New Year New Leader

I am delighted that we have a new leader - Nick Clegg.

But I want to pay a real tribute to Vince Cable. Didn't he do well? Standing against the Saudi's, making real news on Northern Rock and delivering a killer blow 'Mr Bean' comment about Gordon Brown. I think a lot of members were thinking why didn't he stand?

I saw Nick on Newsnight last night with Jeremy Paxman giving him a real grilling. He stood up well on the onslaught. Bear in mind he probably has had little sleep and travelled thousands of miles over the last few weeks - plus his celebratory party - he was excellent.

I look forward to driving up membership in Truro and Falmouth with our new, vibrant leader.

Difficult decisions

Mum didn't make it sadly. The consultant said that since she could not swallow it would be unlikely she would ever have any quality of life. She was unable to take food or water. It was hard to see your mum ebb away especially since she was denied food and water due to her inability to take it.

The staff at Botallack ward were fantastic not only to Mum but also to us, the family. Very compassionate, calm and understanding. We tend to only think of hospital staff as dealing with sick people but they also deal with emotional families during stressful times too. I was really impressed with this side of the medical profession and would like to thank them all for their care.

Ironically Mum was on a local TV network as part of Treliske's response to dignity of vulnerable patients. Because she could not eat or swallow she had a blue wristband on her arm. This alerted all staff to the fact she could not speak and needed special care.

Anyway this year has been one that has orphaned me - my Dad died in February.

My parents were lucky in that both my brother and I were around to help them. What about all those elderly people with little or no real family support.