Good Old Glenda!

This week, Ms Glenda Jackson celebrates her 19th anniversary of becoming MP for Hampstead. She can still be heard, on her feet in the House of Commons – this week challenging the government's NHS reforms. Next month, she will be 75. Nobody can accuse her of drifting quietly into old age

At the age I am now [quite definitely middle-aged] she made a major career move and became a politician.

I remember we heard one of her early speeches in the House broadcast on the radio, and a 12 yr old Liz [who has always had a keen social conscience, and is much politically aware than I am] saying “I like that Glenda Jackson, Mum, she talks sense” and I replied “She’s a great actress too” Liz said “She’s an actress?” and I suddenly realised that I’d totally failed to educate my child about GJ’s amazing skills on stage. [Maybe I felt Liz was a little too young at that age to watch The Music Lovers, Sunday Bloody Sunday, and Women In Love!]

Long before Helen Mirren was QE2, we had Ms Jackson being QE1

Whether or not you agree with GJs politics, you have to admire someone who has worked so hard for so long.

However, I am not sure I can see myself changing career and doing something utterly different for the next nineteen years. But you never know!