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Create a national standard for Mental Health ServicesMental Health services are currently a post code lottery (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34583155) and even though 1 in 3 people will suffer a mental health problem in their lifetime and 1 in 10 people are suffering with a Mental Health problem at any given moment, with the statistics rising all the time, the Mental Health service is not good enough now. Oh yeah, and every single homo sapien that has ever existed has had a Mental Health, that could be important too.52 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Adam Barr
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Rein-in reckless reparations reporting Guardian!Reparations for trans-Atlantic slavery is a very divisive, volatile, potentially violence-prompting issue. Journalists have a special duty to be balanced in their reporting on such issues, especially when they involve high profile public figures whose views attract significant attention and can excite strong feeling. A journalist and publisher myself, I am fully aware of the commercial and temporal imperatives that constrain news coverage. I recognize the competitive challenges that social media and other technological developments have presented for the Guardian and other publications. But these challenges do not relieve journalists and publishers of our social responsibility. By what journalistic measure or standard could Ms Mason's claim that Mr Cameron's speech "struck a defiant note" be justified? Why does the article focus on an agreement or talks between the UK and Jamaica about UK funds for prison building and the repatriation of Jamaican prisoners to Jamaica when this apparently was not even mentioned in Mr Cameron's speech? Is this responsible journalism? Persons reading a transcript of the actual speech (found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pms-speech-to-the-jamaican-parliament) after reading Ms Mason's report could be excused for thinking that she was employed by leftist ideologue Jeremy Corbyn or that the Labour Party that Corbyn leads owns the Guardian. Mason's reference to Corbyn, proper in itself, thus risks being misinterpreted. Guardian reporters should leave the politicking to the politicians, or else, state their political agenda plainly. Your readership - especially Caribbean readers like myself - deserve better! The Reverend Gerald Seale of Barbados, a white Barbadian who apologized for his ancestors' role in the slave trade, deserve better. Pan Africanists like David Comissiong and professor Sir Hilary Beckles who apparently rely heavily (perhaps too heavily) on media reports for their analysis of current affairs deserve better. Doesn't the Guardian's "spiritual father" C.P. Scott deserve better? Wikipedia informs us: "In a 1921 essay marking the Manchester Guardian's centenary (at which time he had served nearly fifty years as editor), Scott put down his opinions on the role of the newspaper. He argued that the 'primary office' of a newspaper is accurate news reporting, saying 'comment is free, but facts are sacred'. Even editorial comment has its responsibilities: 'It is well to be frank; it is even better to be fair'. A newspaper should have a 'soul of its own', with staff motivated by a 'common ideal': although the business side of a newspaper must be competent, if it becomes dominant the paper will face 'distressing consequences'. Does Ms Mason's patently slanted report on PM Cameron's speech reflect Guardian dominance? Whatever it reflects needs to be reined in. (Ms Mason's reckless report can be read at this link: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/30/jamaica-should-move-on-from-painful-legacy-of-slavery-says-cameron)3 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Junior Campbell
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TV licences for the elderlyThe BBC is one of the most admired and respected media outlets in the world. To attempt to force it into private hands through undermining its financial base is verging on the criminal. The organisation is neither marxist nor threatening to our national culture. It is portrayed as such by those who wish both to silence it for political reasons and to benefit financially by its privatisation.6 of 100 SignaturesCreated by lawrence forrester
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NHS England - Approve Translarna NOW!Will and Isaac Baker are brothers, aged 6 and 3, from Colchester, Essex. Their grandparents are active members of The Ark Methodist Church, and Will and Isaac's parents regularly bring Will and Isaac to Sunday School at The Ark. Both boys have a particular strain of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. PTC Therapeutics, based in the USA, have developed a drug - Translarna - which is the first drug ever to be developed specifically to treat the strain of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy which both Will and Isaac have. The drug has been approved in the European Union and in a small number of countries across the world. The drug has also been approved for a 6 month period for a boy in Scotland only last week. It is critical that NHS England approve this drug while the boys still have mobility and meet the prescribing criteria. Will, who is now 5 (his 6th birthday is next week), meets all the criteria to commence treatment immediately. Isaac is 3 yrs 7mths and hopefully will do so on his 5th birthday.48 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Alan Jenkins
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Support Parking Charges at the Victoria EmbankmentReducing the number of people parking on the embankment will help to reduce the number of cars passing through and make the area a safer more enjoyable place for people to enjoy. Many of those people parking in the area, abuse the facility simply to avoid parking charges faced elsewhere as part of their commute to work. The Victoria Embankment in Nottingham has been given to the citizens of Nottingham and the locality for their mental and physical health & well-being. This breathing space is one of the most beautiful spots in the city; an oasis of serenity where people can escape from the hustle and bustle of traffic, of noise and of everyday life. This highly protected Covenanted Land, which has been gifted to the City, should be a place for people to visit for relaxation, recreation and enjoyment rather than another built-up car park amongst the urban sprawl. The embankment hosts many amazing events including the Riverbank Festival, The Robin Hood Marathon, Cycle Live and the Caribbean carnival parade amongst many others. These fantastic events are enjoyed by thousands of people from all over the region and demonstrate just how beneficial a space such as this can be when cars are no longer the number one priority. The benefits to mental and physical health, the bringing together of communities and the knock on economic effects are incalculable. The City Council has invested millions in a new tram route, has an award winning bus network, provides excellent park and ride facilities, as well as an accessible cycle hire scheme which has been free throughout the summer. Despite continued investment in sustainable and active travel options, many people still choose to use cars to travel into work and to destinations like this despite the financial burden, inconvenience caused by traffic congestion and knock effects to their health – not to mention issues with localised air pollution and greenhouse gases. The city council cannot rely on incentives along and has to crack down on those individuals who abuse local facilities, which are there to be enjoyed by local residents and people.4 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Dominic Sweeting
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BBC WORKING FOR NHSThe NHS will soon be on its knees. By having the BBC work for the NHS it will help boost the budget of the service that needs to be top of our preservation and improvement list. I am deliberately making this is a brief note because the simple ideas are the best and I do not want to be watering it down by long-winded explanations. In short, get the BBC working for the NHS.37 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Norman Giller
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Recycle all plastics in Westminster Council, LondonWith the vast amount of people and business that goes on in London, ensuring the minimum amount of waste ends up in landfill should be a top priority! Making it easy for residents and businesses to recycle something as basic as plastic is a fundamental part of that. If other councils like Greenwich can recycle a large range of mixed recycling why can't Westminster?11 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Laura Dodd Wild
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Stop educational recruitment agencies sucking funds from our schools!Learning is THE most important of activities. Education costs money. Why should money be wasted to make private individuals (the directors of the agencies) rich?2 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Keith Clarke
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Mitchell Library Main Reading Hall open for public useThe Mitchell is one of Europe's largest public libraries and the Main Reading Hall with the leaded glass ceiling is the most impressive and inspiring of the rooms. In spite of this, it is not enjoyed by the public or visitors to the city. The room lies unused during the day. The original wooden tables and chairs are currently in storage.30 of 100 SignaturesCreated by N Rolland
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Wheelchair Users V Pushchairs & Buggies on busesBeing passengers in wheelchairs should not be made to wait at bus stops sometimes for over an hour to wait for the next available bus. Also in 2004 a disability law was brought into the country by the government at that time to help the disabled.5 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Jeff Coombs
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Keep Blackpool clean!Blackpool's major asset its tourism. However when the tourists come here they are greeted by rubbish bins that are overfull. Rubbish is strewn over the streets and no one is cleaning it up. The council need to keep on top of this to present a cleaner town for tourists and residents. It is unsightly, unhygienic and puts off residents and tourists alike. The petition is being put up here due to Blackpool council not allowing petitions on their own website.26 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Kat Harris
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improve national recycling targetsNational targets for recycling cannot be reached while some manufacturer’s plastic packaging provides no information regarding recycling. Meanwhile others state the container is recyclable but not the lid, and others place onus on consumers to check local policy. Councils and customers are expected to play their part in recycling - What are manufacturers doing?17 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Vic Tadd
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