Who should I vote for at the next General Election? My English grandfather worked in a factory for 40 years. He and his wife lived in a council house and voted Conservative all their lives. My other grandparents were French. My parents were teachers. I have been a pilot and actor on a journey involving 45 years in the UK Mental Health System and lived a nightmare with the Criminal Justice System. I am 71, and my main source of income is my State pension. I could vote for: The Conservatives Because of family tradition. The Labour Party Because I'm more likely to get welfare benefits. The Liberal Democrats Because I voted Remain. The Green Party Because I care about the planet. Reform Because Nigel Farage is a good speaker. The Monster Raving Loony Party Because I have a sense of humour. All polite, rational, and good-natured suggestions will be gratefully received. Kind thoughts to all, Phil

Social media, good or bad? Do we want a ban for under 16s? Social media is the virtual world, but there are real people involved. It has kept me going through horrendous personal trauma. The mental health issue is pertinent. Allow social media for all, but adults should regulate it responsibly. So, my 2-year-old granddaughter should see videos of my dog on her mother's phone. I watch videos of her sent to me by her parents. That's all normal and good. Yes, have laws against criminality, but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater!

A guy goes to a fancy dress party with a woman draped over his shoulders. The doorman asks, "What have you come as, then?" Guy, "A turtle." Doorman, "What's with the woman?" Guy, "Oh, that's Meshell..."

Question: Why does God have to be male?

As an actor/coach who has played a UK Prime Minister, a French President, and a US Secretary of State for Defense, I offer my insight into the mind of President Donald Trump. He is a man driven by the emotion to save lives, whose rational side is looking for any way to achieve this. He is conflicted between using his enormous power and wanting to please his voters. He oscillates between respecting and belittling others, including world leaders because he is bipolar in defensive narcissism, i.e. he has both characteristics of high and low self-esteem. He needs good people around him and will listen to them. The evidence for that is his changes of mind. He doesn't need money but uses it as a tool to get what he wants. He talks about God, so he may consider inviting religious leaders onto his Board of Peace. My suggestion is that he should appoint Kamala Harris as his Vice-President.

If there was a virgin birth, And Jesus really came to earth, Then he'll be back as prophesied, Even though he must have died. But where and how will he arrive, If he is supposed to be alive? What will we hear or even see, On social media and TV? There'll be global interest in the news, With different religious views. But will we know it's true or fake, As we enjoy our Christmas cake? He could appear by day or night, On mobile screens all shining bright Whatever time zone we are in, Softly quiet or with shattering din. Maybe he'll come from outer space, But he'll have to find a landing place. The Middle East, perhaps Qatar A football stadium, seen from afar. Then what, a car, a bus, a plane? A superyacht, an express train? Where will He go, and what to do? Meeting people, it could be you...

I believe that God, Dieu, or Allah is universal consciousness. So, we are all united on our beautiful planet. I wish everyone peace, wisdom, and harmony. Let us all love each other as we would wish to be loved ourselves. Happy Christmas.

The world's turned out a funny place, And yet when seen from outer space, Is magical, without compare, Call it perfect, if you dare. Humans try to make it work, Yet hidden dangers often lurk. Men fight to claim their bit of earth, While women focus on childbirth.

#bbc I write across party political lines with the aim of reforming the UK mental health recovery landscape. The benefits will be better use of taxpayers' money, for the NHS, and connected priorities, e.g., crime prevention. My "qualifications" are 43 years experience of the UK Mental Health System, including 5 admissions under the MHA, 5 diagnoses, and recovery to being off medication. We have the infrastructure in place. We just need a shift in mindset. Loneliness, stress, and depression are the biggest killers we have, given that death is the one guaranteed constant in our existence. We are all bipolar with a "good" side and a "bad" side. That's normal and makes us human. It's also on a spectrum, but that's what makes the world such a wonderful place, with the diversity, richness, and energy of its people. Trauma causes the mental conflicts that lead to anti-social behaviour and disorder. So-called mental illness and disease do not exist in the same way that physical ones do (see attached). A short, sharp shock, as inflicted on me in an assault by five male police officers at Loddon Valley Police Station between 17-18 October 2024, is both punishment and deterrent. That also needs to be balanced by a more "female" approach, i.e. talking with someone who really knows how to listen, empathise, and support emotionally. Psychotropic medication doesn't cure anyone of anything. It's like putting sticking plaster on a wound, which only addresses symptoms rather than causes. Taking these drugs is like entering an abyss. You don't realise you're in until it's too late. Then you scrabble to get out, fighting, screaming, and shouting all the way. Prescribed drugs were the cause of my anger, frustration, and anti-social behaviour by creating a pressure environment ready to explode without warning. Being in a mental hospital did nothing for me, certainly didn't "cure" me of anything, while the CMHT were completely useless in every way. The "system" has failed to do anything helpful for my mental health. My best mate has uncovered my deepest secrets in a few conversations, which psychiatry, therapy, etc. haven't even come close to. Suffering trauma isn't an illness or disease. Neither is creativity, imagination, or old age. The MH System in the UK is based on telling people what's "wrong" with them, according to Psychiatrists? Psychiatry is a profession that has carried out lobotomies, ECT, and the chemical cosh in my lifetime Psychiatrists should go back to being proper doctors, e.g. GPs, surgeons, hospital, etc - my heros. Nurses and carers should go back to nursing and caring instead of acting as prison warders. The criminal justice system can deal with anti-social behaviour. Mental hospitals should be emptied of "patients" and the facilities used to reduce NHS waiting lists, etc, even to house genuine asylum seekers. Drugs need to be better regulated. Paracetamol should only be available on prescription. Half a cigarette works wonders as a de-stresser and means of socialising. Parents need to be more involved in educating their children, particularly as role models rather than relying on social media to absolve them from their responsibilities. Teachers have an impossible job, trying to reconcile cultural and gender diversity while adhering to the National Curriculum. For a start, let's accept that boys and girls are different and that we are all tribal. We need to learn how to talk to, respect, and understand each other again. Recognition of and harnessing the best of gender differences are the keys to this. I need help to achieve all this. Phil Appleton philappleton.com blueskyredcarpet.com Phil was sent to Rome in 2014 to deliver a workshop to international psychiatrists under the banner: MAXIMISING PATIENT OUTCOMES LONG TERM (Motivational Interviewing for Mental Health Futures on behalf of The Foundation for European Initiatives and The Centre for Peaceful Solutions.)

Watch live: Farage to make 'major announcements' news.sky.com/story/politics-… There need to be many changes. The Mental Health System in the UK is based on telling people what's "wrong" with them, according to... who? Psychiatrists? Psychiatry is a profession that has performed lobotomies, ECT, and the chemical cosh in my lifetime. Suffering trauma isn't an illness or disease. Neither is creativity, imagination or old age. Nor grief - see "Prolonged Grief Disorder" in the American Psychiatry Association manual of diagnoses and disorders, DSM-5. Psychiatrists should go back to being proper doctors, e.g. GPs, surgeons, hospital, etc - my heros. Nurses and carers should go back to nursing and caring instead of acting as prison warders. The criminal justice system can deal with anti-social behaviour. Let's learn from other countries about their approaches to carrot and stick. Through sport? Norway and Japan vs Saudi Arabia and North Korea. Mental hospitals should be emptied of "patients" and the facilities used to reduce NHS waiting lists, train more doctors, etc, even to house genuine asylum seekers. Job done.

In response to your question, In my opinion, Sex means physical intercourse with a view to making babies. Love is about giving without thought to oneself. Physically or emotionally. The two are different and separate but can work together. It all depends on who you are with.