The Inspector

Something’s troubling me. I was on a train few days ago when a guy in his early 20s got on with a mate – at least I think he was a mate. He (man in his 20s) took the seat opposite me and started chatting

Advocacy is the key to the success of legislation designed to protect the interests of people who lack the capacity to make important decisions on issues such as where they live.

Gordon Brown and the Labour Party travel down to Bournemouth for their annual conference this week.

With an election potentially around the corner what message would you want Gordon Brown to pluck from a bottle as he takes in the air on Bournemouth sea front?

Should a social worker who has recently pleaded guilty to having sex with a mental health service user, received a 17-month prison sentence and been placed on the sex offenders register be allowed to continue in the profession?
The answer should be obvious.

Lots of you must have seen The Music of Black Origin Awards on Wednesday evening, held at the Royal Albert Hall and screened live on the BBC.

As a football fan I always scoff when I hear about clubs with ‘big plans’.

The new single equalities and human rights watchdog for Britain begins life in a week and a half, swallowing up the existing Disability Rights Commission, Commission for Racial Equality and Equal Opportunities Commission.
However, the Commission for Equality and Human Rights begins its existence with question marks over its potential to deliver a more equal society for disabled, black and minority ethnic, gay and older people, women and those persecuted for their beliefs.

Gordon Brown yesterday made it clear that this particular self-styled heir to Margaret Thatcher is not for turning over public sector pay, in a speech to the Trades Union Congress.
In a characteristic turn of phrase, the prime minister said his priority for the economy was "stability yesterday, today and tomorrow" - which means sub-inflationary pay deals for hundreds of thousands of public sector staff. So much for Red Gordon - the firebrand socialist of Tory mythology, bent on returning Britain to postwar welfarism and trade union omnipotence.

Last night I went to see Bad Girls - The Musical. Stop sniggering. It was the gala evening to raise funds for Stonewall, the equality campaigning charity for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals.