A FEW years ago I did a charity stand-up comedy show under the banner Rampant Apathy

This turned out to be a phrase that, sadly, reflected the ticket sales.

But I persevered.

I was 100% optimistic – not a glass half-empty, but half-full.

It's a phrase I use whenever I see and experience acts of lethargy in some of our politicians – national and local.

Where is the 'fighting talk' when we need it?

They look after our interests in these uncertain Brexit days ahead.

Politico-speak is clearly a language all of its own.

They tend to use it to fend off questions they don't like.

Our transatlantic friends call it 'The Trumpism Technique'. 

Here MPs need to fight our corners on every issue and not offer headline-making rhetoric – but passion and actions.

So I was a little underwhelmed to hear the phrase: "We want to hold PSA to their commitments, but the message we have had leads me to be cautiously optimistic".

This came from the Government's business secretary Greg Clark regarding the future of the Vauxhall car plants in Ellesmere Port and Luton.

I hope the Chancellor in today's budget is more than "cautiously optimistic" about our industries.

Many years ago I was sent on an assignment to see how the Nissan factory in Sunderland was pivotal to the local economy – it was the community.

There was a sense of real togetherness.

Politicians, workers and unions all singing from the same "him and and her" sheet.

I have reported on the car industry on Merseyside and Oxford over the years and it is crucial that all political parties fight together with union leaders not just for the short term but the long haul.

Jobs now and for future generations.

This week is National Apprenticeships Week.

It should be an ongoing period of confidence in all our workplaces. It is time to be more than "cautiously optimistic".

Churchill would have choked saying that.

And after all hasn't history proved the opposite of such a term is "recklessly pessimistic?"

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HE is a Sir... and now he is a President.

There's no stopping Ken Dodd who has accepted the invitation to become President of the Max Wall Society.

This is a big occasion for Doddy, who is one of a rare breed.

He keeps charity and music hall alive just like Max.

The unique Mr Wall, famous for his bizarre black leggings and funny walk (years before Monty Python) died in 1990.

Now the MWS keeps his memory alive.

Doddy's told me he was "very proud" to become their president following the death of Ronnie Corbett.

"Max Wall was a very articulate funny man,” said our own living legend.

"It is an honour to be President of a Society dedicated to one of the comedy greats". 

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FELLOW Merseysider Ricky Tomlinson is in the news following his allegation that Richard Whiteley was a spy.

The former Countdown presenter’s widow said it was "rubbish" and if Richard had been a spook then Ken Dodd was head of M15.

Ricky tells me he always speaks his mind.

He said he has made cock-ups in his early acting career and was once asked by internationally-acclaimed producer Roland Joffe to "create a workshop".

Laughed Mr T: "I turned up to meet him with a van full of builders and my toolbox at the ready.

"I didn't realise he wanted me to host an acting workshop where you read through a play or a film".

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IF they ever make a film of the life and times of the Birkenhead singing cowboy Charlie Landsborough then the man himself wants Mr Tomlinson to play him.

This week Charlie has another sparkling milestone in his life.

The former labourer, soldier, teacher and now award-winning singer-songwriter celebrated his golden wedding anniversary to Thelma yesterday.

Charlie is the first to say that Thelma is his rock.

I edited his best-selling autobiography Storyteller and he recalled chatting up this “beautiful girl” at the local ice-rink when he had skate expectations.

Charlie, who wrote the hit I Will Love You All My Life, told me his favourite front cover was on the RTE Irish Music magazine and features him and Thelma with the headline: Charlie's Angel – One True Love.

So happy 50th wedding anniversary to grandpa Charlie from the readers of your favourite newspaper - the Wirral Globe.

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SMILE! It is good to see celebrities use their gifts for others.

Paul Merton broke the mould with his candid show Out of my head, which told of his time in a psychiatric hospital.

This weekend Ruby Wax sold out the Floral Pavilion with her show on mental health.

Billy Connolly is still touring despite battling Parkinson's Disease and David Baddiel highlights dementia with his stage show My Family.

Baddiel is patron of the Campaign Against Living Miserably.

And he acted as compere for the Stand-Up to stop suicide event.

Bravo!

Now Baddiel, always a joy to interview, will take part in Comic Relief's Red Nose Convoy, in which three pairs of celebrities travel in convoy from Kenya to Uganda delivering aid.

For now, I would happily sponsor any campaign to keep David Walliams off our screens please ... for a week at least.

Peter Grant