Reflection

Tessa Jowell who died of cancer at the weekend was the first national politician I worked with, when I was in Islington. We got on really well and worked closely on Community Care developments in the borough at the time. She was very supportive to me, and got me a gig doing an opening speech at a NHS conference in Harrogate when she had to pull out. I don't think I persuaded the audience that I was a good substitute but I appreciated being given the opportunity.

Same day I got a call from one of my oldest friends who has inoperable lung cancer, and who does not sound to have long to live.