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Issue:- 10/11 April 2015

Green Party Candidates Campaign To Lift Ban on Job share MPs Begins

SARAH Cope and Clare Phipps' request for joint candidacy submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on Thursday, 9 April 2015, was rejected by the Electoral Returning Officer on the grounds of a ban on job shares for MPs. Neither Cope nor Phipps would be able to serve as a full time MP. Cope is the main carer for 2 young children, and Phipps suffers from a disability which would prevent her from working full time.

Allowing job share MPs has been Green Party policy since 2012. In 2010 Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, used her 1st speech as Green Party Leader to call for the post of Member of Parliament to be opened up to job shares to encourage more women MPs and make Westminster politics more accessible to ordinary people.

Cope, 36, is a mother of 2. She has been an active member of the Green Party for over a decade and is the chair of Green Party Women, the women's sub-group within the party. Cope said:- "Allowing job share MPs would open up Parliament to a much more diverse group of people, including more women, those with childcare and other caring responsibilities and those with disabilities. At a time when people are disenchanted with 'business as usual' politics, it is an idea which could re-engage people. If voters have the chance to vote for people who are more like them, and who can relate to issues within their lives such as living with disabilities, or coping with caring responsibilities, they may be more likely to engage with the democratic process."

According to the Green Party, Phipps is aged 26. She is researching gender and health as part of a part time PhD and job shares a position on the Green Party Executive. Since 2009 she has suffered from a disability known as idiopathic hypersomnia, a chronic condition which means she sleeps for around 12 hours a day. "It is now almost 100 years since women were 1st able to vote; yet The Electoral Reform Society predicts that on 8 May 2015, only 30% of MPs will be women. At this rate of progress, a girl born today will be drawing her pension before she has an equal say in the government of her country. It's time our government reflected the people it is representing. Allowing job share MPs is just one way we can change politics for the better."

Phipps and Cope argue that preventing their joint candidature contravenes their Convention rights, including the right to respect for their private and family lives and the requirement of respect for rights and freedoms without discrimination on the grounds of disability. Following the formal rejection of their application for candidacy, Phipps and Cope are seeking legal advice and will be continuing their campaign to become job share MPs.

Nominations sought for exceptional individuals from Merseyside!

COMMUNITIES across Britain are being urged to honour 'ordinary' people doing extraordinary things by nominating them for a new national award. The British Citizen Awards (BCA) recognises exceptional individuals who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a positive impact upon society. Successfully launched in January this year, the inaugural BCA ceremony saw 28 people honoured at a prestigious ceremony hosted by Baroness Cox at the Palace of Westminster. Nominations are currently being accepted for the next round of medal presentations, which will take place on 9 July 2015, again at the Palace of Westminster. All BCA recipients receive a Medal of Honour, inscribed with the words:- 'For the Good of the Country'. Medalists are also invited to use the initials BCA after their name. Medalists in January included, inspirational duo, Charles Callaghan and Donald Franks, from Merseyside, who were both awarded a Volunteering and Charitable Giving BCA, presented by actress and presenter, Linda Robson, for together raising over Ł300,000 by collecting at football grounds and shopping centre in all weathers over 15 years, for Liverpool hospice, Jospice. The British Citizen Awards were launched to honour the incredible accomplishments of individuals in society who positively impact their communities. BCAs are awarded twice annually, as are the Queen's Honours, but these awards only recognise 'everyday' people whose achievements may otherwise be overlooked. Mike Faulkner, co-founder of the awards, said:- "There are literally thousands of people across the UK making life better for others, and until now with no formal recognition open to them. This programme, which many see as an alternative Honours system, has been created to enable every individual across the country to nominate someone who they feel deserves to be recognised. We have nothing but respect for the Honours system, but believe that a more accessible recognition programme is long overdue." Nominations from all corners of the UK, all cultural backgrounds and from all sectors of the community are being welcomed until the closing deadline on 30 April 2015. Mike added:- "Our 1st award ceremony in January was a phenomenal success, and it was fantastic to honour individuals who were simply remarkable human beings. We look forward to honouring more exceptional individuals within our communities during this next round of awards." Basil Preuveneers, co-found of the awards, said:- "It is remarkable how many people are positively impacting the lives of those around them without reward or recognition, and it's fantastic that we can now celebrate them." The awards have attracted support from several high profile ambassadors, including actress and former EastEnders star Brooke Kinsella, and former high court judge, Dame Linda Dobbs DBE. Brooke said:- "The British Citizen Awards are a way to honour ordinary people who do extraordinary things and I am proud to offer my support. There are so many wonderful people doing life changing things in our communities and it is time they were recognised. If you know a person deserving of this award please nominate them now!" Dame Linda Dobbs DBE said:- "There are many people in the community who do significant voluntary and unpaid work without official recognition. It is important that their efforts are recognised, not only in order that the volunteers themselves know that their valuable contributions are noted, but also, in order that others can appreciate their work and, hopefully, feel encouraged to volunteer themselves. The British Citizen Awards are an excellent way to shine the spotlight on such kind, caring and selfless people in our community." Nominations are free and people can be entered into 1 of 8 different categories. All nominations will be scrutinised by an independent committee, with their choices passed on to an assessment panel for final ratification. Thirty nominees will then be shortlisted to receive an award. To nominate you can send an email to request a nomination form, or go to the awards website to find out more. Nominations close on 30 April 2015.

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Deceased estates notice - Lilian May Jackam

Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925, any persons having a claim against or an interest in the Estate of Lilian May Jackam (also known as Lillian May) Jackam (Deceased), late of Birch Abbey Rest Home, 55 Alexandra Road, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 9HD, UK, who died on 04/10/2018, are required to send particulars thereof in writing, to the undersigned Solicitors, on or before 24/05/2019, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to claims and interests of which they have had notice. Churches Solicitors, 12 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BL, UK. Ref:- 'T553015.'

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