Ellee Seymour

I wonder if you have read the latest MediaGuardian 100 list published this week, their annual guide to the most powerful people in the industry. Candidates were judged on three criteria - their cultural, economic and political influence in the UK.

I am surprised that Iain isn’t mentioned at all, he gives so many TV and radio interviews and writes for the national press, as well as spearheading 18 Doughty Street. Meanwhile, Guido sneaks in at No 81; we are told he narrowly beat Iain. Does this mean that our leading politcal bloggers are not influential at all?

And, noticeably, Andy Coulson, Director of Communications for the Conservative Party, has totally vanished from the latest list, after being ranked at 13 the year before. Should we be concerned about this? Just how influential is the Meida Guardian list?

Julian Sturdy has just launched a petition on the 10 Downing Street website for the dualling of a desperately needed ring road in York, only the local paper omitted to included the link where they could sign up! How frustrating!

The York Press did not understand that the whole story was based around this one link, and getting local people to support it.

This ring road is a hot issue for traders and commuters in the York area, I hope they will support Julian’s petition, and that there is a listening government on hand to respond.

This is an issue which affects the everyday lives of businesses and commuters who suffer stress and constant misery caused by this congestion. What a terrible way to start the day. Julian says:

“The congestion level at the moment is starting to have a real impact on the local economy and our quality of life, and this will only increase.

“The local authority and the Government should be working together to plan for the long-term future of our city and that plan has to include the upgrade of the ring road to a dual carriageway.”

Please sign the petition here if you wish to support the petition.

Water is my favourite drink, I drink loads of it throughout the day. I’m quite happy to drink tap water in restaurants too, except I get the feeling it is frowned upon by waiters who cannot then charge for it. My husband hates asking for it, he feels embarrassed, so I usually have to.

I always like a jug of iced water on my table with wine when eating out. I prefer still water, but will order fizzy in a bar as an alterantive to an alcoholic drink if I am driving or thirsty, my favourite being San Pelligrino as it is not too bubbly.

Newsnight last night asked if we were snobs when it comes to asking for tap water. It seems that New Yorkers are being urged to switch to tap water because four out of five plastic water bottles end up in landfill sites, their environmental consciences are being stirred to take action.

I’ve just read a comment on the Newsnight site where somebody describes asking for “house water” instead of tap water in a restaurant. That seems a good idea, I shall try it next time and  hope they know what I am talking about.

Another person describes asking for tap water to take with tablets if the waiter raises his eyebrows. I must admit I have done this too when with my mother as that is usually the case and it seems a face saving way of asking. But should we feel, or be made to feel, so awkward about it?

I always have two two-litre bottles of tap water chilling in my fridge,I love it, I don’t think we drink enough water, that we are often dehydrated throughout the day.

But what about you, how do you feel about asking for tap water in restaurants? Should we feel intimated about it?

There is a chance that David Miliband might write a Foreign Office blog once he has settled into his new post as Foreign Secretary. It has not been ruled out, according to Ross Ferguson, Director of the Hansard Society’s eDemocracy programme, who I met yesterday.

There is no reason why it cannot be done with sensitivity and regard to confidentiality, while at the same time facilitating an open and public debate on foreign affairs.

It will provide an interactive platform to discuss Iraq and Iran, Israel and Africa, as well as our relationship with Washington, and so much more.

Let’s hope he can twist his brother Ed’s arm too. Ross’s vision is for an interactive and listening government with one aggregate site of ministers who write blogs. He sees no reason why Gordon Brown’s staff can’t do the same on his behalf, posting a few lines about his meetings and visits to get a conversation going. All this is perfectly possible.

And why aren’t our Shadow ministers writing blogs, I ask myself? Why aren’t they interacting and getting feedback about future policy?

This quote from Stephen Coleman, a professor of political communications in a report on conversational democracry, says it all:

“The great challenge is not to change people so that they connect with politics, but to change politics so it connects with the people.”

This is one way of doing it.

Eve Askew ran away from home aged 14 after being grounded for smoking. No  contact has been mad by Eve to her family or friends since her disappearance in Fitzgerald, Tasmania in 1991. She is now 30.

Tragically, Eve is unaware that both her parents have since died. She has also become an aunt.

In memory of those who are still missing.