Ellee Seymour

I await with much interest for this afternoon’s announcement about Andy Coulson, former editor of the News of the World, being appointed the Director of Communications for the Conservative Party, whispers which were disclosed on Iain’s blog.

If true, there will naturally be associations made between him and spin doctoring which the public – and hopefully Tories too – are keen to distance themselves from following the Alistair Campbell/Blair era.

We need to establish trust during a time when there is considerable mistrust of politicians and apathy among voters. I would like to know what Coulson’s credentials are for this role, how he can win over public confidence when he is used to working on sleazy stories. The last thing we want to be known as is a tabloid Tory party.

Coulson was the paper’s editor when its royal correspondent Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire were jailed earlier this year in a phone-hacking scandal involving Prince William and other celebrities. Coulson escaped unscathed, apparently unaware of these devious activities, but resigned the day the two men were sentenced.

Interestingly, the appointment already has the seal of approval from Matthew d’Ancona, editor of the Spectator magazine, who describes it as a “coup”, saying:

“That’s a real coup for them because Andy’s a very good journalist and highly respected.

“It follows a great deal of speculation that the Conservative party was looking for an Alastair Campbell-type figure.

“As the debate over grammar schools has shown, and also the failed attempt to get Greg Dyke as a candidate for mayor of London, the closer that you get to power and the more that you have pressure applied to you, the more important it is that you have a big figure in charge of communications.”

Despite my reservations, David Cameron is obviously very media savvy and will have thought this through thoroughly.  If this decision turns out to be a disaster, the repercussions will be considerable, it could cost us the next election. I think we are in for some very interesting times …..

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I stumbled across this tragic story and later discovered it had a happy ending. I hope it will help other families of missing children to maintain their faith during their ordeal.

Shawn Hornbeck was riding his bike in October 2002 in Missouri when he vanished without trace. He was only 11. Vigils were held to mark his birthday and anniversary of his disappearance. His story attracted nationwide media coverage.

Then miraculously, just over four years later, he was found alive and well, along with another boy who had been abducted a few days before their discovery in January. A man has been charged with kidnapping, sexually abusing and attempting to kill Shawn, he has denied the allegations.

This is Shawn’s amazing story:

On Sunday, October 6, 2002 while out riding my bike my life changed forever. I vanished without a trace not far from my rural Richwoods, Missouri home. An intensive search was mounted by federal, state and local authorities, but there were no clues as to what may have happened to me. My parents, along with family and friends announced their intentions to form a private organization to continue the search for me. The response was overwhelming, as thousands of volunteers responded to their pleas for help over the next several months. But still no clues were found. Rumors ran rampant that I had been struck by a car and taken away, or had run across a drug lab and been killed. My parents still never gave up hope, and continued their search – week after week, month after month.

They put my picture on billboards, and in every store and gas station. Countless family and friends put their lives on hold and helped look for me and other missing children. Months became years and still they looked for me. Psychics and frauds loudly proclaimed my demise and told my parents they had talked with me from beyond. But still they kept looking, never giving up hope. I prayed every day that my parents would find me. I knew my parents weren’t giving up, and neither would I.

On Friday, January 12, 2007 my life changed forever once again. Our prayers were answered when I and another missing child were found by authorities in an apartment in Kirkwood, Missouri – ALIVE! I was finally reunited with my family after nearly four and one-half years of captivity. I’ve begun the process of healing and look forward to making up for the time I have lost with my family and education. Our love, hope and faith have kept us strong and will see us through the days ahead.

I hope this story gives hope to the families of young boys like Daniel Morcombe who also vanished without trace.

In memory of those who are still missing.

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