Shaken not stirred

Click on the above link to read a funny article in today's Times newspaper. If you can't see the link you can copy and paste the below text into your browser...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/men/article2422787.ece

So are you more security conscious these days? I guess TV does have a big part to play in our knowledge of the security service. In fact, it is probably the only way we find out how they operate, and we assume that the programmes are true to life.

So, if you see a strange unmarked white van parked up your street, do you think "Ah delivery man" or "I wonder if Malcolm needs some help with his comm links?" Is it good to know what threats are out there, or is ignorance bliss?

Comments link below - if you are so inclined.

Citizen Juries

No doubt you have heard about the PM's speech and his interview on Radio 4 today.

Basically, the gov are trying to reconnect the public with politics. Supposedly, GB wants the public to get involved in policy and decision making. This public "ownership" of society's problems will help solve the issues of crime, youth problems, education failures etc. There are going to be citizens juries, a citizen summit and a Speakers conference. For information on what a citizen jury is, see this site http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/regulation/consultation/consultation_guidance/methods_of_consultation/citizens_juries_forums.asp
(I found this site via Google. Is this site meant to be accessible to the public? Some of the comments made me wonder if I was meant to be able to read this).

So has GB had a personality transplant? During his time as Chancellor, he was famously known for only listening to people with the same opinion as him ie. dismissing people who had opposing views to himself. So now GB has realised that public involvement is needed to sort out all of societies ills. The majority of the speech talked about society problems and how 'together' we can build a better future for Britain. However, there were a few pointers to what I suspect were the main reasons for this new change in politics:

1) GB said the number of people voting in general elections is falling rapidly.
2) He also said the membership of a political party has declined from 1 in 11 to 1 in 88 during the last 50 years.
3) He suggested lowering the voting age to 16yrs.
4) He talked often about 'centre' ground, which is obviously where you catch more voters.
5) Suggested that voting could be moved to the weekend instead of the traditional Thursdays.

So, is this a desperate attempt to win votes, or is Mr Brown really willing to relinquish some power by collaborating with opposition parties and the public, or am I just too cynical?


TTFN
R

Fixed the BBC news panel

You may have noticed a fault with the BBC News panel. It is fixed now.

R