Bronchia

Last week was jam-packed with meetings and important phone calls, for somebody who doesn’t have a proper job or get any financial benefit for such things at any rate.

The week began with a lovely chat with Jane at the OU about their disabled student services conference this November. I will be attending to talk to staff about my experiences and supporting students with autistic spectrum conditions. During the week, I met with various other groups and asked the Leeds Autism Partnership Board for support for my involvement in the Undiscovered Workforce campaign. It ended with Jayne from Rachel Reeves‘ office and Debbie from the NAS.

Rachel has been a keen supporter of my work on the campaign and is going to help me to improve the situation regarding employment for people with autism in Leeds. I have been working hard lately with a variety of different people towards organising a big event next year involving all the stakeholders around employment and autism in Leeds. The support of my MP and her team is vital in this and making things better generally, and it was great to talk to Jayne and Debbie about the situation as it is and the next steps we can take. Rachel has helped members of the local community with many things recently, from re-opening post offices to improving bus services and saving the historic Bramley Baths.

If employers and Jobcentre Plus fully understood the issues people with autism face in getting and sustaining employment, the positive aspects of the condition and the simplicity and ease of some of the reasonable adjustments that can make productive work possible, the level of unemployment for people with autistic spectrum conditions could drop dramatically. Employers in Leeds should be trying to diversify and support their workforce. People like me have skills and traits like loyalty, focus, creativity, an alternative approach to ideas and the passion and commitment that organisations should be harnessing to give themselves the competitive edge that helps companies to survive and thrive in a difficult economic situation. All it takes is flexibility and true understanding. Awareness doesn’t amount to much if attitudes don’t change.

My campaign work as an Ambassador for the National Autistic Society has kept me very busy this year, and I was honoured this week to be invited to their 50th birthday celebration reception at 10 Downing Street, hosted by Samantha Cameron.

I crowdsourced a dress via Twitter, with my friend Meg coming to the rescue. My mum helped me buy some fabulous footwear. Richard, my hairdresser, sorted out my unruly mop. I got ready at my in-laws’ house and got the bus to Westminster.

I had to queue up with all the other guests – including Jane Asher, arriving in a swish car – and then show my invitation card and passport (for ID purposes). We then trotted down the street to more security, putting our bags and jackets through airport-style scanners. We weren’t allowed photos inside, but entering Number 10 felt very much like walking into the lobby of a posh, businesslike hotel, crossed with a stately home. Only with more policemen with guns everywhere. There is a wooden set of small cubby holes, each containing a white card imprinted with a black number. You remove the card and slide in your (switched-off) mobile phone or PDA. No electronic devices allowed in the house, so this is a cloakroom for smartphones – or so it appeared on the night. Then came the actual cloakroom, for those who had jackets/coats and larger bags.

We were then directed up the stairs to the reception rooms. I paused before entering the Terracotta Room. Everyone was trying to decipher Tracey Emin’s neon art piece above the door, which says in a scrawl “More Passion”. It’s quite a dark hallway, so it’s very visible.

I was cheered to note on entering the room that there was another non-alcoholic option than water or teeth-stripping orange juice – I was offered elderflower and pomegranate fizz, garnished with mint. Very convivial. I got the same regular top-ups as the wine drinkers, too.

I had a lovely evening, with gorgeous canapes and wonderful company. I was one of the blessed few able to meet Ms Cameron for a few moments, and passed on my mother’s good wishes. Daughter points won. Her speech was brief, but welcome, recognising as it did the work that the NAS do and the issues people on the spectrum face. Mark Lever, the chief exec of the society, also talked briefly. I must confess, I was perched on a very posh sofa at this point, as my feet are not used to the glamorous heels I was sporting. There were quite a few of us hobbling out and into flats at the end of the night.

I enjoyed meeting trustees, NAS staff, journalists and fellow-campaigners, including some fabulous Young Ambassadors. The only disappointment was that the loos were very dull, no exciting toiletries or decor. Could have been a basic hotel or pub. Spruce up your facilities, Dave.

On the way out, we were allowed to have our photos taken outside the famous front door. It was all a bit quick and blurry, as people needed to get out and we couldn’t shut the door for long. Here I am, looking a bit gormless in my frock.

When I was down in London for the National Autistic Society Undiscovered Workforce campaign launch, I was asked if I minded being interviewed for the Guardian about autism and employment by journalist and jazz singer, Lynne Wallis.

I agreed, and the results made the front page of the Work section in Saturday’s Guardian, with a whacking great picture of me by the lovely Christopher Thomond. All daffadowndillies.

Read the interview here.

Please write to your MP about the important issue of adults with autism and employment. This is an easy way to email them.

On Tuesday, I went to London. I am an Ambassador for the National Autistic Society, and their latest campaign, the Undiscovered Workforce, is about adults with autism and employment. I have Asperger Syndrome and do not have a job. Neither am I on benefits. I was invited to a reception at Parliament to launch the campaign.

The reception was held in Dining Room A at the House of Commons. I got there early, and was treated to a short tour by Anthony of the NAS, who used to work for an MP. I also got to see the Queen’s new Diamond Jubilee stained glass window, for which all the members of the Commons and Lords chipped in. Just like a birthday club at work. Apparently Her Maj did not bring buns in for everyone, but we spotted where the red carpet had been and chairs from her morning speech (school assembly, come on) were being cleared away.

When we got into the room, information packs, canapes and drinks were available, but I was more interested in the comfortable green leather chairs with House of Commons logo. Sadly, it would have proved impossible to stuff one in my handbag to take home. Soon, peers and MPs began to arrive, along with other people with autism, employers and more NAS staff. I met a lot of very interesting people and spoke about my experiences.

I met with my MP, Rachel Reeves, recently – details here – to discuss this very campaign, and she came to the reception. We had a little chat about furthering the campaign in Leeds and had some pictures taken, both officially and by her team.

With Rachel Reeves (photo courtesy of Rachel’s Twitter):

I was introduced to a Guardian journalist, and was interviewed briefly – apparently she will be back in touch – before being asked if I minded being filmed for BBC Breakfast. No guarantees that it would be used, etc. Four of us spent quite a long time outside the Commons, as nobody could film in Parliament, first being interviewed and then doing what I call a “Phil and Kirstie”. This is fake but purposeful walking down the street, to use as a kind of framing device.

Of course, having spent ages doing the Phil and Kirstie, that bit wasn’t used and nor was most of what we said. But despite the pressures of time on Budget Day, we still made it onto telly on Wednesday morning. I was asked if I wanted to do the live on the sofa bit, but I hadn’t got any more nice clothes with me or my hair stuff for the next day, so to be honest (and shallow) I turned it down for that reason. Fellow person with Asperger Syndrome and London dweller Katherine did a great job.

BBC Breakfast:

http://youtu.be/Bd6J1Ewz4J0?hd=1

While we were out of the room, I missed being able to natter with plenty more MPs attending the reception, such as Louise Mensch. Damn. I also missed the speeches – the text of Lord Freud‘s speech can be found here.

On our return, I did get to meet NAS President Jane Asher, and thank her for the role that her book Quick Party Cakes played in my childhood, and for her performance in The Sarah Jane Adventures. We talked briefly about Lis Sladen, and a family anecdote surrounding a mix up between Janes Asher and Austen, and she was absolutely lovely.

Yesterday I went to the Hayward for the Joy In People exhibition by my favourite artist, Jeremy Deller. I had a whale of a time, and bumped into Jeremy as he was scurrying around checking everything was OK. We have met before, and it was great to chat again. Photography was forbidden in most areas, so I didn’t take many. The exhibition lives up to its joyous, humanist title. I did see the David Shrigley exhibition that was on at the same time, but that mostly left me cold. I’m not keen on his sculptures and the whole layout of the exhibition left me with unpleasant sensory triggers. Liked some of the pictures, though.

I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist. I’ve been an Ambassador for the National Autistic Society since late last year. I was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in May 2011.

I wrote a blog for the NAS after I met with my MP, Rachel Reeves.

Next stop, a reception at Parliament. In my head, it’s going to be just like the ambassador’s receptions, which are of course noted in society. Monsieur! Wizh zhese Rocher you are really spoiling uszh! Lord Freud is in charge, and if he doesn’t get one of his minions to bring in a giant platter of outmoded chocolates I will be most disappointed.

Want a leader that stands for civil liberties, equality (gender, sexuality, race, age), political reform, the rights of workers, the environment, challenging the record, optimism…? A leader who believes in work, but unlike the Deputy Prime Minister does not stereotype those who cannot work and does not think all self-worth comes from (paid) work. His record does not bear out all of these things, this I know, but he said Labour were wrong on 90 days, wrong on OTT application of anti-terrorism laws, wrong on Iraq. I’d rather have a leader who admits he is wrong and moves to the correct position, than one who said that VAT increases were regressive and terrible, that cuts were objectionable, that disabled people needed support and free schools were a bad thing, and moved his position to the wrong one as soon as he got power. Or one who has ideological objections to some of the things I hold most dear.

This may be idealistic, but for now I’m in. Cautious optimism. Just…sort out the music supervision, nobody needs to hear Kings Of Leon or Vampire Weekend bookending speeches again.

Here’s the text of Ed’s speech, from LabourList.

Oh, and because the gag had to be made given the tagline of the speech:

Video: John Harris interviews the Labour women who are fighting for equality.

Harriet Harman, Yvette Cooper and co speak in the above video about what it’s like to be a female MP, and activists discuss the disproportional effect of the budget on women and the length of time it might take to achieve equal representation. Newer MPs like my MP Rachel Reeves talk eloquently about the way male MPs, particularly on the Government’s benches, make patronising and inappropriate comments about appearance and clothes while thinking they’re being polite and gentlemanly. Note to blokes – it’s not. If you wouldn’t regularly compliment Dave on his suits, ask Danny if he’s had a haircut recently as his glorious red hair looks marvellous or tell Nick green’s a good colour on him and really brightens up the place, don’t do it to your female colleagues.

Lead4Women campaigned for a Labour Party Leader who would, as the name on the tin says, Lead For Women. They wrote letters to all the candidates, asking them a set of questions. Ed Miliband committed to a 50:50 male:female shadow cabinet in his response – L4W are now working on holding him to his promises.

The I’m a WAG campaign has a tongue in cheek name standing for Women Against George – in recognition of the fact that the new Chancellor’s cuts disproportionally affect women:

“George Osborne’s cuts to the Health in Pregnancy grant, the Sure Start Maternity Allowance, Child Tax Credits and Child Benefit expose how he and the Coalition are not on women’s sides.

Women are at the very heart of family and society, and with lower Carers Allowance payments, cuts to housing benefit, and the rise in VAT, this Tory Government propped up by the Lib Dems is just throwing more hurdles in the way of hard working women.”

So the first Miliband I met snatched it in the end, in a very close vote that made AV look exciting to me and the electoral college system and the idea of union members having their own individual votes seem apparently incomprehensible to journalists.

Ed Miliband is the new leader of the Labour Party. Hurray, now we can get on with the business of Opposition…and I can get on with revising for my exams.

So, here we are at the final furlong. Votes close in the Labour Party Leadership Election 2010 on Wednesday (21st September) and the result is announced a week today (Saturday 25th September). Handy timetable from the Party’s website.

I voted online earlier today – for those who don’t know, they send you physical ballot papers but also codes so you can vote on a special website – and I am not telling you who I voted for. Also included were various other internal elections, of limited interest to those outside the Party. I had two leadership votes, as a member of Labour Students as well as the Party proper. I used my preferences slightly different on each – Labour Party leaders are voted in using the AV system of preferential voting. I will back whoever wins as unity is important. Also I’ve met them all and heard them all speak, and there’s only one candidate I would be seriously unhappy with as leader, and that candidate is unlikely to win.

The picture at the top of this post is of a mere fraction of the gubbins I have been sent or handed during the campaign, and doesn’t include the vast number of emails, texts and phone calls I have also received. The Party send you booklets with statements from the various candidates, the candidates’ teams post and hand out leaflets and I also signed up to several campaigns directly for more information, so it’s my own fault that I now have a shoebox full of stuff relating to this election.

Here are my past posts on the subject of this election, most recent first:

David Miliband in Horsforth
Andy Burnham in Leeds
Leeds Hustings
Meeting A Miliband (Part II)
Meeting A Miliband (Part I)

And a link to all my photographs, also most recent first. Please note that the number of photographs per candidate, quality of shot and which candidates I have had my photographs taken with only reflect the lighting conditions, distance from the candidate and access I had, rather than indicating my preferences:

Bronchia photos from Labour Party Leadership Election 2010

Channel 4′s handy guide to the candidates and election

BBC Question Time hustings with all the candidates, on iPlayer (UK only)

Roll on Saturday 25th September! If only I had the time and money to go to Conference this year…