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Thursday, 25 March 2010
Islamophobia is a threat to democracy
We are concerned by the rise of Islamophobia, the negative coverage of Muslims in the media, the violent street mobilisations of extreme rightwing organisations like the English Defence League, and the rising electoral support for the British National party (The battle for Barking, Weekend, 13 March). Following Channel 4’s recent inflammatory documentary, Britain’s Islamic Republic, which saw concentrated attacks on the East London Mosque, the English Defence League marched through central London with placards including the demand “Close the East London Mosque now”.
The East End of London is not new to having its communities attacked by fascists and the media. The 1930s saw the Battle of Cable Street when Oswald Mosley's blackshirts attempted to march into the Jewish community in the area. We cannot allow this terrible history to repeat itself. Further, the documentary, and articles since, have attacked the participation in politics by the Muslim community. We cannot stand by and watch this continue without remark or action.
The East End of London is not new to having its communities attacked by fascists and the media. The 1930s saw the Battle of Cable Street when Oswald Mosley's blackshirts attempted to march into the Jewish community in the area. We cannot allow this terrible history to repeat itself. Further, the documentary, and articles since, have attacked the participation in politics by the Muslim community. We cannot stand by and watch this continue without remark or action.
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Mark Steel: Laugh? I almost voted!
Tickets £10.00
www.thedancehouse.co.uk
TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
PLEASE BUY ON THE DOOR ON SUNDAY EVENING
An evening with Mark Steel and friends is hosted by the Greater Manchester Respect Party. Proceeds to:
Kay Phillips (Respect Party - Blackley and Broughton) www.kayphillips.org
Gayle O’Donovan (Green Party - Manchester Central) gayleodonovan.blogspot.com
David Henry (Hazel Must Go / TUSC - Salford and Eccles) www.davidhenry.org.uk
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Live! George vs Jim
Since it's on the London version of the programme those of us outside London will need to watch live (or later) on the BBC website at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007tjl5
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Progressive voices for Salford
Today I met up with a campaigners in Salford to plan the election strategy for the area. I think we've got an impressive team of community activists coming together in the area. They include David Henry - who is standing in Salford for the Hazel Must Go campaign and Alice Searle - who is standing for my own Respect Party in Kersall ward.
One of the best things about this election is the way than many progressive voices are coming together to support each other's election campaigns. I'm particularly pleased with the cooperation Respect is beginning to forge with the Green Party. This is going to be vital as, whoever wins the next election, there will be a need for all of us who care about social justice as well as peace and the environment to join together in defence of our public services.
One of the best things about this election is the way than many progressive voices are coming together to support each other's election campaigns. I'm particularly pleased with the cooperation Respect is beginning to forge with the Green Party. This is going to be vital as, whoever wins the next election, there will be a need for all of us who care about social justice as well as peace and the environment to join together in defence of our public services.
Monday, 15 March 2010
Sinister Parallels of Hatred
There are weeks to go before a general election and the main parties are struggling. Cue the filthy politics of scapegoating and divide and rule.
If it were only the fascists of the British National Party and their street-fighting associates in the English Defence League it would be bad enough.
But so widespread and respectable has demonising Britain’s Muslim and immigrant communities become that unscrupulous mainstream politicians are tempted to slide from the gutter into that sewer.
The ground is sadly fecund for them, fertilised by mountains of manure from not only the right but from people who consider themselves liberals. This is one of the especially pernicious features of Islamophobia - racism against Muslims.
Sunday, 14 March 2010
Don't deport to the Congo
I was proud to join friends, old and new, this Saturday to protest at the deportation of Congolese asylum seekers back to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The situation in that country is still dire after years of war. What a tragedy that people who have fled their homes in fear for their lives have to protest at the actions of the British government which threatens to return them to their fate.
One of the most unpleasant features of the New Labour years has been the Government's desire to prove its 'toughness' on immigration by being the most draconian against those most in need of our support.
One of the most unpleasant features of the New Labour years has been the Government's desire to prove its 'toughness' on immigration by being the most draconian against those most in need of our support.
Anyone who doubts the seriousness of the situation in the Congo need only read read the United Nations High Commission fro Refugees report. It states
"Violence and brutal human rights abuses increased in the Democratic Republic of Congo throughout 2009. Two military campaigns by the Congolese army, in the east and north, resulted in a dramatic increase in violence against civilians by both rebel and government forces. At least 2,500 civilians were slaughtered, over 7,000 women and girls were raped, and more than 1 million people were forced to flee their homes. This pushed the total number of displaced people to over 2 million, the vast majority with limited or no access to humanitarian assistance, often forcing them to return to insecure areas to find food. United Nations peacekeepers supported Congolese army military operations and struggled to give meaning to their mandate to protect civilians."
You can read the whole report HERE
Friday, 12 March 2010
Policies for a fairer society
Investment NOT cuts
Slashing public spending will only deepen the recession. Instead of the obsession with cuts we need to invest for growth. This will allow Government income to rise and cut unemployment. That is the best way to reduce the national debt.
Fairer Taxation
Fairer Taxation
Too many people on average or low incomes are paying too much tax. Meanwhile the super rich employ an army of accountants to avoid paying their fair share. We cannot afford to allow the richest in our society to get away with tax dodges when services are being cut.
Affordable housing
Affordable housing
Our housing waiting lists are a scandal. We need a massive house building programme to reduce waiting lists and overcrowding.
One Society, Many Cultures
One Society, Many Cultures
We should be proud of our diverse and vibrant city. Everyone is equal no matter their race, religion or lifestyle. We are different, but we are one society. We should not be divided by racism and intolerance.
Free School Meals
Free School Meals
Many parents struggle to find the money for school meals, yet worry about providing a healthy lunch for their children. We could provide free meals for every child for a tiny fraction of the cost of the banking bailout - ensuring every child has a well-cooked, nutritious meal at school every day.
New Green Deal
New Green Deal
We need to save the environment and we need to create jobs. The UK could create up to 400,000 jobs in new green industries. Instead of wasting tens of billions of pounds on new Trident nuclear weapons, we should invest in green technology to save our planet.
Troops out of Afghanistan
Troops out of Afghanistan
Too many lives have been lost. Escalating the conflict can only make things worse. We need to find a peaceful solution. We need to bring the troops home now.
Friday, 5 March 2010
Brown's predictable and weary defence of the Iraq disaster
"It was as anticlamactic as Gordon Brown's long coveted ascension to Number 10 has become.
"Here was a chance, after all, for him to put some distance between Labour and the disastrous decision to follow George W Bush into a war of regime-change, signed in other people's blood at Crawford, Texas, in 2002.
"Instead, Brown trotted out the weary apologias which so few in our country any longer believe: that the decision was based on definitive intelligence, which the spooks dispute, and had the backing of international law, which the lawyers refute.
"That much was predictable; it was unfeasible that he would either denounce his predecessor or claim he was merely a dessicated calculating machine, whirring away in a darkened Treasury in complete ignorance of the greatest blunder of our age being hatched just opposite
"But, as with Tony Blair, the most alarming aspect of his answers was not about what had gone before - the public mind is settled on that, in any case, no matter what scholastic distinctions the Chilcot report finally makes. It was the threat of more to come.
"Blair mentioned Iran 58 times. Brown's refrain was "rogue states". Those of us who marched against war on Iraq in 2002 were told we were being precipitate. It should now be clear to all that the die was already cast. Taken with the rising drumbeat from Tel Aviv and Washington, Brown's testimony should be taken as a serious portent of yet more mayhem."
Cuts? There is an alternative
You can download the leaflet from the Convention of the Left website
Monday, 1 March 2010
Respect for Higher Blackley
My good friend Paul Kelly, an ex-miner from Agecroft colliery, was out on Sunday campaigning alongside me, in North Manchester. Paul is standing for the local election ward of Higher Blackley - part of the constituency of Blackley and Broughton where I'm standing for Respect.
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