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In this week's Living With Dementia diary, Alastair reflects on charity invitations, a friend's quiet sorrow and the political sparring that caught his eye
Busywork on the charity front: Clemmie joined me on a Zoom call with the Communications Director of Dementia UK.
We are both supporters, and their focus is clear. They have a crisp manner in their dealings with us - clear, precise and efficient.
They have a big campaign coming up later this month and have drafted a strong policy submission to Government about care from diagnosis to end of life. This is absolutely on the money, as the shortfall in psychiatric support is a glaring gap in provision. They also highlight the many unpaid and unsupported carers, like Sally.
I wrote detailed comments as requested and will support the campaign to the best of my abilities.
Andy Burnham's father, Roy, is living with Alzheimer's and dementia, so I know his mind is on the problem. It may be our best hope in years of getting real progress.
We also held our annual car-boot sale on the farm for the local branch of Home-Start, a great charity of which Sally is joint patron with Lady Alison Wakeham nationally. I am a patron and vice-president. We raised several hundred pounds and, hopefully, some awareness of the plight of less fortunate families with young children.
The widow of a dear friend who recently died with Parkinson's dropped in for tea and a chat, which was lovely. Tiggy and John Underhill had become good friends through our mutual support for the Royal British Legion. She brought a copy of the order of service for John's memorial in Salisbury Cathedral, which featured the band of the Legion under our joint friend, conductor Captain John Coleobe, MVO.
I asked Tiggy if they had had any psychiatric help, and she said no. Another great sadness was that no one could give the name of a priest who had had and understood Parkinson's. There's a challenge for the charities.
The Underhills were both practising Catholics, and John had wanted to discuss his fate and condition with a priest.
On the political front, Parliament came back all guns blazing.
With the Speaker's permission, I made a big statement of intent and faced PMQs the following day.
The Burnham–Badenoch exchanges were rich in content, with Burnham condemning the Thatcher era and its legacy.
Kemi said he wanted higher taxes and more spending, and yet more politicians with his local, regional and national devolution plans. We need more of these ideological exchanges so we really know what is at stake at the General Election, when it comes. Many still think it will be sooner rather than later.
Badenoch went hard on defence and pointed to John Healey, the Chancellor, sitting next to Burnham, reminding us that he had resigned as Defence Secretary over spending.
