Ellee Seymour

Robert Sturdy MEP reports from the latest EP sitting at Strasbourg:

Forget the Cold War. This month in Strasbourg the Vodka War reached its conclusion with casualties on both sides. After months of relentless debate and negotiation, and several vodka tasting sessions, MEPs voted this week on the definitions of spirit drinks. It was concluded that Vodka can be made only from grain or potatoes, but if other raw materials are used it must be clearly indicated on the label. In essence the EP has adopted what I like to call the Ronseal approach- a regulation that does exactly what it says on the tin!

While this report may appear to be yet another example of over-bureaucratic time wasting, it has actually raised serious concerns about consumer information, and the traditions and cultural heritage of many member states.

Let’s not be naive, the vodka market is worth a staggering 
$12 billion a year. The decisions by the parliament in Strasbourg have even triggered controversy across the pond as the United States has threatened to take the EU to the World Trade Organisation if the definitions adopted prove too restrictive.

The battle may have been won but the war certainly isn’t over.

As European leaders meet in Brussels this week to deliberate the future of the European Constitution, the European Parliament called on them to ensure greater transparency, more democracy and a Europe that works for its people. A bit of a contraction when these so-called representatives led by German Chancellor Angela Merkel are pushing a treaty already rejected by 2 member states and clearly unpopular in many others.

We can only hope that the EU leaders will not be swayed by the Germans proposed cosmetic changes to the original treaty, but will stand their ground in representing the interests of the electorate. Knowing that Tony Blair holds our constitutional future in his hands doesn’t give me a particularly warm feeling inside. Now where did they put that grape vodka?…

I feel incredibly privileged to have been asked by The British Library if they could include my blog in an archived collection of blogs for research purposes. They are inviting 150 “key sites” for this project, cordinated by the UK Web Archiving Consortium. This is what they said:

“The British Library is building a collection of blogs. This collection will form part of the UK Web Archiving Consortium (UKWAC) initiative to archive websites of research interest.  Please visit www.webarchive.org.uk  if you wish to see the current online archive which is publicly accessible.

“We would like to invite you to have your site included in this important collection for Internet research.  We will be selecting some 150 key sites to form the basis of the blog’s collection until August 2007 but archiving will continue into the future.”

Here’s something I didn’t know, according to the UKWAC, the life of an average website is estimated to be around 44 days -about the same lifespan as a housefly! I’m glad I have passed that milestone.

The consortium is keen to capture the essence of today’s online journals for posterity. They certainly do provide a unique insight into our thoughts on topical issues. Who knows who will be reading this in 100 years time? An in what way will they be accessing it, what technology will be available then?

I haven’t upgraded my mobile phone for over two years and realised I was paying a high tariff on my contract, especially when calling other mobile phones.

After hearing about a great offer that Sally signed up for with T-Mobile (the same company I use), I decided to follow suit and have just switched over to a Sony Ericsson K810i. And it was a free upgrade. Sally has been most impressive in using her new phone from Corsica to update her blog and flickr pics.

I particularly wanted a phone which had a radio so I could catch up with any urgent news bulletins if away from my desk; this has it all, and so much more, including free calls to other mobile networks. Let’s hope it lives up to its 5-star recommendation. Most importantly, let’s hope my sons can show me how to use it!

I wonder if Cherie Blair ever discusses her work with Tony when they eat dinner, if she bounces ideas off her barrister trained husband. If so, I can imagine his horror at the thought of her fighting the government’s smoking ban, due to be implemented next week, on behalf of a lapdance club.

Flamboyant pink-suited Dave West wants her to launch a legal challenge to allow guests and staff to smoke in his clubs - which he describes as “an extension” of his home - and has appointed Cherie to fight the smoking ban in public places brought in by her husband and the rest of the government, on July 1.

He claims he specifically asked for the prime minister’s wife to represent him,  although her chambers insisted she was simply the first barrister available. I think I believe his version.

Cherie reportedly agreed to advise the man in pink on how the ban could breach the human rights of staff and guests after taking a tour of the club, which has penis-shaped taps in the loos. Whatever turns you on!

I can’t understand how she doesn’t feel compromised or understands the huge embarrassment this heaps on her husband. I cannot believe her chambers would deliberately place her in this awkward position where there must be some conflict of interest as she must feel some loyalty towards her husband. She has never previously spoken out against this ban.

If Cherie is successful, it could well set a precedent and other clubs will follow suit, causing potential chaos for the smoking ban.

Whatever the outcome - and I predict she will lose - I think Dave West knows only too well that he has pulled a sensational PR coup here, attracting heaps of  national publicity for his club.

I assume that Sven and Nancy are still an item, which makes me wonder what she thinks about moving to Manchester if he should becomes the new manager of Manchester City.

I don’t know the city very well, but during visits there have found the people to be much friendlier than the south.

If Nancy should worry that Manchester is not glamorous enough for her, perhaps you have a few recommendations about places she can visit, and how she can take the city and its people to her heart.

I find it extraordinary that Thailand’s ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is facing corruption charges at home, is investing £81.6 million in a British football club. I know he is denying the charges, but what if he is convicted and jailed? What will that mean to the club?

Charlene Downes, 14, kissed and waved goodbye to her mother in Blackpool town centre in November, 2003 and has never been seen since.

Charlene was known to have been among a number of young white girls who congregated around a district of Asian fast-food shops in the Lancashire seaside town.

Yesterday, her mother wept as a kebab shop owner was heard on tape allegedly telling how he had chopped up her daughter and placed her body, “bones and all�, in a mincing machine.

The prosecution claims that Charlene was killed by Iyad Albattikhi, 29, the owner of the Funny Boyz kebab shop, and that he had boasted of having sex with the teenager. He denies the murder charge.  His business partner and co-defendant Mohammed Reveshi, 50, denies disposing of Charlene’s body.

Despite an extensive nationwide appeal, there has been no trace of Charlene, her body has never been found.

The trial continues.

In memory of those who are still missing.