Ellee Seymour

Tony Blair faces his own Halloween showdown tonight from trick or treating MPs who are determined to force his hand for an inquiry into his handling of the no-win war in Iraq.

It seems extraordinary that this hasn’t happened before, that this will be the first full Commons debate on Iraq.

Blair took us to war on an illegal mandate, it is only right that our elected members should discuss this in open debate, they should have a free vote and be able to speak honestly. It is time for him to say: “Yo Bush, read my lips, no more war.”

The bloodbath continues unabated, the death toll could be much higher than calculated, we have put our country at risk of terrorist threats, the world is not a safer place with Saddam Hussein out of the way, in fact, it has led to thousands more terrorists being trained who did not exist before.

There is no easy solution to this problem, though having three regions for the Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds would be an option I favoured if the oil situation there was not such a big factor. I don’t see the situation improving over the next year, Iraq will not be any safer. George Bush knows that, this is not a time to make face saving decisions, but saving the lives of our servicemen and women from further unnecessary slaughter, that should come first.

In fact, Iraq has become increasingly dangerous. Staff at the British consulate in Basra have recently been forced to evacuate because of heavy attacks on their fortified building and fears for their lives.

And hundreds of thousands of weapons intended for Iraqi security forces have gone missing, and could be in the hands of violent killers. What does this do for the confidence of our servicemen and women?

I believe the motion put forward by SNP and Plaid Cymru should call for more than a review of the Government’s questionable actions leading up to the war and in its aftermath, that it should debate our presence there today, the reasons why - and pulling out.

It does seem rather incongruous that on the day we are given our most serious warning ever about the potential devastating impact of climate change, that The Times should be encouraging its readers to fly more.

In fact, its front page banner offers a flight to Europe for every reader, those who assiduously collect their airmiles. So with a daily circulation of 683,333, that’s an awful lot of extra carbon emissions if every reader took them up on their very generous offer. But I agree, it is more exciting than a free packet of sunflower seeds.

Airlines are naturally worried about the future impact on their industry and I hope they find a solution that is environmentally friendly so we ill not be made to feel as if we are committing a crime by seeking out some winter sun.

I fear that unless the world unites to tackle this issue, we will all be issued with personal carbon footprint passports restricting our air miles and car travel each year, all our journeys will be recorded and our carbon emissions calculated.

This is a desperate issue that has to be tackled globally, otherwise everyone will question why we are doing our bit here and other countries are turning a blind eye.

Maybe The Times could start by offering walking holidays to readers instead of free flights, encouraging people to reconnect with their countryside and the environment they are protecting.

Cambridgeshire’s most outspoken district councillor - if not in the whole country - is on the verge of resigning after 36 years, blaming political correctness and his denial to the right of free speech.

Free speech is the trademark for Robin Page, former presenter of One Man and His Dog, and one of life’s true eccentrics. It is as vital to him as the blood that flows through his veins.

Robin, an Independent, explains why he has now had enough:

“This Government is systematically destroying democracy at local level throughout Britain. To make the task easier, it has removed the right of free speech from councillors - absurd new regulations means those who fight back can now be hounded out of office, even though they have been democratically elected.”

Robin is referring to New Labour’s Local Government Act of 2000 which meant that council committees which gave every councillor a voice was scrapped and replaced by a Cabinet system and portfolio holder. Those holders have virtually taken ordinary councillors out of the policy-making loop.

Then a code of conduct was introduced in 2001 which further controlled free speech and debate. And Robin likes to say what he thinks, without any restrictions, after all, isn’t that why he was elected? Recently, Robin was reported for “baaing” like a sheep when Lib Dem councillors voted in unsion. It seems they can’t take a joke. But that’s how petty and over-regulated it has become. It’s not politics.

Robin reckons the regulations they have to adhere to have gone way over the top, it has resulted in members with mobile phones being told they cannot make decisions about phone masts and, astonishingly, councillors elected to campaign against massive local development have been gagged from speaking about it because they live nearby.

It will be a great loss to South Cambridgeshire when Robin steps down. He had so much passion for his political work. The final straw was Ruth Kelly’s White Paper last week which Robin believes will inevitably take power away from the communities, and he face that too.

I remember seeing Robin in action in the council chamber, he certainly livened up the debate, you knew you were going to get a good headline. He woke up many a dull meeting. He was also a keen campaigner on environmental issues long before it became fashionable - or essential - his ideas were way ahead of the time. But then most members were retired, they were just not ready, or prepared, for someone outspoken like Robin.

Robin will never be silenced, I can fully understand his frustrations, I hope that Conservatives will restore the voice to local councils and Robin will be tempted back.

We don’t want sheep running our local democracies, we want strong minded individuals who are not afraid to speak up for those they were elected to serve.

It’s time to stretch my legs again, so I’m making the most of today’s glorious sunshine and joining Geoff and his bunch of Cambridge buddies for a day’s walking and stimulating conversation.

We are heading off to Castle Acre in Norfolk, for a 15 mile ramble, only I can’t find one of my walking boots, so must dash.

Richard Bacon is a very highly regarded Norfolk MP, and naturally wants to do all he can to promote local businesses.

One of those is Lotus and its success is vital to the local workforce’s economy. So when Lotus offered to loan Richard a £33,000 brand new very sporty looking Lotus Europa S on a months trial, he was naturally delighted to accept.

My concern is the mixed messages this gives out, barely a day goes by without a news story in our national media about how we have to reduce our carbon emissions. So I naturally looked into the emissions emitted by this sleek dream machine and discovered it was 220 grammes per kilometre.

Comparing this figure against this carbon emissions table shows it is in the second highest category. It is quite plainly not the sort of car which David Cameron is urging his fellow MPs to drive. He wants emissions to be reduced to 100 grammes per kilometre in new cars by 2022.

Perhaps a weekend’s trial would have been sufficient and more in keeping with today’s green message. This would have given Richard time to appreciate the charms of this undoubtedly beautifully crafted car - though I have no idea which Norfolk roads he can use to test out its full performance, reaching 0-100 mph in 13.8 seconds, they are mostly winding lanes.

The only problem with reaching the top in your profession is staying there, there is always someone smarter and brighter around the corner waiting to push you off your pedestal

This is what a leading Cambridge PR firm has discovered, trading under the rather unpleasant name of WAR. Much to their shock, they were not shortlisted in some categories for the latest highly coveted CIPRE Pride awards, and, in protest, rather ungraciously pulled out their remaining entries.

WAR had been on the crest of a wave, having scooped 10 awards last year, and it’s nose was plainly put out of joint by this latest unexpected rejection which it could not cope with.

So they blamed the judging process and said their company was too big and, reading between the lines, a cut above the smaller, more lowly businesses it was competing against. It was certainly not good PR on their part, along with this rather patronising and unwise statement from their PR supremeo Kerris Macauley (see pic):

“These regional awards celebrate all PR teams in the region, but, unfortunately, they mostly seem to attract smaller concerns and in-house teams - and, in that event, it seems entirely inappropriate that we enter. It’s of no interest to us to win against agencies which are just starting out and finding their feet, and it would reflect no great achievement on our part to do so. “

However, that did not seem to concern them last year when they put themselves up for these awards, and used their success to generate extra business.

I totally endorse the criticism leveled against them by fellow PR practitioner Amanda Politzer who says that WAR couldn’t face the risk of losing against smaller agencies and freelancers who are leaner, keener, smarter and offer better value for money, as well as a passion and enthusiasm that some large agencies can only muster up for fees exceeding £100,000. Just like Amanda and myself, in fact.

And all this comes on top of WAR having to correct recent claims it made about being the New Media Age leading PR agency in the area. They seem to be in a right pickle and will have to work hard at re-establishing their reputation as fair minded and professional PR practitioners.

Just as I tell my sons not to be too upset when their lose at football - after all, not even David Beckham scores every time - the same applies to WAR, they need to learn that you win some, you lose some, and how to take defeat graciously.

Are you interested in heraldry and genealogy, in owning an impressive noble title, and price is no object? If so, you may like to know that one of the rarest titles has now come up for sale, complete with royal connections, tragedy and scandal, and can be yours for £100,000 or more. The title of Lordship of Sutton also comes with rare shooting rights and a treasure chest.

This distinguished title is connected to the famous burial site of Saxon kings at Sutton Hoo and was once held by the unfortunate Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, (see pic) a former lover of Queen Elizabeth 1 who was beheaded for treason, as well as the virginal monarch herself and later James 1.

The title also includes 150 acres shooting rights and a Tudor Armada treasure chest. So there’s lots here to appeal here to the avid archaeologist/historian/country lover, or someone just rich and vain enough to want a coveted title.

I wonder who exactly buys these noble titles, and what they get from it? The previous Lordship of Sutton was a Suffolk vicar whose parish included the site, he later bequeathed it on to his son, who sold it to Noble Titles.

They are promoting Lordship and Ladyships of the Manor titles as excellent birthday and Christmas presents, an ideal and unique gift for the person who has everything. Thinking about it, Lady Ellee does have rather a nice ring about.

It would be fun - and quite impressive - to add your noble title to official documents, including your passport, driving licence and credit cards. They are said to be a good investment, and the title also provides you with a unique place in history dating back to the Middle Ages.

And Noble Titles claims it can make a difference to the way you are treated in restaurants and hotels, being shown deference and respect! But I do think it is disappointing that the company is encouraging overseas buyers to bid for these titles which are uniquely British, what will a Bedfordshire title mean to an Arab owner, for example?

Genealogy is increasingly popular, and if there is a local connection with a title that is for sale, and you have a genuine love of history, it would be fascinating to own one and delve into its ancestry. If I had one, I would love to jump into a time travelling Tardis and go back a few centuries, to discover all about the lives of those who had previously held the title. I will have to wait until her Ladyship of Cambridgeshire comes up on the market, or maybe even the nearby city of Ely, Lady Ellee of Ely, now there’s a tongue twister.

For those of you who have been following my Dell nightmare saga, there was an incredibly swift response from them once they picked up my complaint via my blog.

They collected the faulty laptop on Monday and returned it this morning, having replaced the fan, m/board, palmrest and top cover as the hinges were broken, which I did not realise. So it should be as good as new.

I am very grateful and would like to say a big thank you to Dell, to their resolution manager Martyn Blackburn for the way he dealt with this so promptly and professionally, and their customer advocate John in Texas, who found my blog and put the wheels in motion.

My only concern is that the same overheating problem will recur in a few months time. The last time the fan was replaced, I was told that Dell were now using a superior fan which would not cause any more problems, but that wasn’t the case, so how do I know this fan will be any better. I believe this is the fourth time it has been replaced, so naturally it does bother me, especially as my warranty has now expired.

But I am very appreciative to Dell for their actions, and it proves they mean it when they say in their signature: “Dell is constantly looking at ways to improve its customer experience.”

And thanks again to Geoff who told me Dell would pick up on this if I wrote about it.

I must admit I was surprised when I heard Chris Fisher had been invited to question the finalists for the Mid-Norfolk selection. Chris is political editor of Norfolk’s leading paper, the Eastern Daily Press, a paper I admire as a journalist.

But it has a reputation of not being Tory friendly, and I must admit I found this to be the case during my role as Eastern Region Press Officer for Conservatives during last year’s general election. It was like drawing teeth to get them interested in what we were doing, though I found the response varied depending on who I spoke to.

I remember calling their Norwich newsdesk in exasperation in the run-up to voting day and complaining about yet another double page spread on Charles Clarke (Norwich South MP) and asked them to tell me exactly how many column inches coverage we had been given in comparison to Labour in the election campaign. As a result, their reporter and photographer came out that weekend and gave us great coverage too. But phew, it was hard work.

I will admit they have been very supportive of Gillian Shepherd, maybe other Tory MPs too I have not worked closely with, so there seems to be no real rhyme or reason for these perceived difficulties which began before my arrival on the scene.

So I would like to congratulate the clever person whose brainwave it was to have invited Chris, the Jeremy Paxman of local media, as their question master. It was a stroke of genius and a gesture much appreciated by Chris which he describes in his column today.

During the Mid-Norfolk selection process, I bumped into a Tory stalwart who mentioned that Chris was being “a pain in the neck”, trying to get info and names. I replied that Chris was merely doing his job, and what was the problem with that?

Hopefully, this person will now have have changed his views about openness too, having seen how successful it can work both ways. Although it takes time to restore trust and build bridges, this is a great start, let’s hope it continues.

John Reid simply hasn’t done his homework regarding our new migrant workers from Bulgaria and Romania, I fail to understand why he is introducing a flawed system that he admits is not workable.

How exactly is an on-the-spot £1,000 fine going to be enforced against an illegal worker? Does he mean literally “on-the-spot”, because nobody carries that amount of cash. And does he really expect them to willingly pay up at a later date?

If they cannot be deported, and our prisons are overflowing, what does he propose to do with those who refuse to pay and end up with a criminal record as a result?

What extra resources will John Reid have to use to enforce his latest plans? Because they have failed to date. The Citizen’s Advice Bureau urged the Government to set up a Fair Employment Commission as it has failed to stamp out illegal gangmasters. Even though gangmasters are required to register, hundreds of them are failing to do so, and there isn’t sufficient staff to enforce it.

Why hasn’t the Government spent more time prosecuting the unscrupulous bosses who have exploited migrant workers, paying them as little as £2 per hour in their catering, domestic and agricultural jobs?

Obviously we do need restrictions on additional migrant workers, having been inundated from the 2004 enlargement of the EU. But I am very concerned about the health risks and would like them to be screened for infectious diseases, such as TB, before they are admitted to the UK, similar to the Australian requirement.