Trans rights should be supported not reversed. A cautionary note to the Minister for Women & Equalities Liz Truss @trussliz @GEOgovuk

On Wednesday this week, the UK Government Minister for Women & Equalities, Liz Truss MP, who serves in Boris Johnson’s Cabinet as Secretary of State for International Trade, set out her priorities for the Government Equalities Office in a statement to a House of Commons Select Committee. To the distress of many in LGBTQ communities,… Continue reading Trans rights should be supported not reversed. A cautionary note to the Minister for Women & Equalities Liz Truss @trussliz @GEOgovuk

Overcoming the new ‘permission to hate’ – stopping racism in football grounds, transphobia in the media, antisemitism and Islamaphobia in politics, and the rise in nationalism

Yet again yesterday, we woke to news headlines reporting racist chants at a football ground. This time it is apparently the supporters of Tottenham Hotspur directing ‘monkey noises’ at players of Chelsea in their game on Sunday. Those of us involved in the administration of sport had hoped that this kind of conduct had been… Continue reading Overcoming the new ‘permission to hate’ – stopping racism in football grounds, transphobia in the media, antisemitism and Islamaphobia in politics, and the rise in nationalism

“We have always stood up for the people. We have always stood up for the rule of law.” – my remarks to the City of London’s Common Council

On Thursday 10 October 2019, the City of London’s governing Court of Common Council boldly reiterated its longstanding support for the United Kingdom’s Independent Judiciary and the Rule of Law. The motion, proposed by my colleagues Deputy Tom Sleigh and Alderman Tim Hailes came in response to recent attacks on the judiciary by public figures… Continue reading “We have always stood up for the people. We have always stood up for the rule of law.” – my remarks to the City of London’s Common Council

A true leader in #London, Haringey’s @ClaireKober speaks out for inclusive visionary leadership, and warns against populism and surrendering power to vocal minorities

Every so often I have the privilege of hearing a speech that is inspiring and thought provoking. As readers of my blog will know, my political inspiration doesn’t always from ‘my side of the aisle’ and so it was last week, when a Labour politician grabbed my attention and my applause by the power and… Continue reading A true leader in #London, Haringey’s @ClaireKober speaks out for inclusive visionary leadership, and warns against populism and surrendering power to vocal minorities

Why today’s #LGBTQ+ #PrideinLondon is a day of mixed emotions for me and for many

Today is Pride in London, the United Kingdom’s largest gathering of Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, and Queer people together with their allies and friends and others whose life, love, or identity is marked in some way by difference. For me and for many it is a day of great celebration for the achievements of equality… Continue reading Why today’s #LGBTQ+ #PrideinLondon is a day of mixed emotions for me and for many

Recent events a wake-up call to politicians: austerity must end, we need a kinder, fairer way

In My Opinion piece written for The Smithfield Gazette, June 2017 The last twelve months in British and global politics, along with incidents of domestic and international terrorism, and the horrendous fire at Grenfell Tower in West London must surely be the wake-up call needed for those of us involved in public life to think… Continue reading Recent events a wake-up call to politicians: austerity must end, we need a kinder, fairer way

St Paul’s Remembrance: “Brexit and Trump were won with lies and fear. Two world wars were won with truth and courage.”- I agree.

Yesterday’s Remembrance Sunday service at St Paul’s Cathedral was, as usual, a moving and solemn occasion. It was attended by the City’s new Lord Mayor, the Aldermen and Common Councilmen, as well Their Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and many representatives of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces and countless old comrades from former… Continue reading St Paul’s Remembrance: “Brexit and Trump were won with lies and fear. Two world wars were won with truth and courage.”- I agree.

Ruth Davidson – a new kind of politician, a new kind of politics

Writing a post like this is liable to inflame some of my fellow Liberal Democrats and other friends who simply dislike Tories, but the results of Thursday’s elections to the Scottish Parliament  deserve comment, not least because of the extraordinary revival of the Scottish Conservatives under their leader Ruth Davidson. I am proud and fortunate to… Continue reading Ruth Davidson – a new kind of politician, a new kind of politics

Labour leadership: Dan Jarvis, a loss to his party and to the nation

I’m not a supporter of the Labour Party and, other than a brief flirtation in those heady days of optimism of the first Blair term of office, never have been. It is therefore surprising that I choose to comment on the forthcoming leadership election in the Labour Party.  I was however moved to write by… Continue reading Labour leadership: Dan Jarvis, a loss to his party and to the nation

General Election 2015: For our country’s sake, vote Liberal Democrat on May 7th

My last two election blog posts have tried to retain a certain degree of party neutrality, looking dispassionately at the likely outcomes in marginal seats and wishing candidates of all parties the best of luck. But now, with less than twenty four hours until the polling stations are open, is the time to be clear as… Continue reading General Election 2015: For our country’s sake, vote Liberal Democrat on May 7th