Natural power

We live in difficult and dangerous times. In a sense, a certain unpredictability has entered the public psyche. I’m not talking about the changing of our Prime Minister, but perhaps much more importantly, the unfolding events in Sheffield and South Yorkshire. A few years ago we saw the World superpower humbled by the power of hurricane Katrina. We saw the wealthiest nation on earth struggling to feed its own people and enforcing extreme measures to keep the rule of law. Nobody is suggesting that we’re witnessing the same in Sheffield, but I certainly think that we have had a taster of things to come. When we see climate change having an enormous effects on the rest of world, it seems to be just that, a world away from us. This week we’ve seen devastating monsoon rains on the Indian Subcontinent, temperatures approaching 50 degrees centigrade in the Mediterranean and now events much closer to home. Apparently some people still feel it unnecessary to make climate change a central issue for politicians.  

Thank goodness that David Cameron has pushed the issue right to the top of the political agenda.  

On Sunday I sat down to view the film “28 days later” which still disturbs me every time I watch it (my third viewing). The interesting point that one of the characters raises at the beginning of the film is that the news was no longer on the television, but in the street and on your doorstep. Climate change certainly appears to be ringing the doorbell. 

Paul

The Doog

The Doog passed away this weekend having reached the age of 69. He was with us at the wolves for eight years but also had spells with Villa, Rovers, Peterborough, Leicester and Portsmouth who bought him to England from Belfast in 1959. He won 43 caps for Northern Ireland but it was with Wolves that he found his home after joining us in 1967. He was without doubt an instrumental member of the 1972 side that reached the Uefa Cup final and in winning the league cup in 1974, beating Man City in the final 2-1. It’s always sad to see the passing of heroes as they are an inspiration and beacon to us all when you start out in life, particularly in your formative years when you develop ideas about the sort person you want to be when you reach adulthood.

Paul

Weekend shopping

 

This weekend we went shopping as a whole family (normally it’s just me, or me and the older children). Last weekend the children had been really impressed with the Italian market.  It was lovely to see the stalls overflowing with fresh Italian produce especially as all of us are big fans of all things Italian, be it fashion, cuisine, the cars or football. We should encourage as many of these markets as possible as they bring a splash of colour to the city. My sister lives in Germany and still regularly shops at a market and as a family we have visited southern Europe on a number of occasions. You can’t help avoid making the connection that markets are often like families, in that they are invariably the heartbeat and the centre of communities.

Paul

Good friends

When you take on the role of a PPC you very quickly find yourself surrounded by people who will just talk to you about politics. Last weekend Kashmir and I attended a charity dinner with some friends, (our first night out since Zara arrived, and probably our last for the next few months). It’s always refreshing to be with people who aren’t concerned about my role as a wannabe MP but who just enjoy my company. Equally they’re all very quick to bring me down to earth if they think I’m getting carried away and always tell me the truth as they see it and not what they think I want to hear. You do need to develop a thick skin in politics as you’re bound to be criticised, sometimes rightly but sometimes perniciously. The latter doesn’t affect you too much, but it does affect friends and family who know what kind of person you are and are protective towards you. Most important of all is to be as normal a person as you can be in Politics and surround yourself with likeminded people. I like to think that will always stand you in good stead, in any political maelstrom.

Paul

The Party Chairman in Wolverhampton

Yesterday Francis Maude was in Wolverhampton. I organised a meeting with the Wolverhampton Elder Asian and Disabled Group. I helped look after my Grandmother in the last few years of her life and this experience made me appreciate and understand the often undervalued work which is shouldered by millions of carers throughout the UK. I’ve written before about the difficulties of raising children in today’s society and that equally applies to looking after those who did exactly that job for us when we were children. After the visit Francis, who is also the Shadow Minister for Wolverhampton said, “I was delighted to have been invited to see the good work undertaken by the Wolverhampton Asian Elder and Disabled Group. It is clear from my discussions with them that there is so much more that can be done to recognise and support the good work that voluntary groups in Wolverhampton provide. The Primary Care Trust and Wolverhampton City Council must do more”.

Paul

Meeting the Mayor at a Hindu celebration

On Sunday morning I attended an annual religious celebration at the Hindu Temple on Penn road. The new Conservative councillor for Penn ( Paul Singh)  and our Conservative candidate in Blakenhall ( Sid Sidhu) accompanied me to the flag raising ceremony. Whilst we were there we had some tea and had a chance to meet with the New Right Worshipful Mayor of Wolverhampton, councillor Trudy Bowen. We gained some useful tips from the new Mayor about dieting, I’m not sure if she was discreetly trying to tell us something.

 Paul

Making a Splash

Last weekend I attended the opening of the newly refurbished Tettenhall pool along with Conservative Councillors Barry Findlay and Jonathan Yardley. We went along naively believing that we could have our photograph taken poolside with shoes and socks firmly kept on. Yes the water was cold, and yes we all caught a chill afterwards but that’s the price you pay when you get involved in politics (that and being ridiculed by friends, family and especially your children ! )

Paul

Family matters

Over the last few weeks I’ve been focusing on our new arrival (we’ve called her Zara). I did the same with my elder Son and daughter and I’ve always thought that it’s vital to spend those first few weeks bonding with a new baby and supporting your family. The other point is that as well as providing help to your partner the older children need attention so that they don’t feel as though they’ve been put on the back burner. It’s a difficult balancing act and without a shadow of doubt in my mind I believe that raising children is perhaps the most demanding job that any individual faces, but equally the most rewarding. I think it’s important that politicians always remember the difficulties that families face not just in raising children but in maintaining a healthy worklife balance. Running a business, being a PPC and being a Dad is pretty demanding on your time, but coming home to the children helps keep your feet on the ground and really does put life in perspective.

Just to give you a snapshot of what I’ve been up to …. I’ve been doing lots of this

Once she’s had her nappy changed the next job is almost always ……….

You do all that so that you can get about four hours of broken sleep, with the objective of achieving this very important and vital aim

Paul