Dame Joan Ruddock
@joan_dame
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MP for Lewisham Deptford 1987 to 2015. Former minister for women,minister for environment, minister for energy and climate change.Memoir 'Going Nowhere'.
London, England
Joined May 2016
I literally feel sick every time I see that smirk and think of the enormous damage he has done to our country.
And you guys went to prison for him. Give your heads a wobble, wipe the racism from your eyes and see who's taking you for a ride. or carry on being mugs.
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Never in my lifetime have we had such a bunch of morons running the country and never in my 28 years in parliament did I see so many government ministers behaving in such an obnoxious way.
James Cleverly told No 10 female guests “a little bit of Rohypnol in her drink every night” kept his wife “always mildly sedated so she can never realise there are better men out there.”. Just after the Home Secretary unveiled a spiking clampdown.
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How on earth did such a dimwit become an MP?.
MP defends Dominic Raab “we are facing a despotism of sissy civil servants”
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Delighted to see Gordon Brown made a Companion of Honour. Whatever you think of the Honours system this is a man being recognised for his outstanding contribution to political thinking, democracy and the developing world.
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A disgusting low in UK politics.
The reference to Shipman should have been removed by the Mail. Not a thought for the thousands of relatives of his victims just to make a cheap jibe at Labour.
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Sammy Wilson DUP says Northern Ireland farmers will have a great opportunity to substitute for high tariff EU fruit following a no deal Brexit. I know climate change is real (he’s a climate change denier)but I was not aware NI farms were producing oranges,lemons, nectarines. .
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Remembering my beautiful husband on his Birthday today. Always in my thoughts and missed every single day.
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Yvette Cooper pins Johnson to the wall at the Liaison Committee. She spoke for every parent in the land.
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We cannot let them get away with this. With hundreds of thousands of followers it must be possible to raise the money if the court doesn’t place a cap on costs.
The Government says it is not in the public interest to know whether it acted unlawfully in spending hundreds of millions or billions on duff PPE with its 'VIPs'.
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What a hoot - glad we’re all enjoying the joke - you know the current government are all beyond belief!.
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Straight out of the Trump song book.
Sunak's Tory farewell speech:. "We reduced absolute poverty. We reduced child poverty. We reduced pensioner poverty". Children in poverty in 2010: 3.6m.Children in poverty in 2024: 4.3m. Pensioners in poverty in 2010: 1.6m.Pensioners in poverty in 2024: 2.1m. A liar til the end.
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This woman's life being ruined for standing up for what millions of us believe in
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This is a must read thread. Proud to be supporting.
Remember Andrew Mills? Liz Truss advisor, architect of the VIP lane red carpet to riches Ayanda deal which involved the NHS blowing £155m on unusable facemasks?.
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Remembering my beautiful husband- always in my thoughts but particularly poignant today on the 10th anniversary of our marriage and our 28years together.
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Primary School reopening plans abandoned by government- is there any one thing this government has done competently and effectively in the pandemic? I can’t think of a single one. The most incompetent inadequate leadership in the greatest of crises.
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A particularly poignant memory today of the many times we spent in Italy celebrating your Birthday - 13 04 1949. I miss you every moment of every day my darling Francis.
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Leading Brexiteers are nothing but a bunch of very rich, self seeking, lying, hypocritical men who care nothing for the people of this country
Another searing torchlight on hypocrisy and double standards
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Incredibly sad 2 hear of the death of Glenys Kinnock who I hadn’t been able to see for some time because of her seclusion due 2 Alzheimer’s. We were great companions in CND & 4 years afterwards joined together campaigning against poverty & injustice & always 4 women. SO miss her.
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Thank you to everyone who tweeted about Frank's death today He was an exceptional person and a wonderful husband who touched so many lives.
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Remembering my beautiful husband Francis on our a wedding anniversary today and here in happier times in his constituency of Aberdeen.
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As sector after sector of business & industry argue 4 special treatment wouldn't it be simpler just to stay in EU?
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I was the Labour minister who introduced the power to charge for plastic bags as part of the Climate Change Act 2008
Tory government claims credit for new policy of #plasticbags charges - yet this is EU LEGISLATION that #tory MEPs VOTED AGAINST!.See:.
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I will never forget the love of my life my terminal ill husband saying ‘I have lost all my dignity’. If you haven’t been there you have no right to deny us the right to die.
Kay is severely allergic to antibiotics and is facing a painful death from sepsis. She is haunted by the prospect of an undignified death. Knowing she had the choice of a peaceful assisted death would alleviate a lot of her anxiety . “Dignity is what we all deserve.”
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My beautiful husband Francis, photographed when we first met, died at this time exactly two years ago. ‘Loving and missing you every moment of every day. You enhanced my life beyond description’
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Politics aside you can’t blame anyone for preferring to meet Angela Merkel rather than Boris Johnson.
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My beloved Francis ( Frank Doran) who died 4 years ago today. Always in my heart. The memorial plaque in Dreghorn woods where 2000 saplings are growing in his memory. So grateful for the many happy years we spent together.
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In 83 I addressed CND rally of over 500,000 but we still couldn't get the Labour party which supported us elected.
@JennieUnite Biggest rally of my life for M Foot in '83 - came 3rd in former Labour seat. Won when we cared about people who don't rally.
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Seated ready for dinner at the wonderful Balconies restaurant at the R.O.H prior to Madama Butterfly. An elderly gent told me I looked amazing on our way in & our lovely young waitress pronounced us a ‘cool couple’ You really want to believe anything +ve when you get to our age!
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What?.
“People are dying who have never died before.”. ~ Donald Trump, 3.18.2020.
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In Edinburgh on Friday to see the newly erected oak plinth with a dedication to my beloved husband Francis. It marks an area planted with > 2000 baby trees in long grass to form a woodland of native species in a sponsorship agreement with the Woodland Trust. Sad but beautiful
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7 years ago today my wonderful husband Francis (Frank) Doran suffered an excruciating death. We had the best palliative care and I was with him at home until the end but if we had had had an Assisted Dying Law he would had died at a time of his choice with dignity and less pain.
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Just finished my second ever construction of a small piece of flat pack furniture & shed a tear thinking of how amazed Frank would be if he knew.
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If only we could be that kind of country, with that kind of vision and aspiration for all - breaks my heart knowing what has been squandered.
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Woke in early hours remembering the last lines of the Leonard Cohen poem with which I ended my tribute at the funeral ‘As many nights endure Without a moon or star So we will endure When one is gone and far’My beloved Francis would have been 70 today. So missed & never forgotten
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Well done R4 for just ending the news with the words of Mo Mowlem Secretary of State for NI at the time of the Good Friday agreement.
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This is how parliament once was and ought to be, when an MP appreciates the contribution of a member on the opposite side of the house. Thank you Laura for your tribute which could not be more true both in the record and in your assumption of Harriet’s motivation and commitment.
Harriet Harman appears teary-eyed as Tory MP @Laura__Farris pays tribute to her work and reminds the Commons she took up the role of privileges committee chair not long after her husband died.
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My beloved husband Francis pictured 3 years ago today - our last Christmas together - so loved and so missed.
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Always remembered, not just on your Birthday. My wonderful husband - Francis (Frank) Doran 13 April 1949- 31 October 2017.
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Not only do I agree I have been there with my darling husband who died w/o dignity & in pain 7 weeks ago. Change law
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Feeling sick and furious listening 2 Johnson- saying things we’ve known for weeks,taking decisions that should have been taken immediately after Xmas, closing schools after telling people a day ago that they should send their children there today. This man has blood on his hands.
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My last evening sunset at Gullane & the end of my life in Scotland following the death 8 months ago of my wonderful husband Francis Doran.He loved this country so much - such an awful loss
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Still looking at our beautiful wedding photographs before trying to get to sleep. After 20 years together Frank and I were married 18 September 2010. Missing him every day.
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Excellent news - so grateful to Stephen. Even the best palliative care,which is what we all want, doesn’t ease the pain for everyone and doesn’t help with the gross loss of dignity which in itself can cause great suffering. Compassion and choice should be the guiding principles.
EXCLUSIVE: Palliative Care Minister Stephen Kinnock tells me he will vote for assisted dying, contrary to Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s concerns. He believes there is no conflict between good palliative care and assisted dying.
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So very sorry to hear - so many will live with the consequences for many years to come. Government consistently failed to tell people of the long term effects - particularly important now that so many are taking a gung-how attitude to social distancing.
I very much appreciate people being glad I’ve ‘recovered’ but I must warn you I’m way off the finished job! I hobble with a stick and only over a few metres, struggle with stairs, become breathless and dizzy and only have full sight in one eye and full hearing in one ear.
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Not only not credible but certain to guarantee the loss of the election.
Can I say frankly - it is not credible for the Labour party to attempt to fight a general election promising to press ahead with Brexit when the election had been caused by the rejection of a Brexit deal by the House of Commons. That is project fantasy.
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The ghastly John Humphries bullying & trivialising climate change instead of getting important information from Ed Miliband who is to Chair a new Commission. Let’s hope he doesn’t do the interviews when the Climate Change Committee issues their next & most important report ever.
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My reduced Twitter activity is due to my husband being seriously ill and my need to care for him. Thanks to those staying with me.
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Francis Doran 13 04 1949 - 31 10 2017. ‘You enhanced my life beyond description and I miss you every moment of everyday.’
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Thank you @kimleadbeater 4 your superb exposition of the case 4 Assisted Dying. A hard listen 4 me recalling the undignified and painful death of my wonderful husband Francis(Frank Doran) who wanted so much to live but was denied the choice when death was inevitable. Let’s do it.
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Just beautiful.
This sloth can only show gratitude to the man that saved its life ❤️
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Everything ready for tomorrow. Such a loss - so loved and so missed - my lovely Mum.
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Disgraceful
Trump cancels Meals on Wheels budget: $3 million a year. Trump's weekend trips to Mar-a-Lago: $3 million a trip.
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Kings staff must be utterly exhausted and traumatised after 3 major tragedies in London. We owe them so much
Harrowing stuff from the senior medic running Kings A&E last night. Incredibly impressive NHS response 👏 #Grenfell
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Great to be on the campaign trail with my dear friend Heidi Alexander. Can’t wait for her to be the next MP for Swindon South
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Well said David and well done on Questiontime.
What’s striking about this moment is that when you look at the protests it’s black and white, young people, old people, all kinds of people. All saying enough is enough.
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An appalling 24 hrs beginning with the death yesterday morning of my wonderful mother. Feels like the end of everything today
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Woke up and checked to see if my phone was on summertime - it was but no substitute for my lovely Mum who died in December - well into her 90s she always rang me on the Saturday to remind me to change the clocks. Fond fond memories.
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Strange that successful businessmen in numerous fields are suddenly realising Brexit no good for their business.
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Just donated
I've funded this campaign because I believe we need to prepare the ground for a Referendum on the Final Deal.
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Wonderful account of broadcaster Richard Bacon’s treatment & recovery from a life threatening virus. A great tribute to the staff at Lewisham Hospital where Jeremy Hunt tried to close the A&E & ICU which saved Richard’s life. Still proud of the Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign.
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Remembering you today especially- my wonderful husband Francis (Frank) Doran 13 April 1949 - 31October 2017.
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Just heard the amazing news of a vaccine effective against Ebola - after 40 years. Praise to all the wonderful scientists/medics involved.
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And not the only action by cabinet members & PM that are systematically undermining our democracy & electoral system
Press lies are troubling, but when coordinated to push through a massive political change they constitute a threat to democracy. #Brexit.
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Matt Hancock taunting the Labour front bench again over their criticisms of Track and Trace. It’s not a case of ‘Public good Private bad’ it’s simply local public health services are effective and Serco is not.
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Brave woman
Men deny us equality, not the Qur'an: a female Islamic judge in India speaks out
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Rather flattered to find myself recorded,speaking at a press conference when Chair of CND, amongst the women featured on the new mural at the National Portrait Gallery in Trafalgar Square
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And thank you to you for your courageous campaigning while facing your own death. You have made a phenomenal contribution to the debate - just hope you can get some rest this weekend and savour your success.
We did it! .Feeling pretty emotional right now after an intense few weeks of campaigning. A massive thank you to @kimleadbeater @dignityindying and @soverybecca for all of their incredible hard work over the #AssistedDyingBill .
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Choice is all we ask for.The bill gives the opportunity for a dying person to speak with loved ones openly & legally about ending a life a little bit early. If it had existed my husband who had every care could have been released from the last unbearable weeks & chosen his time.
Many people have experienced the devastating effects of banning assisted dying: witnessing prolonged, traumatic deaths despite the best care, or terminally ill relatives taking matters into their own hands. This is inarguable evidence that the status quo is not working.
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Our best hope of stopping May's hard Brexit
Alan Johnson: ‘Labour should be willing to work with other parties, through a coalition if necessary’
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Just opened the file of official photographs from the unveiling of my portrait by Anastasia Pollard now hanging in Portcullis House.Thanks to everyone who made it such a special occasion.
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As a former Labour MP who successfully piloted 2 PMBs, one under a Tory govt & one under Labour, I can attest to the fact that a vote for 2nd reading( Friday) is only the start of the scrutiny process just like any govt bill. Several stages & Lords between then & final vote.
3/3. …precisely to ensure that these doubts and others can be properly assessed and the Bill can be scrutinised at Committee Stage & further House of Commons stages and in the Lords. There are lots of opportunities left for scrutiny.
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Congratulations 2 the 3 arts charities on whose boards I sit.The Albany, Blackheath Halls & Lewisham Music have all been awarded a grant from the Cultural Recovery Fund.A vital life line for recovery & recognition of their excellence. So proud of them & their local contributions.
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My permanent memorial and dedication to Francis - 2000 baby trees planted in Dreghorn woods near his birthplace in Edinburgh
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Remembering my darling husband.Pictured one year ago today when we had hope his cancer would be contained. So brave.
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Wonderful news. Sadiq Khan announces that Lewisham will be the London Borough of Culture next year. Many congratulations to Mayor Damien Egan and all Lewisham colleagues and partners, including the Albany, who contributed to the plan.
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My dearest husband Francis working out which TV channel to put on after new year dinner a year ago. Miss him so much
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Remembering my wonderful Mother who painted this picture which lives in my kitchen. She died last December but would have been 100 years old today. Grateful for everything she did for me and the love we shared for so many years.
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Extraordinary but explains a lot.
. @bbcnickrobinson explains that the BBC regards the referendum as over & regards protesting Remainers as "like fighters who emerge after months of hiding in a bush" & "seem not to accept that the war is over". Insulting, and conveniently pro-government. #StopBrexit #FBPE #Brexit
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So so agree. My wonderful husband Francis Doran wanted to spare us. When the doctors told him there was nothing more they could do, he told me ‘ I want to die well’ He did so with stoicism and suffering that could not be justified in any way, It will haunt me to MY dying day.
“I don’t want to leave them with a bad memory when it could be a good one.”. It’s this simple. If you know you’re going to die within a matter of days, you should have the option of an assisted death. No should be forced to suffer against their wishes.
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Johnson says Cummings acted legally, responsibly and with integrity.This says as much about the PM’s relationship with the truth as it does about Cummings’ behaviour. If every sick parent with a small child had done the same - tens of thousands would have been on the move in UK.
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Congratulations.
I am very pleased to say that the case we funded, supporting Nina Cresswell who (like so many women) was sued for defamation when she publicly named the man who sexually assaulted her, has succeeded.
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Clearing my cupboards in advance of re-decoration I’ve come across this little pencil sketch done by my mother when she was 90. A poignant reminder of an exceptional woman who loved gardening and was a prolific water colourist. Much missed already as we wait for her funeral
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Is this a record? In the new Parliament Rachel Reeves, Ellie Reeves, Heidi Alexander,Vicky Foxcroft,Damien Eagan, Kevin Bonavia & Joani Reid have all been born & brought up &/or held political office in the London Borough of Lewisham. So proud of them & to have been there myself.
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She is one impressive woman.
How would I respond to someone who says marriage is between one man and one woman? #EqualityTownHall
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Every Member of parliament needs to hear testimonies like Zoe’s and ask themselves - even if they oppose assisted dying for themselves - why shouldn’t they allow others the choice. For many end of life is brutal & lacking all dignity even with best palliative care.I’ve seen it.
Zoe's Mum was forced to live through 'a month of hell' after attempting to end her own life. This isn't right. An assisted dying law would have allowed her to die on her own terms, as the bubbly, warm person she was in life. Dying people like Zoe's Mum deserve choice.
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Watching @Channel4News Horrified to hear that Settlers have destroyed aid moving from the Occupied Territories to Gaza. I met Settlers on visits to Palestine as an MP- sadly they were all racists who revelled in hatred of the Palestinians whose land and water they had stolen.
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So many terminal ill patients like my beloved husband Francis couldn’t travel to Switzerland even if they wanted to. He wanted to die at home & suffered stoically but it was agony for him & agony for me and there was no value in those last three weeks - only indignity & despair.
“Knowing that Geoff could die in the way he wanted to allowed us to cope with his illness and make the most of the time we had left with him.”. A powerful letter from Ann Whaley, written a week after her husband Geoff died at Dignitas.
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I’ve had my differences with Tony but you cannot fault his logic and eloquence in this interview.
"You don't want an election because you fear the outcome, you want a second referendum because you didn't like the result of the first. What kind of a democrat are you?". @AfNeil challenges Tony Blair on backing referendum before election. #andrewneilshow
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Every MP by law has to declare outside earnings.
@joan_dame Making his money openly, where it can be checked, how many MP's would stand up for a full public accounting?.
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Couldn’t agree more. Of the four Speakers who presided over the Commons in my 28 years in Parliament, John Bercow is undoubtedly the most skilfull and knowledgable and the greatest defender of the rights of MPs. He’s served for 10yrs (re-elected unopposed) under 4 different PMs.
Let's see, given a choice between John Bercow and Andrea Leadsom, who would I choose! Bercow or Leadsom? Leadsom or Bercow? Mmm, it's a no brainer! I'd choose Bercow 100 times out of 100. I wouldn't give Andrea Leadsom the time of day!.
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I’m no fan of the SNP but every time I catch one of Nicola Sturgeon’s daily press conference I am impressed by her calm clear & empathetic presentation with no bombast or room for misunderstanding. And she has done this every single day - what a contrast with the UK government.
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And why should other people condemn him to unbearable suffering at the end of his life - I've seen it & it's wrong.
'I have accepted that my illness will rob me of my life, but how it ends should be up to me.'.
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So sorry to hear - hope you can have a break now.
The amount of propoganda being spread about me at the moment is at fever pitch. It's macarthyesq. There's plenty to reasonably critique me on, knock yourselves out, but if you have to lie and misrepresent you harm not just me but our movement.
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Labour politicians have been warning of this for years - an obvious strategy to drive those who have the means into the private sector.
Let’s be clear, NHS “rationing” of routine hip operations is just the tip of the iceberg. THE GOVERNMENT HAS SNEAKED OUT A CONSULTATION TO CUT A WHOPPING 17 OPERATIONS FROM THE NHS & that’s JUST THE START! We are witnessing beginning of the end of comprehensive state healthcare.
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The only good thing I have heard from the US this week. I am an atheist but I totally identify with the values of this remarkable woman & her courage in the face of aggression, misogyny & racism. Trump’s abusive response tells us everything about him & his Christian beliefs.
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde stands up to President Trump. The strongest woman in America, and seemingly the only one with balls to stand up to this pathetic tyrant.
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Just heard the sad news of the death of Bruce Kent former leader of CND. He persuaded me to stand for the Chair of CND in 1981 & we became firm friends in the struggle to end the nuclear arms race.He was a great campaigner & a fine human being who devoted his whole life to peace.
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Just donated.
Not even two days in and we're 80% of the way there. Please push us over the line
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