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
Tag: politics
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
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
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
Syria vote: a victory for British democracy
Last night’s vote in the House of Commons not to endorse the Government’s proposed intervention by the UK armed forces to deter any future use of chemical weapons in the Syria’s brutal civil war is – whichever side of the principal argument you are on – a victory for British democracy and our parliamentary system.… Continue reading Syria vote: a victory for British democracy
Stephen Fry’s call to arms – why the IOC must act on Russia
I have always had the greatest admiration for Stephen Fry – his talent, his passion, his humanity, his advocacy for equality and for those, like him, who struggle with their mental health. I had the good fortune once to share a long train journey with him and found him to be not only the hugely… Continue reading Stephen Fry’s call to arms – why the IOC must act on Russia
In memory of Harvey Milk – defending principles, fighting prejudice
Yesterday evening, my partner and I watched the 2008 film Milk, which tells the story of the political career of San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk, America’s first openly gay elected public official. Milk was an inspirational figure who overcame prejudice and even violence during his campaigns to be elected, but was ultimately assassinated in… Continue reading In memory of Harvey Milk – defending principles, fighting prejudice
Attacked by Guido – a political rite of passage?
This morning I had the dubious privilege of being ‘done over’ by the Guido Fawkes political blog order-order.com. Some friends have suggested that I should wear it as a badge of honour, almost a rite of passage in my political career. I’m generally an admirer of the Guido blog, indeed I link to it directly… Continue reading Attacked by Guido – a political rite of passage?