Children always make a huge difference to the lives of those with whom they come into contact.  Every parent I have ever spoken to says the birth of their child changes their lives permanently.  David and Samantha Cameron were no different except that Ivan's illness helped the politician to gain a much greater understanding of the NHS and those who rely on it.

Beyond that, Ivan's death has raised awareness of the struggle many families experience every single day - but also helped to bring political foes together in a way rarely ever seen.

I was proud of our Parliament yesterday.  Yes, there is a debate about whether or not Prime Minister's Questions should have been cancelled but what is more significant is the way in which our political representatives, on all sides, responded to a very personal tragedy.  I am sure that the Camerons will have been deeply touched by the response from people across the country, but no more so than from a Prime Minister not known for his generosity to his political opponents.  The genuine sadness in his voice and in his face was all too raw. Clearly, a parent never truly recovers from the death of a child.  

It's fantastic that so many Brits won awards at the Oscars.  I saw Slumdog Millionaire a few weeks ago and loved it, and when I saw the Reader I k

new Kate W would take the award.  

It wasn't all about the Brits -  was fortunate enough to see Milk befor

e Christmas and think it is one of the most powerful films of recent times, and loved the late Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight.  For once it seems the views of the Academy chimed with the views of the cinema going public.  And the Brits are the biggest winners.

I'll be out and about with our Eltham South Action Team on Saturday - so if you see us, please feel free to come and have a chat.  We want to know what local people think of the current financial turmoil as well as anything else you want to raise with us.

I'll be accompanied by local councillors and others keen to help tackle problem, large and small.

The Justice Secretary has stepped in to allow Jack Tweed special dispensation to spend his wedding night with his bride, Jade Goody.  In normal circumstances I would agree with the original decision not to allow special treatment for a 'celebrity' but these are very special circumstances.  Firstly, Jade has very little time to live and she may not have a very long married life.  Secondly, she has done enormous good in raising awareness of the importance of women submitting to tests to avoid cancer taking hold and becoming terminal.  

In these very specific circumstances I support the decision, whether or not it was taken to court popularity.