Does Labour "do God"?

The Parliamentary candidate for my constituency is Nancy Platt. The contact page on Nancy Platt's website states: "Nancy is keen to hear from you. Whether you need help with a campaign or a local problem, or want to know more about her views on policy or other issues, don't hesitate to get in touch. Nancy or one of the team will get back to you as quickly as possibly."

As I am something of a floating voter I was anxious to get her views on a subject I feel strongly about, namely, the intrusion of religious influences into Government policy-making and the  continuing presence of Bishops in the House of Lords. I therefore wrote to Nancy and to the other main parties in Brighton;  Greens,  Conservatives and Liberal Democrats,  asking for their comments.

My queries were first sent via the internet, in Nancy's case via her website.  I had prompt responses from the Greens, Lib Dems and Conservatives but nothing from Labour. Thinking there might be some fault with Nancy's website I wrote a letter and posted it on  14 January. Here it is:-

"As I haven’t received a response to my query through your website of several days ago I am repeating it here (as best I can remember).
As a member of the local Fabians and a supporter of the National Secular Society I was disappointed to read Gordon Brown’s recent remark on the subject of religion in politics. He said:-
“I don’t subscribe to the view that religion should somehow be tolerated but not encouraged in public life, that you can somehow ask people to leave their faith at the door when they enter a town hall or a Commons chamber.”
This is exactly the view I DO subscribe to, and that people entering public life should expect to declare the extent of their religious convictions as they do their financial interests.
I am also against the recent appointment by John Denham of 13 so-called "faith advisors". What are they qualified to advise on except their religious dogmas?
I am strongly of the opinion that Government policy should be based on rationality, logic and scientific advice, that the bishops should be removed from the Lords and religion restricted to the private sphere.
I should be interested to hear your views. Please feel free to email."
  
I am still awaiting a reply . . . . . .

"There's nothing in it" - Demonstration against Homeopathy

10.23 HOMEOPATHY THERE'S NOTHING IN IT.

At 10:23am on January 30th, more than three hundred homeopathy sceptics nationwide,  including Brighton, will be taking part in a mass homeopathic 'overdose' in protest at Boots' continued endorsement and sale of homeopathic remedies, and to raise public awareness about the fact that homeopathic remedies have nothing in them.

Sceptics and consumer rights activists will publicly swallow an entire bottle of homeopathic 'pillules' to demonstrate that these 'remedies', prepared according to a long-discredited 18th century ritual, are nothing but sugar pills.

The protest aims to raise public awareness about the reality of homeopathy, and put further pressure on Boots to live up to its responsibilites as the 'scientist on the high street' and stop selling treatments which do not work.

contact@1023.org.uk

The Mirage

The promised "9 superb ultra luxurious apartments set within an iconic boutique development" (named "The Mirage") became this:-

Not bad at all really and the detached house and garden it replaced had begun to look anachronistic for its busy seafront setting. Not sure about the name,"The Mirage", but the design harmonises without resorting to pastiche. Not too tall. Turns the corner of Kingsway & Vallence nicely and steps down to the height of the houses in Vallence. Traditional build wall along the pavement.

Run Brighton Marathon for the Samaritans

The local branch of the Samaritans still have 4 paid-up entry places left.

If you would like one of them please email; brighton@samaritans.org or phone 01273 738115. Runners need to be registered by 31st January.

Anyone who already has a place and would like to run and raise money for our branch, please get in contact any time before April and the Samaritans will support them in their training and fund-raising.

The Black Horse, Church Street . . . .

 . . . is now called "112 Church Street".

Call me a traditionalist, but I prefer "The Black Horse", as a name, so much more romantic; and I prefer the black paint and the solid-looking gold lettering.

I wonder if the changes made any difference to the takings?