Like Old Times.

Sorry, but unlikely to be time for blogging again today. Its 5.00 in the morning and I've just off to Cardiff for a meeting of the European Care Group in the Park Hotel. I chair the Welsh Advisory Board of this growing care company, and its my last meeting of the two year 'contract' I was given. I've learned a lot about the way we, as a society, look after old people - and a lot about the expanding problem of dementia. Even though I took the decision this week to put my campaign to be elected MP for Montgomeryshire as top priority, I may well retain my specific interest in this sector. No doubt it would become one of my priorities if I were to succeed. And I shall stay down in Cardiff for a dinner tonight, associated with Kidney Wales Foundation, another of the interests I'm likely to stick with. Been involved in the campaign for a renal dialysis unit at Welshpool Hospital for too long to leave it now - particularly since it really does look as if its going to come to pass. When it does, I will lead the chorus of "There's only one Edwina Hart". This rushing about, putting strain on the physical capacity of my body is just like it was when I was an Assembly Member.

Should have been down in Cardiff last night as well - for the first meeting of a discussion group about health services in Wales, with a focus on dementia, which is being promoted by the European Care Group (along the lines of something similar I attend at Oxford Uni) was held at the Park. But as a result of my new policy of giving top priority to my election campaign, I instead attended the Mayor of Welshpool's very grand dinner to celebrate her installation in this historic office for another year. Anne Holloway has always been a doughty fighter for her town. Pleased I went. Bis event. Main talking point was MP's expenses of course. Didn't meet anyone who did not think there should be a General Election this year. If Gordon Brown does not call it in 2009, I reckon he will go down to a massive defeat in 2010.