Hellfire and hatred in the potteries
The Sun newspaper today accuses Labour of "stoking hatred" by sending texts and WhatsApp messages to Muslims in a byelection ending next week. "Stoke Central’s Muslim voters warned they will go to hell if they do not vote Labour in anti-Ukip text" thundered the paper. Trouble is, if you look at the actual messages they don't mention hell at all. They are from a Muslim Labour activist who is saying that Allah will judge them if they ...
Guardian: Minority election – could black voters swing it in UK in 2015?
The Guardian this week published a feature on how black voters can swing the 2015 general election. The piece, written by Hugh Muir, is sparked by research by Operation Black Vote which I authored. I am also quoted in the article talking about the Lib Dem perspective. (more…)
Starving kids – another indictment of Dickensian Britain
Over a million children in poverty are not getting free school meals with a survey revealing that three quarters of teachers have experienced kids coming into school without a meal or any money to pay for one. Today's report by the Children’s Society is a sad indictment on austerity Britain and the extent to which many thousands of families and young children have been driven below the breadline. (more…)
Lord David Pitt the pioneer
This year we celebrated 25 years since the first Black (African and Caribbean) MPs were elected, but 25 years before this one man to paved the way. Grenada-born David Pitt first stood for election in 1959 and eventually became Lord Pitt of Hampstead. He achieved many 'firsts' and left a real legacy. If today's politicians stand on the shoulders of the likes of Bernie Grant, Diane Abbott and Paul Boateng, they stood on the shoulders of Pitt. ...
Can activists be politicians?
Can activists become politicians? This might sound like a silly question when you consider how many former activists are in parliament. Famously Labour's Peter Hain campaigned against apartheid South Africa. The young feminist lawyer Harriet Harman fought for human rights. Jeremy Corbyn and Joan Ruddock were leading CND activists. There are many more. Yet where are the campaigners for race equality? (more…)