 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays. Anyone wishing to use the service can call 0800 024 9494 and a call back service is available if lines are busy. Alternatively, an email service is available by emailing pawstolisten@cats.org.uk
For more information, please visit www.cats.org.uk/grief
Catherine Joyce, Paws to Listen Team Leader
Cats Protection, National Cat Centre, Lewes Road, Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath RH17 7TT
Dear Editor,
Are you living with Heart disease, or do you care for someone who is? If so, the British Heart Foundation Scotland (BHF) wants to hear from you.
We are at a crossroads in our national approach to heart disease. BHF Scotland believes the time is right to have a conversation about what national priorities for these conditions should be in the future.
BHF Scotland is holding a patient engagement day to gather information, opinions and experiences from people living with heart disease to help shape our ideas about what national priorities should be.
If you are interested in attending our event to find out more and share your experiences then please contact:
Kylie Strachan
Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer
British Heart Foundation Scotland
The Cube
43a Leith Street
Edinburgh EH1 3AT
Email: barclayk@bhf.org.uk
Telephone: 0131 561 3362 | Ext: 3362
Dear Editor
Meningitis Now is a charity that means a lot to me from my own personal experience of falling ill with the disease when I was 18. I wholeheartedly support and admire the work they do to raise much needed awareness.
This is why I was delighted to be asked to contribute a recipe to the charity for their Brew & Bake fundraiser – a wonderful way to bring people together to enjoy some delicious treats while raising money for a great cause.
My recipe is for an Orange and Poppy Seed cake but the great thing about this idea is you can keep things as simple – or as complicated – as you like. Whether your serve my cake, one of your own tasty recipes, or just break open a pack of biscuits, you’ll be doing something amazing to help families around the country living with the impact of meningitis.
To find out more about Brew&Bake please visit Meningitis Now’s special fundraising page. I hope you will join us with your own special event – after all, who doesn’t love a slice of cake and a good old cup of tea?
Warm wishes,
Tana Ramsay
Meningitis Now Celebrity Ambassador
