Latest news with #PamelaNash
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
QUENTIN LETTS: Pop! Mount Kemi blew her top like Etna ... vulcanologists in Geneva may have picked up a blip on their seismographs
Mount Etna erupted this week. Kemi Badenoch did something similar at PMQs. Blew her top. Pop! Who could blame her? Sir Keir Starmer has become idly, sarcastically evasive. On his weekly trip to the Commons – how little this tiresome place merits a statesman of his hair-gelled importance – he has swapped tight dialectic for ironic vituperation. Who does he think he is? A sketch writer? Mrs Badenoch had opened with short questions about the winter fuel allowance and the two-child benefit cap. The latter could be fruitful territory for Conservatives now that Nigel Farage has switched to supporting high benefits. Sir Keir, in response to Mrs Badenoch, puckered his superior lips. He said she was struggling to 'catch up' with political events. He leaned an elbow on the despatch box and twisted his neck, throwing his witticism towards his backbenchers so that they can savour its cleverness. He then resumed his seat with a satisfied moue and examined his notes for the next precooked slander. Smoke started to seep from Mt Kemi's vents and fumaroles. Vulcanologists in Geneva may have picked up a blip on their seismographs. Warning rumbles rent the early-summer afternoon. Mind you, they may have come from Pamela Nash (Lab, Motherwell). 'Wee' Pammy, gaunt behind the PM, was looking peckish. Sir Keir absorbed the usual bellows of support from his backbenches. He luxuriated in his pomp. Never, in all those years of grey opposition, did he imagine how dang sexy all this power would make him feel. The liberation of having to tell the truth! Now prime minister, he can tell as many fibs as he wishes, and there is nothing anyone can do to stop him. He claimed that the economy was doing splendidly under Labour. Ha! He insisted he was much gripped by child poverty. As for the two-child benefit cap, well, the Conservatives were pro-Russia. That last one was a bit of a leap. Mrs Badenoch looked perplexed. Tories said 'eh?' Hansard twitched. Speaker Hoyle, who had a rugby league magazine beside him on his chair, wondered if he had just drifted off for a minute and missed a few connecting sentences. Sir Keir was referring to some allegedly dreadful remark Mrs Badenoch made about Ukraine. It did not seem particularly dreadful to much of the House when Sir Keir elaborated on it at greater length. Yet Sir Keir's acolytes reacted to this unsensational remark with theatrical astonishment. David Lammy might just have been mooned by Priti Patel. Lucy Powell, dimwit Leader of the Commons, sucked her lower deck of teeth. This was when Mt Kemi blew. She sauntered back to the despatch box and exploded at Sir Keir's pettiness. Magma and ash flew everywhere as she denounced the 'chaos, chaos, chaos' of the Starmer government. A press-gallery colleague afterwards felt Mrs Badenoch made herself look silly. But I rather liked it. Her anger was extempore, eloquent and it showed us some character under her usual self-control. It won a moo of approval from the Tory benches, depleted as they are these days. Sir Keir was equally half-hearted and derisive – anything to change the subject and jeer – in his answers to the SNP's Brendan O'Hara, who asked about Gaza. Reform's Sara Pochin asked if, like some countries, we should ban the burqa. Sir Keir answered that with a jocular insult about Liz Truss. The other event of the day was a speech by Rachel Reeves at a bus factory in Rochdale, Lancs. Workers stood behind her as political stage-dressing but this backfired worse than an old charabanc. The workers found Ms Reeves unscintillating. A chap in a blue sweatshirt struggled to keep his eyes open. Another, grey-topped, rubbed his stubble, sighed, eased his neck, scratched his head, flared his nostrils, did a tunnel stare, ground his jaw, and laughed at a mate. Ms Reeves, for her part, spoke of her 'friscal famework'.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Praise for cancer charity based in Wishaw with team of over 120 volunteer drivers
On average 50 patients are transported to clinics and hospitals each day by LCCT Motherwell and Wishaw's MP recently met with members of a cancer charity based in Wishaw Driver Norrie Lamont was among the Lanarkshire Cancer Care Trust (LCCT) team who met with Pamela Nash, and he revealed that he had been volunteering with the charity for an incredible 25 years. LCCT has more than 120 registered volunteer drivers who support cancer patients all over Lanarkshire by offering free transport to medical appointments. On average, 50 patients are transported to clinics and hospitals each day by LCCT volunteers. The vital service is available to those who do not have transport of their own, and anyone who would find it difficult to cope with making journeys in an ambulance. Around 85 per cent of funding is raised through donations from patients and the public, with the remainder coming from annual grants via NHS Lanarkshire, and North and South Lanarkshire councils. The visit came as the UK prepares to celebrate the work of volunteers with Volunteers' Week, which is running from June 2 to 8. Norrie said: 'I took early retirement 25 years ago and I've been volunteering with the LCCT ever since - I love it, it's so rewarding. 'A lot of the time, you will be driving the same patient back and forth to all of their appointments and you really build a bond with them. In the car, I get their life story - and they get mine! 'A lot of our volunteer drivers are retired and had been looking for a useful way to spend their spare time. 'During Volunteers Week, I'd encourage anyone looking to get involved with a local charity to consider the LCCT - you don't have to volunteer every day, and you are allocated jobs based around your availability.' Pamela Nash said: 'It was wonderful to meet with Norrie at the Lanarkshire Cancer Care Trust on Wishaw's Main Street and hear all about the charity's work. 'With almost 500,000 miles covered by volunteer drivers last year, it is clear this is a vital and much-needed service. 'Not only do LCCT's volunteers transfer patients to their appointments reliably and safely, but they also provide a friendly face and reassurance. 'If you can drive, have your own car and some time to spare, please consider volunteering for the LCCT.' *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. Article continues below
Daily Record
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
New system will help support armed forces veterans across Lanarkshire
It coincides with the 80 year anniversary of VE Day this week Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke MP Pamela Nash has paid tribute to the armed forces community across her constituency as this week marks 80 years since VE Day, the end of the Second World War in Europe. VE Day on Thursday May 8, is a time for remembrance and reflection of those who have served - and still serve - in the armed forces. The Labour MP welcomed the UK Government's new VALOUR system - a bold UK-wide plan to improve veterans' support services. She said: 'The new VALOUR system, named to celebrate the courage of our veteran community, will mean veterans across the UK have easier access to essential care and support. 'This move is a vital step forward for the 2,553 veterans in Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke. 'For most service personnel, a career in the Armed Forces sets them up for success and can be a great tool for social mobility. 'VALOUR aims to help unlock veterans' full potential and foster the enterprising spirit of veteran charities. 'And where veterans have complex needs, VALOUR will help ensure the support on offer is data driven and better tailored to their need.' Backed by £50 million of funding, VALOUR will provide joined-up care through a UK-wide network of recognised support centres, regional field officers, and tailored, data-driven services. It will improve access to help in key areas like housing, employment, health and welfare - regardless of where a veteran lives. Pamela added: 'Bringing together charities, service providers and local government, the new regional field officers provide more evidence and feedback driven support for veterans, across housing, employment, health and welfare. 'Our veterans served with valour. Now our VALOUR support network will help ensure our country repays their courage. 'Labour is delivering on our Plan for Change by renewing the nation's contract with those who serve. 'They had our backs, and we have theirs.' *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
