The UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights was updated towards the end of last year – thus, demonstrating that its universality was not that universally accepted. This is a statement guaranteeing equal treatment, non-discrimination, and the right to life regardless of colour, race or language. In November 2010 the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee on Social, Cultural and Humanitarian issues removed the phrase “sexual orientation” from a resolution addressing extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. Gay and lesbian groups claim that the removed “sexual orientation” from the resolution gives the green light for gays to be murdered by governments, death squads and vigilantes without cause.

I read the other day that the yes campaign for the alternative vote in the upcoming referendum had falled behind the No campaign.

I am not sure which is better, but I have a few issues with the Alternative Vote (AV).

A Major one is that the voters of the least popular opponents will be "double counted" first.

An Example:

Party A: 40%
Party B: 30%
Party C: 20%
Fringe Party: 10%

Since neither party has reached the required vote, the BNP candiate will be knocked off the list and his voters second choices used. The voters who voted for the Fringe Party will in essence have two votes.

(in the above scenario, the voters for Party C will also have 2 votes as with the redistribution of the Fringe Party vote, it will still be unlikely for anyone to have reached 50%.)

If the doctors are going to eb drafted in to do the job of managers, who will do the job of the doctors?

I mentioned before how I was not too fussed about who won in Oldham East.

But now I think there are two potential candidates to vote for:

1. Kashif Ali as the token Muslim Tory who almost turned it into a three horse race last time around.
2. Elwyn Watkins, the Lib Dem guy who should have won last time around.

and those are in no particular order. Why the sudden change?

In recent days I have heard of two different incidents which tell me that Labour just does not get the idea of the right to privacy and liberty.

First, there was the suggestion that speed cameras should be "reversed" to also "reward good drivers". Ofcourse this would mean tracking each and every journey to decide who the good drivers are etc, instead of only keeping on record those that speed.

and now after the Jo Yeates murder, another Labour MP has suggested that all men in Bristol should submit their DNA for testing in order to find the killer.

Maybe its what being in power for 143 years does, but Labour seriously need to sort out their views on civil liberties and right to privacy.

The By-Election to choose the replacement for Phil Woolas will be on Thursday 13 January 2011.

He is out, which is a good result. as for the people running in it, there is no compelling option.

The Lib Dems have proven themselves to be a bit Weasely.

Labour while it has a new leader, still needs to remember its past.

The Tories have no chance in hell, not that they are even trying.

So voter advice: stay at home. All options are the same, even though it would be good to see the Lib Dems get a kicking.