Meral's Musings

London's Riots - My Statement in the House of Lords 11th August 2011

2011-08-12T17:21:00.001+02:00

Public Disorder

Statement

1pm

Baroness Hussein-Ece: My Lords, I, too, would like to associate myself and these Benches with the sentiments that have been expressed and to extend our condolences to those people who have lost so much in the terrible events from Saturday onwards. I thank my noble friend the Leader of the House for repeating the Prime Minster’s Statement today.

There is absolutely no excuse for the terrible scenes that we have witnessed on the streets of London and beyond in our cities over the past few days. Our deepest sympathies must go to those families who have lost their loved ones, their homes and their livelihoods. As we have heard, we must work to restore hope and confidence in our cities.

I have lived in Hackney and Islington all my life. I served as a councillor in those areas, which were among those where we have seen terrible unrest. I worked in Tottenham for almost a decade from the mid-1990s; in fact, I was there earlier on Saturday before all this happened. I know the area and the people well. I know that the vast majority are law-abiding, decent people who care deeply about their community. They are absolutely traumatised by what has happened to their neighbourhood. They did not have very much to begin with; all they had was their high street and that is now destroyed.

Whether we like it or not, the young people who rioted, looted and trashed their streets are part of our society. As the Prime Minister’s Statement acknowledged, there is a deep-rooted problem with gangs in many inner-city areas. We know that in London, for example, there are more than 250 active gangs. The police know who they are and who the leaders are. These gangs have been allowed to grow and to take a hold for more than a decade—for 10 or 15 years. They draw in young people who are out on the streets and they spread criminality. When I was a councillor, mothers would come to my surgery begging me to get them transferred because they were so terrified of living on these estates and because of the way in which their families and their children were intimidated if they tried to resist joining these gangs.

These social problems did not happen overnight in our inner cities, where there are huge inequalities and a big social divide. We have to acknowledge that. We have a disconnection in a section of our society—an underclass of young people who have poor education and no skills and who come from dysfunctional families. They feel that they have nothing to lose. They have no fear of authority. Who are their role models? Millionaire footballers and rock stars. They want the latest gadgets, trainers or mobiles. This is what they aspire to.

The solutions for these riots must come from within our diverse communities. Please can we ensure that we do not demonise all young people? We certainly should not demonise all black young people. In future proposals to rebuild these communities—I am pleased that my noble friend the Leader of the House announced in the Statement that funds will be made available—can we ensure that these young people play a role in the rebuilding so that they feel a sense of ownership and pride in those communities? Let them have some work to do to rebuild their own communities.

It was clear that the police were often overwhelmed and could not protect property or stop the looting. On Monday night, in Dalston in Hackney near where I live, a large group of Turkish and Kurdish shopkeepers came together and successfully protected their businesses from rioters. They told me that they had no option. They prevented their high street from being trashed. I pay tribute to such people. I pay tribute to the Sikhs of Southall and the Turks and Kurds of Dalston. When strength was needed and they needed to stand up in their communities against this thuggery, they spontaneously demonstrated what was very good in our community. They did this in a good and peaceful way and nobody was harmed. We have seen what is very bad in our communities and society but we have also seen what is very good. We need to recognise that and pay tribute to it. We should not focus just on the bad.

I ask my noble friend the Minister how we can restore confidence in the police, because a lot of people feel that they cannot rely on them now. Vigilante groups are being formed up and down the country, which we must feel are not welcome. How can we restore confidence in the police and prevent the need for the rise of these groups of vigilantes around the country?

On a final note, I think that a lot of us were very moved during the break by the words of the Norwegian Prime Minister, who said that at times like this we need more democracy and more humanity. We need to be guided by that and to reflect on it before we make any knee-jerk reactions in response to what we have seen.

Debate on Turkey, EU and Middle East, in the House of Lords

2011-01-17T23:08:00.003+01:00

Last Thursday for the first time, I opened a debate on a motion I put down on 'The Economic and Strategic role of Turkey in Europe and the Middle East'
You can read the complete debate here.
It was an extremely positive and comprehensive debate, with around 20 Peers from across the House taking part. To me it highlighted the level of expertise and knowledge in the Lords, that all too often is not available in the Commons. Instead of the often narrow ill informed rhetoric of some MPs, we heard from people with decades of experience, many who have lived, worked and done business in Turkey, and seen the transformation of a nation that was once the 'sick man of Europe', and now overtaken many EU nations in terms of growth, prosperity, and reforms.
There were also excellent contributions from Lib Dem Peers, including Lord Sharkey who gave a superb maiden speech highlighting his 40 year association with Turkey, and Lords Clement-Jones, Chidgey, and Baronesses Ros Scott, and Emma Nicholson.
The Foreign Office Minister, Lord Howell concluded his remarks by saying:
"..We need to embrace all that Turkey has to offer and to intensify engagement with Turkish counterparts in all fields of interest. This will serve to boost the prosperity and security of our own UK in the long term.."

Britain's most influential Muslim: Timothy Winter

2010-08-20T17:22:00.002+02:00

This piece in the Indy about Timothy Winter, aka Sheikh Abdul-Hakim Murad, named as Britain's most influential Muslim, is fascinating and struck me today. His reflective approach to his faith and life in the UK are set out including the moment in his life when he converted: (A peach eaten by a young Jewish girl!)

This is his take on radicalisation of young Muslims:

"The principle reason, which Whitehall cannot admit, is that people are incensed by foreign policy. Iraq is a smoking ruin in the Iranian orbit. Those who are from a Muslim background are disgusted by the hypocrisy. It was never about WMD. It was about oil, about Israel and evangelical Christianity in the White House. That makes people incandescent with anger. What is required first of all is an act of public contrition. Tony Blair must go down on his knees and admit he has been responsible for almost unimaginable human suffering and despair."

The second is one of the world order, from a Muslim perspective:

"The West must realise it must stop being the world's police. Why is there no Islamic representation on the UN Security Council? Why does the so-called Quartet [on the Middle East] not have a Muslim representative? The American GI in his goggles driving his landrover through Kabul pointing his gun at everything that moves, that is the image that enrages people."

He reflects that the Mosque on Lower Manhatten in New York: "..should be seen as a symbol of reconciliation not antagonism"

Personal attacks on Lib Dems reaching saturation point

2010-08-19T20:09:00.006+02:00

When the Liberal Democrats went into coalition with the Conservatives back in May, after Labour had made it clear they were not interested, who would've predicted the so-called 'left wing' media's onslaught and Labour's vitriol? I for one didn't. Like many others, I would have been far more comfortable with a Lib-Lab arrangement. As a member of the Federal Executive at the time, I wasn't alone. But as we know from a wide range of sources, Labour didn't want to know. Like any partnership, it takes two to tango.
Now we have Labour supporting commentators harping on about how the 'Liberal Democrats jumped into bed with the Tories' (as opposed to?) Progressive writers and thinkers like John Kampfner, have articulated what is wrong with Labour's only strategy of simply heaping abuse, Prescott-style on the coalition government (Labour will have to grow up)
One of the most vocal Labour loyalist 'journalists', Mehdi Hasan, wrote a piece lambasting Simon Hughes and taking him to task for saying: "We should have no preference at the next election between the Tories and Labour and other parties … There will be no deals, there will be no pacts."
Mr Hasan goes on to invoke his extraordinary debut on BBC's Question Time, where he put in an excitable performance, to Simon's more dignified responses, memorable only to him because: "Charlie Falconer, Labour's former lord chancellor, whispered to me: "Look at how much poor Simon is sweating."
All this is very curious, given that back in May, Mr Hasan wrote a piece blaming 'John Prescott, and Labour tribalists' for scuppering a 'progressive alliance with the Liberal Democrats'

Interviewing Nick Clegg on Channel 4 News last night, Krishnan Guru-Murthy asked Nick Clegg if he'd: '....become a Tory'.
This is in my view lazy journalism. Why not interview European politicians, from countries like Austria, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Turkey, Israel, New Zealand etc., where coalition governments are the norm? Get some insight and perspective into how political parties have learnt to work together, while retaining their identities.
We know that the majority of the public support the coalition government's policy on the economy. People know that we have to live within our means, and like the idea of politicians working together.
This week, as Nick Clegg talked about the coalition government's first 100 days, it seems that this government is going to be judged more harshly, scrutinised like no other preceding government, simply because its different, and we are not used to this type of politics.
Of course there have been some difficult and unpalatable decisions taken, and ideas floated. But how many of us were told repeatedly by Labour members over the last 13 years that they did not agree with their governments policies? (Iraq being the biggie!)
I do 'agree with Nick', that this government will be judged on its achievements over the next 5 years, not on the first few months. The biggest challenge in my view, is to
bring about a more equal and fairer society, with greater opportunity for the forgotten and neglected socially disadvantaged. If they can pull this off, then it will have been worth it, and a success. Time will tell.

Turkey post Gaza

2010-06-10T21:44:00.004+02:00

When I wrote this last month, I was aware that it would be controversial, but I can't believe anyone would've predicted it would result in the tragic death of nine Turkish people.
These events have now taken centre stage in Turkish domestic politics, and the fall-out between Turkey - Israeli relations will resonate for years.
Here in London, which has the largest Turkish community in the UK, there has been much anger at the Gaza flotilla incident, in particular, in the way most of the dead seem to have been shot in the head at close range. But what has caught my attention has been the confidence and feeling that Turkey is on the 'right side' on this issue, whereas in the past it has been pilloried and often attacked by those on the centre-left. Turkish people are traditionally proud and patriotic of their homeland, but also its biggest critic. Particularly those who came to the UK as political refugees in the '80's. For the first time, Turkey's strong stance and criticism of Israel's doomed raid on the aid flotilla, has brought universal support from Turkish people from across the political spectrum.
Turkey has changed and grown over the last decade, with economic growth expected to be 6.3% this year - a rate that we in the UK can only dream about. There is also a sense that Turkey has shown leadership in the Middle East. As someone put it to me: 'Turkey has stood up the the regional bully'
For generations, Turkey has been heavily reliant on the US and faced criticism from the left for being too pro-US in foreign policy. As a child in the '60's, I spent the Summer holidays in Turkey and can remember relatives talking of the aid and parcels they received from the US during the difficult years of shortages.
This came to an abrupt end during the Bush years with their refusal to join the Iraq war, and then its refusal to send combat troops to Afghanistan.
In hindsight, Turkey's foreign policy decisions have proved to be sounder than those of the UK.
Of course Turkey needs to progress with more reforms within its civil society, but countries in the Middle East and beyond, want to be partners and friends with the new Turkey, and it is now the most popular holiday desitination for the British.

Many countries in the Middle East are now looking to Turkey as a growing power and a natural leader in the region.
As a Turkish friend recently said to me: 'I no longer feel I have to apologise for Turkey, but am proud of the huge progress that has been made'

Humanitarian aid flotilla makes its way to Gaza

2010-05-26T21:35:00.002+02:00

The Turkish ferry Mavi Marmara (The Blue Marmara) is one of the eight boats, -three cargo ships and five passenger vessels, making their way to Gaza over the next few days, in an attempt to break the Israeli blockade, and deliver vital aid. One of the organisers is a humanitarian aid group, supported by Ankara. On board the ships are 10,000 tonnes of cargo and about 700-800 activists and politicians from more than 40 countries. Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has called on the Israelis to allow the boats through.
"We're trying to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip and tell the world that Israel has no right to starve 1.5 million Palestinians," said Greta Berlin, of the Free Gaza Movement, another organiser of the flotilla. "We are bringing in vitally needed supplies so the people of Gaza can rebuild their infrastructure."
The boats are from:
Turkey, Greece, Ireland

On board there are:
• 700 to 800 peace activists and MPs from more than 40 countries
• 10,000 tonnes of supplies, including:
• Cement
• Generators
• Water purification equipment
• 20 tonnes of paper for schools
• Prefabricated homes
• $1m (£700,000) of medical equipment, including: CAT scanners' wheelchairs, crutches
• A complete dental surgery, including drills and a chair
• Sports equipment, including footballs and basketballs
• Crayons and pens
• Chocolate
I'm very proud that people from Turkey and other countries are coming together in this important mission. I wish them every success.
You can watch the progress of the flotilla on WitnessGAZA

Lib Dems: no scrutiny then, just random smears

2010-04-22T10:19:00.003+02:00

Nick Clegg couldn't have anticipated the effect his 90 minutes TV exposure would have on the general election, and on our wider politics. When sage commentators said the 'honeymoon would be short', they weren't kidding. All hell has been unleashed against the Liberal Democrats, and Nick is accused of just about everything in the Tory media, including a 'Nazi slur against Britain'- which Peter Black blogs about. The Sun's veteran Trevor Kavavangh, on R4's Today this morning accused the Liberal Democrats of using 'smear tactics', and that we were now getting a dose of our own medicine. This from The Sun!
Something fundamental is happening. The dominant Murdoch media is for the first time being challenged. Not by the government of the day, under which it has flourished, but the small third party, that they spent years ignoring or sneering. David Yelland wrote an important piece in the Guardian: saying with Nick Clegg's rise, the 'Murdoch and the media elite could locked out of British politics' The cosy Cameron press are being challenged. Their anointed one is not going to be a shoe-in.
We are in uncharted waters in British politics. The Old establishment, as well as the Old politics is being challenged, and they are fighting back the only way they know how - dirty and throwing as much mud as they can, hoping some will stick.
I have faith in the British public, and its sense of fair play, and that they will see this for what it is and support the Party that will clearly be able to make a big difference.

Turkish Cypriots elect a 'hard line nationalist' as their President

2010-04-19T13:07:00.002+02:00

News that nationalist and right-winger Mr Dervish Eroglu, has beaten centre left incumbent, President Mehmet Ali Talat in the Presidential elections in North Cyprus, seems to have come as a surprise to some commentators of Cyprus. This result has been a foregone conclusion for some time for many Turkish Cypriots. Mr Talat spent the best part of 2 years in peace talks, with his Greek Cypriot counterpart, Mr Christofias, where real progress was being made, but with little to show to his electorate. We are told these will continue.
After the Greek Cypriots voted overwhelmingly against the 2004 Annan Peace Plan, which would have seen the island reunified, and Turkish troops leaving the island, they were rewarded by Cyprus joining the EU divided, with only the internationally recognised south's 800,000 Greek Cypriots enjoying membership benefits.
Meanwhile life for Turkish Cypriots, who voted overwhelmingly for the Peace Plan, has remained the same: isolated, with no direct flights and living under embargoes. The recognised Republic of Cyprus, dominated by anti peace opinion, offered nothing to the Turkish Cypriots. The dominant Greek Orthodox Church has consistently spoken out against any peace deal.
In recent weeks the Church has published a leaflet under the title of “Cyprus Archdiocese Information Brochure”. The leaflet contained the following clause:
“The primary duty of Cypriot Hellenism is to preserve its ethnic dignity and to secure its presence in the land of its ancestors.”
The Church is a huge influence in Greek Cypriot society, and remain an obstacle for any peace deal.
So it comes as no surprise that a hard line Turkish Cypriot nationalist got more than 50% of the popular vote.
Here in Britain I hear that the British 'Friends of Cyprus', of whom I remain a member, are dismayed by the result. If only they and their contacts in Cyprus had done more to give Turkish Cypriots confidence that any peace deal was viable and would bring some hope to their lives. Instead many leading members steadfastly failed to support any efforts to bring the two communities together , and enjoyed many trips to the Republic of Cyprus, whilst continually bashing North Cyprus politicians and of course Turkey.
The good news is that Turkey has made it clear that it wants to see a peace deal in Cyprus by the end of 2010. Lets hope so.

Martin Luther King's 81st Birthday today

2010-01-15T16:57:00.002+01:00

Today would've been Martin Luther King's birthday - a public holiday in the US.
At just 35 years old, King was awarded the Noble Peace Prize in 1964 for his work on the civil rights movement in America.
King traveled over six million miles and spoke over twenty-five hundred times, appearing wherever there was injustice, protest, and action; and meanwhile he wrote five books as well as numerous articles. In these years, he led a massive protest in Birmingham, Alabama, that caught the attention of the entire world, providing what he called a coalition of conscience.
His famous ' I have a dream speech', which he made in 1963 in Washington, inspired millions around the world.
In these times where politics has become so mired, politicians held in such low esteem, and the young lacking role models, its worth reading some of the speeches and writings of MLK.
One of my favourite quotes is:
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter"

Justice for Tulay Goren

2009-12-17T18:58:00.002+01:00

I wrote about Tulay Goren, the young 16 year old Turkish woman who disappeared more than 10 years ago here. Her father, Mehmet Goren, was today found guilty of her murder and jailed for life.
As I wrote before, what was crucial in bringing this conviction, was the evidence given by Tulay's mother, who for years had clearly been too afraid to come forward. The judge said:
"Your wife Hanim has finally had the courage to break free of the domination and reveal what she knew of what you did in January 1999."
Mehmet Goren's wife Hanim, 45, is now living in fear after she named him as their daughter's killer, saying he had "swallowed" Tulay - a reference to the fact she has never been found.
These so called 'honour' killings are carried out usually by male family members who use the distorted cloak of 'honour' to carry out these savage crimes.
This sentence today will send out a strong message that these crimes against young women cannot be carried out with impunity.
The judge in the case, Mr Justice Bean, said Goren's attempts to appear a "thoroughly modern and enlightened family man failed to deceive the jury".
"There is nothing honourable about such a hideous practice or the people who carry it out," he added, and that it had been a "wake-up call" to the existence of the problem in this country.
Belatedly, justice for Tulay has been done.

Turkish Cypriot Leader at the London School of Economics

2009-12-08T17:13:00.002+01:00

Last night I went to hear President Mehmet Ali Talat talk about- Cyprus: The Peace Settlement Process. Chaired by Professor Sevket Pamuk, who is the Chair of Contemporary Turkish Studies at the European Institute, LSE, when introducing President Talat, pointed out that he was the elected leader of Turkish Cypriots, and this was his first visit to the UK since his election.
Talat is constantly referred to as the "so-called" President.
Security was tight, after a far right Greek-Cypriot group in London (Hellenic something or other) had urged Greek -Cypriots to go along to the event and 'demonstrate'
To a packed audience, with many left queuing outside, and where around a third of the audience were Greek Cypriots, Talat set out in some detail the history of the current peace talks with his counterpart, who he referred to as 'my friend', President Christofias, and the urgency to press ahead through the New Year to come to what he called a 'comprehensive settlement' for a single sovereignty and single citizenship, for both communities and a reunited Cyprus.
It has been a long and tortuous journey for both leaders, who have faced criticism and barriers from their respective communities. Talat emphasised that 'goodwill and compromise' would be needed in the search for a lasting agreement.
Many of us see this as literally the last chance saloon.
Back in 2004, the Annan Peace Plan when put to a referendum was rejected by Greek Cypriots, and overwhelmingly supported by Turkish Cypriots. Despite this, the Greek Cypriot side of Cyprus became a member of the EU, whilst the unrecognised Turkish Cypriot north, languishes in limbo, isolated and impoverished.
Talat explained that for the first time the two parties had been asked to prepare their own reports - jointly. They will arrive at full convergence, ie. when they agree on what to agree and what to disagree. The Turkish Cypriot proposals not accepted by Greek Cypriots are written in red, and the Greek Cypriot proposals are written in blue. Currently the majority of the report is written in black!
Moreover, Talat re-emphasised Turkey's full support for the peace process, and would back whatever was acceptable for the Turkish Cypriots. Greece, as another of the Guarantor countries, is also fully behind the peace process.
Talat answered all questions put to him fully and frankly, including a number of hostile questions from Greek-Cypriots in the audience. Its clear that many of the young Greek Cypriots in the audience have grown up post 1974, never meeting a Turkish Cypriot, and not really understanding the history, and just how important the present talks are. The Republic of Cyprus, as a member of the EU, cannot continue indefinitely as a divided country, representing one community.
The meeting concluded peacefully, with no problems and I think President Talat, by holding a public meeting to brief the large Cypriot community in London, demonstrated how open he is to dialogue and to continue to be open and balanced in the journey to find a lasting peace settlement.
As he repeated, goodwill and compromise is needed in abundance.

Racism alive and well in Cypriot Football Club

2009-12-03T16:02:00.002+01:00

I was sent a press release - below, from Embargoed! - the Turkish Cypriot Human Rights campaigning organisation about a Greek Cypriot football club: APOEL FC, who once again have been fined for chanting racist abuse and missiles during a UEFA Champions League match
Their fans include nationalists and swastikas appear in the home stands on occasion.
The Republic of Cyprus is an EU nation, and this should not be tolerated.

Press release:
UEFA should have been tougher, APOEL FC must apologise to Turkish Cypriots

Wednesday 02 December 2009: Embargoed! welcomed the news that APOEL FC has been fined €40,000 for the racist actions of its supporters during a recent Champions League match with Chelsea. However, the London based human rights group believes UEFA should have been much tougher with the Greek Cypriot football club. The group’s chair Fevzi Hussein has also called on APOEL’s President Phivos Erotokritou to apologise for the offence his club has caused to Turkish Cypriots.
In an email to Embargoed! chair Fevzi Hussein, UEFA today confirmed that, "following the UEFA Champions League match APOEL FC - Chelsea FC, played on 30 September 2009 in Nicosia, APOEL FC were fined 40,000 Euros for throwing of missiles, racist behaviour and illicit banner". No further details were provided to Embargoed! as the UEFA spokesperson stated, "the detailed and full reasoning of disciplinary decisions is not made public by UEFA but is communicated to the parties involved in a disciplinary case." The spokesperson claimed they had made it clear to the club that "UEFA has a zero tolerance approach with regards to incidents of discriminatory behaviour ... further occurrence of any such incident would be dealt with severity by the disciplinary bodies."
Chair Fevzi Hussein said, "APOEL deeply offended Turkish Cypriots with their xenophobic banners and inflammatory leaflets that clearly incited racial hatred of Turks. UEFA had a number of sanctions it could have imposed and a €40,000 fine is pretty mild given the circumstances. If they are serious about combating racism, UEFA have to act tough where it matters. APOEL are a serial offender and merited much tougher action." He continued, "We call on APOEL FC’s President Phivos Erotokritou to apologise to Turkish Cypriots for the offence his club has caused during the Chelsea match and to give a public undertaking APOEL will not tolerate such racist behaviour in the future."
Last year, APOEL FC was fined €30,000 by UEFA after their supporters shouted racist chants against Red Star Belgrade. Following their match with Chelsea in September, UEFA charged the club with a number of offences including racially abusing a UEFA official, displaying discriminatory "Cyprus is Greek" banners and the throwing of missiles. It is not clear from UEFA’s communication if the club were investigated for allowing the distribution of racist material, produced by APOEL’s official supporters club, during the Chelsea match.

European Liberal Democrats Champion Turkey for EU

2009-11-21T18:16:00.003+01:00

Got a very welcome email from Jonathan Fryer, Chair elect of the London Liberal Democrats, and delegate at the ELDR (European Liberal Democrat) Congress in Barcelona:
Jonathan's blogged about this , but think its of significance, and sets out a clear position, where we've only heard warm woolly words.
He says:

"We passed a resolution clearly stating our support for Turkey´s accession to the European Union, as well as calling for more EU efforts to further a settlement of the Cyprus situation and an end to the isolation of Turkish Cypriots. The motion as passed was the product of negotiations with the German FDP (now in charge of the German Foreign Ministry) and is somewhat more qualified than the British UK Liberal Democrats´original text, but nonetheless I think this is a significant achievement"

This is hugely positive, particularly coming on the back of the appointment of Herman Van Rompuy as EU President, where he joins German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, and President Sarkozy in their opposition to Turkey joining the EU anytime soon.
This is the press release:

Barcelona 20 November 2009
European Liberal Democrats Champion Turkey´s EU Accession
European Liberal Democrat parties meeting in Barcelona today passed a resolution underlining their support for Turkey´s accession to the European Union, in sharp contrast to some of the negative comments about Turkish membership made recently by several European conservative politicians and the newly appointed President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy.

The resolution – proposed by Jonathan Fryer, Chairman elect of London Liberal Democrats – welcomed progress that Turkey has made in meeting many of the so-called Copenhagen Criteria for EU accession, while acknowledging that further action still needs to be taken in respect to freedom of expression and the media, in particular.

Delegates at the ELDR Congress – which groups Liberal Democrat parties from all European countries, including those not currently members of the European Union – also praised the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan for its initiatives aimed at resolving Turkey´s Kurdish question.

On the issue of Cyprus, the resolution urged the EU to do more to further a settlement on the island which would lead to a bi zonal, bi communal, federal, united republic as well as ending the isolation of Turkish Cypriots.
The window of opportunity to finally find a peaceful solution for Cyprus is closing fast. Many of us are concerned that we are going to end up with permanent partition if the current round of talks fail.

Time to stop calling them "Honour Killings"

2009-11-18T19:40:00.002+01:00

I have wanted to blog about the terrible case of Tulay Goren, a Turkish Kurd, missing since 1999, whose father is currently on trial for her murder, for some time. The terrible details have unfolded week by week. What incensed me was the evidence her father, Mehmet Goren gave, claiming he was a member of the PKK ( a Kurdish seperatist group) in the past, and did not believe in 'honour killings' As if this somehow gives him the credentials that he was a man of principle. I've heard this before. Men who have been violent towards their wives, boasting that they would never hurt a woman because they have political principles - rubbish!
This case has finally come to trial mainly because Tulay's mother was persuaded to give evidence against her husband and his brothers. It cannot be underestimated how much courage this woman has shown in coming forward after so many years. Hanim Goren, who risks being ostracised, has told how she saw her daughter tied up on the bathroom floor, just before she disappeared forever. Tulay's sister, Hatice, in a chilling twist, told police years ago, her father told her brother to kiss her sister goodbye as he would not see her again.
Hatice Goren died in a car crash seven years after 15-year-old Tulay Goren went missing in January 1999. Hanim Goren has lost both her daughters.
Much has been written about these so called 'honour killings' Its time we called them cowardly murders. The behaviour of women seen to have dishonoured their families can be as harmless as wearing make-up or talking to boys. Honour based violence is often secretive, and very hard to detect as families close ranks and young women are too afraid to come forward.
I hope Tulay Goren will after many years receive justice and this high profile case acts as a deterrent to men who think its okay to behave in this criminal way, and that they will somehow get away with it hiding behind the cloak of so called tradition or culture. If it also acts to encourage other women to come forward to report these crimes, then perhaps Tulays terrible death will leave some lasting legacy.
Lets break the silence over this crime and lets call it was it is - murder and cowardly violence.

We must take on and challenge the BNP, but Question Time is not the best place

2009-10-22T09:26:00.006+02:00

I haven't blogged on the hype about this, but like many others have heard Griffin's divisive and hate-filled interviews and watched him shoot himself in the foot, including insulting British generals:
"Those Tory generals who today attacked the British National Party should remember that at the Nuremburg Trials, the politicians and generals accused of waging illegal aggressive wars were all charged — and hanged — together"
Besides displaying these unhinged rantings he believes everyone's out to get him!
I have been against the BNP being given the credibility and air time, the same as with every other mainstream political party. Its what they clearly crave: wider public recognition.
No, Griffin and his cohorts must be put under public scrutiny on many of their policies - like Holocaust denial, like their denial of how the wider Commonwealth: black and Asian have made enormous contributions to Britain in war and peace time. Paxman and Newsnight comes to mind, but Question Time? NO.
This is where politician's can grandstand with little opportunity to be challenged.
The BBC are apparently ensuring that there will be BNP supporters in the audience, so every time Griffin mentions immigration, taking our jobs etc, expect guaranteed applause both in the studio, and outside.
Take the way Nigel Farage of UKIP, regularly appears and trots out the usual myths on Europe, Immigration and jobs. Forget the dog whistle, he blasts out his divisive statements in a bloke next door way designed to get the maximum applause. But the BBC in their wisdom (and obviously with an eye on the audience ratings) are going ahead with this.
Ken Livingstone told the Today Programme this morning that every time the BNP attack sections of our society - and Muslims are the current enemy for them, it leads to race attacks on our streets. There is credibility in this argument. Hearing these divisive messages on prime time TV leads to insecurity and fear for Britains ethnic minorities, and can fuel hatred from BNP sympathisers, Race hate crimes are on the increase.
Looking at the line up, the only heavyweight on the panel with the ability to land any knock out blow to Griffin in my view, rests with Chris Huhne.

Dutch MP arrives in UK for a 'debate on Islam'

2009-10-16T15:06:00.002+02:00

Now that the ban to allow Geert Wilders into the UK has been overturned, this Dutch MP who is awaiting trial in Holland for inciting hatred, declared his visit a "victory for freedom of speech"
This from the man who has called for the Koran to be banned.
I was surprised to hear the UKIPs Lord Pearson, who invited him last February, explain on the radio this morning that this was about "freedom of speech," and he was "looking forward to having a debate about Islam with Geert Wilders!" He went on to warn of the "dangers of Islam and Sharia Law"
Given Geert Wilders' views on Islam, it would be a bit like inviting Enoch Powell to have a meaningful debate about multiculturalism. I mean, there are far more learned and moderate scholars who would bring greater knowledge, and`a greater sense of tolerance to this debate.
As it stands we will have to witness more division and controversy from a right wing individual who seeks to inflame and incite hatred, if his antics in his homeland are anything to go by.

Is a womans life worth less than a man?

2009-10-15T14:20:00.002+02:00

I pose this question after a number of recent high profile cases where women have been murdered by their partners and the sentences do not seem to reflect the crime committed.
Take the news that millionaire banker Neil Ellerbeck, murdered his 'unfaithful' wife' (as reported) Kate, but was cleared of murder and gets sentenced to eight years for manslaughter, after the jury accepted that he didn't intend to kill her. The fact that he was 15 stone, to her 8 stone, and that she had 45 difference injuries, and a post-mortem examination revealed that she died from asphyxia and compression of her neck after “moderate to severe” force, do not seem to suggest this. No, she has been widely reported as the 'unfaithful' wife suggesting that she deserved what she got, so he gets eight years. The fact that he also had a mistress is neither here nor there.
Media coverage implies that an unfaithful wife can only have herself to blame.

In 1997, David Hampson got six years for manslaughter after beating his wife to death with a hammer because she nagged him; his sentence was reduced to four years on appeal.
Last year the government consulted on proposals to change murder laws, whereby women who killed their partners after suffering years of abuse, could use this as a partial defence. This follows cases like that of Emma Humphries, who got life for killing her violent boyfriend, later quashed by the Court of Appeal. Over the years we've seen women get life for killing violent partners, and men treated more leniently.
Why are women still treated far more harshly in our courts than men?

Turkish MP at Liberal Democrat Conference

2009-09-29T19:27:00.003+02:00

Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats hosted a number of successful fringe meetings in Bournemouth this year. One of the highlights was 'Turkey and the EU', jointly hosted with Liberal Democrats Friends of Turkey, which I was pleased to chair, where the keynote speaker was Nursuna Memecan MP for Istanbul and a member of the ruling AK Party. Nursuna is also a Member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly. Lord Wallace of Saltaire was also on the panel, speaking with great insight and authority on Turkey, along with Bridget Fox, PPC for Islington South, who presented the perspective of a PPC with a large Turkish speaking community. Nursuna bucks the growing trend of women in Turkey who wear headscarves. She is a woman, educated in the USA, and from the traditional secular tradition of Turkey.

In her speech Nursuna Memecan set out her perspective as to why Turkey is an important ally for the West, and a much misunderstood nation. She added:

faster progress should be made in achieving membership of the European Union for Turkey

the British government should be more active in pressing for a lasting and equitable solution to the 'frozen problems' of Cyprus and national minorities

the British government should also take a more positive and courageous position in combating prejudice against Turkish entry to the European Union

Turkey should already be regarded as an equal partner in decisions on the future development of Europe

Turkey's increasing regional and global importance as a political, economic and cultural force should be recognised

progress to internal reform and respect for civil rights within Turkey should be acknowledged and encouraged.

At a well attended meeting, we had wide ranging questions on Cyprus, Armenia, the Kurds, and Azerbaijan. Nursuna dealt with the questions positively, acknowledging that Turkey has a long way to go, but at least was trying to deal with many of these historic issues.

There is so much negativity towards Turkey's accession to the EU, some time in the distant future. Much of it is based on prejudice and it seems ignorance. Dialogue with articulate, talented politicians, help members of all political parties gain a greater understanding of other cultures and nations.

Where are the voices of Afghani women?

2009-09-16T16:04:00.000+02:00

Watch any recent news item about Afghanistan, and the chances are you will only hear about it from a military perspective, and not hear a peep out of any of the country's women. You'd be forgiven for thinking that women are restricted to a ghost like presence scuttling in the shadows covered from head to toe in a burkha.
Five years ago, we were told that traditional taboos were easing and with the West pushing for women to participate in democracy, millions of Afghan women eagerly registered and then voted for a presidential candidate. In a few districts, female turnout was even higher than male turnout. But on August 20 this year when Afghans again went to the polls to choose a president, that season of political emancipation seemed long gone. This time, women stayed away and according to election monitors and women's activists, a combination of fear, apathy, tradition and poor planning conspired to deprive many Afghan women of rights they had only recently begun to exercise.
So whats happened to what I remember as being one of the reasons given back in 2001, for invading Afghanistan? President Bush's spouse, Laura gave the first ever radio address by a First Lady to the nation, condemning the brutal treatment of women at the hands of the Taliban. Here in the UK, Cherie Blair followed suit. We were told that women had to be liberated and their human rights restored. Clearly this was not the main reason for going to war, but it was held up as a rallying call to gain support in the West.
Fast forward 2009: Powerful men from President Karzai down have passed laws sacrificing women's human rights that they had began to claw back in the last few years.
Karzai has done a deal to sell off women's rights in return for support of fundamentalist support to get himself re-elected. "In Afghanistan, the sacrifice in the political game is women and children," female Afghan parliamentarian Fawzia Koofi said.
Koofi says that is exactly what happened when the Afghan parliament recently passed a bill intended to give the minority Shia community their own identity. But critics say the latest draft strips Shia women of rights as simple as leaving the house without permission from a male relative and as extreme as allowing a man to have sexual intercourse with his wife even when she says, "No." In other words, rape in marriage is being sanctioned.
A staggering 60% of women are still forced into marriage as children - often as young as nine or ten. This has not changed since the West intervened, despite Afghan law stating that girls under 16 should not be married. In the words of other commentators:
' is this the democracy our brave young soldiers are dieing to defend?'
With the deteriorating situation for women, its no wonder so few women felt able to turn out and vote.
There are many active women & NGO's both in Afghanistan and internationally, campaigning to end this. In the meantime, why do we not hear from these women in the media? Why do we only see images of Afghan men in tribal costume on our screens?
My own view, and its one I've heard from others who know Afghanistan well, is that the BBC and the Western media seem keen not to encourage any sympathy for ordinary Afghan civilians in this terrible conflict. Better to imagine them as tribal war lords, or faceless women in blue burkhas: not worthy of our compassion or sympathy, and it seems without a voice.

Remembering a Special Friend: David William Smith

2009-09-11T14:16:00.006+02:00

Last week I paid tribute to a very special friend: David Smith, at a moving Humanist service. David who died suddenly, was a founding member of the Campaign for Homosexual Equality(CHE), a passionate human rights campaigner all his life, who hated all forms of injustice and inequality. I've known David for much of my adult life, and met him when I was a teenager after I went to work in my first job while still at college as a library assistant in Finsbury Library in Islington. David was and still is a legendary figure in Islington Libraries, very much in charge of the Music Library. He was extremely knowledgeable about classical music, the theatre and cinema, and saw everything. He used to say: " Have you seen any films?- I can let you have my reviews, as I've seen everything"

He was outspoken, loud, a forceful personality, who even then in the early '70's was right out there about his sexuality, and as he would often state: (usually in full hearing of the general public) " I don't give a monkey's...." when challenged about the volume of his private conversations. Working with David was a revelation for someone from my, rather sheltered and protected background. I'd never met an openly gay man, who effed and blinded, talked in detail about his boyfriends, and lived his life to the full, refusing to compromise.
A few weeks after going to work with David, I was in Hyde Park with a friend, when I came across David on a soapbox at Speakers Corner, speaking out as a member of CHE. He was clearly nervous, but forceful when he was heckled by a group of loutish football supporters, who kept asking him -" Are you a poof then?" he looked straight at them and said "Yes, I am actually" -which rather deflated them.
He had no time for people who were full of self pity, or people he felt were wet, or had no political beliefs. He had strong views on most things and was sure to let you know what they were!
Yet he was a very kind and compassionate person.
Born in 1932, David who was a Barnardos boy, was adopted as a small boy, when his natural mother died in a motorcycle accident. He never knew who his father was. He had a difficult childhood growing up in Bristol, with his adoptive parents, who were emotionally very cruel and unloving. He spent 2 years in the Army in the 1950's, which as an openly gay man was a pretty awful experience. He told me that the 'tradition' then in the Army was to 'black-up' gay men, ie. smother them in black boot polish. He said he 'fought off the bastards', and they never touched him again.

He worked at Bristol University, took up amateur dramatics at the Bristol Rep, considered a career as an actor, and then came to London and worked in the old Finsbury Library, which was then in the old borough of Finsbury, going on to work in the new Finsbury Library for some 32 years.

David had a real gift for friendship. His few close friends became his family, and he and I became firm and lasting friends. He was fiercely loyal, and was like an uncle to my children, never forgetting birthdays, and came to look on my family as part of his. Thank you letters to him, would always be checked over for any grammatical errors!
Even though in recent years, we didn't see each other all the time, he was a big part of my life, and was a Lib Dem supporter, having abandoned the Labour Party post Iraq.

He came out with me and my family to celebrate after I was recently awarded the OBE - he was really proud. Although 76 when he died, he was the youngest older person I knew. He could relate and chat easily to young people, was interested in everything - discussing wide ranging topics as Big Brother, Jordan, Afghanistan, film, Art, and was an avid fan of the Simpsons, having refused to have a TV until he'd retired.
He was a talented artist, created beautiful tapestries, and a prolific letter writer, which often ran to funny 4 page letters after we'd spent a day together. Here's a typical excerpt from the final page of one of his letters:

".. What do you think of the truly shocking story of James Watson telling us Blacks are less intelligent? - scientific balderdash - and we have Richard Dawkins, of all people telling us we shouldn't ban Watson from colleges because it will stifle debate! (sorry, sweetheart, there's no fucking debate to stifle!) - Oh my God, I must rush; I've a million things to do today. Read the Observer, play with the cat where I throw silver balls for her to catch, do the effing boring shopping at the Co-op, type the final page of this letter, do the Hoovering - the washing will have to wait till tomorrow - have my bath (which lasts for more than an hour), then massage my legs with Vaseline Intensive Care, by which time I can relax with a DVD of 'Les Amants', 1958, with Jeanne Moreau, by which time I shall have to watch 'Bremner, Bird and Fortune', and then settle in for the rest of the evening's telly. I hope it'll be more fun that the 'Ghosts of Abu Ghraib', which was a bit upsetting...'

The fact that he was in the world, was a comfort and made it a better and more colourful place.
As you get older, you realise there aren't that many people who you can truly call your friends.
There is no-one else quite like him.
He has left a huge void in my life.

I'm with Harriet...

2009-08-03T20:48:00.003+02:00

How the tabloids love to bash Harriet Harman MP for stating what I think the majority of women (and some men) believe: that we need more equal representation of men and women in politics and in the boardroom. She has been roundly pilloried.
Reading the lead story in the Evening Standard, which focuses on HH's remarks that the banking crisis could well have been avoided if more women had been involved in decisions in the bloke dominated testosterone fuelled boardrooms, you'd be forgiven for thinking she'd been advocating child labour.
The majority of the comments posted at the end of this piece are disgraceful - insulting, sexist and illustrates just what an uphill struggle it is and will continue to be to bring about real change.
Millions of women are fed up with inequalities, like not being represented at just about every level of government, and being paid less than men. HH said in the interview:
"I think a balanced team of men and women makes better decisions."
Whats not to agree? It makes total sense. Many men and women say they agree with equality, but then go on to defend the present system which perpetrates inequality.
Some men will go on to say that they agree with better representation - but, (there's always a but!) it 'should be on merit'. Well of course it should. Who is suggesting that women, or ethnic minorities for that matter, should be appointed, employed or selected, if they are not up to the job? Are they saying that there aren't enough women in the country as able to do these jobs as there are men?
My recent work with the Women Councillors Task Force, which was developed to encourage more BME women to become involved in public life, demonstrated that there is a huge amount of untapped talent across the UK. I along with other councillor colleagues went around the country speaking to hundreds of women.
During the past year the Task Force:

Reached over a 1000 women mainly from BME backgrounds, through a proactive outreach programme
found that over 71% of those women said that they were more likely to consider standing as a councillor, and 80% said they would apply for public boards

We know that most women get involved in politics or public life because someone asked them to.

Harriet Harman has given this work a huge amount of support and she deserves credit for her commitment to the whole equality agenda.

Why Harriet's common sense views should be greeted with such venom demonstrates that there are an awful lot of men out there who are quite happy with the status quo, and are more than a little afraid on genuine equality. After all, it was only in the 1990's that 'scientific research' finally concluded that women did not have lower intelligence than men, and only 30 years since women could be denied employment for being a ...woman.

Does Equality Matter?

2009-07-19T17:42:00.002+02:00

Having spent the past year heavily involved in championing more women from black and minority ethnic communities around the country to come forward and enter political and public life, as a member of the BME Women Councillors Task Force - I think it does. But I'm under no illusions that I am probably not in the majority of thinking that this is a topic that really matters to many.
Strange really that many commentators, men and women from all the political parties often point to how our society has become more unequal in the past decade, and social mobility has hit the buffers.
As the Equality Bill makes its way onto the statute books, trust in politicians has slumped to an all time low in the aftermath of the expenses scandal. Many wise words have been written and said that in the midst of an economic recession, now is not the time to be bothering with the 'trivia' of equalities. I think now is exactly the time to forge ahead and seize the opportunity to legitimise our democracy by ensuring we increase the diversity of our Parliament and our MPs so that in the public eyes they are more credible and understand and can empathise with the wider public. And simply, a more equal society is desirable because it is fairer, more at ease with itself, and more peaceful. As Liberal Democrats, we believe in fairness and equality, but when we come to look at practical ways of achieving this its the 'how' that we grapple with.
The Speakers Conference produced its interim report last week. One of its recommendations is that all political parties show 'leadership' nationally, regionally and locally to ensure that 'the current round of selections for vacant seats results in a diverse list of candidates'. It also calls on promoting equality by selecting at least 50% women as candidates, and to seek a wider placement of BME, and disabled candidates across the country.
This all makes good sense. It cannot be right that we have more MPs named David than we have women.
Here is the current situation, according to research carried out by the Sutton Trust a few years ago:
Labour: 97 women MPs (27% of Labour MPs)
Tories: 17 women MPs (9% of Tory MPs)
LibDems: 9 women MPs (14% of LibDem MPs)
BME representation:
Considering ethnic minorities, make up around 11% of the UK population, rising to 45-50% in some inner citty areas, there are only a total of 15 ethnic minority MPs in parliament out of the 646 MPs (2.3%). 13 are Labour and 2 are Tories. None are LibDems. The two Tory ethnic minority MPs entered parliament in 2005.
On educational background of MPs:
Labour: 18% of MPs went to public school
Tories: 59% of MPs went to public school
LibDems: 39% of MPs went to public school

I think these are shocking statistics, and demonstrate that there is a need for urgent action, no more so than within the Liberal Democrats. Whilst there has been a call for all BME short lists for example, I think its desirable to explore all methods of positive action first, but if all else fails then they like all women short-lists will have to be considered as a one off to bring about a more level playing field. Will it discriminate against all white men is a question frequently put? Yes in some places it might, but women and people from BME communities who have struggled for years to break through into public life, have been discriminated for many years while we have been presided over by an unrepresentative legislature.
People from working class backgrounds are also becoming a rarity in public life. We need the best people from ALL backgrounds, and not the very narrow selection we have today.

Michael Jackson - Time to stop the sneering

2009-07-08T21:02:00.003+02:00

I don't know if its me, but I am getting a bit fed up with British commentators and 'critics' sneering and mocking events following the tragic death of Michael Jackson.
He was the first black performer to appear on MTV, and to become a mainstream pop star.
Okay some of the reaction from thousands of fans around the world has been over the top, but its not that long ago we had some of that hysteria on the streets of London after Princess Diana died.
Yesterdays memorial concert in Los Angeles was an incredible extravaganza, watched by 6.5m British people, with an amazing cast of singers celebrating MJs life. I've only seen some highlights, but I found the few words from MJs daughter moving. This is a child who has lost the only parent she has known.
The sneering articles, from the mainly white media, I've found quite patronising, snobby, and a bit like the reaction you'd expect from British aristocrats finding themselves at a Black Gospel church service in full flow, or even the reaction to Jade Goodys funeral.
Yes, in Hollywood they do things big, and as the most famous African American performer in the world, you would expect his family to want to commemorate their son in keeping with the way he lived - in the public eye. And yes, they do things rather differently than the restraint we would expect from the British. One article claimed that MJ had been given the 'tackiest send off in history'
I'm sorry but since when has the Daliy Mail been the arbiter of good taste?
African Americans, and many people of different cultures believe in showing emotion. Restraint is not an option. I've been to enough Turkish funerals to testify to this.
This however does not diminish the outpouring that people around the world have felt since his untimely death. I like many of my generation grew up to the music of the Jacksons, and Michael Jackson's amazing ground breaking music and performances. Their string of hits are to me almost a backdrop to my life.
His life became tragic, and controversial, but there is no doubting his genius as a performer.

Fawcett Society - "40% of ethnic minority women live in poverty"

2009-07-07T11:23:00.002+02:00

I was a guest speaker on the Islam Channel last night along with Paul Rowan MP for Rochdale, debating the shocking findings of this new research. The Fawcett Society's new report:
Poverty pathways: ethnic minority women's livelihoods, starkly concludes that ethnic minority women are amongst the poorest and most socially excluded people in the UK.
This refers mainly to women who are from Pakistani and Bangladeshi backgrounds.
Two of the main findings of the report are that:

• Ethnic minority women living in poverty will be locked into their destitution
for the foreseeable future.
• Even more ethnic minority women will be made vulnerable to poverty

The findings and recommendations are wide ranging, but one of the most criticised aspects of the Governments strategies for addressing the plight of, mainly Muslim women, was described as having failed and was even seen to put them at risk.
This is the high profile initiative on the ‘empowerment of Muslim women’ launched by the Government, which are being explicitly linked to their ability to then help tackle violent
extremism.
There is little help on the economic inactivity, and the barriers that prevent women ways out of the poverty trap. The main conclusion on this is:

Because policy understanding of ethnic minority women’s experiences of poverty is
extremely limited, policy approaches to eliminating their poverty suffers. Policy makers
are currently not adequately responding to the needs of ethnic minority women living
in poverty. Unless there is a shift in thinking, the recession is likely to exacerbate this
problem.

The fact that so few ethnic minority women are visible in public life makes it even more difficult to ensure that services and policies are developed to address these shocking levels of poverty. A woman trapped in poverty will almost certainly have children also growing up in poverty.
I strongly believe that Education is the only way of breaking the shackles of poverty and empowering Muslim mothers, sisters, and daughters.

Investiture at the Palace

2009-05-02T01:14:00.003+02:00

As my family and friends will know, I received my OBE from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace a few weeks ago. I've been asked by so many people why I haven't put this on my blog (modesty?)

It did receive widespread coverage in the Turkish media, and friends and relatives from Istanbul and Cyprus, rang up to say they'd seen it on the news.

So, belatedly, yes it was a fantastic occasion, great fun, and Prince Charles was very charming. No-one does pomp and ceremony like the British, and the whole day was memorable and great.

I enjoyed every minute of it.

Legacy of Iraq - sanctioning torture

2009-05-02T00:18:00.004+02:00

The proposal to withdraw from Iraq has received widespread coverage, and to be honest I've been sickened by some of the commentary that somehow 'Iraq is a much better place since the invasion' Gordon Brown hailed Iraq as a 'success story' - I'm sorry I disagree!
The Iraqi civilian count has been high, although its hard to be accurate because of the lack of formal record-keeping, it has reached anything between 140,000 to a million, 179 British soldiers, and over 4,200 Americans have been killed in the war. Financially, its cost the UK around £1bn a year - a huge commitment given the state of our economy now.
Without even going into all the atrocities, ethnic cleansing, torture, untold damage to the infrastructure, mealy mouthed politicians who still proclaim it was the 'right thing to do to remove Saddam Hussein', and continue to justify the illegal invasion, deserve nothing but contempt. This has been a very high price to pay for removing a dictator.
Do the damaged and traumatised people of Iraq, those who have lost their families, and homes agree?
And what of the sanctioning of torture to justify the invasion? We learn that Bush, Cheney and Rice are indeed guilty of this. We discover that waterboarding was first approved in July 2002 by Condoleeza Rice, specifically to force confessions of links between al-Qaida and Saddam Hussein, when everybody in the intelligence services knew there were no such links.
Cheney has criticised President Obama for banning these methods of 'interrogation', saying that he is making the US less secure.
Apart from all the human cost to remove a dictator, the 'war on terror' has unleashed more extremism, and the world is a much more dangerous place than it was pre- Iraq.
The Labour Government under Blair, and the Tories went along with all this.
To call the legacy left behind a success story is spectacular arrogance, and frankly disgusting.
Nick Clegg's call for an Inquiry into this shameful period in recent history must be stepped up.
We must have full disclosure as to what really happened.

Those Who Smear, Fear

2009-04-13T00:33:00.003+02:00

I've been busy away from the blogs these last few weeks, but have to comment on this whole sorry saga about the McBride/Draper 'smeargate'. Coming on the back of the drip drip of damaging revelations about MPs expenses/ second homes/porn on the tax payer, this is further undermining politics in this country. Its bad enough that all politicians are now set to be tarred with the same brush. It just demonstrates for me how far the Labour Government seem to have lost the plot, and become detached from reality. It also reminded me of my short-lived time as a Labour councillor in Hackney, circa 1994-6, where an astonishing array of dirty tricks, smears and lurid allegations were levelled against myself and others for daring to challenge attempts to brush child abuse by a leading Labour activist, under the carpet, and the status quo. It was made clear to us: 'make waves, and we know where you live'
Being a woman, it was only natural that I should be subjected to smears of a sexual nature, some of which naturally surfaced in Private Eye. When cornered and devoid of all reason, judgement and principles, it seems there are still some very unpleasant elements in the ranks of the Labour Party who will not hesitate to smear their political opponents. When I complained about these activities, I was told by a senior Labour Party official at the time that this tactic was common place: 'throw enough mud around and some of it will stick' - 'It goes with the territory'.
In my naivety, I couldn't believe that this was appropriate or justified - and we were supposed to be in the same party! - I soon came to learn that this was exactly the way the 'comrades' in Hackney Labour Party conducted themselves.
The majority of Labour Party members and ordinary councillors I've met and worked with since then are totally against personalised smear tactics, and sensibly understand that not only is it a big turn off to the general public, but has no place in British political life.
It is simply disgraceful.
But we know that there will always be a minority who revel in this.
So I'm not at all surprised that these elements in the Labour Party have taken these tactics to the heart of their government, where it has spectacularly backfired. As a local councillor, I find myself just despairing. The last thing we need are more allegations about the abuse of public office. And that is what this is. In any other walk of life, an employee paid for out of the public purse, misusing the government email system, would not have been apparently protected for days and his actions dismissed as a 'juvenile prank' - he'd have been suspended then sacked.
The general public will not be interested in the who said what and who leaked the emails.
These poisonous elements in politics, apparently lurking in the shadows of the Labour Party, just can't seem to help it- its in their nature. Never mind that it further damages politics in the eyes of the electorate. It reminds me of the fable, The Frog and the Scorpion:
A scorpion and a frog meet on the bank of a stream and the scorpion asks the frog to carry him across on its back. The frog asks, "How do I know you won't sting me?" The scorpion says, "Because if I do, I will die too." The frog is satisfied, and they set out, but in midstream, the scorpion stings the frog. The frog feels the onset of paralysis and starts to sink, knowing they both will drown, but has just enough time to gasp "Why?"
The scorpion replies: "Its in my nature..."

Dialogue: the real solution to prevent extremism

2009-03-26T15:57:00.002+01:00

Last night I was one of the guest speakers at the Dialogue Society's event: Prevent & Deradicalisation Default Strategy. This was a joint event held in conjunction with Islington Liberal Democrats, and the Liberal Democrats Friends of Turkey, ably chaired by
Bridget Fox, PPC for Islington South. The Dialogue Society is based in Islington and its objectives are 'to promote intercultural dialogue, greater understanding and community cohesion in the UK'. The organisation was founded by second generation British Muslims of Turkish background. The Dialogue Society's Director, Ozcan Keles presented his recently published
'Deradicalisation by Default' paper.
Jonathan Fryer , Liberal Democrat Euro candidate for London, was also on the panel, speaking on the European perspective.
It was a timely event, with the government tying itself in knots in a row with the Muslim Council of Britain, in the week it launched its new strategy to combat extremism: the Contest 2 counter-terror strategy which Ministers hope will challenge radical views that fall short of support for violence but reject and undermine "our shared values".
There is no checklist of what these views that might constitute extremism will be. Instead, the Home Office strategy document sets out a low-key commitment to challenge those who "reject parliamentary democracy, dismiss the rule of law and promote intolerance and discrimination on the basis of race, faith, ethnicity, gender or sexuality"
The failure with the governments strategy to date, despite throwing millions of pounds at local councils to spend, has been to engage with mainstream Muslims from the wide spectrum of cultures and communities, preferring to talk to the few 'chosen favourites' (or sons) who presumably will agree with everything the government says. There is no single 'Muslim community' in the UK. There are many Muslim communities, with different religious traditions, cultures and geographic roots.
So this top down approach deployed in 'engaging with Muslims' was doomed to fail.
Organisations like the Dialogue Society, are not even on the government's radar, which is a shame because it is precisely these kinds of diverse organisations that need to be engaged and heard to spread more understanding, and yes, dialogue and mutual respect, if we are to address the radicalisation of young Muslims in the UK. I said clearly last night that the governments foreign policies must also be radically overhauled, and they must take responsibility for the key role they have played in the radicalisation of a whole new generation. President Obama has already moved in this direction, and it is a radical and refreshing move.
We need a new kind of dialogue and strategy, a more mainstream approach, and not the so called four P's:
pursuing, protecting, preparing, preventing, which as Jonathan commented sounds like an SAS motto. We need to talk about more engagement and dialogue.
And as David Shariatmadari suggests in todays Guardian: time for the cultural Muslims to come out. Many of us are out and about and just getting on with our lives. I don't do halal and only go to mosque for funerals, so perhaps the silent majority who are like me simply don't count?

Pope Benedict: "Condoms increase the problem" - with AIDS

2009-03-17T21:03:00.002+01:00

Pope Benedict en route to Cameroon, on his first visit to Africa as Pope, said that HIV/Aids was "a tragedy that cannot be overcome by money alone, that cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which can even increase the problem" So there we have it, condoms can increase the problem. Despite overwhelming medical evidence to the contrary, the head of the Catholic church is condemning thousands if not millions, by signaling to men that condoms can only make it worse! He decrees that the solution lies in:

"The solution lies in a "spiritual and human awakening" and "friendship for those who suffer"

He is right to a point, abstinence is in theory one solution, but it is not the realistic solution. In the real world for example, the many women who are raped, do not have a choice. The fantastic work of many African governments, NGO's and aid agencies, who for years working on the ground educating and distributing condoms is completely undermined by these dangerous diktats. Condoms may not be the only answer, but they are an important part of reducing the epidemic.
John O'Brien, president of Catholics for Choice, has issued a press release, pointing out that in his first unequivocal statement on condom use, the Pope is plain wrong. He says:
"The Pope will find that few Catholics and even fewer medical personnel agree with his stance. Several bishops in Africa, including especially Bishop Kevin Dowling of Rustenburg in South Africa, have been outspoken in their support of the use of condoms. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that many people who work with Catholic relief agencies distribute condoms to those at risk of infection" He goes on -

"For the Catholic hierarchy to deny the role that condoms play in preventing the further spread of HIV is irresponsible and dangerous. Not only that, the Catholic hierarchy has lobbied governments in the global north against the inclusion of funding for condoms in development aid programs"

It's quite extraordinary that the Catholic church through sheer ignorance and dogma should condemn so many more people to contract HIV/AIDS.

20 extemists in Luton do not represent 2m Muslims

2009-03-14T18:48:00.003+01:00

Just back from Luton where I was working for a few days and happened to be there the day of the demonstration that has had wall to wall media coverage. The 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, who were given the freedom of the town some years ago, were greeted by thousands, when around 20 anti-Iraq war protesters who tried to disrupt the parade, by shouting abusive anti-war slogans. The protest was organised by former members of Al Muhajiroun, the banned group founded by the radical preacher Omar Bakri Mohammed. Abu Omar and Abu Shadeed were two of the protesters. As the fallout from their hate-filled demonstration reverberated, literally around the world, they are unrepentant. And why should they be? They've achieved exactly what they wanted: maximum news coverage, and even granted an interview on Newsnight to deliver their hatred. Local residents I spoke to were angry that these 20 individuals have got so much publicity. Mainstream moderate Muslims are angry that once again the BBC and other responsible newspapers, like the Independant, ran full page stories asking - "Luton: the enemy within" What purpose is this type of coverage serving?
Well, to create further divisions and label all Muslims as extremists. Its irresponsible for Newsnight to grant a maverick individual the oxygen of publicity.

Ivan Cameron's tragic death should highlight the need for more investment in epilepsy

2009-03-01T19:31:00.003+01:00

None of us who heard of Ivan's sudden death could fail to have been moved. But it struck me how little most people know about epilepsy. Until a close member of my family developed epilepsy in early childhood, I didn't either. We assume that there are drugs that can treat the condition, but in our case, as with many others, it made little difference and had unpleasant side effects: slowing down learning and development, inducing a zombie like condition.
It was much later on that the child's parents learned of a diet that can alleviate the symptoms - the ketogenic diet, and as in our case, we have seen a significant improvement. The downside is that there are only a few hospitals in the country that can support parents with this diet, which has to be overseen by a trained dietitian. In our case we had to wait over a year.
Awareness and understanding about epilepsy is low among politicians and action needs to be taken to improve epilepsy services for the 456,000 people with the condition across the UK, around 200,000 of whom are children. A survey carried out in 2007 found that almost 90 per cent of MPs questioned did not know how many people in the UK have epilepsy.
From the EpilepsyAction website:
Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological condition in the UK, and has been highlighted as a national priority for action since 2001. It is not acceptable that epilepsy-related deaths in 39 per cent of adults and in 59 per cent of children are potentially or probably avoidable. Only 52 per cent of patients achieve seizure freedom when around 70 per cent could be seizure free with appropriate management. This equates to around 80 thousand patients or approximately two per general practitioner’s list.
It would really be an appropriate legacy if as a result of Ivan Cameron's tragic death, more resources were set aside to help treat other children suffering terribly with this condition.

Cameron on Clegg

2009-02-19T12:03:00.003+01:00

David Cameron's interview in Total Politics, caught my eye. He is apparently a 'liberal Conservative', whatever that is and got very excited by the Liberal Democrats education policies... because 'our polices are very close together' -Really?
Here is the section where he is blatantly trying to woo Lib Dem voters, with his cuddly credentials.

"Do you think Nick Clegg is in the wrong party?" He answers:
"I don't really know him or his views well enough. I think it is very exciting what they are saying about education because our policies are very close together. That's a good thing. I'm a liberal Conservative so I think there is always going to be lots of common ground between liberal Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. If you look at what we are saying about decentralising power, passing power down to the lowest level, if you look at what we are saying about the environment, opposing identity cards, the priority given to education, I think there are a lot of people in the Liberal Democrat party who would agree with that, so that's encouraging. Is he in the wrong party? I don't know enough about his views on other things"

Why is this illiberal MEP a member of the Liberal Group in Europe?

2009-02-18T21:04:00.008+01:00

Marios Matsakis is a Greek Cypriot MEP, a member of ALDE, and well known as a 'maverick'
In December he managed to offend gays and lesbians across Europe, when he objected to photographs in an exhibition of gay families. When he was inundated with complaints, he claimed he was "being harassed by the gay lobby" I've heard about the well known antics of this anti-Turkish and anti-British MEP over the years, and been told that he is seen as an embarrassment in Cyprus and the European Parliament. I've been asked by progressive Cypriots why the Liberal Group have accepted him as a member of their group, given that no other Group seems to want to be associated with him. I really don't know the answer to that, but would like to be told.
He came to my attention again this week, when he wrote an 'open letter to the Turkish Cypriot community', copying the media and all MEPs. In the letter he asks Turkish Cypriots to ensure that they play a 'full role' in the forthcoming European elections and register to vote.
He says:

"Dear co- patriots, the right to vote and be voted is sacred. And the European Union Elections are important for you just as much as for all citizens across Europe. Do not waste the opportunity to exercise this right and chose your representative(s) in the European Parliament"

He goes on to say that

"Once this is done they can exercise their right to vote and/or to declare their candidacy if they so wish"
Nothing wrong with this I can hear you say, only there is: Turkish Cypriots are only allowed to register to vote if they are EU citizens. To stand as a candidate, they must be resident in the Republic of Cyprus, the south of the divided island.
To qualify to stand as a candidate, they must also be resident there for at least 6 months.
This ruling disqualifies 99.9% of Turkish Cypriots.
Of the 6 Cypriot EU seats, 2 were allocated for Turkish Cypriots, but have been blocked by the Greek- Cypriots, since Cyprus joined the European Union in May 2004.
The new leader of the ruling Cyprus communist party AKEL, Andros Kyprianou, was recently on Cyprus TV saying that they would like to identify "suitable Turkish-Cypriots" who were eligible to stand as MEPs. What an insult! They have no problem selecting the likes of Matsakis.
Just what is a "suitable Turkish Cypriot?"
It is now far too late for any Turkish Cypriot who would like to be a candidate for the European Parliament to up sticks and move to the south of the island to meet the residency criteria.
After the collapse of the UN Annan Peace Plan, rejected by Greek Cypriots in 2004, there was much talk of ending the isolation of Turkish Cypriots who overwhelmingly voted for the EU backed Peace Plan, only to be rewarded by watching their Greek Cypriot counterparts becoming full members of the EU, and enjoying increasing prosperity, while they are EU members in name alone. Graham Watson MEP, wrote a piece about an EU Seminar - "'Giving Turkish Cypriots A Voice'
5 years later, I'm afraid that Turkish Cypriots still have no voice in the EU. Worse still, they are cynically being asked to register and take part in the European Parliamentary elections in June, where they have little chance of any representation. Despite this they are told by Mr Matsakis, who is taking care of their interests that their vote:
.."will enhance the trust between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots"
When will someone in the EU including the UK government have the guts to end this farce?
And I repeat my question - why is Matsakis a member of the ALDE when he clearly doesn't represent or express any liberal views?

Why was headteacher 'forced out over separate assemblies for Muslims?'

2009-02-10T20:22:00.004+01:00

Another week, another story that adds grist to the mill for those in the media who enjoy highlighting divisions.
We read that a Sheffield headteacher was 'forced out', and resigned after she tried to scrap separate assemblies for children who were Muslim and non-Muslim, wanting one assembly for all children. She apparently denies being forced to resign over this. I am totally against separate assemblies, or segregation of children. In fact the 1944 Education Act that requires all schools to have 'a daily act of worship' needs to be scrapped. It does vary across the country according to what is agreed locally. Assemblies need to bring children together and talking about our values, and not highlight differences.
My own children's schools, which had very diverse communities, had assemblies which were very inclusive, not terribly religious in content, and brought kids of all faiths together, rather than separate them. Consequently they are very knowledgeable of other faiths and I think more tolerant.
Parents have the right to withdraw their children from collective worship.
The statutory requirement can be lifted by a legal decision, known as a determination, by the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education.
It seems to me that in the Sheffield school, the situation has been spectacularly badly handled, with little or no consultation with parents.
I can vividly remember being forced to attend daily Christian assemblies, chant the Lords Prayer, and sing hymns which I hated at the time. As a Muslim, it was totally alien to me, and I complained to my parents. They were relaxed about it, and told me it was up to me if I wanted to be excluded.
I felt torn, yet would not have wanted to be excluded as this would have meant being labelled as different from my peers. It did me no harm, and I still feel nostalgic when I hear some of the hymns from my assembly days.

Carol Thatcher and her defenders don't get it

2009-02-05T12:41:00.010+01:00

We now learn that poor Carol compared tennis player Jo-Wilfred Tsonga - bottom left, to a 'Golliwog'

Personally, I think he bears a striking resemblance to the great icon - Muhammed Ali - top left. I see no resemblance to said cuddly toy, other than their skins having a darker hue. But then in the Sloaney circles she hangs out, its probably okay to make comments that people of colour, all look the same.

I think Mathew Norman's article in today's Independent, pretty much sums it all up, though I don't agree that she shouldn't have been dropped as a roving presenter, from the Now Show, where she may well run into people who are black and will only get confused.

Just read in the Standard that the BBC gave her an opportunity, over 5 days, to apologise for the offence she caused to black and non-black people, but has refused to, insisting it was all a 'joke' in a 'private conversation' - She must now know, that it wasn't funny, and it was hardly in private.

Incredibly, she is now claiming that the BBC got rid of her because they had a vendetta against her mother. Does she really think she was employed in the first place because of her amazing talents?

Turkish Prime Minster storms out of Davos Summit - why?

2009-01-31T14:37:00.003+01:00

Turkish Prime Minster Erdogan storms off the stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos following a heated debate with the Israeli President Shimon Peres. I've watched the incident, and its my view that Erdogan's patience and anger was aimed at the so-called moderator, the Washington Posts, David Ignatius, who allowed Peres a good 25 minutes to put his case, which included criticisms towards Turkey, only allowing Erdogan 12 minutes to have the right to reply and put his own case forward, and being constantly interrupted by Ignatius. Whatever your criticisms of Turkey, the culture demands good manners and respect for your guests. Hectoring and constant interruptions are a no no.
Turkey is the only Muslim country in the region which enjoys good relations with Israel, both in terms of diplomatic and trade. It seems folly to exclude Turkey from playing a full part in any efforts to bring peace to the Middle East in this way.
Writing in today's Guardian, Robert Tait, accuses Erdogan of histrionics, and claims that he risks his 'Middle East mediator role'. He uses inflammatory language claiming:
" The Islamist-rooted Justice and Development party (AKP) government has sought to use Turkey's imperial heritage to forge close relations with neighbouring countries that once formed part of the Ottoman Empire"
Perhaps he's referring to Turkey opposition to the Iraqi invasion?
Given his analysis, what exactly is Britain's role in the Region? No use of past imperial heritage interests there then? Difference is, Turkey as a close Muslim ally of Israel has far more legitimacy as mediator, than the UK will ever have. Tait also misreads what has happened in the run up to the Gaza invasion.
Why have Turkish/ Israeli relations come under strain in recent months? Answer -Gaza.
Turkey has been a moderator between Israel and Syria and with Israel and Lebanon. They have been working in recent months to broker talks between Israel and Palestine, and in order to achieve this they invited Hamas leaders to Turkey. This upset Israel, and Ehud Olmert visited Turkey for talks. Olmert failed to mention Israeli plans for the offensive against Gaza. Israel began bombing the Gaza Strip 24-hours after Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert left Turkey. Turkey, quite understandably, thought that it was deceived, became angry, and was outspoken in its condemnation of the bombing of Gaza, and innocent Palestinian civilian losses, which include large numbers of children and women, which have become one of the hottest topics in the Turkish press, with widespread demonstrations across Turkey.
Since the walk out, Israelis have predictably accused Erdogan of 'inflaming anti-semiticism'
Growing numbers of people around the world are fed up with any criticism of Israel's policy towards the Palestinians resulting in cries of anti-semiticism.
Its like Mugabe's constant cries of 'White imperialism' every time he responds to condemnation from Britain, and not taken seriously. Why can't these critics accept that its the Israeli government's failed policies towards resolving the Palestinian tragedy that is fanning any flames of anti-semiticism?
Encouragingly, the Israeli government is now saying that this incident has not damaged its relationship with Turkey. Well lets hope so. Israel needs all the friends it can get right now, and far better to have a friend that may be critical and honest than fair weather friends who allow you to head towards isolation.

Welcoming President Obama at an Inauguration event on the roof of London

2009-01-27T23:49:00.003+01:00

I've been away from my blog for a few weeks, but not idle. I haven't had a chance to report on the fantastic Operation Black Vote Inauguration event I attended on the 29th Floor at Millbank, with a wonderful panoramic view across London. I was invited along with my colleagues from the Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats. People from all walks of life and representatives from the main political parties gathered to celebrate and share the historic election of the first Black man to become the 44th President. For many, myself included it was an incredibly emotional event to witness. Our own Vince Cable, received loud cheers from the audience, and spoke of his own experience as a father of a mixed race family who grew up to the backdrop of the Enoch Powell, 'rivers of blood' speech. Harriet Harman MP, announced that Gordon Brown had spoken to President Obama and he had agreed to come to London on an official visit in April. David Cameron, never one to miss out on a PR opportunity, made an unexpected visit, along with a large group of mainly black schoolchildren. Damien Green MP, in his speech on behalf of the Tories, made the remarkable claim that 'colour and race have now become irrelevant' This drew some well earned scorn from many in the audience. Obama's election may have 'broken through the ultimate glass ceiling', but colour, race, and I would say in the UK, class, are very much live issues and relevant. Speeches from a number of black politicians and a remarkable young black poet. He told us that he was going to talk about being 'black and proud', but in Africa before slavery, people were not black and proud, they were just proud. So he recited a moving poem about his experience as a young black man.
The remarkable mood amongst the mainly black and minority ethnic audience, was one of celebration and pride. That so many black and white young people finally feel a connection with politics is unique in my lifetime, and I hope that President Barack Hussein Obama, continues to inspire a young generation to engage in public life in the UK.
I don't accept the premise that we don't have talented BME individuals here in the UK. We do, they are out there, and I've even met a few. They need to come forward, get involved and make the difference to the all white male institutions that constitute British politics. Most of all we need the political parties to break down barriers that we know still exist.

David Attenborough targetted by religious extremists

2009-01-27T19:55:00.002+01:00

I was surprised that our national treasure, David Attenborough, who for decades has brought so much entertainment and a greater understanding of natural history and wildlife to millions around the world, has revealed that he has been the target of hate mail from so-called Christians, who have bombarded him with Christian - like messages such as 'burn in hell and good riddance!'
His crime? - not giving any credit in his nature programmes to God and creationism. Its the bi-centenary of Charles Darwin's birth, and he is presenting a new programme based on Darwin's 'Origin of the Species'
Sir David, who at 81 was speaking about views of 2,000 years ago, said:
"The idea that the Lord had given us a present, that the world is a gift from God... well, the amount of stuff, back then, that the Lord was giving away was limited. We do not have dominion."
Ironically, the Church of England issued an apology to Darwin a few months ago. The church admitted that its Victorian hierarchy showed too much "anti-evolutionary fervour" when he published the notion in his book, the Origin of Species, in 1858.
We've heard a lot about extremists from other faiths, and this illustrates how they are alive and well in all faiths.

Israel is damaging itself in the long term

2009-01-05T20:31:00.002+01:00

I wasn't intending to write about this again, but was horrified at reports today that Israeli forces are using phosphorus shells, which are banned by the Geneva Treaty of 1980 as a weapon of war in civilian areas because of the horrific burns and injuries they cause. No doubt Israeli forces will tell the world that they are 'surgically targetting Hamas terrorists' - A bit like suggesting that densely populated parts of London could be targetted without causing civilian deaths!

Israels offensive and invasion is fast costing it the few friends they have in the region.

Turkey, normally a close ally of Israel, is outraged by their actions. Turkish PM, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned Israel's actions, warning that "Israel will destroy itself by perpetrating these inhuman actions"

Using cover of Bush's rhetoric that they are "fighting terror", Israel is in fact terrorising and killing hundreds of civilians, who are trapped in Gaza, with nowhere to go. Aid agencies are warning of a humanitarian disaster, with many agency workers also being attacked while they try and get aid through to desperate families.
Why aren't foreign journalists allowed to go into Gaza? - clearly they do not want the world to see just how much 'collateral damage'- ie. civilians are being killed and horribly injured!
George W Bush has sanctioned this terrible war and ground invasion in the dying days of his disastrous term as President, and Israel has taken full advantage in the window that remains before Bush steps down. This will put the seal on his 8 years as possibly the worst US President.
By blaming Hamas for this orgy of violence, he in effect absolves himself and his failed Administration of any responsibility. Lets not even discuss what Tony Blair, as 'Middle East Peace Envoy' has been doing for the past year!
I support any country, including Israel's right to defend itself, but if they are the democracy that they boast they are, then they should have exhausted all options for peace over the years, in the full knowledge that their American- made bombs do not hold the message for greater security and peace in the Middle East. They have no strategy for peace - only war.
Murdering hundreds of innocent civilians, many women and children, is never right, and I am sickened by the number of people who think it is.
Obama is sworn in on the 20 January - given his silence on these events, we live in hope that his first act as President will be to use his powers to bring peace.

Melanie Phillips: "Israel is defending civilisation"

2009-01-02T00:22:00.006+01:00

I think we're all aware of Melanie Phillips' rabid views on the Palestine/Israel conflict, but her latest rant in the Spectator demonstrates her complete lack of humanity.
She writes:
"..The vast majority of Gazans who have been killed were Hamas terrorists"
She goes on:
"While some civilian casualties are unfortunately inevitable, Israel is clearly attempting to minimise them"
Really? Innocent Palestinian children's lives clearly count for very little. How disgusting and callous.
Her real target is of course Ed Husain, former member of Hizb ut Tahrir, who she supported when he was critical of Islamist ideology, but now he's made the mistake of criticising Israel's attacks on Gaza, which he describes as a 'massacre', and calling on the British government to press for a cease fire, he's incurred Phillips' wrath.
She sums up any criticism of Israel's position by an even wilder rant on British society:
"Of course, his arguments are -- tragically, appallingly -- replicated in large measure amongst the British intelligentsia, media and indeed members of the government itself and the broad political class. Indeed, this is a far, far wider problem than one not-so-reformed-after-all Islamic extremist. It is a profound moral corruption that has infected the British body politic. The fact that so many among Britain’s educated class think like this means that they too are on the wrong side in the great battle to defend civilisation. And it’s not just Israel that in their moral confusion they are thus preparing to throw to the Islamist wolves. It is their own society too"
So according to Phillips, what we are witnessing is Israel's military might 'defending civilisation!'
She really has become a mad caricature of herself.

Gaza attacks - this is not the answer

2008-12-29T22:25:00.004+01:00

The terrible bombing and bloodshed in Gaza by Israel continues while the world stands by and watches, with a limp response from Western governments about 'concerns' and 'disproportionate' action.
So far 300 Palestinians are dead and over 900 wounded, while 2 Israelis are dead.

I watched news footage today on Turkish television - the unedited version, that the BBC does not show, and it was stomach churning and sickening. I was reduced to tears. I saw pictures of dozens of Palestinian bodies wrapped in blankets in makeshift morgues, many of them children.
I saw mothers of babies with missing limbs and terrible injuries. Young girls telling how they were bombed and lost sisters while sleeping in their beds.
Here in the UK we are spared the unedifying brutal reality on the ground.

Much of the the Arab world, and yes, Muslims are very angry about these latest attacks, but more so about the lack of response from the West. If anything, these attacks will draw more militants and young people to Hamas.

We're told how we face unprecedented threats from terrorists - mainly young Islamic militants who become radicalised, well this is fuelling that radicalisation.

When we read articles like this by Johann Hari in the Independant today, setting out how the Israeli government has been systematically humiliating, blockading, starving and now bombing and killing Palestinians in Gaza, while at the same time rejecting Hamas' offer of a cease fire if they lifted the blockade, then you have to wonder if they actually believe that collectively punishing 1.5 million Palestinians, will bring about the peace and security that the Israeli government say they want, and one that the Israeli people deserve and should expect.

Aid agencies have been warning for months that conditions in Gaza were leading to a humanitarian catastrophe, so it seems from the evidence that this attack has been planned by Israel for some time.

If Tony Blair and his American partner in disastrous foreign policy adventures, had invested the same amount of time, energy, resources and commitment, to finding peace in the Middle East, as they did to launching an illegal invasion of Iraq, perhaps there may have been real progress in finding peace for Palestinians, and this bloodshed would have been avoided. Instead we have to stand by and watch impotently, as we did back in 2006, when Israel bombed Lebanon, while Western politicians wring their hands, and talk of 'restraint'
A genuine, lasting peace deal in the Middle East will do more to make the world a more safer place. It would reduce one of the festering sores that fuels and radicalises young Muslim men, far more than millions of Government pounds poured into projects and programmes.

So who are all these people 'offended' by Christmas?

2008-12-22T22:03:00.005+01:00

I ask because I genuinely don't know! I keep reading in the Torygraph and the Mail (serves me right I hear you say!), that various councils and schools around the country are afraid of putting up Christmas lights - calling them Winter Festive Lights, and holding nativity plays, for fear of offending people of other faiths.
Can I say very clearly, that having been brought up in the Muslim faith in the UK, my family never felt 'offended' or threatened in any way by Christmas! -In fact they made sure we celebrated it in our own way- I loved playing the Virgin Mary in my school nativity play!
After all my parents came to live in the UK, a Christian country, because it is a country that has always shown tolerance and respect for people from all other faiths.
As a child we put up some decorations, exchanged presents, had a turkey on Christmas day, and the whole family watched the Queen's Speech. We didn't celebrate Christmas as a religious festival, but then many of my friends never did either.
Every year we have these stories in the media about how Christmas is being eroded for fear of 'offending' ethnic minorities of other faiths - can I say in my view this is complete rubbish and designed by some sections of the media to undermine any concept of the UK being a multicultural society. I'm aware that in the past some sections of the education establishment, in their desire to be seen to embrace other cultures, and ensure young people felt part of main stream society bent over backwards, and in some instances banished the 'Christmas' word, but I don't believe this is as widespread as reported.
Just as I respect and recognise how Christmas is important to Christians, I know that people who are of Hindu, Jewish, Sikh, Muslim and other faiths, all respect and celebrate Christmas just as my family have always done.
So, can we let up with the tired and divisive stories from some sections of the media!
Happy Christmas to one and all!

Why is Ken Livingstone defending Commander responsible for de Menezes killing?

2008-12-13T16:38:00.004+01:00

Answer: because he is still settling old scores? Possibly. This morning Ken defended the record of Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Cressida Dick : "Cressida Dick is one of the most talented officers I have ever worked with," he said, adding that she had an "incredible record".
I think that as the senior commander in charge of the Police operation of the Jean Charles de Menezes killing her 'incredible record' in the handling of this case has been a complete disaster!
During the trial of the Metropolitan Police over the shooting, the prosecution claimed Cmdr Dick made a string of strategic mistakes, which contributed to the tragedy. She has consistently denied this.
On the back of the open verdict brought by the inquest jury, who rejected that de Menezes had been lawfully killed, this leaves the Police wide open to charges of, at best incompetency, and at worse, lying in the aftermath of the botched operation that led to the terrible tragedy of an innocent 27 year old being shot seven times in the head.
The family are now seeking a judicial review.
With Sir Ian Blair gone, Livingstone who from the outset when Mayor rushed to defend the actions of the Police, and the litany of lies that followed the incident.
I think many of us feel that a serious and shocking mistake was made, but what compounded this was the behaviour and the tactics used to smear Jean Charles hours after he'd been killed. I heard Sir Ian tell us on the news that he was 'acting suspiciously', was 'wearing a bulky jacket', and had 'jumped over the turnstiles' at Stockwell tube station, when he'd been challenged.
None of which turned out to be true.
What we still don't know is why, if he was a terrorist suspect, he wasn't arrested before he'd got on buses and on the tube, (they knew where he lived) where he could have, had he been a real terrorist, presumably detonated explosives, taking many lives. We've heard from witnesses who were on the same tube carriage, give evidence that the Police did not shout out any warnings, as they claim to have done, leading us to believe that there was a shoot-to-kill policy in place, which ended in disastrous consequences.
I don't blame the officers on the ground who following clumsy orders, who must have been extremely scared and wired up. I blame the senior officers in charge of this disastrous operation - including the very person who Ken Livingstone proclaims is outstanding, and has an "incredible record"
Meanwhile, the family of an innocent young continue the fight for justice.

Discussing welfare reforms on BBC Asian Network

2008-12-10T17:41:00.004+01:00

This morning I was one of the speakers on Nihal's show on BBC Asian Network debating the Government's new welfare reforms- 'Raising Expectations..', with a Tory from South London, with contributions from a live phone-in.
My main point was that we all support the notion that people who can work, should be encouraged and given the support, training and skills to get work, but there seems to be the usual focus on 'lone mothers' , and under the proposals, only those with children aged one and under will receive unconditional benefits. The Tory Woman from South London actually told me that it 'was their choice to be a lone mother!' I of course responded that many women are left literally holding the baby while their partners walk away and contribute nothing. Childcare remains expensive and not easily available to many.
11 years after Tony Blair appointed Frank Field as the Social Security Minister and told him to 'think the unthinkable' we finally see a policy unveiled that brings together an alliance of New Labour and Conservatism - remember Tebbitt's advice to the 'work-shy' - "to get on their bikes"
It comes at a time when thousands of people are being laid off, and unemployment is reaching record levels. In some parts of the country there are very few jobs to be had.
I get as annoyed as anyone else when I hear of benefit cheats, and those working the system, and this needs to be sorted, but we need to be convinced that this focus on families with school aged children won't have a negative impact on child poverty, where lone parent families may lose benefits, and reduce the family income if they can't find work. What many don't seem to realise is that child poverty figures show that many of these vulnerable children come from families where at least one parent is already in very low paid work.
Why not lift the lowest paid out of the tax threshold altogether - as we Lib Dems advocate, to give more incentive?
Or is that just too radical and 'unthinkable' for Labour?

44 Sheep sacrificed for Obama - the 44th President of USA

2008-12-07T16:17:00.002+01:00

The Turkish Weekly Journal reports that people of Gurtepe village in Van, which is in Eastern Turkey, sacrificed 44 sheep in honour of Obama’s election as the 44th president of the US, during this weekend's Eid al-Adha festival. As a non meat eater, I'm not exactly celebrating this, but this is an example of how people around the world are placing great hopes and expectations for their future on Obama. Turkey has always had a strong alliance with the US, historically based on a strategic security alliance following the Cold War. In a thoughtful article Prof. Dr. Ihsan Bal, Head of ISRO Centre for International Security, Terrorism and Ethnic Conflict Studies, sets out just how under the George W Bush years, anti-Americanism across Turkey has reached a peak, while relations are at an all time low following the Bush unilateral foreign policy adventures.
Much has been written about the expectations being placed on President-elect Obama, not least from the people in the village of Gurtepe, and many more places like that across the world, crying out for a change in a US foreign policy that is based on respect and inclusion.

'One in 10 children suffer abuse' - are we a civilised society?

2008-12-03T22:32:00.003+01:00

The Baby P tragedy has dominated the headlines, and has again brought the whole issue of how children in the UK are treated - or mistreated, to our attention. We're told that a society is judged by how it treats its older people, but what then does this say about the way children are treated?
Ruth Gilbert and others have produced shocking research that in high-income countries in Europe, one in ten children suffer physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect.
Its seems in countries, like the UK, where the birth rate in slowing, and where we have an increasing older population, children are not valued very much. We're told that teachers, paediatricians, and GPs, have little faith in the ability of social workers to protect children. The detailed findings of the abuse suffered by too many children is truly shocking.
I suppose abuse in one form or another has always gone on - behind closed doors, and was never talked about, but now its out of the closet and so much has changed, in terms of attitudes, the law, children's rights, and of course resources, the problem does not seem to be decreasing but increasing. Its seems to be easier to complain about your neighbours dog being mistreated and getting the RSPCA to take action than it is to complain about your neighbours children being abused.
I read somewhere that donkey charities attract more money than children's charities - I don't know if that's true.
When I was Cabinet Member for Social Services in Islington, with responsibility for children's social services, I was shocked at the level of looked after children we had, and the reasons behind this. Neglect was the single biggest issue that resulted in a child being taken into care, usually by parents or carers who were hooked on drugs and alcohol, and incapable of caring for their children. Physical and sexual abuse were lesser factors. One thing I fought for was a greater investment in children's social services to increase levels of pay for social workers, and for foster carers. This did make a difference and levels of children in care steadily declined.
But in todays world there is no room for complacency. Is it the case that there are so many adults who are so messed up and incapable of looking after themselves, let alone taking on the care of a child?
We need to look long and hard as to why every week children die at the hands of the people who should be giving them love, and security. We need to look at the cause as well as the cure.

Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats successfully merge with Task Force

2008-12-03T22:20:00.002+01:00

Last night the Ethnic Minority Lib Dems (EMLD) successfully merged with the Ethnic Minority Election Task Force, at our Special General Meeting, creating a single, focused organisation within the Party leading on greater BME representation and participation.
At a very well attended meeting of black and minority ethnic (and white) activists, councillors, and a group of young Lib Dem supporters attending their first Lib Dem meeting, we had lively debates, and heard from Party Leader, Nick Clegg, and Simon Hughes.
The election of Barack Obama has energised many young black people to get more involved in politics. Many feel that all political parties are now more receptive to BME, and understand the immediacy that they must do more to break down barriers for greater diversity and inclusion in British politics.

Bloggers get a grip! -would you trust a Mirror journalist?

2008-12-01T00:20:00.004+01:00

I've been reading the numerous blogs about the so-called reshufflegate conversation on a plane to the Highlands, with a little known Mirror journalist, apparently listening to a 'secret conversation' which he diligently recorded. Has anyone ever sat of a plane and been able to overhear a conversation in such apparent detail from passengers sitting behind them? I don't buy it. The Mirror is the chief cheer leading rag for Labour, and never reports anything positive about the Liberal Democrats. As with the majority of the media, we have at best dismissive or no coverage, and at worst this type of gossipy trivia that only serves to undermine Nick Clegg, and the Party generally. I really think we should get a grip and not hype this up out of all proportion.
Those who watched Jon Sopel's unpleasant and hostile interview with Nick Clegg this morning, on the Politics Show, will have seen just what Nick as Leader is up against. Sopel dismissed the Party's new childcare policies and we were treated to the chair of the small businesses federation, Stephen Alambritis, chucking cold water over the whole policy of extended parental leave - this is the same Stephen Alambritis, who is Labour councillor in Merton, South London, and Euro candidate - a truly independent commentator!
No-one in the real world is interested in this non- story. People I meet everyday are worried about their food and fuel bills, losing their jobs, and getting through the recession.
The Liberal Democrats have consistently been putting forward positive solutions as to how we can ameliorate the economic crisis, while the Tories play catch up - people are really fed up with politicians right now. They are looking for positive solutions and ideas, and dare I say it - inspiration!
Lets not hype up Lee-Potter Juniors' half baked stories.

Jack Straw- still defending the indefensibly illegal Iraq war

2008-11-18T21:23:00.003+01:00

I'm as weary as anyone else about this topic. There are very few people out there who believe the war to defend us against so-called Weapons of Mass Destruction -WMD (remember them?)
Untold damage has been done by Labour MPs in the then Government who convinced their supine MPs that we had to bomb Iraq because of Saddam's WMD.
Today I read that Jack Straw is still digging his heels in and insisting he did the right thing as then Foreign Secretary, after Lord Bingham, the former senior law lord and one of Britain's most respected judicial experts, described the military action by Britain and the US as a "serious violation of international law".
Why not just own up and say - I was wrongly advised, I got it wrong?
If we could point to a single political event that has contributed to the disaffection towards politics and politicians in the UK this century - this was it.

Bringing equality and legitimacy to Parliament- A Speakers Conference

2008-11-13T21:34:00.004+01:00

Yesterday I witnessed from the House of Commons Gallery, the debate to establish an historic Speakers Conference- a special cross-party Parliamentary inquiry, to look at how the House of Commons can be more reflective of the communities it serves, more diverse, and how more people can be encouraged to become more engaged in politics and to increase turnout at elections. The motion was supported by all sides, with very effective contributions from MPs from all parties. You can read the debate here.
There have only ever been 5 Speakers Conferences in the last century. In 1916, the Speakers Conference agreed to give women the vote.
So in the week following Obama's electrifying election to the most powerful position in the world, the UK Parliament is moving towards making a difference here.
I was invited as a guest of Harriet Harman MP, Leader of the House of Commons, and Minister for Equalities, in my role as a member of the government's cross-party BME Women's Task Force .She made an impassioned speech that there was a shared belief that the House of Commons lacks legitimacy, that there are too many missing voices and faces that would make our democracy representative. HH has worked tirelessly for this cause and been a real champion for equalities.
I was joined amongst others, by Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, who received some flack from Labour politicians about his remarks that a British Barack Obama would be held back by racism in the British political system, though he says his remarks were taken out of context. There was a good turnout by many of Labour's female MPs, as well as the majority of their BME MPs. The Tories welcomed the Speakers Conference though seemed to want it to be more wide-ranging. Shailesh Vara, the Tory Shadow Deputy Leader of the House, boasted that if a General Election was called, and they won it by a majority of one, they believe they would increase the number of their women MPs, from 17 to '50 or 60'
He also made the point that both himself and his colleague, Adam Afriyie - MP for Windsor, represented constituencies with very small numbers of BME communities, arguing that this should be the norm.
On the Lib Dem benches, it was left to Simon Hughes and Jo Swinson to hold the fort and fly the equalities flag. ( not sure why there wasn't a better Lib Dem turnout) They both spoke very well, with Simon given recognition as championing this cause for many years. He reminded the House that the Liberals were the first party to elect Dadabhai Naoroji as the first Asian MP back in 1892, around a hundred years before the 1987 intake that brought in Bernie Grant, Diane Abbott and others. As Diane pointed out in the last 21 years, there has been very little progress, with the Lib Dems still having no BME MP. Thats not to suggest that there haven't been excellent women and BME people out there who would have made very good MPs- its just that they never made it, and they are still absent, in large numbers.
The Speakers Conference will be taking evidence from around the country and will bring back recommendations in the coming year.
I believe this to be a very strong vehicle for all of us to make an effective contribution to ensure that our democracy is stronger, more diverse, and more representative. As someone said- it should smash the glass ceiling. It must open up politics to a wider constituency of people, from all backgrounds, and look at fundamental issues of electoral process.
We need long term solutions not short term quick fixes, and if need be - yes we need to look at positive action.

Baby murdered- in Haringey Every Child doesn't seem to matter

2008-11-12T17:19:00.006+01:00

Like many others, I've been sickened and disgusted by the details of Baby P's neglect and abuse over many months. David Cameron's been criticised for raising this at PMQ's, - Brown called it 'cheap', and while he clearly was jumping on a bandwagon, but frankly, if MPs can discuss how Laura was kicked off the X Factor, then many people will think this shocking murder is a legitimate issue to debate. Whether PMQs is the correct forum for this, is another matter.
What has shocked me as someone who was formerly Cabinet Member for Social Services, when the 'Every Child Matters' legislation was introduced following the Victoria Climbie case (again Haringey) is the hard and cynical way Sharon Shoesmith- Haringey Council's Director of Children's Services, brushed aside any criticism of her staff, replying when asked if she should apologise that she was "satisfied that the action that should have been taken was taken" Eh??
A CHILD HAS DIED!
She went on to say that " The child was killed by members of his own family and not be social services"
In other words, her department bear no responsibility, despite the child being on the 'at risk' register, meaning he should have been very closely supervised. Not good enough!
I entirely agree with Lynne Featherstone, that both Shoesmith and the Cabinet Member , for Children's Services, Cllr Liz Santry, who has been conspicuous by her absence, and ultimately responsible- should resign. Its a pity the short debate on this tragedy should be marred by political point scoring
Ed Balls is bowing to pressure on the blase way that Haringey seem to be treating another terrible tragedy, and preparing to send in a 'hit squad'
Whatever- until those in positions of responsibility realise that they will have to take the rap- and lose their well paid jobs, when things go badly wrong, then nothing much is going to change.
Social workers, and health practitioners, must understand that its the vulnerable child that is their client, and needs their protection, and not hide behind 'procedures' and bureacracy.

No chance of British Obama - is Trevor Phillips right?

2008-11-08T18:32:00.002+01:00

'A British equivalent of Barack Obama would find it extremely difficult to become prime minister' - that's according to Trevor Phillips, chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Is he right?
Mr Phillips said: "If Barack Obama had lived here I would be very surprised if even somebody as brilliant as him would have been able to break through the institutional stranglehold that there is on power within the Labour Party."
Not surprisingly we've seen the Labour machine wheel out their ethnic minority MPs and members to refute this claim, pointing out that they have many BME PPCs selected in winnable seats. Okay, but would a successful Black MP, stand any chance of breaking through and becoming the leader of the party, and eventually PM?
Firstly, I have never seen such euphoria and excitement by Black - and White people over an election. Obama's fantastic success has energised and enthused so many young people who will, hopefully also become engaged and involved in politics. Whilst I may agree to some extent with Trevor, I do think in the week following President-elect Obama's victory, this would have been the time to send out a clear signal and a message of hope to all the disillusioned and disaffected black and white young people in the UK. Not one of doom and gloom.
Do we need change in the UK's class-entrenched politics? Yes
Are we going to achieve that by warning that we have no chance of ever having our very own Barack Obama anytime soon? No.
In the 1980's some constituency Labour party's took the decision that they wanted a Black MP, which led to the first intake of Black MPs in 1987 - Bernie Grant, Paul Boateng, Diane Abbott and Keith Vaz. I was living in Hackney when the local party there let it be known they wanted a Black MP, after the very popular and hard working Ernie Roberts stood down. Diane Abbott, a then councillor in Westminster, was in the right place at the right time. Since then she has not exactly been promoted within the Labour Party, but remained on the backbenches.

Progress since the '80's has been very slow. We have hardly any BME council leaders, judges, and no Colin Powells' as far as I can work out, and still too few BME MPs.
I am hoping that the election of Obama marks a watershed, that it will be possible to have significant numbers of BME MPs, from across the political divide. I believe that the myth that ethnic minority candidates are vote-losers, or that black voters only vote for black, or Asians for Asian candidates, has once and for all been dispelled. There are many young, talented BME individuals in the UK, who would make fantastic MPs. Its not as if the talent is not out there. All political parties have to work hard to ensure that the obstacles that many face, are cleared away, and I say that as someone who spends a lot of time encouraging and recruiting talented individuals to join the Liberal Democrats. We all have our stories of how we have faced those obstacles along the way.
My Party has the steepest hill to climb, not least because we do not have the numbers of winnable seats as the other parties.
So to return to my question as to whether Trevor Phillips is right to say that the odds of Britain having a BME Prime Minster anytime soon, are very slim. Right now its looks unlikely, but with the political will from all parties, and with more young Black people becoming enthused and engaged in British politics, its possible to change the face of British politics in the coming decade.

Obama -Now we want some change in the UK!

2008-11-05T15:12:00.004+01:00

I'm still euphoric after spending most of the evening waiting for the Presidential election results in an upmarket club in Regent Street, as a guest of Operation Black Vote. Fantastic crowd and atmosphere. Even before we knew the result, many of us agreed that there had already been a seismic shift - a possibility had become a reality. Its hard to take it in.
Just 43 years after African Americans were first given the right to vote, a black man was in reach of become its President, and hours later it was confirmed.
Barack Hussein Obama is the next President!
We know from the saying, 'when America sneezes the whole world catches a cold' - well America is in the grip of an historic sea change, that could really make a difference to many people and places across the world.
My kids tell me that they want to be in the US, where politics is exciting and relevant to them, instead of 'boring old politics in this country' - their words.
If anyone ever tells me again that it doesn't matter whether our elected politicians are 'black, white, male or female', as long as they're are the 'best people' - think again. It does matter. Elected politicians who reflect our own society DO matter. Obama has broken through barriers that we can only dream of in our class ridden society this side of the pond.
Barack Obama has achieved what many soothsayers warned he could never do, unite Black, White ,Hispanic, young, old, rich and poor. An incredible achievement.
I hope it will prove to be an inspiration, - a sense of pride for many socially excluded young black people in the UK, as it surely has in the US.
So, when I watched PMQs today, I heard Gordon Brown and then Cameron trying desperately to direct some of that magic towards themselves.
From the Guardian:
Gordon Brown called the president-elect "a true friend of Britain", declaring that "I know Barack Obama and we share many values." ie. we have a lot in common(!)
David Cameron, hailed Obama as "the first of a new generation of leaders" - ie. just like me(!)

The reality is we have a long way to go before our political system becomes as exciting, and where traditional barriers are broken down. But for now I'm still euphoric!

Islington Labour in denial over economic crisis

2008-10-25T19:52:00.007+02:00

As the national economic crisis starts to hit vulnerable residents, Islington's Labour MPs (Emily Thornberry & Jeremy Corbyn) complain they are 'snowed under' by people seeking help over rent and mortgage arrears in Islington where home repossessions are up by 15%.
The MP's issued a 'dire warning' about a lack of advice for people, claiming that since the only Citizen's Advice Bureau (CAB) folded last year, people have nowhere to go for advice. Apparently they blame the Lib Dem Council's delay in providing a new CAB service since the only CAB folded last year due to financial mismanagement. ( A new one is due to open in January)
The Labour Party seems to be in denial while ordinary people become victims of their Governments economic failures, after more than a decade of sucking up to the fat cats in the City and 'soft touch' regulation. No- its all the Lib Dems fault for not forcing CABs to open faster to help people who face repossession. Its a bit like blaming nurses for not providing sufficient band aids after a train crash!
What they don't seem to understand is that Citizen's Advice Bureaux are not an arm of the Council, but an independent agency. We do have Islington People's Rights, and the Mary Ward Legal Centre, who have been providing advice for residents for decades.
At the last Council meeting, the Labour opposition were triumphant about Gordon Brown bailing out the banks with billions of pounds of our money- wildly applauding him, but seemed oblivious to the impact on the lives of our residents. My colleague, Cllr Andrew Cornwell, the Executive Member for Finance, gave a financial statement, demonstrating how well he has managed the council's finances, despite the economic crisis (no - Islington does not have any money in Icelandic banks!)
Islington is the 8th most deprived borough in the country, with many people living in poverty. An increasing number of families and pensioners will be struggling with fuel and food bills, and tragically, more people are going to become homeless, putting a bigger strain on local authorities. Responsible councils from all political persuasions across the country, have been warning for some time that the housing shortage is at crisis point, and the restrictions placed on councils' ability to build new homes, since the Tories were in government, need to be relaxed.
CABs across the country are struggling to cope with the increased demand for their services, while the debt burden on individuals increases. Many CABs have seen their grants from local authorities cut year on year, and have reduced their hours and services.
Islington's Labour MPs need to report back to Brown and Darling how bad things are for their constituents on the ground, not pass the buck.
As I said in the last Council meeting, Islington is not an island but affected by and reliant on Government grants and support to deliver services for the most vulnerable. I have had an increased number of people contacting me in real difficulty due to the economic climate, and its not gonna get better anytime soon.
The Labour Party in Islington and elsewhere need to wake up and smell the coffee!

Archbishop Tutu and Jimmy Carter lend their support to Cyprus peace talks

2008-10-16T21:02:00.003+02:00

I haven't written much about the ongoing peace talks in Cyprus between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders, simply because I've seen too many false dawns in my lifetime.
I was therefore struck how much effort and quiet diplomacy is going into these talks .
The two leaders, Christofias and Talat met last Friday, and have agreed to discuss power sharing, and carry on meeting on a weekly basis.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu warned:

" ..that truth does not automatically heal. It can exacerbate and make worse the anguish. You want a process based on restorative, not retributive justice not seeking to punish but to use the process for therapeutic healing. He said the past was important but people should not be held hostage by it. You have to deal with it at some point" he added.

How right he is! He was a key player in ending Apartheid and in the Peace and Reconciliation hearings in South Africa. Cypriots are all held hostage to the past. Its all they ever talk about, but given the pain and suffering that both communities have suffered for decades, its not surprising.

Jimmy Carter:

He didn't see failure ahead. "I would say its not difficult to solve. I see clearly in mind that we are on the verge of seeing an agreement here with all the people wanting peace and I think its quite likely we will have success here, he said. If not, then he didn't see anything worse than a continuation of the status quo. We didn't come here to tell people we are know-it-alls. We came to say you are doing a splendid job and carry on to the consummation we can see on the horizon"
All sides agree that there is very good political will.
We are quietly optimistic that with the very good political will between the two sides, even the intractable problem of Cyprus may one day be resolved.

First Turkish woman on banknotes causes row

2008-10-16T20:44:00.003+02:00

The first ever Turkish woman to appear on the Turkish Lira has caused a row. Fatma Aliye, a now obscure Ottoman novelist, has been selected to appear on the 50 Turkish Lira note. Many have criticised the choice saying instead the more famous feminist icon Halide Edip Aduvar who fought alongside Kemal Ataturk, should have been chosen and claiming this is a 'slap in the face to secularists'
There are claims that the Islamic-leaning AK party put pressure on the appointed committee of the central bank, to include Fatma Aliye.
Aliye is thought to be the first woman in the Ottoman empire to publish a book in 1892. She is controversial because she advocated women's contribution to civilisation through motherhood and more traditional roles. Her supporters argue that she broke new ground as an early feminist, demonstrating that women's rights in Turkey started before Kemal Ataturk.
Personally I'm hugely impressed that a woman has even made it onto a Turkish banknote.
A milestone!

The knock on the door every parent dreads

2008-10-13T23:09:00.002+02:00

An eventful weekend: Friday, I celebrated my birthday with my children and close friends; Saturday, my 17 year old son was out with a few friends, as most teenagers do. At Midnight, I opened the door to 2 police officers who informed me that my son was in an ambulance on his way to hospital. In that split second, the shock of what may have happened hits you with great force. The officers quickly reassured me that he was alright - that he'd dislocated his knee, but he and his friends had been attacked by a gang of 12 and mugged. They had been punched and kicked, and had their mobiles stolen. I spent the night at the A&E at Homerton Hospital, while my son and his friend received treatment for their injuries. Thankfully the thugs, who were aged between 12- 20, although kept threatening to 'knife' them, did not use knives. The boys are bruised, battered, shaken and demoralised. My son told me he does not want to go out anymore.
What angers me is that while I assume that the parents of the boys who attacked my son and his friends either don't know or don't care where their sons are or what they get up to, these kids are taking away the precious freedom of young men like my son and his friends. They cannot do what I and my generation took for granted, growing up in London, just hang out with friends. They are now far more likely to be victims of crime, and not just a petty crime. They are at risk of serious injury or worse. What a terrible indictment of our society, that parents like myself should have to worry every time our sons go out, where they are - literally, taking their life in their hands.

Should Black and Ethnic Minorities boycott the Police Force?

2008-10-07T00:08:00.002+02:00

I don't think they should. Today the Black Police Association (BPA), called for a boycott of BME applicants from applying to join the police force, saying the Met is still 'beset by institutional racism' The Mayor, Boris Johnson is to hold an inquiry into racism in the Met.
Hot on the heels of Boris, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, playing catch up, ordered her own review of how ethnic minorities are treated by the Police. Today the Association of Muslim Police Officers publically disagreed with the BPA, saying that they believed that we needed more BME police officers if we are to have the change in the culture, and the education within the Police.
I tend to agree with this. Racism exists pretty much across the public sector. We recently saw in a report on the NHS by the Chief Medical Officer for England, Sir Liam Donaldson, who declared that ethnic minority doctors in the NHS faced systematic racism, prejudice and harassment, saying many doctors’ careers have been impeded due to this.
In his annual report on the state of the nation’s health he called for a “clear commitment” to tackle racism in the NHS, which will include a mentorship scheme for BME doctors.
Both he and BMA have called for urgent investigations into the reasons behind the fact that doctors born in Africa and Pakistan have a significantly higher mortality rate than their colleagues.
The idea that the BMA or any other body should call for a boycott of BME doctors who wish to work in the NHS, is wrong headed. Apart from being completely impractical, as it would lead to the collapse of the NHS, as with the BPA, I believe it would turn the clock back, and marginalise the BME police officers already working in the Met.
Public services are for everybody, and as with political representation, we should make sure they reflect the communities they serve. Change can only come about from within, and with the right leadership.
But I don't in any way detract from the serious allegations from the most senior ranking BME officers, as to just how hard it is to get promotion. Britain's only black police chief, Kent's Mike Fuller, says ' ethnic minority police officers have to work twice as hard as white officers to get on'
Sadly, many professionals from minority communities still feel the same.

Labour's Left just got shafted

2008-10-04T16:46:00.004+02:00

Well that's what happened with the exhumation of Peter Mandelson, in my honest opinion.
Make no mistake, the war in the Labour Party is still raging, and Gordon Brown's 'bombshell' is reverberating amongst the Labour rank and file- and lets not forget the Trade Union's who loath Mandleson, and everything he stands for.
Gordon Brown has declared his reshuffle:
A government of all talents ...Er? More like rearranging the deck chairs.
Barely 2 weeks after Brown's speech at conference, where he promised 'real change' and to 'try harder', he brings back into government one of Labour's most divisive figures.
Whatever happened to the 'clunking fist'. It may be hailed, as in some quarters as a 'masterstroke', or even an' imaginative move', but a show of strength it ain't.
This signals more of the failed Blairite policies of the past decade, but for Labour's deluded leadership, that does not seem to matter. If Mandelson can deliver for Brown, as he did for Blair, then that's all that matters.
Where are the new ideas?, where are the policies?, where is the new direction, and change we were all promised when Brown was crowned Prime Minister just over a year ago?
In fact, what is this Government for?
The Daily Mail, predictably has gone ballistic. The Tories genuinely fear Mandelson. One reason why I've always had a sneaking admiration for him. But the real losers in all this are Labour's so called 'Left' - or whats left of them! Where are they? All I've seen is someone called Ian Gibson MP wheeled out to have a moan. So much for the predictions that Jon Cruddas would be at the top table.
At a time when the country, ordinary families, and Labour's heartlands are crying out for a change in direction, for politician's to understand just how hard its becoming to support your family, pay the bills, Brown and his limping Labour government put great store on a change in personnel, and a few more 'business leaders' packed into the Lords (remember Digby Jones?)
The public, for whom this is all bewilderingly alien and irrelevant, will just about give up on this government doing anything that will make any difference to their lives. They are living in their own world far removed from ordinary people in the UK, millions of children still living in poverty, while the 'war' and divisions within the Labour Party will just carry on.
No things have certainly not 'got better' - they've got much worse.

Labour belatedly moving to copy Liberal Democrats principles

2008-09-22T11:37:00.003+02:00

In his speech to conference last week, Nick Clegg set out a very powerful message, and a vision.
It was one of a fairer and more redistributive Britain, where if you're born into a poorer family, you shouldn't be condemned for life: that everyone should have an equal opportunity to education, health and well-being.
After 11 years of a New Labour government, Britain is now even more divided and unequal than under the Tories before them.
John Harris in the Guardian has a video, where he says people at the Labour party conference are openly talking about 'more equality and...redistribution of wealth'!
So here is the conundrum, when Liberal Democrats talk about a more equal and redistributive society - we're unfairly, and in my view maliciously, accused of lurching to the right, and vying with the Tories (yeah, like they really believe in a more equal society!)
When Labour members start talking of the same policies that we have already adopted, they are painted as left wing elements harking back to a 'class war'
Its media spin, and all meaningless.
What really angers me about this government, and its 'rank and file members', is that for years they were happy to ditch any support for the poor, the dispossessed, and what was after all, their core supporters, as long as they kept winning elections.
Power is all.
How they all cheered when Gordon Brown delivered his last Budget Speech, when in the last sentence he announced that he would remove the 10p tax rate for the lowest paid, at a stroke.
Now that the writing is on the wall, with many MPs facing redundancy, they are running around proclaiming and bemoaning that they need to 'do more for the poorest in society, who have been left behind..' - Er... left behind by whom?
Labour has spent 11 years in awe of and sucking up to big business, the wealthy, the rich and famous, noses firmly in the trough.
I wrote before conference that we were the only party prepared to set out our vision and develop policies that would pave the way for a far more equal and redistributive society. At conference we debated and agreed that by ensuring the lowest paid get to keep more of their earnings, we were in tune with the country at large.
I spoke in an intervention at the 'Make it Happen' debate, asking why the lowest paid, many of who have children who live in poverty, should pay taxes on their meagre wages.
In the run up to previous general elections, the demand was for more investment in education and in the health services. Now people are worried that they can't pay their bills, rent or mortgage, and support their families. They are disgruntled. No wonder commentators - and people in the Labour party, are looking to what we are saying with a 'hang on - shouldn't we be saying all this too', attitude.
Of course people want continuing investment in public services - we all do, but we see and hear too much of how all this extra investment hasn't improved services for the elderly, and the NHS.
We need more accountability.
So I'm fascinated to hear that vulnerable Labour MPs, are calling for more to be done for 'their core voters' - Trouble is its too late, many will not vote Labour for a very long time, and if they have any sense, will definitely not vote for Cameron's vacuous Tories, who have yet to utter a single policy or a vision that would improve the lives of ordinary UK folk.
They'll vote Liberal Democrat!

Tax cuts for the lowest paid - How is this a lurch to the Right?

2008-09-10T21:01:00.003+02:00

Much has been written over the last few weeks about Nick Clegg's commitment to reducing the tax burden for lower and middle income individuals and families. The debate has fluctuated wildly. He has been accused of pandering to the 'right wing press' with his commitment to lower taxation.

I happen to identify myself as someone on the centre left. I passionately believe in the 'R' word - Redistribution.

A word that the Labour Party made much of whilst in Opposition, but would never utter now, much less develop a vision to implement.

Hence why they have presided over an ever increasing divide between rich and poor, and obscene inequalities in society. Clinging to the belief, as Thatcher did, that wealth will somehow 'trickle down'

Well it hasn't, and it won't.

In the Make it Happen document, an impressive and well received vision document, it simply states:

'..So now's the time to sort taxes out, to take pressure off ordinary families who still pay more of their income out in tax than the richest people in the country'

It goes on to say:

' This government's spent more and more of your money and still failed the people who are most hard up. So we'll get wasteful central government spending under control and give the economy a boost by cutting taxes from the bottom for those that need the most help'

So far so good. As Liberal Democrats, what part of that do we not agree with?

Nowhere can I find that it promises to cut taxes overall. It says if the manifesto process identifies money, after we've met all our spending priorities, it should go to low and middle income families.

A commitment from Nick and Vince Cable to cut central government waste has brought howls of derision from many members, who have seen this as code for somehow a promise to cutback on front-line public services such as the NHS and education.

After reading this interpretation in the media and some of the comments on Lib Dem Voice, I have tried to find where Nick has said this. I may not be an expert on taxation, but having worked all my life, never been on the dole, and paid huge amounts in tax, with past experience of being a single parent on a low wage, struggling to pay my mortgage, bills and support my 3 kids, I think I know enough about taxation, as the next person.

Moreover as someone who has worked in the public sector, including 10 years in the NHS, anyone who tells me there isn't huge waste in public services is living in a parallel universe.

The NHS routinely spends millions on management consultants alone - nothing to do with patient care, usually to come up with another glossy consultation document.
Whilst local councils have been required to cut back on public spending, there seems to have no such trend on central government expenditure.

I agree with Cllr Mark Morris' comments on LDV:

'Reducing tax on the lowest paid is socially just, will help to reduce the black economy, make it more attractive for some people on benefits to take up low paid jobs'

I also feel strongly, as Mark does, that people on the minimum wage should not have to pay tax.

With Labour betraying the lowest paid and vulnerable, with their 10p tax fiasco, this is the time for us to campaign on social justice.

We've made a lot of the fact that the poorest 20% pay a higher proportion of their income than the richest 20%. Our priority must now be to do something radical about it: helping the lowest earners to pay less tax, and helping the long term unemployed to get back into work.
My daughter, a university student, works part-time. She has refused to work any extra hours, complaining that it all goes in tax.
My understanding is that the £20bn in savings would be identified from a whole range of areas, including scrapping ID cards, road building plans and Eurofighter, and bloated central government bureaucracy.
We have been told that front line services like hospitals and schools will never lose out.
Until more work is done to work up these proposals, and debate them further in the coming months, my instinct is that we are going in the .....best direction in terms of setting out our vision for the next general election.
I for one, am prepared to hear more, join the debate, before I rush to condemn.

'Hockey Mom' Palin, a 'Pro-Life Woman'- Discuss!

2008-09-04T13:29:00.004+02:00

Why have people who are ultra Conservative Christian fundamentalists highjacked the term 'pro-life' -Just how are they pro-life?
'Hockey mom' Sarah Palin has delivered her speech to the Republican Convention, and has explained to us UK mothers what a 'Hockey Mom' is:
"I love those hockey mums," Palin said in acknowledgement of the crowd. "You know what they say is the difference between hockey mums and a pit bull? Lipstick."
Well that's cleared that up then!
What has always infuriated me about the utter hypocrisy of the 'pro-life lobby', people like Palin, both sides of the Pond, is that, they are so obsessed and dedicated to eliminating reproductive choice for women , but have little regard or interest for that child once it has been born.
No matter that in Sarah Palin's utopia that child will be born to a mother, maybe herself only a child, who was a victim of rape; no matter that she and her baby will live in poverty, with little in the way of state support, where guns are freely available, and she won't be able to afford healthcare.
Nope, the important thing is saving those 6 week old embryos.
Sarah Palin is a big supporter of so-called 'consumer-driven healthcare', in which the government would eliminate the tax breaks companies get for offering health insurance (and thus the company's financial incentive to pay)
Given that women are the biggest users of healthcare, they should take a long hard look at her preachings before casting their votes.
So all this drivel about Rifle Association enthusiast, anti-gay civil partnership, Sarah Palin, and her ilk being pro-life is ridiculous.
It is of course ironic that her 17 year old daughter is pregnant, demonstrating what us mothers of daughters could have told her, that stuff happens, and its a dangerous thing to hold yourself up as a standard bearer of the 'perfect nuclear family' as she seems to have done.
While the selection of Sarah Palin may be a symbolic victory for equality, is it really worth the high price that women across the US would have to pay, and all the hard fought rights that women in the last century won?
If she ever gets her stilettos under the desk of the Oval Office, sisters, prepare to turn the clock back.

Politics and the Olympics

2008-08-08T21:00:00.004+02:00

After being determined to ignore the Olympics because I felt so strongly that China, a dictatorship, with appalling human rights, should not have been allowed to host the Games, I found myself watching the spectacular opening ceremony on the tiniest screen in the waiting room of a dental surgery, where my daughter was receiving treatment, and I was tasked with bringing her home. I saw the parade of all the countries and their teams, and found myself moved to tears when the pathetically tiny contingents appeared bravely waving their flags from war torn countries like Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan, and other troubled African nations.
I felt incredibly sad that I had yet to witness a true Cyprus contingent in any international event, which included Turkish Cypriots.
I then remembered and thought just how much politics is influenced by and affected by these types of international events. Watching the Olympic teams of Britain and the US, I was witnessing the truly multicultural background of the athletes proudly representing their countries.
I then remembered as a child watching the news on the explosive Olympics in Mexico in 1968, when US medal winners, Tommie Smith and John Carlos gave the Black Power salute with black gloved fists.
It was one of the 20th century's most powerful and controversial moments in sports, and a watershed event in the civil rights movement. After failing to convince their fellow black athletes to boycott the Mexico City 1968 Olympics, Tommie Smith and John Carlos succeeded in winning the gold and bronze medals in the 200 meters track & field event. Determined to use the grand stage of the Olympic games as a platform for protest, Smith and Carlos accepted their medals in bare feet (to bring attention to the poverty of the African-American community), wearing beads (in honor of the countless blacks murdered as victims of slavery or racism), and holding black-gloved fists in the air (the "Black Power" salute).
Unfortunately they paid a heavy price, with a storm of outrage from the US for disrespecting the "Star Spangled Banner" and the Olympic games. The IOC forced the U.S. Olympic Committee to withdraw them from the relays, banish them from the Olympic Village, and expelled them from the U.S. Olympic team. Back in the US they faced death threats, their homes attacked, poverty and eventually obscurity.
I thought about this today, as to just how brave these men were, in the year that Martin Luther King was assassinated, to make that simple gesture to draw attention to the plight of Black people in America, and the exploitation of Black athletes. As Tommie Smith said - 'when I win an Olympic medal, I'm an American, when I do something wrong, I'm a negro'
Politicians like Tessa Jowell and others, when asked about China and human rights, reply that somehow sporting events like the Olympic games have nothing to do with politics.
Wrong! it has everything to do with politics.
South Africa was banned from competing in the Olympic Games from 1964, until Barcelona in 1992, after it finally repealed the apartheid laws.
The Chinese people, with their 56 ethnic groups, are hosting the most spectacular world event, showcasing their 5000 year history. They are a very proud nation. Given that the decision to award China the Games was taken some 7 years ago, it seems fairly inane and churlish, and a bit late, for some world leaders to boycott the opening ceremony. You're either in or you're out.
Yes, by all means use this opportunity while the world watches to raise Tibet and human rights issues and demonstrate wherever possible, in the hope that democratic changes must surely follow, but given its recent history, I beg to disagree with world leaders, and other politicians to line up and tell us that this is just sport and not politics.

Turkey's ruling AK Party escapes ban

2008-07-30T23:09:00.002+02:00

The party of government in Turkey - the AK Party, has escaped a ban by the constitutional court, by just one vote. The court decided against a ban that would have seen the Prime Minister and the President facing a 5 year ban from holding public office. Turkey has been divided in the last few months whether a democratically elected government should be banned by the courts with the backing of the army and pro secularist parties. But Turkey is a country of contradictions. The AK party which has Islamic roots is pro- free market and joining the EU, whilst the powerful army and the opposition secular party (CHP) is against EU membership.
Since the 1960s, more than 20 parties - mostly pro-Islamist or pro-Kurdish - have been shut down by the courts for allegedly posing a threat to Turkey's secularist principles.
This was the first time that a closure case has been brought against a party in government with such a big majority (47%) of the popular vote.
However, the court has decided to impose partial financial penalties on the party. According to this verdict, fifty percent of the previous year’s funds given by Turkish Treasury to AKP, will be cut.
Opinions in Turkey are that the verdict would have positive repercussions on balancing recently experienced instabilities in the country. Especially after the Ergenekon case and the terrorist attack in Istanbul, where the tension had peaked and polarization gained ground in Turkey. If the verdict was in favor of banning the AK party from politics this would almost certainly have resulted with increasing instability. With this decision many commentators feel there will be positive repercussions in terms of security, stability and the economy of Turkey.
Many also feel that this is a warning to the AK party to halt any ambitions for moving closer to an Islamic state, and to focus more on human rights.
I understand that EU countries are relieved at the result. A Turkey swayed by a movement away from Europe, seeking powerful alliances with the growing Eastern and Asian economies would not be in the interest of the EU. Its a pity that the EU has been so negative in its support for Turkey's long awaited EU membership, thus weakening any influence they may have offered to the elected government.
The EU commented:
'It is positive. Turkey is living a tense situation and we very much hope that the decision by the court will contribute to restore political stability," said Cristina Gallach, spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, quoted by Reuters.
Lets also hope that EU countries will begin to treat Turkey in a more positive light and afford it equal treatment as with non-Muslim countries.

The silly season -seems very serious to me

2008-07-30T17:59:00.003+02:00

Back from a lovely holiday in Le Thoronet in Provence, just one hour from St Tropez, which I visited for the first time. Had a really wonderful time there with good food, markets, lovely villages, sunshine, laid back people, and of course the company of really good friends!
I read no newspapers and had no access to the internet.
On the train back from Avignon I caught up with the British newspapers - Lots of news!
What happened to the silly season?
Headline, Gordon Brown on his hols in the UK, still getting even more mangled by the media after the fallout of Glasgow East. The big news for me was that the war criminal and mass murderer Radovan Karadzic has finally been caught in Belgrade and is being transferred to the Hague to face charges of genocide- not that I believe for a second that no-one knew where he's been in the intervening 13 years! - but more on that later.

Its clear that Labour MPs haven't all gone on their hols looking forward to spending more time with their respective families, but seem to have gone into real panic mode. Was it Clive Dunn's character in Dad's Army that ran around shouting 'Don't Panic?'
Despite lots of commentators and senior MPs repeating this advice, it seems the party's rank and file are not heeding these sound words.
Last month a Labour Leader of a council told me that they could not possibly dump Brown, as they would have to hold a General Election pretty sharpish, because the public would not wear another unelected PM, and if they did that they would almost certainly lose. He told me that he and his colleagues were prepared to be out of office after the next local and GE, and that after 11 years in power it was inevitable. He said it would give the Labour party time to reflect and renew itself. This rather sanguine attitude does not seem to be shared by ministers and Labour backbenchers who are not prepared to find alternative employment, as my councillor friend above. No, Labour is really imploding, and the Opposition parties just have to sit back and watch the show.
We read daily how, Cabinet members are plotting and circling the PM. David Miliband is apparently preparing to 'launch his leadership campaign', with an article in the Guardian.
At a time when thousands of people in this country are facing real hardship with the rise in food and fuel costs, there is something terribly self indulgent about the NuLabour machine, who set themselves up as the alternative Conservative party, privatising hospitals and public services, waged an illegal war, whilst the poor got poorer, while our young people became more and more alienated from their own society and communities, whilst steadily stripping away at our civil liberties. Most Labour MPs and party members were happy with this state of affairs, because under Blair they kept winning elections and power. Now that is under real threat, they are indulging in serious introspection, and Labour cheerleader and columnists like Polly Toynbee and Jackie Ashley, who heralded Brown's anointment as a return to 'Real Labour' are also sticking the knife in.
For what its worth, I believe it will be a big mistake to dump Brown before the next election. I think given the mood of the country, they will lose whoever is Leader simply because they have run out of steam. No-one seems to know what they are for anymore. They are suffering from a real identity crisis.
It will be very interesting to observe whether there will be a serious leadership challenge to Brown. Whoever may succeed will have to prepare for an endorsement by going to the nation.
The stakes are high, but it seems to me that the Labour train crash is well under way.

Political parties at Islam Expo - 2008

2008-07-14T11:04:00.004+02:00

I spent most of Saturday, together with my son, running the Lib Dem stall, organised by the Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats, at the Islam Expo exhibition in Olympia.
Its been 2 years since the last one, so was interested to visit this and see how, under the present climate in the UK ,where any event with the word 'Islam' attached to it, brings with it the now ritualistic controversy, usual misinformation, rumour and innuendo,
Of course there was plenty.
Next to the Lib Dem stall, was the Labour party's stall, next to them the Conservative Muslim Forum's stall, which was opposite the Respect party's stall. Further along, I thought I spotted Jenny Jones, London Assembly member on the Green party's stall. So, with all the UK's main political parties represented, I was surprised to hear that Labour Ministers, Stephen Timms and Shahid Malik - Britains first Muslim Minister, had both pulled out following a row about political affiliations. Malik was due to appear on a platform with Simon Hughes and Ken Livingstone at the opening ceremony last Friday. The row centred around the alleged support by one of the organisers for Hamas.
Anas Altikriti one of the directors of Islam Expo was rung up by Malik, who apologised for not being allowed to attend.
Altikriti said: "It's quite breathtaking ... to ban one of the most prominent Muslim politicians and [stop] him saying what he wishes. [Malik] had been told that among the organisers were people associated with Hamas. This isn't a Hamas project."
New Statesman journalist, Martin Bright, also accepted an invitation to speak there and then pulled out. Here he gives his reason why.
He states: "I was very uncomfortable about accepting an invitation to speak at IslamExpo this year. What appears to be a celebration of Islam is, in reality, a rally for a particular brand of Islam based on the thinking of the Muslim Brotherhood and Jamaat-i-Islami"

I've discussed this with a number of people who were there. Firstly, to accept the invitation if you really believed it was a 'rally' for a particular brand of Islam, is I believe extremely naive. Its then pure opportunism to pull out and then make great play and use it to fill your column.
Around 40,000 people, mainly Muslims, will have attended the event by the end of today. To say that they will all come away having been indoctrinated and subjected to a subversive 'rally', is absurd. I walked around the entire exhibition, visiting stalls of charities, small businesses, the BBC, looked at bookstalls, sampled food and browsed popular music stalls .
I had interesting discussions, with Muslims of all backgrounds, colour, and race: French Algerian, Moroccan, Turks, Palestinian, Nigerian, Somalian, Bengali, and Chinese, amongst them. This event was from my perspective, a celebration of Islamic culture, art and dialogue.
Of course there were debates and political discussions (with contributions fromYasminAlabai-Brown and Jenny Tongue) I saw comedy shows and a fashion show organised by young women.
I'm pleased to say that we attracted many young Muslims to our stall, who are drawn to the Liberal Democrats, and have signed up to join, feeling the other main parties have let them down. The Labour stall, seemed, I have to report, rather quiet. I overheard one Labour activist trying hard to recruit a group of young men, telling them that people like them were needed to: "help change the Labour party from the grassroots level" - they walked away.

This event for me demonstrated just how diverse people from Muslim backgrounds really are, and I find it really depressing that the only debate taking place in this country as a result of this Labour government's disastrous foreign policy, is to focus down hard on the minority of extremist elements, and to poison and tar all Muslims, and any Muslim event, as tainted with extremism and linked to terrorism.
My son and I enjoyed Islam Expo, and would go again.
If Labour were so concerned about the so-called links to the organisers of this event, then why did they allow their stalls to continue at the event, trying desperately to recruit Muslims members?

Brian Paddick, 'lined up as President of the Lib Dems'

2008-07-10T19:11:00.004+02:00

In today's 'The Londoner's Diary' in the Evening Standard, where they like to 'leak' gossip, there is the headline news that there is a 'rumour' that Brian Paddick... "the former Freemason, is being tipped as the next President of the Liberal Democrats"
According to the article, it seems that Brian has been on the lookout for a new role.
There are quotes from Brian's Diaries serialised in the Mail on Sunday, a week after the Mayoral elections, where he said he was 'bruised and bewildered by the lack of support.. nine months of my life, unpaid and for what?'
Many of us know how that feels..
The article mentions that a ' bemused spokesperson' said it was the first he'd heard about it, and the only contenders he'd heard of are Ros Scott, and Lembit Opik.
Seems to me like a fairly standard exercise in some kite flying, to gauge reactions.

Registrar wins same-sex tribunal case

2008-07-10T12:34:00.002+02:00

The Islington registrar who claimed she was bullied by the council into conducting same-sex civil partnerships has had her case upheld.
Lillian Ladele who said the civil partnership ceremonies went against her Christian faith hailed the decision as a "victory for religious liberty".
Islington Council has so far said it is disappointed with the outcome and will be considering whether to appeal. Cllr Gilbert comments:
"The wider issue of whether councils should be able to expect employees to carry out civil partnerships doesn't seem to have been fully addressed.

Vince Cable: ' Allow councils to buy up unsold private housing stock'

2008-07-08T23:49:00.003+02:00

Returning from Islington's East Area Planning Committee this evening, where we have to balance private developments with the ever increasing demand for social housing, I have only just seen Vince's Guardian article, offering a simple solution to the housing crisis. Vince argues, that the government should allow housing associations and councils to borrow against their balance sheets, and buy unsold residential properties at a discount from private developers, who are struggling, and laying off builders.
There are currently 1.7 million people on council housing waiting lists - around 13, 000 alone in Islington.
The stock of social housing has shrunk from 5.5m to under 4m since the mid 1980s, mainly due to "right to buy", whilst demand for more housing has increased. This Labour government has after 11 years failed to take any bold measures to either allow councils to build new homes, or to significantly increase the level of social housing desperately needed, continuing the Conservatives policy of systematically limiting any new council built homes.
Given the current slump in the housing market, and large unsold stocks of new build houses, I think this is a brilliant and practical idea.
Will Gordon Brown's government, who claim they are committed to tackling the housing crisis, be bold enough to support Vince Cable's suggestion?

Sorry, I'm not going to gloat about the Ray Lewis saga

2008-07-05T14:56:00.004+02:00

I've known about the work Ray Lewis has been doing with the most difficult and challenging young black men in London, for a number of years. Young men who have no future left in any mainstream school, or college, and for whom the only career path is usually a life on the streets, gangs, crime, drugs, and violence. Lewis didn't just talk about doing something about these kids, he actually made it happen.
A previous colleague of mine from the Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats, worked with him, and supported his work at Eastside Young Leaders Academy in East London. She always spoke highly of him.
So, in a week when two more 16 year old boys have been killed on our streets- Ben Kinsella in Islington, and Shakilus Townsend from Thornton Heath, I was extremely disappointed that the person who was appointed by the Mayor to take the lead in solving this slaughter on our streets, has stood down, amidst a stream of accusations.
Leadership, London-wide on this most serious of priorities, is the big loser.
I admit, I thought the appointment of Ray Lewis by Boris, was an inspirational one, and yes it was a risk. But surely the best youth workers, who can reach these young men are going to be people who have lived the same lives, and have credibility?
We know, for example, that some of the best youth workers have convictions for serious crimes, including murder. What Ray Lewis is being accused of seems quite minor in comparison.
When the Evening Standard ran the campaign against Lee Jasper, the real target was Ken. Equally, the gleeful gloating from some quarters about the beleaguered Lewis, is that here is a stick to beat Boris with.
I don't know if these allegations will stack up, and what the outcome of any investigation will conclude, but I believe Lewis did the right thing by standing down.
But I can't help feeling that the people who are simply rubbing their hands over how this is confirmation of Boris Johnson's ineptness at running London, miss the point. It undermines the vital work needed here in London to have serious role models, leading the fight against knife and gun crime which is destroying the lives of so many families.
How many of the same critics have actually done any real work with young disaffected youth they sit and write about- or as my mother says - "Got their hands dirty?"
It's hard and thankless work, setting up a programme of youth groups, as Lewis has done over the last 18 years, and you ain't gonna get on the Rich List.
So, I admire Lewis for the contribution he clearly has made to help young people, but his biggest mistake seems to have been that he got involved in politics - where you are setting yourself up for very close scrutiny, and where the knives come out very quickly.
Who dares to stick their head above the parapet, and take over this role?
The danger is we'll end up with another 'safe' Tory -boy councillor from the suburbs, who know f**k all about youth crime.

Labour councillor in favour of Guantanamo and extraordinary rendition

2008-07-04T23:01:00.003+02:00

Senior Hackney Labour councillor, Luke Akehurst, who's views have always been to the far right of the Tories, has now finally broken cover and declared his support for Guantanamo and extraordinary rendition. He's actually in favour of people being illegally kidnapped and tortured, of people being held for years with no charge or trial.
This is someone who represents Hackney, one of the most diverse boroughs in the country, where nearly 50% of its population is from a BME background, and with a very substantial Muslim population.
Akehurst, who describes himself as being 'firmly on the moderate wing of the [Labour] party', was recently in trouble in his local paper, when he suggested that the Labour Party should find a candidate to stand against David Davis, who was ... "a survivor or relative of a victim of a terrorist attack, to run under the candidate description: 'Independent - for detaining terrorism suspects'
I know he revels in being called controversial, and sees himself as a bit of a rascal, but this latest outburst is shameful and a complete disgrace. Its clear he's increasingly becoming a liability for the Labour party, and a loose cannon.
There's no love lost between us, for him its personal - I left the Labour party over 12 years ago, and Lukey can never forgive me- he took it very badly, not that I ever knew him very well.
He goes out of his way to attack people who he considers to be on the left of his party - which just about covers everyone, oh, and he hates Liberal Democrats, though he always speaks very fondly of the Tories in Hackney.
For people who have a more mature outlook on life and politics, we can make a valued judgement on what is fundamentally unprincipled and downright wrong, and we can agree to disagree with people from within our own party, and beyond. And then there are those , like Akehurst, who have no values or principles - just an inflated opinion, misplaced self-importance, and a massive ego.

Keith Vaz's 'reward' - a room with a view!

2008-07-03T22:10:00.004+02:00

Well that's what's been reported in the Evening Standard and the Mail. With the dust barely settled on the whole 42 days episode and the subsequent rumours flying around as to how Keith Vaz had been promised a 'reward' - a gong we were told, for rolling over on 42 days. We learn today that he has moved into a splendid new office overlooking the Thames, previously occupied by Gwyneth Dunwoody. Mr Vaz laughs it all off as pure coincidence, and 'absolutely ridiculous' Apparently he put in a request for the late Dunwoodys office 2 days after she died!
How inappropriate is that!! He couldn't even wait till after the funeral to lay claim to her office!
It seems Vaz has form in rolling over to Labour's whips: reported in the Londoner's Diary, there's a piece about Vaz.
Back in 1996 Vaz appeared in Westminster's Secret Service, a TV documentary made by Michael Cockerall about the Labour Whip's Office. Vaz was seen being told on camera he was required in the House on a particular date, but he explained to the whips that his wife was expecting a baby that day. He was ordered to postpone the birth by a day.
"I've spoken to the chief whip and he says don't let the baby be born today, and it won't" Vaz obediently reported back later. "It will be born tomorrow"
"Very obliging", said the whip creepily.
Would you believe anything this man says?

Nick Clegg writes: the only alternative to New Labour is the Liberal Democrats

2008-07-01T21:10:00.002+02:00

Nick writes in today's Guardian: 'A home for progressives'
Nick presents a sharp critique, post Henley of the state of politics.
Despite the Tories riding a full 14% higher in the polls, we didn't see the great landslide we would have expected reflected in the outcome. They won fairly comfortably, but their vote didn't go up that much, and our vote did not collapse in this Tory stronghold - in fact it even crept up.
The difference in the political landscape is, as Nick points out:
"Most surprisingly, the by-election showed us that the evaporation of New Labour's support in southern England - so carefully put together in the 1990s by Tony Blair, Peter Mandelson and Alastair Campbell - is now complete"
Exactly. So the people who voted in their droves back in 1997 for a fairer more progressive Britain, (Blair's 'new dawn') switching from Tory to Labour, and for those who were even prepared to stick with New Labour over consecutive general elections, post Iraq - following Polly Toynbee's advice and 'holding their noses and voting Labour' - this is no longer an option.
So as Nick argues, are they all going to switch to the Tories? Has Cameron laid out his vision sufficiently to convince people that they have moved on, their transformation complete, and will they provide the progressive policies desperately needed in Britain?
I don't think so. Many will switch, as we saw in Crewe, but an awful lot of people, generations of solid Labour voters, could never bring themselves to vote for the Tories - despite the new image, the makeover, sanitised, and forever telling us, 'not the nasty party'
The David Davis episode has revealed the cracks and divisions.
In the dying days of the Major government, we were told it was the amount of Tory sleaze that sealed their fate. Well the sleaze is certainly back.
Under Labour things were only going to get better, so the song goes - and went.
11 years later, they aren't, and in many areas haven't (got better)
As I write this another young man has been stabbed to death in my borough.
Foreign policy is a disaster: we no longer feel safer; communities feel more divided now than ever before, and civil liberties and individual freedom against the Big Brother state, is the new battle ground that needs to be fought for and won.
We need to forge ahead and mark out our territory in our commitment and determination for a fairer society, a safer one, through progressive foreign policies, a fairer taxation system, and set out once and for all, how we would eradicate child poverty in the 5th richest country in the world. We need to have radical policies to support our young people, who have grown alienated from society, and descended into a culture where violence is the only way to earn 'respect'
I absolutely agree with Nick on this one - for those of us who remember the last Conservative Government, we cannot just sit back and wait for the next one. We have to be ready to win support from the significant numbers of the electorate who want to live in a more progressive Britain, not a Conservative one.

Bill Clinton says Obama must "kiss his ass" for his support

2008-06-29T20:54:00.003+02:00

Reported in today's Telegraph - apparently Bill Clinton, who has been over here fawning over Nelson Mandela at his birthday celebrations, is reported to be so bitter about Obama beating his wife, that he has told people that Barack Obama must "kiss his ass" for his support.
He won't, apparently 'reach out ' to him.
He was told by a fellow Democrat: "You can't talk like that about Obama - he's the nominee of your party, not some house boy you can order around"
I'm quite shocked by this. This is the man who was known as America's first 'black president', because of his ability to reach out to America's black population. Now there is the possibility of the real thing, Bill Clinton can't seem to reconcile his nomination. Almost as if Obama- as Hillary has said: the real American Dream, is not worthy of winning the Democratic nomination.
Meanwhile Hillary is getting on with it, appearing publically with Obama and throwing her weight behind him.
This is not worthy of Bill Clinton - he should be ashamed of himself.

Nelson Mandela 90th Brithday Concert- Fantsatic!

2008-06-28T20:00:00.002+02:00

A fantastic evening last night at Hyde Park celebrating Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday, at the 46664 concert - in aid of his charity, named after his prison number to combat HIV/AIDS in Africa.
I feel so privileged to have been there, courtesy of my best friend Mickey, who got me a ticket.
It was an emotional as well as celebratory concert, particularly for Mickey, whose family were so affected by the South African Apartheid regime, and whose father, George Peake, a colleague of Mandela and ANC activist, was the first political prisoner on Robben Island.
Nelson Mandela - Madiba, is the icon of the century, and I feel that we will never see such a revered and great figure emerge again in my lifetime.
The messages beamed across the screens from well wishers said it all- 'inspiration, awesome, and role-model' to us all. Revered as someone who spent the majority of his youth and gave his life to fighting injustice, who became the symbol of the struggle against the Anti-Apartheid movement - labelled a terrorist by many (including Thatcher) - through to his inauguration as the first president of a free South Africa.
We remembered the last big birthday event held 20 years ago - July 1988, when a quarter of a million of us gathered in Hyde Park to call for his release. Three hundred thousand birthday cards were delivered to a hostile South African Embassy.
Looking frail but smiling, Mandela was helped on stage to deliver his birthday speech, telling the crowd: "Our work is for freedom for all.
"Even as we celebrate, let us remind ourselves that our work is far from complete. Where there is poverty and sickness, including Aids, where human beings are being oppressed, there's more work to be done. Our work is for freedom for all." He told the crowd: "It is in your hands now."
Listening to great music from Amy Winehouse, the fabulous Will Smith, Eddy Grant, Jamelia and Annie Lennox, the message to take away from the event was in the programme:
"Our challenge as we build and extend democracy is to ensure that our young people know where we come from. What we have done to break shackles of oppression and how we pursued the journey to freedom and dignity for all.
We will fail our youth if we leave them in ignorance of what has given them the opportunities they now enjoy"
Fantastic!
Reading today's papers, I thought today, more than ever, we badly need more inspirational role models for our young people here in the UK, who are lost, descending into a culture where life is not worth much.

Turkey now a 'world class football team'

2008-06-28T19:36:00.003+02:00

I haven't had a chance to blog this last week, so belatedly - you have to live near Green Lanes, the legendary home to London's Turkish and Cypriot communities, and the longest road in North London, starting in my ward in Newington Green, all the way to Enfield, to have witnessed the celebratory scenes during Turkey's semi final match against Germany last week. A week earlier we saw ecstatic scenes in the streets of Islington, Hackney and Haringey, following the Turkish side do battle with the Croatia, winning in the last few minutes.
The only British player left in the championships was the lovely Colin Kazim-Richards , who by virtue of having a Turkish-Cypriot mother qualified to play for Turkey.
Turkey sadly lost out to Germany, but for the first time I witnessed English TV football pundits heaping praise on Turkey, lauding them as 'lions' , and how they put up a 'brave fight against Germany' Friends and colleagues openly said that they badly wanted Turkey to beat Germany.
I intensely dislike the macho group of pundits who sit around making fatuous statements, so when I heard one proclaim that Turkey could now be considered a 'world class team', I thought: 'hang on - this is a first'.....only to have my hopes dashed as another pundit told him not to get too carried away.
As a friend said to me after the Turkey- Germany match- "When was the last time England ever reached a semi-final in any championship?"
Exactly.

Henley leaflet row - Tories running scared?

2008-06-20T17:55:00.003+02:00

I've just caught up with the row about the Lib Dem leaflets which Cameron is threatening to sue the Party over, and with the leaflet in front of me as I write this - they seem to have lost the plot!! Nowhere does it say, as they are claiming, that Boris Johnson is endorsing our candidate Stephen Kearney. It merely gives a short paragraph 'By-election runners and riders', on both the Tory and Lib Dem candidates, with a 'verdict' from the editor of the newletter.
I was in Henley yesterday delivering hundreds of the offending leaflets, and I would think that Cameron would have some confidence in the the good people of Henley to work out for themselves who the best candidate is as their next MP, without wild threats of legal action.
But over on Conservativehome, we see a copy of a letter of complaint to Chris Rennard, apparently written by Boris, who has set aside his important work of running London to complain about a leaflet in Henley.
One Tory has even posted a comment stating that Boris' permission was needed before his image could be used in leaflets. So Tony Blair's permission was given when they plastered the infamous 'devil's eye' poster of Blair around the country in the 2001 general election then?
What a lot of hot air!
Look at the leaflet on conservativehome and make up your own minds.

Shami and the sexist slurs from Burnham

2008-06-20T16:54:00.002+02:00

Liberty director, Shami Chakrabarti, is threatening legal action against Cabinet minister Andy Burnham for his comments made about herself and David Davis, in a crude and in my view, cowardly attempt to smear Shami.
Burnham, who has been tipped as a future prime minister, suggested in a magazine article that Mr Davis had indulged in "late night, hand wringing, heart-melting phone calls" with the director of Liberty, over his decision to resign over the 42 days detention. Both Shami and other female MPs have reacted furiously at these tacky and sexist comments, and his refusal to apologise- apparently he expressed 'regret'
Had she been a man, clearly he would not have used the same language. I'm pleased that Shami, has decided Burnham should give her a full written apology, or she will sue him, which we're told would make his position in the cabinet untenable.
As someone who was subjected to personal smears from male Labour councillors, during my 2 years as a Labour councillor in the early '90's, who seemed to think this was acceptable behaviour, I think its important that its made abundantly clear to Burnham and his supporters that it simply won't be tolerated.
Its this type of smear, innuendo and character assassination that puts women off politics.
During my appalling experience in Hackney, I complained to senior party officials who seemed to think there was nothing wrong with a female councillor being smeared with lies about a 'liaison' with a senior officer, with stories planted in Private Eye.
Unfortunately, there are some men who are threatened by women in public life, and who will resort to this type of cowardly behaviour rather than, as in this case, show some guts and debate the issues. He claims he was only making 'jokey comments', but this of innuendo is designed to undermine women in any position of power or influence.
So I say - go Shami!

Simon, Charles & Malcolm - 25 years celebration

2008-06-20T12:09:00.002+02:00

Belatedly blogging about the event I went along to last Monday to celebrate their 25 years as MPs - Simon Hughes, Malcolm Bruce, and Charles Kennedy - gave a reception at the Proud Gallery In Buckingham Street. It was a well attended event, with a backdrop of the photographic exhibition of the Rolling Stones ' Let it Bleed'
So under the watchful gaze of a youthful Keith Richards,with a cloud of smoke curling out of his mouth, we heard a few informal and lighthearted speeches.
Charles recalled when he first learnt of his election as an SDP MP, the day after the 1983 election, when they had finally finished counting at 2.30pm the next day, having counted right through the night.
David Owen, who by that time was celebrating his own election by driving around his Plymouth Devonport constituency, when he was asked for his reaction to the surprise election of the 23 year old Kennedy as MP for Ross, Cromarty, and Skye.
Owen responded... "Who?.... Where?"

Boris 'clears Ken's wimmin' from City Hall

2008-06-18T19:19:00.002+02:00

Yes, this is the headline in today's London Evening Standard. 5 senior 'wimmin' as they cutely put it, who all worked as Livingstone's advisers saw their jobs axed.
One of the posts to go is the role of women's adviser, which is described by the new Tory administration as a 'throwback' to the age of political correctness. Have to say I have some sympathy with this. The majority of local council's who had women's units throughout the 80'-90's have merged these into an equality and diversity unit, which in today's unequal Britian, I'm afraid to say are still very much needed.
Interestingly one of them - Emma Beal aka Ken's missus, reported to have been on a salary of £96k, worked as her partner's 'administration manager'.
Could senior councillors have got away with employing their partner in such a senior role in local government? I doubt it.

Davis resignation - its not only the Tories who could split

2008-06-13T18:03:00.004+02:00

Never mind a week being a long time in politics - its 4 days since I last blogged , and not only have we seen the 42 days detention scrape through in parliament, but an extraordinary fallout.
So an old fashioned Tory is apparently going to take a stand against the erosion against our civil liberties. Or is he? There has been much speculation about his motives. Words like ego, bonkers and bizarre, have been the kinder ones being used to describe DD's decision to resign his seat and fight a by-election in his own seat.
Just when the Tories looked like they were becoming engulfed in more financial sleaze, up pops Davis, a Tory with 'principles', and the debate moves onto an altogether different terrain.
Nick Clegg announced that the Lib Dems will not put up a candidate in Haltemprice, and although surprised by the speed of this announcement, I do think it takes the argument to the governments front door. The risk for us is that we could be seen to be aligning ourselves with the Tories, albeit on a matter of principle.
Over on Labour Home, arguments are raging about whether they should field a candidate, with one member warning:
"..One shouldn't get carried away here, but we might even witness a realignment of British politics along more of a libertarian-authoritarian axis. Potentially such a phenomenon could split Labour just as easily as the Tories"

Not only has Davis' action sent his own party into a welcome spin, wiping the smug look off Cameron's face, but the Labour party also seems to be in disarray on this. Do they put up a candidate and defend their 42 day detention policy, or do they stand back and allow Rupert Murdoch's place man - ex-Sun editor Kelvin McKenzie, to make their case for them?
A Labour party member comments:
Well, that just about sums it up - a reactionary hard-line authoritarian former editor of a homophobic, racist rag. Is that the depths to which the Government has sunk? The fact that the Sun was prepared to support new labour should have warned us....

Its all very well for Gordon Brown to look on this as a temporary reprieve for him, with the spotlight elsewhere, but it could well all go wrong and come back to bite him.
He simply cannot dismiss this as a stunt, and fail to argue his case. The debate will be about the erosion of civil liberties, and will put the spotlight on his lack of vision, and sad desire to appear 'tough'

Over on Pickled Politics - Sunny sets out some interesting thoughts about the 42 days detention without charge, and the company Brown finds himself - The Sun, Ulster Unionists and Melanie Phillips.
He also suggests that rumour has it that the ever grand and nauseating Keith Vaz was bought off with the promise of a title.
I heard Diane Abbotts speech in the debate on the radio, and with all credit to her, was very impressed (you don't hear that very often) I've known Diane for 20 years, and am all too aware of the right wing nature of leading CLP members in her local party in Hackney, who believe that people in Hackney would support being locked up for 6 weeks without charge. She is right and they are wrong.

I'm clear that there is now a big void in the Centre Left of British politics, with Labour now increasingly on the Centre Right - it seems to the right of the Tories!
We, in the meantime are still firmly placed to challenge them and Brown when the time comes.
The tectonic plates of British politics are surely shifting - lets watch this space...

Sunday at Stokefest

2008-06-09T09:51:00.002+02:00

At last some decent weather! Went along with friends to the annual Stokefest Festival held at Clissold Park which is at the bottom of my road. In recent weeks Clissold Park has hosted funfairs, a circus and a Turkish Festival - all braving torrential rain.
So the lovely weather drew thousands of people, literally. I'm told that there were far more than the expected 30,000 people. So much so that it meant long queues for absolutely everything, including food, drinks, ice creams and the toilets. I know we're in the middle of a credit crunch, but £2 for a small bowl of chips, and £3.50 for two 99 ice- creams is a rip off!
But it was clearly a very successful event, and the organisers who I know work hard all year, deserve congratulations. But the prices charged for the children's events (£2 to throw 3 balls at a row of tins to win a stuffed dog) and refreshments, put it beyond the reach of ordinary local families.
My friend went off to the loo, for which the queue was a mile long, and so decided to go and use the facilities in the Robinson Crusoe pub across the road instead, only to be told on her way back by police that the park was too crowded and she couldn't go back in till more people had left!
We all decamped back to my house, with normal priced beverages purchased at the local shop and sat out on the roof terrace, where the live music could be heard very loud and clear.

Hillary says: "Yes we can!"

2008-06-07T21:03:00.003+02:00

Hillary Clinton finally concedes defeat and makes one of the most powerful speeches I have heard in a long while. Despite being a strong Obama supporter, I was moved by her. This was the speech she could never make before: a strong woman who works and fights hard.
She had to strike a balance between not banging on about being a woman, and not being seen to be too hard ( we all remember the tears during an interview)
So in today's speech she could declare that we have witnessed a truly historical turning point:
A woman, within reach of being elected President of the USA. A country where misogyny is still rife, where only in recent weeks men in the audience have held up banners asking her to "iron my shirt"
A country where women over 80 can remember a time when women did not have the right to vote.
Hillary also spoke strongly of Obama optimising the American Dream. She praised him and told everyone to throw their weight behind him. She could hardly do anything else.

I'm of the generation who grew up listening to the speeches of Martin Luther King, with a backdrop of the black civil rights struggle against segregation and for equal rights, where black people as recently as the 60's did not all have the right to vote.
Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton between them have shattered some very thick glass ceilings - though we have some way to go before they are truly smashed.
As Hillary said:
"Children today will grow up taking for granted that an African-American or a woman can, yes, become the president of the United States."

All women, particularly those of us in public life, must surely feel inspired by these words. I know I am. Its important that women have positive role models, and do not listen to men telling them that they can't do something. We know that we have to go out and work twice as hard as men to succeed, and face far more barriers along the way.
No man is ever going to, for example, in a parliamentary seat, move over and allow a woman to take his place!
Here in the UK, women and BME people have concrete ceilings to get through:
Only 19.5% of MPs are women; 0.3% are BME women (2); 14.3% of Liberal Democrats MPs are women; 20% of the House of Lords are women; 29% councillors are women; and finally just 9.26% of High Court Judges are women.

America is currently witnessing exciting political times, while over here we have .....scowling dreary Gordon Brown, and.... David Cameron and his Old Etonian crew waiting in the wings.
How depressing !

German newspaper: How to avoid the Brits on holiday

2008-06-03T21:13:00.003+02:00

Thought this was funny - after decades of enduring that traditional British sport of poking fun at the Germans about: / the war /deckchairs, they have began the fightback.
A German newspaper has published a guide advising which resorts to stay clear of to avoid 'drunken sunburnt Brits'
This was in response to the news that a British family received compensation from a court because their hotel on the Greek island of Kos was full of Germans.
So for those of you who want to avoid drunken Brits, stay away from: the Bay of Palma in Majorca, San Antonio in Ibiza, Playa de las Americas in Tenerife, Ayia Napa in Cyprus, Faliraki in Rhodes and Malia in Crete; oh, and the Central Line in London.
Great stuff!

Has Gordon Brown phoned you yet?

2008-05-30T16:43:00.002+02:00

The BBC reported that it was confirmed by Downing Street today that Gordon Brown regularly phones up members of the public to chat about policies, and issues they may have written to him about. PR Week claims it is part of a new campaign to generate positive "word of mouth" about Mr Brown. But number 10 denies this is part of a campaign to 'humanise' Brown, and that he's always called up people who have contacted him.
Apparently Gordon rang up one man at 6am, which is pretty late in the day for him, given that he famously only needs a few hours sleep.
As a councillor, I get people ringing me up on a regular basis, and will call back and talk through their problems. I personally think MPs should do this too, though if its done purely as a cynical PR exercise - as in this instance, then it could be counter-productive.
Look out for a trickle of these types of stories, as PR folk and spin doctors try their utmost to weave their craft to try and present Brown as that normal likable bloke who is in touch with normal people, and as human as the rest of us. He did tell us that he 'felt our pain'
I'd like to see Brown doing the weekly shop at the supermarket, as I did today, where the topic of conversation everywhere was about how expensive everything has got. And it has. With two teenagers, I shop a lot. Stuff that was 95p a few weeks ago, gets marked up as £1.25 all the time.
But as we now know that this is the man who claims for his Sky subscription and even light bulbs, from expenses, then he will have little idea how much a loaf of bread costs.
I look forward to my phone call from the PM, so I can let him know.

Its simple: Voters have had enough of New Labour

2008-05-27T21:03:00.002+02:00

Miles of column inches have been written by numerous commentators and journalists alike since the Crewe and Nantwich train crash as to what Gordon Brown should do to become popular, how he can still turn this around, and how he needs to get that vision across to the electorate.
Brown's receiving daily advice by the truck load on every aspect of his government from every corner of the Labour Party, and beyond.
Jon Cruddas thinks that Labour have the best policies, but its the language being used that's failing to resonate; whilst Steve Richards in the same edition of today's Independant thinks its the crisis of identity that needs to be addressed, not the leadership.
Tariq Ali is characteristically much blunter, in his piece in today's Guardian -
Labour's time is up. He argues that whilst we are witnessing the grotesque spectacle of Blairites lining up to denounce Brown, they are as much culpable for their party's, and by implication, the country's woes:
'From the start New Labour was pledged to consolidate the Thatcherite paradigm rather than offer anything different'

The trouble is , as we've being saying for a long time, Gordon Brown cannot distance himself from any past (or present) unpopular policies, since we know he was the fiscal power behind the Blair throne. There have only been muted and benign protests over the last decade against a whole raft of unpopular, unprincipled and downright illiberal policies, which the great British public have had to endure, whilst being lectured, and in some instances, hectored, that it was all part of the 'modernising agenda' So, whilst all this was going on the fact that a Labour government illegally invaded Iraq, turned a blind eye and by doing so became complicit with Guantanamo Bay, whilst at home inequalities in society were growing alarmingly wider, child poverty was steadily getting worst, and lower income people were paying higher taxes, we heard nothing from the so-called 'rank and file' of the Labour Party.
As Tariq Ali puts it:
'While all this was going on there was little opposition within the Labour Party or the major trades unions. As long as they were in power with over-sized, if unrepresentative majorities, the brothers and sisters might grumble a bit in private, but power was what really mattered.'

I've lost count of the number of times over the last few weeks, I've heard people say - 'well at least that Tony Blair had some charisma and was a good communicator' - yes but the electorate was fast becoming immune to the former, and he had blown his credibility of the latter, when he falsely 'communicated' about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.
So we learn that now that dozens of MPs in marginal seats are surveying the train crash site of Crewe, with a sense of panic about losing their jobs. Some ultra -Blairites have even 'spoken out' about how Labour has deserted its core voters. The problem with this is that Labour deserted people at the lower end of society some time ago, but none of them seemed to have noticed, until now.
In 2008, British people more than ever want a government that can provide, what Nick Clegg has been talking about since his election as party leader back in December: social mobility. They want to live in a fair society, and pay fair taxes.
Nick recently set out his vision for a fairer taxation system ensuring low and middle income people are taxed less. The 10p fiasco brought home to many people for the first time quite forcefully, that under a Labour government, lower income groups pay more in taxes than the rich.
While Labour has been away schmoozing the rich, the super rich, and middle England, nothing much has changed for people born into the poorer working class families. Social mobility has got worse under this government, and guess what?, the people most affected have noticed.
You can't open a newspaper or a magazine without reading about the super rich, and how well they are doing under New Labour. Meanwhile ordinary families, and pensioners are struggling.
I was shocked recently talking to my teenage kids and their friends, just how depressed they feel about the UK. Not only do they feel more at risk of violent crime, but they feel that they have little chance of having a place of their own to live, and that its getting harder and harder to get into meaningful careers. On top of this, they think that people in this country have become very hostile to young people. I'm told people are 'more miserable'
There is no 'feel-good factor' about the UK, its just doom and gloom.
People blame the government, and many simply tell me that they think they've been in power long enough, they've run out of ideas, and its time for a change.
So despite the daily articles on what Gordon should do next, the really worrying aspect of all this is that David Cameron's Tories could get back into government, not because anyone thinks they have the better polices, (no-one could name any) and are 'on your side', but simply because they are not the Labour Party.
Our job, as Liberal Democrats is to set out loud and clear, and very simply, why as many people as possible should support our vision, that politics in the UK should not see-saw from Labour to the Tories, where you can't put a cigarette paper between their policies, but to a party that genuinely believes in empowering people, and a much fairer UK.
Alternatively, if Labour are serious about preventing another generation condemned to a Tory government, they should maybe bite the bullet, and take a serious look at PR?
Just a thought.

Boris writes to me

2008-05-24T00:39:00.004+02:00

Found a letter on my return from the new Indiana Jones movie (see below), which turns out to be from the new Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

He writes:
Dear Meral (no really!)

I was truly honoured when Londoners elected me in as their Mayor on 1 May. It is a great privilege to lead this city and I look forward to realising my vision for London over the coming months and years.
I have already started to appoint some of the people who will work in my administration, so that we can get cracking on our plans to improve life in London. I strongly believe that they, and the rest of the people who work in City Hall, will only be able to gain the best outcomes for Londoners if they have the support of all the democratically elected representatives in this city, including you.

Whatever your political affiliations, I know that your paramount concern - like mine - is Londoners' welfare. That's why I hope we can work together over the coming months and years to get the best for our city.

You know the issues and idiosyncrasies that affect your borough better than anyone, and this knowledge is invaluable to my administration at City Hall.

And then it goes on to give the email and phone number of his Local Government Relations Manager, should I wish to contact him.

I suppose its all too easy to be cynical about this note from Boris, but I rather thought it was a good thing. As an elected councillor in London, I've never received any communication from either the previous Mayor, or anyone else in City Hall - except the odd invitation from Ken to a reception for the Turkish community, and various other BME events, which were more about promoting Mayor Ken to BME communities, than they ever were about bringing about community cohesion.

No, it probably wasn't even Mayor Boris' idea, but it does show why, despite attempts by Labour in their failed campaign to paint him as the 'out of touch Toff' - he is a popular figure.
Interesting that the 'Toff' campaign against the Tory candidate, and now MP for Crewe and Nantwich also spectacularly backfired, heralding a sea change in modern politics. Traditional working class areas like Crewe, and large swathes of London, turned their faces against Labour cynically fighting the old class wars. Public schoolboy Tony Blair, has shot that particular fox.
Labour will have to set out very clearly why the electorate should vote for them.
David Cameron is right, that New Labour is dead. Trouble is, they have forgotten just what they are for.
It seems that so have the electorate.

Indiana Jones Rocks

2008-05-24T00:24:00.002+02:00

Taking a break from politics, work and stuff, I went to see the latest Indiana Jones movie at the Islington Vue. Harrison Ford does NOT look too old as all the commentators and critics have gone on and on about, goodness he's the same age as Ming was when he stood down last year after all the endless comments and vicious cartoons about his age- there I go again, slipping back into politics.... So there is Indy, running impossible miles, striding through jungles, brushing aside ancient skeletons, and crashing though numerous rapids in the Amazon that a man half his age would be struggling with.
I loved it, and so did the Islington audience, who, in a rare show of appreciation applauded at the end of the movie!
After the spectacle of the Tory victory in Crewe threatening to herald a Tory government in the not too distant future - distraction in the shape of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, was very much in order....

Black & Ethnic Minority Women Councillors Task Force launched

2008-05-20T17:45:00.002+02:00

I attended the reception last night at Admiralty House in Whitehall, to launch the Black and Ethnic Minority Women Councillor's Task Force, to which I have been appointed by Harriet Harman MP, Minister for Women & Equality.

This is the extract from the press release:

The taskforce will be chaired by Baroness Uddin, the first Muslim woman in the House of Lords and a prominent figure in the black and Asian community. Members will include councillors from across Britain, from all ethnicity's and political parties.
Cllr Meral Ece from Islington is one of the first 14 members appointed to the taskforce.
In London less than 20% of female councillors are from an ethnic minority background.* Nationwide, only around 168 out of 20,000 councillors are black, Asian or minority ethnic women. This is less than one per cent, despite the fact they make up more than 5% of the population. To be fully representative this needs to increase more than five fold to around 1000 minority ethnic women councillors. At the current rate of increase this could take more than 130 years.
The taskforce will take practical action to address this under-representation, such as provide mentoring, hold outreach events in community centres to make the role of councillors more widely known and better understood, working with organisations such as the Local Government Association, Operation Black Vote and the Fawcett Society to develop awareness training, establish networking groups, conduct research, work with local councils, political parties and organisations like IDeA to improve the recruitment, training and selection and support given to candidates as well as working with others producing guidance and advice.
Last night I met BME women councillors from around the country, including Lib Dem Cllr Svetlana Rodgers, from Scarborough, who is Russian, and the only woman in a group of 6.
Svetlana has also been appointed to the Task Force.
Lynne Featherstone MP, Lib Dem spokesperson for Equalities, was also there.
I am very much supportive of this initiative, and agreed to the appointment, as it will be an opportunity to actually do something about the gross under-representation of women in public life. The women I spoke to from all parties and backgrounds, all feel the same: warm words and good intentions never got women anywhere. Its time we made more noise, worked together to do all we can to make a difference.
I think Harriet Harman is to be congratulated for this initiative, and for her commitment over the years to improving the representation of women in public life.

Abdullah Ibrahim at the Barbican

2008-05-18T19:17:00.002+02:00

Had a welcome evening of music at the Barbican last night with my best friend Mickey and my son, to watch the great South African Jazz pianist and composer, Abdullah Ibrahim.
He played with the BBC Concert Orchestra and the BBC Big Band, who were hugely impressive.
Mickey who is herself from Cape Town remembers Ibrahim visiting her house as a child, and was as uplifted by the centrepiece of the concert, as were the many South Africans in the audience, with his famous piece - the Mountain, and with Mandela.
The Voices + Abdullah Ibrahim Trio, were awesome, with great vocals, and stunning saxophone, drums and flute.
My son, who plays the saxophone, and is a real jazz fan, was blown away.

Cherie Blair: 'I am a socialist'

2008-05-17T12:44:00.004+02:00

Interviewed by the Guardian, Cherie Blair, who we know more about than we ever wanted to, tells us she is still a socialist.
Obvious to all really - isn't it?

Women prisoners - the scandel continues

2008-05-17T11:25:00.002+02:00

I was very saddened to read that Pauline Campbell mother of 18 year old Sarah, who died in Styal prison in 2003 from an overdose, was found dead by her daughter's grave in Cheshire a few days ago. Pauline became a strong campaigner for better treatment of women prisoners, after her own daughter became a casualty in the rising number of young women who committed suicide or died from neglect, in women's prisons.
The number of women prisoners has doubled since 1997, although crime committed by women has not risen accordingly. 70% of women in our jails have mental health problems, 37% have attempted suicide.
Last year, Baroness Corston was commissioned by the government to conduct a review of women in the criminal justice system. The report, triggered by the deaths of six female inmates at Styal jail in Cheshire over a 12-month period, was expected to lead to significant changes in the way women prisoners are treated.
In March last year, the Corston Review reported its 43 recommendations, the most far-reaching of which was the proposal to close all 15 women's jails in the next 10 years, replacing them with a network of small custodial units that will allow female prisoners to be held closer to home.
The review also suggested that only women sentenced to more than two years would be held in custody. All other female criminals would receive community punishments.
The Government responded by setting up another working group to review the review - in other words, kicking the report into the long grass. It was meant to report back in April.
We need to take a long hard look at the way our prisons have become, literally, the dustbins of our society, where the most vulnerable end up as there is nowhere else for them to go, and in a growing number of cases, end up losing their lives, whilst in 'state care'

Boris sets out to reflect London's diversity

2008-05-13T16:53:00.003+02:00

Much as it pains me to say it, 2 weeks into the job, and Boris has made some inspirational appointments. The first was Ray Lewis, as Deputy Mayor in charge of Young People. Lewis has successfully set up a series of academies across London to provide support to troubled black teenagers. He is drawn from outside the Tory partys inner ranks, and someone who has actually done some real work. Today Boris has appointed Kulveer Ranger, as his Transport Advisor. Ranger was previously Cameron's vice chairman for the inner cities, and is the most senior Sikh within the Tories ranks. He set up the Oyster card when it was introduced in 2003.
BJ did pledge that he would use his Mayoral appointments to ensure that his top team reflects the ethnic diversity of London. Compare this with Livingstone's nearly all white male cabal, where Lee Jasper was the only ethnic minority appointee.

Labour's Death Wish

2008-05-12T21:12:00.005+02:00

Since taking time out to get my life back after the gruelling London elections, (yes I know how Brian Paddick feels) as a news junkie, I have followed the predictable infighting of the Labour Party's fortunes with fascination. It really has become a train crash.
The Labour Party go through this once every 10 years or so, but even I who have witnessed at close quarters just how bad it can be, have been struck by the vitriol and abuse being hurled at Gordon Brown- not just from David Cameron, whose idea of PMQs is to....well, hurl abuse, and then toy with Brown, rather like my cat does when it's cornered a mouse, but the poison pouring forth from his own MPs. The spleen venting continues mercilessly. I have even begun to feel sorry for Gordon, a man who we all came to know as this Colossus amongst men -or as Diane Abbott weirdly still proclaims - a' god amongst men': someone true to his Labour roots who was going to take to the helm of the Labour government and get back to what he proclaimed at the last Party conference as 'real Labour'
Well we're all still waiting. Its not enough that he has to endure insults and taunts from the seriously scary Frank Field, and even Andrew Marr. Just when you think it couldn't get worse - up pops Cherie Blair, Prezza, and Lord Levy, laying bare more revelations - though in Cherie's case, I think she should have spared us the detail of how and where she conceived little Leo: while at Balmoral visiting the Queen! I mean how could you contemplate having sex under the Queens roof? Surely its a treasonable offence? Apparently she deliberately didn't pack her contraceptives, and 'equpiment' (?) for fear of them being seen by the Queen's flunkies. I thought as a Catholic she was only allowed to use the rhythm method? -shows how much I know!
No, the Labour party have a serious death wish. I've seen it over the last 20 years. In 1980 they elected Michael Foot leader, only to face terrible defeat by Thatcher in the 1983 Tory landslide general election. Now Gordon Brown faces a similar fate.
Lord Levy is out to settle old scores, feeling wronged by the Party he supported and raised millions for. Prezza tells us of Gordon's 'volcanic rages and sulks' and Cherie referred to his 'rattling the keys to number 10 above her husbands head'
I remember a phrase that was always used by the Labour party faithful - 'The Party is bigger than all of us'
Seems to me that the 'Party' has shrunk, stripped of all its principles and core values, and what matters is the rush to grab as much cash from memoirs (in the Blair's case cashing in to unprecedented heights) and settle old and new scores.
With the Labour Party, it has always been personal. The rush to stick the knife in rivals is always paramount.
Meanwhile just who is governing the country? As Brown seems to be lurching from one disaster to another, the poor and vulnerable are having a hard time, with rising prices and house repossessions. People are genuinely worried about their future, and yet another teenager is killed in London.
It looks like the Labour Party may be forced to ditch Brown well before the next General Election.
Unfortunately, this 'god amongst men' could well go down as a tragic figure in modern politics.

Boris is now the most powerful Tory in the country

2008-05-03T21:56:00.003+02:00

Scary though it may seem, its really the case. Boris has now been sworn in as Mayor of London, and promises to work with everyone, and in particular to build bridges across London's ethnic minority communities. Of course we have all been told ad nausea of his Turkish background (his grandfather changed his name from Osman Ali to Wilfred Johnson) so he should blend in quite well in Green Lanes, close to his Highbury home.
On the surface he seems genuine, but its the Tory advisers around him that will take care of the details and policies that we will need to watch.
With the Lib Dems down to an all time low of only 3 Assembly Members, and the Tories up to an all time high on 11, this is not going to be an easy task.
I'd like to thank all the people who supported me, voted for me, and the many people who campaigned and joined the Liberal Democrats during the election campaign.
I've been really touched by the many messages of support, from people across Hackney & Islington who voted for me- a large number from the Turkish speaking communities, who voted for the first time. Suddenly, elections were relevant to them.
I hope that they will continue to exercise their right to vote in coming elections.
Its now clear that the significant increase in votes for Labour in London was due to many people turning out to support Ken Livingstone, just as the majority of Tory voters turned out across London to vote for Boris and against Ken. In coming elections across London there will be no Ken factor to bolster the Labour vote. It seems Ken Livingstone, the man who fought New Labour, Tony Blair, and won, in a final act of generosity helped Labour GLA candidates hang onto and win their seats, even though ironically, he lost his in the process.
The large number of spoilt ballot papers is a real concern.
Thousands of people lost their vote because they did not understand how to cast their votes.
I found that hundreds of people were completely unaware of the 3 ballot papers, and as to how to cast their vote.
This needs to be urgently reviewed to ensure the system is simplified, and people understand are given the correct information, well before any election.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London!

2008-05-03T10:31:00.006+02:00

Who'd have thought this would be the case 6 months ago?
I've now had a few hours sleep, and Boris is still Mayor of London!
Yes, congratulations to BJ for a convincing result in London. As indicated in my earlier posts, I gave my second preference to Ken. Londoners have woken up to a Tory run London. These were an extraordinary set of elections. Trouble was his growing unpopularity: many Londoners voted Boris just to get rid of Ken. The Labour party's unpopularity helped the Tories win control of London.
The Liberal Democrats had a disappointing result in London, with the classic squeeze between Labour and the Conservatives. I came third in London North East as a result.
The 'Tory Chingford factor' helped push the Tories into second place, where I was told that the polling stations there had prepared for a 70% turnout, but in fact ran out of ballot papers.

I've congratulated Assembly member Jennette Arnold for her success, greatly helped by the large numbers who turned out to vote for Ken, a pattern we saw across parts of London.
We also saw a record turnout for the London elections of around 44%, which is a good thing for politics.
Despite a disastrous result nationally and in London, bizarrely one NuLabour pygmy is gloating and hailing the London results as a great success. He just doesn't get it! -A Tory Mayor of London, 331 fewer Labour councillors nationally, and a BNP London Assembly Member, is not a good result -its a disaster.
The Tories will use this as a springboard to win the next general election.
I'm disappointed, but have been in politics long enough to know that politics is about winning and losing. Nationally the Liberal Democrats led by Nick Clegg, Leader for only 4 months, did very well, despite the BBC and other pundits predicting otherwise.
We live in interesting times.

Gordon Brown to 'return to grass roots'

2008-04-30T07:04:00.002+02:00

Liked this article in the Guardian. Anticipating disastrous results in the local elections, Gordon Brown apparently wants to return to letting the grass roots of the Labour Party have a say on policies. In other words doing precisely what is done by the Liberal Democrats.
This report has prompted an angry response from some, that last years party conference ruled all motions on the abolition of the 10p rate out, as not being 'contemporary enough'
One member retorts, 'well it is contemporary now!'

Do we want members of the Bullingdon Club running the country?

2008-04-29T10:59:00.003+02:00

That was the question John Humphreys put to David Cameron this morning.
He asked if it was right that we should have the Leader of the Opposition, the Shadow Chancellor and potentially, London's Mayor, all from Oxford's Bullingdon Club.
In 2008? Really scary....

Labour in a panic

2008-04-29T10:15:00.002+02:00

Ken Livingstone visits Islington 3 times in a week, including Newington Green in my ward, which has a large Turkish population.
Last Friday I witnessed 'vote Ken' leaflets distributed outside a Hackney mosque, with messages in Bengali explaining how Boris Johnson 'hates Muslims', 'would ban the Koran', pointing out it is a 'moral duty' for Muslims to support Mr Livingstone. Interestingly, the English side of the leaflet doesn't have these claims. BJ of course strongly refutes these charges.
This is the Labour Party at its hypocritical and patronising best- scaring Muslims and other ethnic minorities into trooping out as they did in the past in large numbers to vote for them.
I have canvassed literally hundreds of ethnic minorities, many of them Muslims in the last few months, and I have not seen any appetite from them to vote for Labour in large numbers.
The majority were traditional Labour voters, but many told me they will not be voting Labour this time. Some will still vote for Livingstone, but they have turned away from the Labour party, and are certainly not turning to the Tories. I have been surprised at the numbers that are coming our way.
Instead of resorting to scaremongering, the Labour Party should be telling the electorate why they should vote for Livingstone and how another term of Ken will affect / improve their lives. In common with most Londoners, they are concerned by rising crime: how will Labour ensure that they and their young people feel safer?
Playing on people's fears, and scaring people into voting for you, is a sign of panic and the politics of the last resort.

Lord Darzi's Healthcare for London Report - London's Councils prepare response

2008-04-25T21:25:00.008+02:00

Went to the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea's impressive Town Hall this morning for the 7th meeting of the London-wide Joint Overview & Scrutiny Health Committee, of which I am vice- chair.
Councillors from across all London boroughs came together last year to begin scrutiny on the now infamous Lord Darzi's Healthcare for London Report. Its been a hugely ambitious, but a very successful piece of work. Many of us were doubtful to begin with as to how councillors from all political parties, representing a population of over seven million Londoners, who speak over 300 languages, living in 33 Primary Care Trust areas, across social divides, could produce a comprehensive report that will be submitted to NHS London on the 30 April.
We heard witness evidence from over 30 individuals, including the Kings Fund, GPs, professional bodies, NHS workforce representatives, and patient and user groups.
This process has demonstrated how local councillors can come together to successfully tackle the democratic deficit in the NHS, and represent our electorate.
We expect the Joint London PCTs to receive and respond to our report later in the Summer.