Tony Randall Talks To........

In conversation with a Labour Parliamentary Assistant by Tony Randall  With your MP generally doing everything they can to help their constituents and having Parliamentary duties to attend it can limit the amount of time they have dealing with all enquiries.  One vital piece of support to an MP is their Parliamentary Assistant and i spoke to a Labour one who works in the heart of Westminster who didn't want to be named.  TR: How long have you been a Parliamentary Assistant for now? And have you always had a love of politics? PA: I've been in Parliament for around four years now, I interned for one MP for three months, worked full-time for another one for 2 years up to the 2010 election, got made redundant when he lost his seat, and then i came to work for my latest MP who I've been with for just under 2 years. I was always interested in international issues but only came to UK politics in the year after leaving university. My family aren't political at all so it was

How do you start by attempting to say how you feel and what your going through? It's so difficult and embarrassing for me to talk about my Mental Health, having to this day kept my illness a secret from my family and friends all my life. I do know  its something that controls my life, it's a force a powerful one at that and no matter how much good professional support I'm receiving that dark gloomy cloud always comes over and strikes to the heart of me and then comes all my mixed emotions, anxiety and the voices in my head which confuses me and I lose all sense of reality. Fear is a big word for me, it's constantly getting more difficult to cope with and kicking in touch all these emotions and thoughts that go round and round in my head day and night. Fear that my only safeguard of wanting to carry on is my parents, not wanting to put them through the hurt and pain of me taking my life. And yet having had close calls recently of wanting to end it all with out a though

In conversation with Glenda Jackson MP for Hampstead and Highgate. by Tony Randall  The Labour MP who left school at 16. Worked as a shop girl in boots, Joined the Royal Shakespeare Company and won two Oscars for " Women in love " and " A touch of class " talks openly to Tony Randall TR: What was your reason for giving up a successful career as an actress to become a full time MP? GJ: Well anything i could do legally to rid the country of Margaret Thatcher and her Government , I was prepared to do. TR: You was elected as MP for Hampstead and Highgate in 1992. What would you say to date is your proudest achievements? GJ :  All MPs need the dedicated, unpaid, pavement pounding work of their constituency party members and supporters, both during and between General Elections, so my election, indeed, elections, have much to do with team-work. But in 5 successive elections, the electorate in my constituency saw fit to place their trust in

In conversation with Canon Jane Hedges by Tony Randall Canon Jane Hedges became Canon Steward at Westminster Abbey in January 2006 a role which involves overseeing the welcome of over one and a quarter million visitors each year to the Abbey. She is also Archdeacon of Westminster and has recently been appointed Sub-Dean.  One in four of us will at some point be affected by a mental health illness which means what ever faith or religion you are its likely you will come across a family member, friend or a work colleague who will experience this illness. But there is still unease and stigma that surrounds those who suffer from mental health in our society, so what about the church? are they welcoming and offer support and understanding or does that unease prevent them reaching out to those in need? Canon Jane speaks frankly about the churches role, whether spiritual care is more beneficial than medication and the role our MPs can play in the needs of those who suffe

Tony Randall speaks to the MD of Ann Summers My destination was head office of Ann Summers and an appointment with someone who has evolved from a feisty teenager and worked her way to the top in the business world helping create and transform the family business into a retail experience which is leading the way in a competitive market making women feel sexy about themselves and giving them what they want  "Orgasms ". In the first of a two part interview Vanessa Gold talks about life growing up as a teenager, the relationship with her family over the years plus working for the multi-million pound Ann Summers empire. TR :  Since leaving school and working your way up to MD of Ann Summers what have you discovered about yourself? VG :  I loved being at school and have very fond memories being there, and I remember being a very average pupil. At the time I was at school my parents had split up and I was a very feisty person indeed. The complete opposite to my

Tony Randall speaks to the MD of Ann Summers In the second part of the interview Vanessa talks about why as a family they try and give back something to society. The special connection the Gold family have with " The Children's Trust " What made her take up horse riding plus why would Vanessa rather pull her finger nails out with tweezers? And the late Margaret Thatcher would have been a perfect party guest. TR :  It does seem a family trait to try and help others out and succeed in business and life in general ? VG :  A few years ago i was asked to do some mentoring and it was something i really enjoyed doing and giving advice to people who wanted to start their own business. And your right i think it is a trait within our family, both DG and myself will every few months give a talk to young entrepreneurs which is part of the Peter Jones academy. I'm also an ambassador for " mumpreneur " a group set up for women who have gone on maternity l