Walaa's Weekly Wrap-Up ~ November 30, 2013

For some reason it appears, either no one exactly knows how many Bulgarians and Romanians are coming to this country in the New Year – or the numbers are so huge no one dares speaks them!

No one that is including Bulgarian and Romanian officials, who should at least have an idea how many have applied for permits.

How bizarre?!

That is why; this government issuing measures to reduce benefit abuses makes perfect sense. Preparing for the anticipated is good management practice and should be welcomed. And most appreciate it, except ‘of course’ Labour and UKIP. But we already know both won’t benefit ‘politically’ from the measure.

Labour is unhappy because they take being an opposition literally. Many times, they object before seeing the full facts! Then later say ‘if elected’ they will stick to the government’s policy. Unfortunately, UKIP on the other hand, are coming across as a hateful party that absolutely does not like anyone or anything.

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Lauran Sandys announcing she is stepping down after only one term is unfortunate. We never met so I don’t know her – but those who do say very nice things about her. I do wish her good luck.

But I do know she is the third female Conservative MP to quit ‘a marginal seat’ after only one term. Louise Mensch was the first, last year she handed Corby back to Labour with a sizable majority. Then in September, Lorraine Fullbrook the South Ribble MP also decided to pack it in after nursing her seat for two parliaments!

You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to see that something is the matter.

Either the Commons is not a place for women which some might dispute. After all there are many women who seem to happily and successfully juggle work and family as MPs. But also there are many female MPs who forgo a family life for a political one.

Or could it be something internal, like the A’List for instance? Let’s be honest – the A’List was a manufactured forcibly injected equilibrium of more women and BMEs. A’Listers were mostly handpicked, many didn’t have their heart and soul 100% in becoming MPs yet could not resist the allure of becoming one.

Either or there seems to be a problem.

One or two women stepping down for family reasons can be expected. Three leaving is interesting. But when you hear, according to ConservativeHome, more will announce they are leaving by the end of this parliament. Then something is seriously the matter.

Not one to beat on a dead horse (the A’List), I do hope the Conservatives; the party of meritocracy, equal opportunity and hard graft has learnt the lesson form that one.

Modernising is good. And like all good things in life it is only strong if it comes about organically, from the ground up and not the other way round.

The Conservatives is the most naturally evolved and evolving party, just look at our history; we passed the test of times time and again. We should respect and be proud of that.

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Parents sharing childcare leave for up to a year, though on the surface it sounds like a fair idea, as it allows couples a choice which parent to stay home longer, but look deep and it could be problematic.

I am not even going to address its implications on businesses, particularly small businesses.

In the early weeks of any child, parenting is far more than who gives the night feed and changes the first nappy. There is a nurturing bond between mother and child that can never be replaced by a father or a hired help and here is where this move can be serious.

The first months of any child’s life are very crucial to the his development. It is an important time and a journey of nurturing and discovery for both mother and child. It is therefore vital that we understand that, and in helping families to coop and manage their times and finances not forget the biology of it all.

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Banning the Khat surprised even me. Then why don’t we ban marijuana, heroin, coke and how about alcohol and cigarettes1? They are all bad for our health.

As a Conservative, I find it very difficult to justify banning stuff.

Instead of banning and instantly creating a black-market for the banned product, why not fully educate about its harm? Use ex- users to talk to students and communities. Let people learn then decide for themselves.

It is proactive and less intrusive into peoples’ lives!

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