Opinion: Could you save a life?
As a Prospective Parliamentary Candidate I have received emails from St John Ambulance and from the British Red Cross, both wishing to promote First Aid. But what about mental health first aid? With...
View ArticleOpinion: Water of Life
View image | gettyimages.com Today many Christians are celebrating Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Jesus, whether you view him as historical figure, prophet or messiah, used...
View ArticleOpinion: Please vote
You have to register to vote by tomorrow, 20 April. If you haven’t already registered, please do! Here’s the online link: Register to vote – GOV.UK Yesterday I attended a Wartime Tea Concert in my...
View ArticleOpinion: My vision
As a Parliamentary Candidate I received innumerable emails on a range of issues. One said: Right, Kirsten. You’ve come into my house via your election pamphlet so here’s me coming into yours via an...
View ArticleOpinion: Non-Linear Values: The Z Coordinate
Since the General Election arguments have raged over whether we, or particular people in the party, are centrist, left of centre or right of centre, and, if so, how much left or right of centre. I...
View ArticleAgenda 2020 essay #1: What it means to be a Liberal Democrat today
Editor’s Note: The party is currently running an essay competition for members of the Liberal Democrats, to submit 1000 words on the theme “What it means to be a Liberal Democrat today.” The deadline...
View ArticleListening, not just hearing
I have had several requests through facebook from voters on both sides of the EU issue on how to find a healthy, positive way forward. As deeply upset as many of us still are, it is difficult to think...
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Your Liberal Britain – Oxford East Event
When asked to chair a meeting in Oxford East for the Your Liberal Britain initiative my heart sank. Having been through all the Lib Dem soul-searching last year, written a post-election blog, My...
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Please write to your MP – Parity of Esteem for Mental and Physical First Aid
Writing a blog on Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) as a 2015 General Election candidate set off a string of events. I was contacted by MHFA England CEO Poppy Jaman and we met to discuss her vision of...
View ArticleRatifying the Istanbul Convention
Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. It is also the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign which runs to December 10th, Human...
View ArticleThe Green Agenda: Lib Dems in Business dinner
The environment was our theme at the Liberal Democrats in Business dinner in Oxford last night (after a session of polling-day phone banking for Sarah Olney!). We were pleased to welcome as speakers...
View ArticleOne mental health first aider per school is not enough
I welcomed Theresa May’s announcement on Monday in which she said “every secondary school in the country [is] to be offered mental health first aid training”. MHFA England has campaigned for many years...
View ArticleCompassion Fatigue? Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children
On Wednesday there was the announcement that we would not take any more child refugees. Noticeable that the government released this statement the same day of the Brexit vote! And this story was not...
View ArticleInternational Women’s Day – Who cares?
Today we are celebrating International Women’s Day. For some, it is a chance to recognise the achievements of women in the arts, sport and science; to others it is an opportunity to highlight...
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Notes from a new Councillor: The beginning
I was elected as Oxfordshire County Councillor in the May elections, my first time ever being elected to public office. What a whirlwind the first two months have been! Complicated by the small matter...
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Notes from a new Councillor: My maiden speech
Both nervous and determined, I stood to make my first speech at the full Oxfordshire County Council meeting on July 11th. In fact, I spoke twice. First, I supported the motion for the County Council to...
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Notes from a new Councillor: Taking Action
Many residents have contacted me with road concerns. I was warned before the election that roads would take a lot of my time! The list goes on and on: potholes, drainage, dips in the road, worn...
View ArticleNotes from a new councillor: opposing Conservative cuts to children’s centres
One of the key elements in my campaign for election as Oxfordshire County Councillor was the cut in funding many of the Children’s Centres throughout Oxfordshire. The closure of the Maple Tree...
View ArticleNotes from a new councillor: How to change things
I am frustrated about the bureaucracy I recently encountered as a County Councillor. Oxfordshire Mind, which provides many valuable mental health services throughout the county, has a new initiative to...
View ArticleNotes from a new councillor: Why we need decent bus services
I attended my first Cabinet Meeting recently as Oxfordshire County Councillor. OCC is led by a coalition of Conservatives and Independents. The question I put was: Many villages in Wheatley Division...
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