A veiled threat?

Does the veil scare Jack Straw? I don’t think it does but no politician can resist the temptation to make headlines. Especially those who might be considering a [deputy] leadership bid…

This was not some reflective little observation from Jack Straw about the protocols of MP/constituent meetings in a multicultural world.

This was a quite deliberate foray into what is becoming a real debate within Westminster: Does Britain’s brand of multiculturalism work? Link

NO2ID

Link 

Future Britain revealed in Barking?

I went to Barking yesterday evening to protest outside the town hall against the BNP members inside. Managed to take a few good pix with my phone, looking over them the following one stands out. The new face of Britain as I see it…

Campaign Against the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill

Remember my earlier post about the “Abolition of Pariliament Bill”? Well, it seems there is a growing concern about it and a new(ish) blog has been launched to campaign against it: link

It’s a bit rough round the edges and I’m not sure who’s behind it but it’s a start.

Gordon Brown: “We have renewed Britain; now we must champion it”

Fine words but [once he's Prime Minister] will he actually allow any of the Power Inquiries recommendations to come to pass?

Over the past few months I have been visiting places and people whose views and initiatives we ignore at our peril. Having talked to young people shaping youth services, parents who now run schools and under-five services, and social entrepreneurs transforming their communities, I am convinced that, quietly and unannounced, Britain is seeing the rise of a new kind of citizen, involved in their neighbourhoods and now demanding the right to set the agenda.

This renewal of Britain springs from a welcome new culture of rising aspirations is shaped by a reinvigorated sense of community and is being led by courageous local reformers - from environmentally responsible companies to path-breaking charities and committed councillors. It is a 21st-century expression of the enduring ideas that Britain gave the world - a commitment to liberty, a strong sense of civic duty, a belief in fairness.

Today, with its recognition of the responsible citizen, the Power commission will highlight the Britain we must champion and why we must address what holds it back: low turnouts, youth disengagement, falling party membership and a long-term decline in trust - problems that owe more to our political system than our civic culture.  Link