Ellee Seymour

Thought that might grab your attention!

A new era in punchy political campaigning was launched today by 18 Doughty Street with its first online video political attack against the    government’s record on tax.

Do play the 90 sec recording and let me know what you think. I liked the clever use of the TAX swipe card to get its message across in a humorous way.

This is the first of 18 Doughty Street’s weekly political adverts which has had a great plug in today’s Times, next week’s campaign is against extra state funding of political parties. It almost feels like the start of an election campaign.

Tim Montgomerie, a director of 18 Doughty Street, believes it has never been easier or cheaper to challenge the established view:

“American political entrepreneurs have used blogs, YouTube and clever use of search engines to unseat powerful television anchors and presidential wannabes. This week 18DoughtyStreet.com brings some of the better American techniques to Britain and will soon be producing a weekly series of political attack adverts designed by bloggers and debated on a daily internet TV programme.”

And if you can, please take a moment to answer this questionnaire about the video. What do you think, is this form of communication a good idea, will it help engage with the electorate?

It was made in conjunction with The TaxPayerss Alliance.

John Hutton’s announcement today that lone parent benefits should be paid only until the youngest child is 11 instead of 16 could not have been timed more badly.

The front page lead story in today’s Times tells how parents are being charged up to £19,000 a year for nursery costs, that the price of daycare for babies and young children has increased by almost 30% in six years.

Now it’s hard enough for any working family to keep their head above water while faced with such a huge bill, so how much more difficult must it be for the UK’s 1.69 million single parents?

In Britain, just 56.5% of lone parents are in work, compared with up to 80% in Sweden and Denmark; I assume they are given more support in these Scandinavian countries, while the UK has lowest rate of lone parent employment in Europe.

Our single parents need more flexi working hours. And remember, 11 is still too young an age to leave a child alone at home, do we want to encourage a new generation of latchkey kids?

What jobs can these lone mums be expected to find, particularly if they have left school poorly educated? Are they going to be offered training in the interim to help get them back into the working market?

What has Ruth Kelly done to help lone parents? She is, after all, the Women’s Minister, she should be coming up with ideas to support them. And she appreciates how mothers just want the best for their children.

It remains to be seen how much support this plan will get. Tony Blair’s attempt to reduce single parent benefit in 1997 sparked a backbench rebellion and 47 MPs voted against the plans. Will that happen again?

How do you feel single parents can be helped to get back to work? Are the right kind of jobs available? Should their benefits be cut back until the youngest child is 11?

News that Manchester won the super casino bid seemed to take everyone by surprise. How did it remain such a closely guarded secret? News presenters were this morning debating whether it would be Blackpool or the Millennium Dome. Glad I didn’t bet on either of those!

Other casino licences have been granted too, including a large licence for Great Yarmouth, which I’m sure will be good news for this Norfolk seaside town struggling to attract tourists. And more super casinos could follow as ministers believe they will quickly be able to relax the restrictions, something that needs to be watched closely.

The Dome was really out of the question following John Precott’s association with the Dome’s owner Philip Anschutz, that was no surprise. Manchester can now look forward to much needed regeneration in the site’s location and has welcomed the chance to add a touch of Las Vegas to its city.

I have visited casinos in Reno, Nevada where gambling is obviously big business, I remember the heated sidewalks, the free food and booze, the crashing sound of coins making massive payouts, it was a great holiday experience. However, I have just heard that free booze will not be on offer at Machester’s super casino to prevent gamblers getting carried away.
But while I can take it or leave it, there is a danger that it could lead to increased addiction which we need to be aware of.

So do you think Manchester was the right choice? Are we set to become a nation of gambling addicts? I don’t think so, and I’m delighted for Manchester.