On the day of the voting across West Sussex for the re-election of Katy Bourne as Police and Crime Commissioner and the Worthing ward elections that boosted Labour control, I visited each polling station to thank the staff helping people to vote.
The Electoral Commission recommended voter ID about ten years ago. There is debate about whether that needs to be photographic or whether the official poll card or a credit or debit or student card would be enough.
I argued recently in parliament for caution in face of the apparent movement in public opinion on assisted dying, or euthanasia for people whether close to death or not close to death, or as the Canadians name it MAID, medical assistance in death.
Everyone wishes to be spared pain and distress in our last days or hours. End-of-life care can be remarkably comforting and effective.
I mention this because my short speech on assisted suicide brought many appreciative words of agreement from people I respect. Most constituents have experience of others on the fast or slow progress towards death. Many have nursed the dying or served their needs in many ways. Their voices should be heard. I ask people to look beyond the admitted hard cases to how the limited exceptions arguments have led in other places to surprising levels of accelerated deaths.
It was impressive to attend the Air Ambulances UK briefing on helping the air ambulance charities save even more lives each day. On average, the helicopter can reach someone in critical need in just over a quarter of an hour. Volunteers and fundraising ensure the best possible chance of survival for everyone needing lifesaving pre-hospital care.
The Sussex Surrey and Kent Air Ambulance Charity is appealing for £1 million ‘Buy it for Life’ to help secure ownership of a second rescue helicopter. This can provide a lifeline for the people of Arun and Worthing and the surrounding districts. Last year there were over 3,000 missions to people in urgent need.
I support the parliamentary group for women’s health. If medical issues for women throughout life had received as much attention as for men, lives would be better. Too often, females were rather overlooked, whether in designing car seat belts, testing strengths and efficacy of medicines, and in allocating greater levels of resources for women’s conditions.
Girlguiding launched their most recent survey of Girls’ Attitudes. I attended with one of the two Brownies in my team. Two presenters were explicit about life’s unfair share of risks. My preference was to concentrate most attention to the positive results of joining the largest UK youth organisation dedicated completely to girls.
See their website: girls can do anything; find all about Girlguiding, the promise every girl makes, see how they run, and note the impact made for the good in girls’ lives. The attitude survey of younger females does show troubling trends in happiness levels and lists issues that trouble them. I read with interest their views on appearance pressures and body image, together with the not-always-helpful influence of the media and of influencers.
Girls reported what would help them feel safer online, having reports being taken seriously, and removing harmful online content.
In recent days I enjoyed being with Catriona Goldsmith at Palantine school with her pupils, parents and fellow staff to recognise the wonderful extension, and to remember former pupils and a special member of staff. It was a memorable occasion. Everyday there are miracles there. I pay tribute to Russ Cochran for all he has done for families living with disabilities and for his help in winning the SEND school now intended for Durrington.
In times of troubles and of joy, we depend on our lawyers. At the Worthing Law Society dinner, I thanked President Gabrielle Wagstaffe and the solicitors and their teams for all they do to improve our lives.
