Ellee Seymour

 Two Cambridge men have launched a War on Terror boardgame, no doubt hoping it will be a Christmas best seller.

It is based on terrorist atrocities and the aim of the game is to “liberate the world, ridding it of fear and terrorism forever”.

It even comes complete with an “evil balaclava” and a “Suicide Bomber Gift Certificate” thanking participants for funding the War on Terror.

These two men are totally oblivious to the furore it has already caused. It is inexcusable that two 30-year-old men cannot understand why it is so distasteful; surely the fact that they have been slung out of one toy fair where they tried to hawk it, and banned from two others tells them enough, particularly in these very sensitive times.

MPs have condemned it, along with Jacqui Putnam, who survived the 7/7 London bombings; I’m sure Rachel from London will feel outraged too.

Andrew Tompkins and Andrew Sheering have been working on this for more than three years, it was their response to the frustration they felt at the way the western media was reporting the war in Iraq and global terrorism.

They also think it plugs a gap in the market, but I just can’t imagine who would enjoy playing it:

“You can probably make a game about anything and someone’s going to say, ‘That’s not a suitable subject’. I can see why you might get an even stronger reaction with this but, on the whole though, people have responded very well so far.

“It’s almost as if they’ve been waiting to see something like this happen. We’ve had lots of notes of support saying ‘ well done for doing it’.

“I’m hopeful people will see our intentions. I don’t think it’s overly subtle or hidden!

“My mum said we must be quite sick to make money from the War on Terror. But how can this be sick, when there are companies all over the world making a lot of money directly out of the conflict?”

Terrorism might be a game for them, but it means uncontrolled hatred for others and the death of thousands of innocent people.

I just hope they will see common sense and withdraw this despicable and repellant game.

A top hospital consultant Barry Monk is to stand as a parliamentary candidate in the next General Election to fight for a decent NHS in this country.

His skills should be focused on caring for patients, not battling with an uncaring Government. Yet he feels he has no choice as his own hospital in Bedford could one of those axed in a regional shake-up and he doesn’t want to lose it. It is £12 million in debt.

The consultant dermatologist (pictured) will stand as a “Save Bedford Hospital” candidate and The Save Bedford Hospital organisation has been registered as a political party with the Electoral Commission.

I saw him on the lunchtime news, describing how the NHS could spend millions of pounds on management consultants and billions on a new computerised system that may not even work, anything but hospitals.

He is fed up with ward closures, staff shortages, the freeze on jobs, he said hospitals were more than just building, that it was time for politicians to stop meddling and interfering, people needed were proper hospitals in the Eastern Region.

He said:

“Enough is enough. I will be standing for Parliament at the next general election for the Bedford and Kempston constituency, fighting on the issue of the proper provision and of good quality accessible health care for the people of Bedfordshire.”

It seems unbelievable that he has to go to these lengths before he feels his voice is heard. He cares passionately about giving people a decent NHS service. But shouldn’t our Government be doing that?

Dr Monk will stand against Labour MP Patrick Hall and his courageous stand will strike a chord with thousands of others who share similar concerns. I wonder if other doctors will follow his lead. In fact, maybe doctors should unite and form a “Save The NHS” party before it is too late.

I wonder if police will be monitoring schools today to boost their coffers by booking law-breaking parents. I wonder how many hours of paper work this will involve.

I would far rather they spent their time nabbing motorists, particularly lorry drivers, who still drive with a mobile phone pressed between their ear and shoulder as they swing around a roundabout.

I am appalled by the ignorance surrounding this new law, in force from today, which states children up to age of 12 must use booster seats in cars. It is aimed at saving 2,000 children being killed or injured on our roads each year.

Stephen Ladyman knew about this at least several months ago, but his department did not get the message across. Where was his awareness campaign? Where were the posters and advertising? Why weren’t parents distributed leaflets via schools? We know the Government has plenty of press officers at hand, this is the kind of work they should be doing.

Parents could face a £30 on the spot fine for failing to comply. Stores could sell out as a result of being uninformed and the chances are there won’t be enough booster seats to meet demand. I suggest if parents are fined, they pass on the bill to Ladyman and his department who failed to do their job.

I remember launching a campaign for the CoI (the Government’s press office) in the Eastern Region when it became compulsory for passengers to wear seat belts in the back of cars. The same should have happened with this new law.

Btw, my sympathies go out to parents who have to enforce this on their kids. Mine couldn’t wait to be free of their car restraints, they will have a tough job on their hands.