Would you vote for an MP with a mental background?

Would you vote for an MP with a mental health background?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/poll/2008/jan/23/poll.mentalhealth

I would be very grateful if you could forward this e-mail to organisations who may wish to join in the debate following Stand to Reason's parliamentary reception with Mr Bondevik the former Norwegian PM at the House of Commons on Monday, who talked candidly about taking time off sick with depression while running the country. It would be great if people feel free to cascade to their members as they see fit.

If you missed it, you can see Mr Bondevik again in a package which
includes an interview with Matt Cooper a member of Stand to Reason. The video is top of the recommended list on the site.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_7200000/newsid_7201600?redirect=7201614.stm&news=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1&bbram=1&nbram=1

Jeremy Paxman starts the blog by saying:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/newsnight/2008/01/bravery_in_the_face_of_mental_illness.html

"I know we're supposed not to be partisan, or to pass judgement on those we interview. But I have to say that of all the many politicians it has been my occasionally painful) duty to interview over the years, Mr Bondevik comes pretty near the top.

It's so rare to find man talking with such frankness and courage about such a charged and sensitive subject."

The Guardian are also running a related blog which is focussed on the related question "Would you vote for an MP who has a background of mental ill health?"

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/joepublic/2008/01/would_you_vote_for_an_mp_with.html

Stand to Reason is campaigning to remove restrictions on people with mental ill health entering Parliament and similar laws which affect company directors, partners, insolvency practitioners, magistrates, jurors.

Please contact info@standtoreason.org.uk if you would like to help fight
the campaign.