I left. When I should have stayed.
There's a loss of faith in the banking system that for so long has been the backbone of prosperity and growth.
Some argue that now isn't the time to push the green agenda - that all efforts should be on preventing a serious recession. That is a false choice. It fails to recognise that climate change and our carbon reliance is part of problem - high fuel prices and food shortages due to poor crop yields compound today's financial difficulties.
People rightly want our political leaders - on all sides - to concentrate on minimising the damage to jobs, living standards and our savings from the banking crisis.
These are tough times and under this Tory-led government many people in Manchester are suffering and getting left behind. If elected I will use all my energy, skills, experience and knowledge to stand up for our communities and get things done for the better.
At times unpopular measures are needed in order to change behaviour.
Like many of my friends and colleagues, I can't get enough of Obama news; latest polling, speeches, visits, reaction of world leaders.
One day the virtual world might win over the real world.
This generation must get deadly serious about the problem of Biblical illiteracy.
People want you to play the songs they know. I try not to reflect too much, and I don't really like to focus too much on myself.
Mr Speaker, I smell a rat; I see him forming in the air and darkening the sky; but I will nip him in the bud.