Gail Cartmail blog

Tying the knot

It amazes me that in some quarters, wedlock is a source of immense interest and in certain instances media frenzy.

Surely whether civil or religious, partnership or marriage rituals based on choice are just that, two people choosing to solemnise their relationship? An event special to them, and their loved ones.

Overcoming "apathy"

I was struck last week, when talking to Unite workplace representatives about their fight to defend decent final salary pension schemes, by their principled stance and commitment.

Yet it’s obvious from the discussion that leading workplace campaigns can be an uphill struggle. One rep complained of members “apathy”. Despite his best efforts too few members seemed willing to get involved.

A personal note on class

At my daughter’s school GCSE certificate awards event recently, students and their families from wonderfully diverse ethnic backgrounds celebrated the pupils’ achievements and their teachers’ hard work.

But I felt sad that my father was not there to see his granddaughter receive her award. My dad knew the value of education and training to working class people. His generation defended Britain from fascism and witnessed reform under a post war Labour government on an unprecedented scale - affordable housing, universal access to health and social services.