Conservative health report - Motherhood and apple pie?

The Conservative Health Policy Working group has reported. I have scanned the report to the point where I nodded off about two-thirds of the way through. It is full of motherhood and apple pie with recommendations which wouldn't stand up to scrutiny as "SMART" targets (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). Most of the proposals are anodyne to the extent that the government could easily say it is already achieving them.

Just before I nodded off, I came across one concrete suggestion: The NHS Health Miles Card:

We have considered ideas such as a ‘NHS Health Miles Card’ to promote the concept of wellbeing. Although much work would be required for development; we think that the creation of a small individual benefit scheme would change the language of health from illness to wellbeing. We are attracted by the idea of promoting health awareness through marketing tools.
Health miles could be given as ‘reward points’ for giving up smoking, losing weight, receiving immunisations or attending screening programmes. Such rewards could be redeemed against fresh vegetables, discounted gym membership, or priority within other public services. Clearly pilot studies, further evidence and investigation would be required to identify how local interplay and clinical discretion may be applied and even whether such a scheme should be designed to address the greatest health needs or social deprivation. There are many possibilities and co-operation across business could generate many wider benefits.

It's an interesting idea. I have long thought that there is mileage in somehow encouraging people to go to the gym more. This might actually do something in that direction.

Rushdie havoc - is the honours system worth it?

The Sir Salmon Rushdie affair is creating havoc. Oh dear.

I am not a fan of the honours system. In fact, I would not weep if it was ended. It is odious that many people get honours for simply doing their job. The class differentiation which is inherent in the system is nauseating.

Having said that, many fine people have been honoured. I don't begrudge Beefy Botham his knighthood, given that he has raised £10million for Leukemia research.

I am quite happy with Rushdie getting an honour. But it is causing such an almighty stink that you begin to wonder if there is any point having an honours system at all.

The Pope lays down the "Ten Commandments of Driving"

I welcome the fact that the Pope has laid down the "Ten Commandments of Driving". Before anyone dies of laughing up their sleeve, I do think there is a role for faith in driving. It is refreshing that the Pope is reminding his flock that a car is a deadly weapon if used in the wrong ways, and that inappropriate anger is easily generated at the wheel. I also think it is fitting for him to remind his followers not to use cars for glorification.

As someone has said, this is unlikely to go down well with the Ferrari owning and coveting Italians.

Blair feared US would "nuke the s**t out of Afghanistan"

Former British Ambassador to the US, Christopher Meyer has said that Tony Blair feared that the USA would "nuke the s**t" out of Afghanistan in revenge for 9-11.

In Channel Four's two part documentary, "The Rise and Fall of Tony Blair", Meyer says:

Blair's real concern was that there would be quote unquote 'a kneejerk reaction' by the Americans... they would go thundering off and nuke the s**t out of the place without thinking straight.

The Mirror reports:

In Channel 4's candid two-part documentary The Rise and Fall of Tony Blair, Mr Meyer claims the threat explains why the Prime Minister vowed to stand "shoulder-to-shoulder" with Bush over the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan - to thwart his allguns blazing battle plan.

But it meant sending British troops to Iraq knowing Washington had NOT made preparations for its post-war reconstruction.

From the other side of the pond, Daily Kos comments in outspoken terms:

The next time a world leader feels like legitimizing some reckless endeavor because they think they can keep control of Americans better by working on the inside, I have a request: don't do us any bloody favors. And Tony, if you wanted to stop this war, the way to do it was to speak out against it, not pal up with the instigator. W***er.

(My asterisks)

Voters see Cameron as a lightweight and Tory party as very right wing

A YouGov survey for Channel Four News shows that voters think that Cameron is very lightweight and that the Tory party is very right-wing.

David Cameron is failing to persuade voters that the Conservative Party has changed under his leadership. Voters perceive the party to be as right wing as it was under Michael Howard's leadership. They see David Cameron nearer the centre, but still further to the right than Gordon Brown is to the left.

A YouGov poll for Channel Four News found that the Tory party stands at +52 on a scale from +100 (very right wing) via 0 (the centre) to -100 (very left wing), even though Cameron's perceived political position is +33, well to the left of the Conservative party.

When asked whether voters thought Brown and Cameron were "HEAVYWEIGHT OR LIGHTWEIGHT POLITICIANS" Brown scores a big win.

As comparative attributes, these are the net scores i.e. plus giving positive answer, minus giving negative answer:

Brown +44, Cameron -50.

This is very bad news for Cameron. Basically, the voters see him as a lightweight who is unable to drag his party over from the hard right-wing.

Can I just say one more thing? Cameron is a lightweight. That's L-I-G-H-T-W-E-I-G-H-T.

Conservative Home has an excellent graphic of the poll here.

Lewis Hamilton aged seven on Blue Peter

Here's a video of Lewis Hamilton on BBC's Blue Peter, aged seven. He was interviewed by John Leslie while operating a remote-control model race car. The video also shows a later appearance when he was aged twelve, go-karting. Click on "Archive: Lewis Hamilton aged 12 on Blue Peter".

Stunning progress of Lewis Hamilton

The success of Lewis Hamilton is just breathtaking. The way he staved off Alonso's determined harrying in the first lap yesterday was mind-bloggling in its brilliance. Old Formula One hands aren't surprised. I wish him continued success. It is interesting to observe how Hamilton follows Button, in the same way that Murray is, hopefully, following Henman. All the disappointments of watching nearly-man Button, are now washed away by the staggering success of Hamilton. Below - highlights from yesterday: