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...

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...

Mental Health Services for society's most vulnerable are in some cases not safe and failing people's care needs at a time when the service should be adequately funded by Government, instead it all points to more cuts. The Prime Minister said back in June 2007 " We will not cut spending on the NHS – we will increase it.” As someone who's support and care has been affected by these cuts I've noticed big squeezes on resources in my community mental health centre and staff are over-stretched. It's time for MPs on all sides to have a look and really see just how much more needs to be done to help. The number of cases of people needing counselling are rising as is the rate of suicide, we need a solution that addresses this crisis and now. I asked some MPs if they are concerned that the state of Mental Health services in their constituencies are failing people's needs and what can be done to put this right. Luciana Berger MP Is the Shadow Minister for Public H...

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 s...

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...

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...

In conversation with Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson by Tony Randall /31st March 2012 I start by saying it is with out no doubt Tanni is a remarkable lady and a true inspiration to one and all. Having competed in five Paralympic Games and winning a total of 11 Gold Medals there is no doubt Tanni is one of our most loved and acclaimed sports persons of her generation. In 2010 she was made a cross-bench peer in the House of Lords where she has been engaging in debates around disability issues such as health and suicide along with sport and has shown her passion and dedication in the Lords just as she did on the sports track. Tanni took time out to speak to me about her childhood, being an Paralympic athlete, Welfare reforms and discrimination.  TR: If we can go right back to your youth and growing up as a child with spina bifida, at what point did you think this is not going to hold me back and started to get involved in sport? TGT: My parents were always...

Tony Randall speaks to the chairman of West Ham FC 26th Nov 2012 David Gold with Daughter and MD of Ann Summers Vanessa Gold I was to meet Mr Gold at 3pm at the Ann Summers HQ in Surrey. Now I like to be early for appointments but even by my standards a full two hours was a record for me. But the staff were very helpful,filled me with coffee and mini twix bars and chatted away to me until the big hand nearly reached the hour of three. I was getting a touch nervous when I hear " Hello you must be Tony " it was Jane, Mr Golds PA. I was led to the top floor and to the chairman's office where I was greeted by the man himself and we began to talk about the club he's loved since a boy, Olympic stadium, Big Sam, Twitter, The Hammerettes and depression in football. TR : Having grown up a stones throw from the Boleyn Ground and a life long hammers supporter, this must be a dream come true for you to end up as chairman? DG : I have to confess it never occ...

In conversation with Tracey Crouch MP for Chatham and Aylesford by Tony Randall  In my final part of talking to Tracey we discuss all the issues that concern her local constituents from the proposed Thames Estuary airport to the closing of shops and jobs in local high streets, and how she is going about ensuring that matters can be resolved which will benefit the communities. Twitter and yes being booted off the Parliamentary football team all feature in our discussion.  TR: Before you became a Member of Parliament you had already worked with in Westminster for several MPs. Have you always wanted to be an MP and what made you want to become one? TC: I actually didn't realise at first i wanted to be an MP. but a lot of my school friends would probably identify that i wanted to become one around the age of 17 or 18. I did some work experience for my then MP Michael Howard and he showed me how valuable the job is, It's not just about standing up in parliament waving order...

In conversation with Tracey Crouch MP for Chatham and Aylesford. by Tony Randall  In the first of a two part interview Tracey talks to me about a subject that effects myself and people of all ages and walks of life, Mental Illness, Is it still a taboo subject? And why don't MPs admit to having this illness? Tracey openly expresses her views on the proposed social care reforms and being Vice Chairman of the All Party Group For Dementia.   10am was my appointment time with Tracey in the restaurant of the local supermarket, and always the professional Tracey arrived on time and before anything that much needed strong cup of coffee was ordered to start another long day.  I start by letting Tracey know about my history of depression and how it has effected me through out my life, ways i have tried to self harm and planned to end my life only for it to fail due to circumstances. A very concerned Tracey talks to me about the help I'm getting and her...

Talking to Julie Neville by Tony Randall/5/12013 It's exciting times for Julie the wife of Everton captain Phil Neville with her company Win Naturally having just opened it's first stores in Manchester and London within Selfridges. You would think life is all glamour for Julie and her family. But its far from that as Julie talks openly of her heartache of not only the children's illness but her health problems as well. How does husband Phil react when Everton lose a game and what is he like around the home? TR: The day you was told not only your daughter but yourself were fighting life threatening illnesses was obviously a tough time for all in the Neville household, how did you as a family come to terms with this? JN: It was all very sudden that Isabella and i were both unwell. Isabella was born three months premature and there was several complications. Our son Harvey was only one year old at the time. I was in hospital for one month and Isabella...