Election update

My last blog post was an open letter to the liberal democrat candidate for our area. And, to be fair to her, she responded even though she admitted that it had taken a lot of her time. Since then we've traded a couple of emails on the Digital Economy bill, and whilst we disagree on a few things (such as the funding of alternative therapies on the NHS) I'm very glad that she took the time.

I have emailed every other candidate in our area, with the exception of the UKIP candidate, because bizarrely I can't find any email contact details for him. I know that not everyone has email, but surely it's a cheap way to connect to the electorate. OK, I admit that I'm extremely unlikely to ever vote for UKIP, however it seems only fair to ask them all the same questions.

The Green Party candidate also kindly took the time to reply to me, although I disagree with many of his convictions.  He did take the time to reply to my follow up email, which again I appreciated, even if the reply wasn't to my liking.

From the Labour and Conservative candidates? Nothing. Supposedly they are the most likely to win in my area. So why no reply? Were my questions too difficult? Too many? (If so, I think tough. They should just be happy that someone my age cares enough to ask in the first place). Are they just assuming they'll win so don't actually have to engage with me?

So I publicly named my local Lib Dem candidate on this blog, and whilst no more than about three people probably read this I feel it's only right to now publicly say - Dan Norris of Labour and Jacob Rees-Mogg of the Conservative Party: why no reply yet?

Here are the questions, you have my email, feel free to reply at any time before the election:

1) Do you feel that the current paternity leave entitlement is fair?
2) Do you feel that a woman should be allowed to return to work and her partner take over her remaining maternity leave so that she can resume her career if that suits their circumstances?
3) Do you support the reform of libel laws in England and Wales, and if so what will you do to further the cause?
4) Do you believe that schools should be allowed to determine admission based on religious belief?
5) Do you agree with faith schools, and that children should be encouraged to take part in morning assembly with a religious slant?
6) Are you in favour of the current academy system introduced by New Labour, and do you believe that academies should be allowed to set their own curriculum?
7) Should schools be allowed to teach creationism as an equivalent theory to evolution?
8) Do you believe that religious belief should be legally protected from ridicule?
9) Should Sharia law be allowed as an alternative system within UK law?
10) Should an independent government adviser whose views in their area of expertise conflict with government policy be able to express those views publicly without fear of being sacked? (I am of course referring to the case of Professor David Nutt)
11) Furthermore, should policy-makers trust scientific evidence even when it appears counter-intuitive?
12) Should religious leaders be entitled to vote in the House of Lords?
13) Do you support the use of public funds to provide unproven alternative “treatments” such as homeopathy?
14) Do you agree with the Digital Economy Bill in its current format?