Every Wednesday, The Daily Politics invites a celebrity to get on their soap box on an issue they feel passionately about. Here are some of the films our stars have made: The cost of housing in Britain has led to millions of young people priced-out of buying a home of their own with millions more hoping prices remain high to prevent a slide into negative equity. Videos have appeared on the internet showing women, gay people and others in the London borough of Tower Hamlets being subjected to abuse and told to get out of "Muslim areas".
Broadcasters should look for more good news, rather than the disasters and grim happenings that lead TV bulletins, says designer Wayne Hemingway. Lord Saatchi - best known as an advertising guru - is introducing a bill aiming to help find a cure for cancer 18 months after he lost his wife to a rare form of the disease.
Actor Geoffrey Palmer claimed the HS2 rail line that would pass his home in the Chilterns would be the most expensive railway in the world, equivalent to the cost of 60 hospitals. Former civil servant Martin Narey reckons MPs should be paid more money despite the revelations which saw some in court over their expenses. Actor Simon Callow explains why he backs the prime minister on gay marriage and how it would "set its seal" on his love for his partner. Consumer finance expert Martin Lewis makes a plea to save the pennies and shorten the present list. Former TV Apprentice Katie Hopkins believes people who eat, drink and smoke more than is good for them should pay more towards the NHS health care they need, as she calls for additional payments for some health services. Londoner Dwayne Fields, who has walked to the north pole and plans to venture to the south pole in a few weeks, hopes his fame could encourage other black people to explore the British countryside. One solution to unemployment is "real work and real training" says the social entrepreneur and author Colin Crooks, who gives his views on how to get young people back to work. The chairman of the Poundland chain of shops claimed some young people lack the "basic but crucial life skills" for work, and business leaders must play their part in helping them. The HS2 rail line will end the 'north-south divide' in Britain, claims rail enthusiast Pete Waterman as he recalls how a previous upgrade made it possible for him to get from the Midlands to London in less than an hour. The environmentalist and author George Monbiot, who went to a private school, put the case for closing them down. Economist Robert Skidelsky looks at John Maynard Keynes' predictions, what people want today and finds a society "obsessed with consumption" Baroness Newlove in one of the neighbourhoods where she has been trying to tackle anti-social behaviour through community action. Big businesses should sponsor compulsory school meals, and packed lunches should be banned, says the former cage fighter and Celebrity Big Brother winner Alex Reid. With many daily local newspapers turning into weeklies, Louise Mensch MP climbs on the Daily Politics soapbox to argue for state subsidies to keep the regional press rolling. A University of Oxford director is calling for a "fat tax" to get the British eating more healthily and cut back on fizzy drinks, chocolate, crisps and pasties. A council leader has argued no further UK government contracts for shipbuilding should be placed in Scotland until the independence issued has been settled. English Democrats leader Robin Tilbook climbs on the Daily Politics Soapbox to explain why he campaigns for England to have to have its own Parliament. The writer Iain Sinclair has spent decades documenting London and its edgelands and reckons the Olympic development in east London has ruined a "wonderful wasteland". The former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe - who served as shadow home and health secretaries - reckons the better-off pensioners like her should donate their winter fuel payments from the government. Mark Adams spoke up for the lobbying profession, claiming they had no reason to be ashamed of their work. Journalist Rosie Boycott called for a reform of social care for older adults as she explained what happened when her father developed dementia and ended up going into a home. The scientist, author and broadcaster Prof Jim Al-Khalili says "we have to change our views on nuclear power" as he addressed concerns after the Fukushima plant leak in Japan. The owner of a London plumbing firm explains why he thinks the 50p top tax rate is hurting British businesses. Former England rugby international Ben Cohen explains why he stands up against bullying and homophobia. Author Danny Dorling claims the British people need to learn the lessons of the 1930s and do something about the growing gap between the super rich and everyone else. Even though it's illegal, the trade in tiger parts is still taking place all over the world and Sam Fox wants this practice to end. Britain should consider joining the euro currency, despite the state of the eurozone says John Monks, the former general secretary of the TUC. Former Press Complaints Commission chairman Sir Christopher Meyer claims the phone-hacking allegations could see the end of the regulatory body. NFU vice president Gwyn Jones explains why he believes the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is needed to keep Britain farming. Patrick O'Flynn of the Express traces the history of the Human Rights Act back to Winston Churchill but explains why he wants it to go. Matthew Sinclair, TaxPayers' Alliance director and author of a book on green taxes gives his take on rising energy costs and what he thinks we can and cannot afford. Baroness Valentine - who speaks for London First - puts the case for further expansion at London's airports. The businessman who helped make the Millennium Dome what it was, offers a French view on the wave of industrial action on this side of the Channel. David Rowntree - drummer in the band Blur, now turned Labour activist and trainee solicitor - predicted the return of the cardboard city, with people living in boxes on the streets. Tracey Crouch has been booted off the Parliamentary football team, because she is a woman, but the MP claimed girls and women should be encouraged to play the national sport. Author Ed Howker says the taxpayer is already paying too much to subsidise the over-60s with bus passes, winter fuel payments and free eyes tests. The former head of the British army appeals to politicians to "move to the moral high ground" and raise spending on international aid once the current economic problems are over. The Conservative MEP, Daniel Hannan says the UK should wake up to how much it is paying to support the euro currency and EU countries struggling with debt. Venture capitalist John Moulton says economic cuts should be deeper and go further to help the UK economy. Barring blind people with guide dogs from restaurants should be against the law argues Talksport political journalist, Sean Dilley. Children's author and school governor MG Harris argues the planned English Baccalaureate, with its focus on core subjects, risks marginalising less academic pupils. Former Olympic athlete Kriss Akabusi, who grew up in care, wants the government to do to more to help teenagers in care. TV presenter Johnny Ball is known for his grasp of maths but reckons arguments from climate change campaigners don't add up. Broadcaster and entrepreneur Saira Khan headed to David Cameron's Oxfordshire seat in Witney to give her take on the so-called Big Society. The singer-turned-presenter Toyah Willcox explains how she has suffered ageism and sexism throughout her career. Author Kate Mosse explains the day of action to send a message to politicians about the campaigns to save library services. Music man Peter Waterman explains how he struggles to get apprentices who can properly work at his heritage railways business. Radio DJ Neil Fox (aka Dr Fox) thinks it is time the government delivered on its pledge to end the war on motorists. Wildlife presenter Bill Oddie gives his take against farming methods which are popular in the US and there are plans to bring them to the UK. Former Guardian editor Peter Preston thinks we need a bit of political bravery and admit we can no longer fund the Falkland Islands. Oxford academic Toby Ord gives everything he earns - above £18,000 - to charities in developing countries and he thinks more of us should consider giving 10% of our income to good causes. Actor David Harewood - famed for TV roles seeing him as Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela on TV plus roles in Robin Hood and Doctor Who - says money must keep flowing to the world's poorest people to help them fight the effects of climate change. Olympic athlete Darren Campbell - who brought a gold medal back from the Athens games and a silver from Sydney - says the coalition government should re-think its plans to cut sport funding in English schools. Katharine Birbalsingh was a deputy head in an inner city London school but everything changed at the Conservative Party Conference where she received a standing ovation following her speech on a "culture of excuses" in state education. Lord Sainsbury says it is time for a new debate on GM foods as he thinks they will help feed the world population estimated to reach 9bn by 2050. A one-off tax on the rich in Britain should save the need for planned cuts in the economy, says Greg Philo Art critic Brian Sewell wants to replace the Arts Council with Dragons Den-style funding bids. Warren Mitchell is unimpressed with all of the Labour Party leadership contenders and thinks acting leader Harriet Harman should carry on in the role. Big Issue founder John Bird makes an appeal for David Cameron to "get radical" about benefits, saying recipients should help in the community by working with young people and the disabled. Sir Gerry Robinson says it is wrong for the government to ringfence NHS spending and claims there is room to make cuts. Actor Steven Mackintosh appeals to the coalition government not to make cuts in the care of vulnerable children. Actor Pam Ferris - of Darling Buds of May and Little Dorrit fame - explains the isolation suffered by carers, and calls on the new government to provide respite cover and financial support for volunteers. Documentary-maker Simon Reeve talks of an "environmental emergency" and "international scandal" with plastic polluting oceans and beaches - as he calls for action to clean up the debris. Queen guitarist Brian May on how saving foxes and badgers made him change his vote at the general election. Julia Donaldson, the author of children's books such as the Gruffalo and the Snail and the Whale, speaks out against schools testing children at too young an age. Former children's laureate Michael Morpurgo stands outside the Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre in Bedfordshire to give his views on how child asylum seekers are treated in the UK. Hugh Cornwell, best known for his days with punk group The Stranglers, thinks sharing his music with the digital downloaders can be a good thing. On the eve of World Kidney Day, Adrian Mole Author Sue Townsend - who underwent a kidney transplant operation last year - is appealing for people to come forward as altruistic donors. Singer-songwriter Steve Harley claims not to be a grumpy old man, but does have issues with modern technology. Astrologer Russell Grant gets starry-eyed for historic county names and boundaries as he makes a plea for reform of local government in England. TV presenter Richard Madeley on why he thinks Tony Blair was right to go to war in Iraq. Former Avenger and veteran actor Dame Diana Rigg with her take on the political power of celebrity when it comes to charity appeals. Professor Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion, on the religious labels we give to children. TV doctor Hilary Jones explains his concerns about the impact of immigration on the NHS. Dr Brian Cox. a particle physicist who has worked on the Large Hadron Collider near Geneva in Switzerland, makes the case for funding in science to rise - even though the Chancellor is deciding where to make cuts to balance the books. Emmy award-winning actor Brian Cox - star of Manhunter and the Bourne films - on his fears about elitism in the UK. Human rights activist Bianca Jagger believes we are on the brink of environmental disaster - and that climate change is a clear and present danger, as she looks back over the Cumbrian floods. Former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq says youths know plenty about celebrities, and they should be 'actively encouraged' to show an interest in politics. Comedian Ben Miller gives his take on censorship in a world of PC rules, and just what is offensive. And he offers thoughts on Jeremy Paxman in fishnets and suspenders, Top Gear and Songs of Praise. The winner of last year's Strictly Come Dancing, Camilla Dallerup, on the calls for micro-chipping of all dogs as a way of helping return strays to their owners and tracing those who have abused their animals. Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips gives her take on why we should all be dancing. The writer, broadcaster and comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli says there is no need to reform the House of Lords, making a plea to leave it alone and speaking up for the work it does.
Actor Bruce Jones, better known as Coronation Street's Les Battersby-Brown, slept rough for ten days and nights last winter.
TV adventurer Ben Fogle who has just recovered from a flesh eating disease he caught in Peru on how exotic diseases could be coming to our shores.
Actress Greta Scacchi makes a plea for changing fishing techniques claiming there will be nothing but "jellyfish and worms" if no action is taken.
Anneka Rice on how she gave up a high-earning job to raise a family as she examines the role of women.
The Francophile TV and radio host Nicholas Parsons looks at British-French relations, especially in light of the Queen's invite - or lack of - for Sunday's D-Day commemorations of the Normandy Landings. Broadcaster William G Stewart puts the case against putting a block on a rise in the TV licence, but adds he has concerns over who pays it and the overall cost of collecting the money. Antony Worrall Thompson thinks outer-London MPs should be housed in a grand apartment block and controversially proposes that all MPs should be 'paid royally'.
Actor Tom Conti tells the Daily Politics why taxing and borrowing is not the best way out of recession.
The man who charmed the Dragons in their Den with his Reggae Reggae Sauce gives us his plan for small businesses.
Christopher Biggins has just returned from Calcutta and he thinks we can all do our bit as individuals to help those less fortunate than ourselves. TV presenter Matthew Wright says his life has been made a "living hell" by a planning dispute. With the London games just three years away Olympic legend Dame Kelly Holmes thinks Britain needs do to more to support sport at grass roots level. Astronomer Patrick Moore who campaigned against fox hunting explains why he thinks the ban introduced in 2004 is failing to stop the practice. Former England footballer Geoff Thomas tells the government to do more to get drugs for blood cancer into the market Peter Stringfellow suggests it's time to remove benefits from young parents. Former Boxing champ Barry McGuigan talks about the lack of of integrated schools in Northern Ireland TV presenter June Sarpong draws on the importance of lessons for young people in the UK Best-selling author Freddie Forsyth on why he thinks the banks are to blame for our economic problems. Rory Bremner's call for the well-off to pay their taxes early Commentator Rod Liddle, who is sceptical about global warming, thinks we are only able to worry about one great crisis at a time.
The radio and TV presenter on why government should take a bigger role in helping people get fit. The Carry On star on why the government needs to take action against reckless cyclists. The Spooks actor on how he thinks we can encourage young people to be interested in politics. The author of Captain Corelli's Mandolin gives his take on prostitution.
Actor Dominic West, who played Oliver Cromwell in a Channel 4 drama, on why we should not forget our radical past. Dragon's Den star says British businesses are too dependent on the US. The Talkshow host tells the Daily Politics that the so-called "broken society" gives us plenty to celebrate. The actress talks about why stop and search is necessary. The broadcaster airs her support for a Big Brother database. The irrepressible 'Britain's Got Talent' judge goes green. The GQ Editor looks at Tory leader David Cameron's year. The pop producer looks at Gordon Brown's year at conference time. The Just a Minute host looks back at the Lib Dems' year. The Bee Gee discusses his campaign to honour members of the WWII RAF Bomber Command. Richard Branson tells the Daily Politics why a third runway at Heathrow airport is essential. Beautiful South singer, Paul Heaton, explains his opposition to faith schools. Actor Roger Lloyd Pack calls for a reassessment of the way we think about rail travel. Comedian Steve Punt tells the Daily Politics he is baffled by all the choices he has to make. Razorlight's Johnny Borrell tells the Daily Politics why he cares passionately about climate change. Comedienne Rhona Cameron talks about being bullied and why she wants it stamped out. Spandeau Ballet front-man, Tony Hadley, goes back to Islington, where he grew up, to look at truancy. Legendary racing driver Sir Stirling Moss on why he's been forced out from behind the wheel. Former Bond girl Maryam D'Abo calls for more funding and tax breaks for British films. Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes calls for better welfare and healthcare for ex-servicemen. Hollywood star Damian Lewis calls for worldwide free access to water.
|
Bookmark with:
What are these?