losing my virginity . . . calm down!

. . . and we're off;

Having been born in the 20th century, worked in an industry rooted in the 19th century, i'm finally using 21st century devices.

For those interested, i am a "child of the '50's", who failed his 11+, went to a secondary modern school and left in 1969 without any qualifications. That all came much later, after shovelling s**t in a Foundry and being a union pain for many years. This was when the UK had a manufacturing industry.

Made redundant in 1983 (it wasn't personal, there were several thousand of us), I used my new found freedom to gain some access skills and finally did a degree in Politics and graduated in 1989. Now I work in Local Government, but things look grim in the near to medium future.

Political parties, of all hue, feel like creating a scape goat, and local government will do. The so called free press spin stories of gold plated pensions and unproductive posts, but this is largely through ignorance, and at the behest of media tycoons with personal agendas. the overwhelming majority of local government workers earn modest salaries, and have a dedication to service delivery. Yes, there is the occasional "bad apple" - what industry doesn't have that? Certainly not Finance and Banking, eh?

Up until the 31st March, I ran a Welfare Rights Unit, and served those citizens of my city who had mental health issues, physical disabilities, learning disabilities, and a range of needs that were not being addressed. Budgetary cuts mean that no longer happens, and the hundreds (yes, hundreds) we assisted are left to the under-funded voluntary sector now.

What have they saved? About £100,000. That employed four people and paid for the office costs, etc. Not massive salaries, note! It was a LibDem decision, but it wasn't opposed by any other party, save the odd rogue councillor.

i shall be watching the new government for signs of hope, but I am not confident.