The G7 group of the world's leading industrialised nations have pledged to write off the debts that Haiti owes them, following the devastating earthquake last month. At least one million people currently need aid in Haiti after the Magnitude 7 quake and more than 50 after-shocks. Latest estimates show that the disaster has killed more than 200,000 people; 300,000 injured have been treated; more than 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged; Hundreds of thousands of people are displaced, homeless, orphans, in temporary shelters or been moved to huge refugee camps; Looting and other signs of chaos. Final figures may never be calulated.
This G7 decision comes as a result of broad-based, interational campaigning involving faith communities, trade uions, local action groups and relief and medical providers. in schools and colleges along with a huge range of other campaigning organisations including, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Save the Children and Red Cross.
Oxfam has urged the writing off of about an additional $900m (£557m) that Haiti still owes to donor countries and institutions. Oxfam have prouced a wide-ranging yet concise, set of recommedations relating to the reconstruction of Haiti, which can be downloaded here.
Reconstruction of this proud nation will be a huge and expensive challege and must include infrastructe, houses, transport links, commercial sector, medical and security issues, ameities and sanitation meeds, and reconstructio of rule of law and functions. It is important that internatioal organisations and goverments do not attempt to imposeb one "size fits all" solutions from outside. This opportunity to engage, empower, equip and encourage must start at base community grassroots. Whether now or in the future, rescue recovery and reconstructioh must never be or felt to be a military occupation.
All this will take time so it is important that we make a loger term commitment to Hiati. Otherwise, when the next disaster or significant world event emerges in media, priorities and resource allocation will be under pressure and slow dow. That is why the reconstruction of Hiati must meet local needs. In partnership with local people and most of all, be sustainable.
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Iain Dale: Churlish or Rattled?
Iain Dale, failed Tory candidate in North Norfolk last General Election, frequently uses his EDP column to attack the Liberal Democrats (no sour grapes of course!). In particular, he has often tried to score political points by drawing attention to the fact that since April Pond was selected to fight the Norwich North by-election, the Lib Dems have been without a PPC in the neighbouring and nominal target seat of Broadland.
It is no suprise then that to date, Dale has failed to acknowledge in blog or column that the Liberal Democrats have selected well-known local campaigner Dan Roper to be the party's PPC. Dan will bring vigour, freshness and radicalism to the campaign. His commitment to local communities and alertness to the needs of the wider county of Norfolk make him a tough opponent for suprisingly low profile incumbent Tory MP Keith Simpson. Iain Dale has proved that sometimes he can be a pundit above party politics. Dan Roper's selection provides the opportunity for Iain to show his support for high quality local people offering themselves for the noble calling of public service. Not to do so could be seen as being churlsh or rattled..
There is still much to play for in the coming months-the public dis-satisfaction with the Brown Government which seems to be running out of time and ideas,has not translated into an upswell of public popularity for Cameron's Conservatives. This is not 1997. A hung Parliament is a distinct possibility. The Lib Dems in general and Nick Clegg in particular, are gaining in confidence and appeal. The choice in Broadland? Another Tory MP from the past or Dan Roper, a man for the future? Norman Lamb in North Norfolk shows what a difference a Lib Dem MP can make to county and community.
It will be a privilege to campaign for and vote for Dan Roper. A genuine choice and positive campaign should engage the public and make the first battle to elect an MP for Broadland a memorable one.
It is no suprise then that to date, Dale has failed to acknowledge in blog or column that the Liberal Democrats have selected well-known local campaigner Dan Roper to be the party's PPC. Dan will bring vigour, freshness and radicalism to the campaign. His commitment to local communities and alertness to the needs of the wider county of Norfolk make him a tough opponent for suprisingly low profile incumbent Tory MP Keith Simpson. Iain Dale has proved that sometimes he can be a pundit above party politics. Dan Roper's selection provides the opportunity for Iain to show his support for high quality local people offering themselves for the noble calling of public service. Not to do so could be seen as being churlsh or rattled..
There is still much to play for in the coming months-the public dis-satisfaction with the Brown Government which seems to be running out of time and ideas,has not translated into an upswell of public popularity for Cameron's Conservatives. This is not 1997. A hung Parliament is a distinct possibility. The Lib Dems in general and Nick Clegg in particular, are gaining in confidence and appeal. The choice in Broadland? Another Tory MP from the past or Dan Roper, a man for the future? Norman Lamb in North Norfolk shows what a difference a Lib Dem MP can make to county and community.
It will be a privilege to campaign for and vote for Dan Roper. A genuine choice and positive campaign should engage the public and make the first battle to elect an MP for Broadland a memorable one.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
I promise to Vote
I have today answered Premier Radio's call to pledge my promise to vote in the 2010 General Election.
The UK Social Attitudes survey released this week show a marked decrease in those seeing voting as a civic duty (now just 56%) so it is time for us to remember and recommit ourselves to the political process as a vital part of what it means to be a cohesive and caring community.
This pledge to vote is a good first step.
The UK Social Attitudes survey released this week show a marked decrease in those seeing voting as a civic duty (now just 56%) so it is time for us to remember and recommit ourselves to the political process as a vital part of what it means to be a cohesive and caring community.
This pledge to vote is a good first step.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Drop Haiti's debt
Drop Haiti's Debt: Sign the petition online now
Christian Aid is responding to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, they have launched an emergency appeal and are working with their partners in the field to deliver aid.
At a time when Haiti has been hit by the worst disaster in its history, it needs long-term support as well as emergency financial assistance, not loans with strings attached, if it is to ever rebuild.
Please join their call for the full cancellation of Haiti's debt of $890m, and for all emergency and development funds to be given not loaned.
Drop Haiti's Debt: Sign the petition today
Christian Aid is responding to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, they have launched an emergency appeal and are working with their partners in the field to deliver aid.
At a time when Haiti has been hit by the worst disaster in its history, it needs long-term support as well as emergency financial assistance, not loans with strings attached, if it is to ever rebuild.
Please join their call for the full cancellation of Haiti's debt of $890m, and for all emergency and development funds to be given not loaned.
Drop Haiti's Debt: Sign the petition today
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Greens show true colours
The Conservative Home website is running the somewhat suprising story that the Ian holman, the Green Party Candidate for Great Yarmouth is standing down in favour of his Conservative oponent, Brandon Lewis. The Green Party leadership may posture to the left, but clearly some party members march firmly in the other direction. This move may cost them hard in their nearby target seat of Norwich South.
Friday, January 01, 2010
Nick Clegg New Year Message 2010
2010 will be an important year in politics and it is hard to predict where we will be at the end of it. It is more than possible that we find ourselves in a significant realignmet (or hit the political re-set button) in UK politcs, under which, the Liberal Democrats may well find ouselves in a position of real power and politics.
I am impressed by the big picture and small picture thinking and strategy outlined by Nick Clegg is his new year message which I am pleased to reproduce below.
"I have a confession to make, 2009 tested my belief in politics to breaking point.
I remember once looking round the House of Commons during another Punch and Judy session of Prime Ministers Questions. In the real world, youth unemployment had just reached its highest level ever, our brave soldiers were facing extraordinary dangers in Afghanistan, the bankers were still gorging themselves on bonuses, and the economy was in the middle of the worst recession in generations. And what were the politicians doing? Yelling and guffawing at each other as if the world outside didn’t exist.
So I don’t blame anyone for feeling a sense of despair about our clapped out political system. You are being taken for granted by the people in charge. Big money is hollowing out politics with some rich donors not even bothering to say whether they pay full British taxes or not. And to top it all the expenses scandals exposed some MPs as spivvy property speculators and tax evaders rather than public servants.
This whole set-up has to change. That’s what 2010 should be all about. Big, permanent change for the better.
People’s faith in politics may be dented, but I still believe in our ability to learn from the mistakes of the past, and set things on a new course.
2010 must be the year we press the political reset button.
But that will only happen if we do things differently. More of the same won’t produce anything new.
Of course both Labour and the Conservatives have learned to parrot the language of change. But where’s the proof they mean it? Despite all the hot air about fixing politics they have both voted against giving people the right to sack MPs who’ve seriously broken the rules. Both have refused to clean up the rotten system of party political funding. Both refuse to give you your say by introducing fair votes to the House of Commons. And both refuse to shake up the City of London, so that bankers can never again play Russian roulette with your savings.
Some people say, what’s the point of voting when the same old parties always win? I say: vote for what you believe in. If you like what the Liberal Democrats stand for, vote for it. If you want real change, not phoney change, vote for it. If you think things should be different, vote for it.
At the end of the day, politics should be about what you believe. What kind of Britain do you want to live in? What kind of world do we want our children and grandchildren to grow up in?
So as the countdown to the next General Election finally begins, I have a simple question for the other party leaders: what do you believe, really believe?
People don’t want leading politicians clinging on to power for its own sake, or just telling people what they want to hear. There’s got to be more to it than that.
I have one belief above all others: a belief in fairness. Under my leadership the Liberal Democrats have been working on new ideas to make Britain the fair country I believe most people want it to be. We want to raise standards in all of our schools by giving specific help to the children most in need, and by making class sizes smaller. Soon we will be publishing new ideas to turn our economy away from its over dependence on the City of London to a new, green economy where hundreds of thousands of new jobs will be created as we rebuild our transport, energy and housing infrastructure. Above all, we are now the only party with a detailed plan to make taxes fair – removing all income tax on the first £10,000 you earn, paid for by asking people at the top to pay a bit more.
If we as Leaders want people to turn out to vote at all at the next General Election, we have got to show people our convictions, not just dividing lines, our beliefs, not just soundbites.
I hope in the coming months even more people will get a chance to find out what I believe in, and the beliefs of the Liberal Democrats. If enough people share our convictions, our beliefs, then 2010 really can be the beginning of something new.
I am impressed by the big picture and small picture thinking and strategy outlined by Nick Clegg is his new year message which I am pleased to reproduce below.
"I have a confession to make, 2009 tested my belief in politics to breaking point.
I remember once looking round the House of Commons during another Punch and Judy session of Prime Ministers Questions. In the real world, youth unemployment had just reached its highest level ever, our brave soldiers were facing extraordinary dangers in Afghanistan, the bankers were still gorging themselves on bonuses, and the economy was in the middle of the worst recession in generations. And what were the politicians doing? Yelling and guffawing at each other as if the world outside didn’t exist.
So I don’t blame anyone for feeling a sense of despair about our clapped out political system. You are being taken for granted by the people in charge. Big money is hollowing out politics with some rich donors not even bothering to say whether they pay full British taxes or not. And to top it all the expenses scandals exposed some MPs as spivvy property speculators and tax evaders rather than public servants.
This whole set-up has to change. That’s what 2010 should be all about. Big, permanent change for the better.
People’s faith in politics may be dented, but I still believe in our ability to learn from the mistakes of the past, and set things on a new course.
2010 must be the year we press the political reset button.
But that will only happen if we do things differently. More of the same won’t produce anything new.
Of course both Labour and the Conservatives have learned to parrot the language of change. But where’s the proof they mean it? Despite all the hot air about fixing politics they have both voted against giving people the right to sack MPs who’ve seriously broken the rules. Both have refused to clean up the rotten system of party political funding. Both refuse to give you your say by introducing fair votes to the House of Commons. And both refuse to shake up the City of London, so that bankers can never again play Russian roulette with your savings.
Some people say, what’s the point of voting when the same old parties always win? I say: vote for what you believe in. If you like what the Liberal Democrats stand for, vote for it. If you want real change, not phoney change, vote for it. If you think things should be different, vote for it.
At the end of the day, politics should be about what you believe. What kind of Britain do you want to live in? What kind of world do we want our children and grandchildren to grow up in?
So as the countdown to the next General Election finally begins, I have a simple question for the other party leaders: what do you believe, really believe?
People don’t want leading politicians clinging on to power for its own sake, or just telling people what they want to hear. There’s got to be more to it than that.
I have one belief above all others: a belief in fairness. Under my leadership the Liberal Democrats have been working on new ideas to make Britain the fair country I believe most people want it to be. We want to raise standards in all of our schools by giving specific help to the children most in need, and by making class sizes smaller. Soon we will be publishing new ideas to turn our economy away from its over dependence on the City of London to a new, green economy where hundreds of thousands of new jobs will be created as we rebuild our transport, energy and housing infrastructure. Above all, we are now the only party with a detailed plan to make taxes fair – removing all income tax on the first £10,000 you earn, paid for by asking people at the top to pay a bit more.
If we as Leaders want people to turn out to vote at all at the next General Election, we have got to show people our convictions, not just dividing lines, our beliefs, not just soundbites.
I hope in the coming months even more people will get a chance to find out what I believe in, and the beliefs of the Liberal Democrats. If enough people share our convictions, our beliefs, then 2010 really can be the beginning of something new.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Double victory for Broadland Liberal Democrats
Norfolk Liberal Democrats are celebrating a superb double victory in district council by-elections yesterday (Thursday). Both Ben McGilvray, in the Wroxham ward of Broadland District Council, and Hugh Lanham, in the Walsingham ward of North Norfolk District Council, registered impressive victories with huge swings to the Lib Dems. Significantly, both seats will be part of the new Parliamentary constituency of Broadland.
The by-elections had been caused by the deaths of two Independent councillors David Teager and Tom Moore who represented Wroxham and Walsingham respectively.
Ben, Hugh and their teams fought terrific campaigns, highlighting local issues and national concerns and both will make excellent councillors. These results will send shockwaves through Norfolk Conservatives and show that in this time of economic uncertainty and political disillusionment, it is the Liberal Democrats that people are turning to. Our recent conference in Bournemouth was a great success and under Nick Clegg’s leadership, the party is gaining ground nationally and locally. As MP for North Norfolk, Norman Lamb shows what a difference Liberal Democrats can make.
The by-elections had been caused by the deaths of two Independent councillors David Teager and Tom Moore who represented Wroxham and Walsingham respectively.
Ben, Hugh and their teams fought terrific campaigns, highlighting local issues and national concerns and both will make excellent councillors. These results will send shockwaves through Norfolk Conservatives and show that in this time of economic uncertainty and political disillusionment, it is the Liberal Democrats that people are turning to. Our recent conference in Bournemouth was a great success and under Nick Clegg’s leadership, the party is gaining ground nationally and locally. As MP for North Norfolk, Norman Lamb shows what a difference Liberal Democrats can make.
Friday, August 21, 2009
An unfortunate welcome home
Whilst I stand by my own blog post yesterday when I called for the release on compassionate grounds of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi, convicted by involvement in the bombing of the Pan Am flight which exploded over Lockerbie, his orchestrated return to Libya was unfortunate,insensitive and unnecessary and enabled others to take the moral high ground. This though was not the fault of Scottish Government.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Releases from jail on compassionate grounds are correct
On balance, the decision of Scottish Justice Minister to release 57 year old Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi on compassionate grounds to return home to Libya is the right one. Megrahi, who has terminal prostate cancer, had served 8 years of his life sentence having been found guilty for the bombing of the Pan Am flight which exploded over Lockerbie in December 1988. Serious doubts remain over who was really responsibile for the bombing which resulted in the deaths of 270 people (259 on the plane and 11 on the ground).
Canon Patrick Keegans was a parish priest in Lockerbie at the time of the atrocity. Giving Premier Radio his reaction to the verdict, he says Mr MacAskill didn't cover the whole story. He said:
“He quite simply painted Megrahi in the blackest of terms as a mass murderer and then said that we will have compassion. I am very disappointed he did not mention once the doubts many people have regarding this conviction.”
Revd. John Mosey lost his daughter Helga in the tragedy, but said Megrahi should be shown mercy, although he respects the decision of the courts. He said:
“I have no option not to forgive. If I don’t forgive my heavenly father won’t forgive me. However the law must not forgive. The law must pursue and protect the public, that’s what it’s there for.”
He added he would have liked to see more questions answered in this case:
“We would have preferred him to go home either an innocent man or a guilty man. Now it’s all in the air and we don’t really know either way.”
Revd. Ian Galloway, a spokesperson for the Church of Scotland, said he thinks the right decision has been made:
“It’s really important in any circumstance when you have the opportunity to show mercy that that is taken very seriously. Of course it’s possible that information can come out in later date and it could be greatly regretted.
“The Christian face has its origin in a blameless man suffering a violent death and with his last breath calling down God’s mercy on his violent killers. That example of mercy is one that we must at least acknowledge in the decisions that we make.”
I believe that the recent release of Ronnie Biggs also on compassionate grounds was also the right decision. I have visited the elderly lifers wing of Norwich Prison where staff do a good job of providing the care some of these inmates need but few people deserve to die in prison. There comes a time when the question of how the public interest is being served must be asked and it is right that it that is decided on a case-by-case basis.
Unlike the United States, we do not have the death penalty. In some cases life should and does mean life but there is a time for compassion, moving on and doing the right thing.
Canon Patrick Keegans was a parish priest in Lockerbie at the time of the atrocity. Giving Premier Radio his reaction to the verdict, he says Mr MacAskill didn't cover the whole story. He said:
“He quite simply painted Megrahi in the blackest of terms as a mass murderer and then said that we will have compassion. I am very disappointed he did not mention once the doubts many people have regarding this conviction.”
Revd. John Mosey lost his daughter Helga in the tragedy, but said Megrahi should be shown mercy, although he respects the decision of the courts. He said:
“I have no option not to forgive. If I don’t forgive my heavenly father won’t forgive me. However the law must not forgive. The law must pursue and protect the public, that’s what it’s there for.”
He added he would have liked to see more questions answered in this case:
“We would have preferred him to go home either an innocent man or a guilty man. Now it’s all in the air and we don’t really know either way.”
Revd. Ian Galloway, a spokesperson for the Church of Scotland, said he thinks the right decision has been made:
“It’s really important in any circumstance when you have the opportunity to show mercy that that is taken very seriously. Of course it’s possible that information can come out in later date and it could be greatly regretted.
“The Christian face has its origin in a blameless man suffering a violent death and with his last breath calling down God’s mercy on his violent killers. That example of mercy is one that we must at least acknowledge in the decisions that we make.”
I believe that the recent release of Ronnie Biggs also on compassionate grounds was also the right decision. I have visited the elderly lifers wing of Norwich Prison where staff do a good job of providing the care some of these inmates need but few people deserve to die in prison. There comes a time when the question of how the public interest is being served must be asked and it is right that it that is decided on a case-by-case basis.
Unlike the United States, we do not have the death penalty. In some cases life should and does mean life but there is a time for compassion, moving on and doing the right thing.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Priest wins unfair dismissal appeal
The Wardman Wire reports the good news that Father Seraphim Vänttinen-Newton, a Russian Orthodox priest has won his appeal for unfair dismissal against GEO Group, the private firm that runs Campsfield House Immigration Detention Centre (or “removal centre”, as the UK Borders Agency website calls it).
Father Vänttinen-Newton was chaplain at the centre and gave a short interview to BBC Radio Oxford about “faith in the workplace” - a pretty reasonable thing for a chaplain to do, it might seem, but which led to his being sacked for apparently breaching company rules- an odd decision rightly overturned.
Father Vänttinen-Newton was chaplain at the centre and gave a short interview to BBC Radio Oxford about “faith in the workplace” - a pretty reasonable thing for a chaplain to do, it might seem, but which led to his being sacked for apparently breaching company rules- an odd decision rightly overturned.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
What's next for Norwich City?
I fall for it everytime:I was feeling optimistic as I strolled up to Carrow Road on a sunny afteroon-the mood was so upbeat- series of disappointing leage campaigns seemed in the past, not least because gone were the loan players instead a new team been built with lots of new faces, seemingly, many with experience of lower league football. Unbeaten pre-season, dared I hope that this would be our season?- back towards the championship this time with momentum going in our favour for a change?
So what happens next (good question for A Question of Sport)? Colchester hardly looked like Champions but by half time were 5-0 up. So much for fortress Carrow Road! Instead the 25000 fans were stunned into near stunned silence. Final result 7-1! Complete and utter capitulation.
Was this just a blip-a bad day at the office? Or symptoms of deeper trouble at Carrow Road and Colney? Is this what we can expect for the rest of season? Some deadwood out New players in, but are they good enough? Is Bryan Gunn experienced enough as manager, team builder and strategist?
I was concerned that despite that absolute horror of a first half-no substitutes emerged from the bench until over an hour of play had passed. Further inept performances like this will soon result in falling attendance figures. I am worried that players like Wes Hollahan wil start to look to ply their trade elsewhere. Matches come thick and fast in this league and it is easy to fall out of contention very quickly indeed. Yesterday triumphalism overtook confidence and we paid the price.
Let's hope for better performances and goals in the coming weeks-starting with Yeovil away in the Carling Cup on Tuesday and Exeter away in the league on Sunday.
I'm not sure whatelse to say-I am still shell shocked by Saturday. Former manager, Nigel Worthington used to talk about bouncebackability (a phrase first coined by Iain Dowie)-lets hope that everyone concerned wakes up and smell the coffee before this crucial season starts going the wrong way fast. At least following Norwich City can never be said to be boring...
So, 45 more league games to go and various cup opportunities ahead. Time to get things sorted, otherwise this could end up being a very long and difficult season indeed.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
ON THE BALL CITY
So what happens next (good question for A Question of Sport)? Colchester hardly looked like Champions but by half time were 5-0 up. So much for fortress Carrow Road! Instead the 25000 fans were stunned into near stunned silence. Final result 7-1! Complete and utter capitulation.
Was this just a blip-a bad day at the office? Or symptoms of deeper trouble at Carrow Road and Colney? Is this what we can expect for the rest of season? Some deadwood out New players in, but are they good enough? Is Bryan Gunn experienced enough as manager, team builder and strategist?
I was concerned that despite that absolute horror of a first half-no substitutes emerged from the bench until over an hour of play had passed. Further inept performances like this will soon result in falling attendance figures. I am worried that players like Wes Hollahan wil start to look to ply their trade elsewhere. Matches come thick and fast in this league and it is easy to fall out of contention very quickly indeed. Yesterday triumphalism overtook confidence and we paid the price.
Let's hope for better performances and goals in the coming weeks-starting with Yeovil away in the Carling Cup on Tuesday and Exeter away in the league on Sunday.
I'm not sure whatelse to say-I am still shell shocked by Saturday. Former manager, Nigel Worthington used to talk about bouncebackability (a phrase first coined by Iain Dowie)-lets hope that everyone concerned wakes up and smell the coffee before this crucial season starts going the wrong way fast. At least following Norwich City can never be said to be boring...
So, 45 more league games to go and various cup opportunities ahead. Time to get things sorted, otherwise this could end up being a very long and difficult season indeed.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
ON THE BALL CITY
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
More about the National Secular Society
Thanks to Red Maria over at Dolphinarium for the following article relating to the attacks on David Kerr, SNP candidate in the forthcoming Glasgow by-election).There is no place for religious-based bigotry however it manifests itself.
Sounds of the brakes being slammed on and the screeching of tires as the car is put into a sharp reverse in Glasgow.
Spokesmen for the Labour and Conservatives parties told the Scottish Catholic Observer this week the politicians had been misquoted, their comments taken out of context, and that neither believed that membership of Opus Dei would bar a candidate from public office.This looks like a definite reverse ferret. But connoisseurs of bigotry shouldn't be disheartened, there's still one group which is up for some old-fashioned Catholic-bashing.
None too subtly playing the dual loyalties card, Titus Oates of the National Secular Society opined,
“The concern for voters would be that such a person would have their allegiance to the Church and not to the SNP. It is one thing to bring your religious beliefs to politics, but it is another to bring the dogmas of a right-wing Catholic organisation. That would be the worry for voters.”
Warming to his theme, Oates claimed that David Kerr had tried to "guilt trip" his critics into silence.
In fact, David Kerr had nothing more than plead for his religion not to be made an issue of in the election but in the topsy-turvy truth-distorting world of the NSS where "good" is inevitably described as "bad" and every Catholic in public office is carictured as a villain this is par for the course.
Hence Opus Dei is an "extremist" organisation, even though it doesn't teach anything the Catholic Church doesn't teach and Oates insisted, David Kerr's membership of a perfectly legal, legitimate organisation is an issue that the electorate of Glasgow North East should be "made aware of" even though David Kerr is emphatically not campaigning on a religious platform of introducing compulsory fish-eating on Friday.
Of course, the NSS has a lot of er, previous m'lud when it comes to stirring the currents of ancient hatreds and bullying people to whom it takes exception.
Two years ago, Titus Oates sprang to the defence of Dolphinarium favourite and honorary NSS member, la Venomballs when she caused uproar by suggesting that Catholics should be discriminated against in public office. Typically, he didn't just defend the bigots' champion, he also went on the attack against journalist Paul Donovan, who he described as having "launched a fussilade against her".
In fact Paul Donovan just reported the facts and gave la Nutball plenty of opportunity to reply. It's called being a journalist and writing relevant copy.
See that twisting of the facts, that distortion of the truth again, that aggressive totalitarian instinct for controlling the press and lashing out at any reporter who doesn't toe the NSS line? That's Oates's modus operandi, as is his scraping the bottom of every barrel of stereotypes his feeble impotent imagination can reach for.
In Oates's mind, Catholics are all the same. They are invariably sinister stooges of a foreign power, bent on breaking Britain under the Vatican cosh. Catholic bishops are "opportunists" who think "they have the whip hand" which they can direct with "hysterical ranting". Catholics have an "enforcement machine", which started a "campaign to silence" Mary Honeyball. Catholics are also secretive and duplicitous: "Ruth Kelly the Labour MP who became a cabinet minister, was revealed by the press to be a member of Opus Dei – she did not volunteer the information herself" and on and on.
And don't think that Titus and his friends restrict themselves to defaming Catholics in public life or running down working journalists doing their jobs. No way Jose Maria. Like the big badass fighters they are, they're a dab hand at picking on civilians, like Mrs Jackie Parkes. That must've taken some guts, boys. And, ooh, wasn't it sidesplitting to say, "this Catholic mum lives up to every stereotypie imaginable - and then some" .
That comment probably wasn't just an accident, by the way. Judging by the types the NSS invites to be honorary members, the fertility rates of different social groups are a cause of a lot of anxiety at 23 Red Lion Square. And yes, I am talking about the fragrant Baroness "tell the poor to have fewer children" Flather. She made those notorious remarks in 2004. Two years later, the NSS which has almost as obsessive a media monitoring operation as this blog does, welcomed her as an honorary member.
Ed West put it well when he described the National Secular Society not as secularists but as Athiest bigots. From producing what looks like dodgy research in an attempt to drive chaplains out of hospitals through bitching at working journalists to bullying civilian bloggers, there is no level the NSS will not stoop to in its drive to make the lives of religious people as unpleasant as possible. This isn't just another pressure group to be taken seriously in the corridors of power. The NSS is a purveyor of prejudice and it should be shunned by everybody.
Thanks to Red Maria over at Dolphinarium (http://dolphinarium.blogspot.com/) for the following article relating to the attacks on David Kerr, SNP candidate in the forthcoming Glasgow by-election).There is no place for religious-based bigotry however it manifests itself.
Sounds of the brakes being slammed on and the screeching of tires as the car is put into a sharp reverse in Glasgow.
Spokesmen for the Labour and Conservatives parties told the Scottish Catholic Observer this week the politicians had been misquoted, their comments taken out of context, and that neither believed that membership of Opus Dei would bar a candidate from public office.This looks like a definite reverse ferret. But connoisseurs of bigotry shouldn't be disheartened, there's still one group which is up for some old-fashioned Catholic-bashing.
None too subtly playing the dual loyalties card, Titus Oates of the National Secular Society opined,
“The concern for voters would be that such a person would have their allegiance to the Church and not to the SNP. It is one thing to bring your religious beliefs to politics, but it is another to bring the dogmas of a right-wing Catholic organisation. That would be the worry for voters.”
Warming to his theme, Oates claimed that David Kerr had tried to "guilt trip" his critics into silence.
In fact, David Kerr had nothing more than plead for his religion not to be made an issue of in the election but in the topsy-turvy truth-distorting world of the NSS where "good" is inevitably described as "bad" and every Catholic in public office is carictured as a villain this is par for the course.
Hence Opus Dei is an "extremist" organisation, even though it doesn't teach anything the Catholic Church doesn't teach and Oates insisted, David Kerr's membership of a perfectly legal, legitimate organisation is an issue that the electorate of Glasgow North East should be "made aware of" even though David Kerr is emphatically not campaigning on a religious platform of introducing compulsory fish-eating on Friday.
Of course, the NSS has a lot of er, previous m'lud when it comes to stirring the currents of ancient hatreds and bullying people to whom it takes exception.
Two years ago, Titus Oates sprang to the defence of Dolphinarium favourite and honorary NSS member, la Venomballs when she caused uproar by suggesting that Catholics should be discriminated against in public office. Typically, he didn't just defend the bigots' champion, he also went on the attack against journalist Paul Donovan, who he described as having "launched a fussilade against her".
In fact Paul Donovan just reported the facts and gave la Nutball plenty of opportunity to reply. It's called being a journalist and writing relevant copy.
See that twisting of the facts, that distortion of the truth again, that aggressive totalitarian instinct for controlling the press and lashing out at any reporter who doesn't toe the NSS line? That's Oates's modus operandi, as is his scraping the bottom of every barrel of stereotypes his feeble impotent imagination can reach for.
In Oates's mind, Catholics are all the same. They are invariably sinister stooges of a foreign power, bent on breaking Britain under the Vatican cosh. Catholic bishops are "opportunists" who think "they have the whip hand" which they can direct with "hysterical ranting". Catholics have an "enforcement machine", which started a "campaign to silence" Mary Honeyball. Catholics are also secretive and duplicitous: "Ruth Kelly the Labour MP who became a cabinet minister, was revealed by the press to be a member of Opus Dei – she did not volunteer the information herself" and on and on.
And don't think that Titus and his friends restrict themselves to defaming Catholics in public life or running down working journalists doing their jobs. No way Jose Maria. Like the big badass fighters they are, they're a dab hand at picking on civilians, like Mrs Jackie Parkes. That must've taken some guts, boys. And, ooh, wasn't it sidesplitting to say, "this Catholic mum lives up to every stereotypie imaginable - and then some" .
That comment probably wasn't just an accident, by the way. Judging by the types the NSS invites to be honorary members, the fertility rates of different social groups are a cause of a lot of anxiety at 23 Red Lion Square. And yes, I am talking about the fragrant Baroness "tell the poor to have fewer children" Flather. She made those notorious remarks in 2004. Two years later, the NSS which has almost as obsessive a media monitoring operation as this blog does, welcomed her as an honorary member.
Ed West put it well when he described the National Secular Society not as secularists but as Athiest bigots. From producing what looks like dodgy research in an attempt to drive chaplains out of hospitals through bitching at working journalists to bullying civilian bloggers, there is no level the NSS will not stoop to in its drive to make the lives of religious people as unpleasant as possible. This isn't just another pressure group to be taken seriously in the corridors of power. The NSS is a purveyor of prejudice and it should be shunned by everybody.
Thanks to Red Maria over at Dolphinarium (http://dolphinarium.blogspot.com/) for the following article relating to the attacks on David Kerr, SNP candidate in the forthcoming Glasgow by-election).There is no place for religious-based bigotry however it manifests itself.
Monday, July 27, 2009
What message have people of Norwich North sent?
Having had time for reflection, the people of Norwich North have sent complex messages to all parties complex messages. This first in series of postings concerns Ian Gibson.
Despite high profile campaign from several parties and media, only 45% of people bothered to vote. This election was about differential turnout. I was telling in Mile Cross and the low turnout there spoke volumes. But why not vote- are people disillusioned with politics as a whole or loyalty to Ian Gibson?
Having lived in the constituency myself, I can testify that Gibson was a good constituency MP. He may have done the wrong thing in terms of the property issue but other MPs have done much worse. I think it was more to do with Labour wanting to look tougher than Cameron so removed the whip from this frequent thorn in their side. So good result all round for Labour-until Gibson resigns to force by-election. Once again Labour party leadership underestimated his principles. He could easily have followed the example set by series of other (mainly Tory) MPs who announce they will not be restanding at next election thereby getting another year's pay and generous pay-off. He had a strong personal vote which appears to have stayed at home.
On one level, the by-election was a victory for the Conservatives but a somewhat hollow one-failing to really create a bandwagon of enthusiasm for David Cameron's revamped party-not reaching the heights of New labour in 1997 but maybe sleepwalking towards victory. I still think that is far from certain but Labour do have to take action soon-time for proper political reform and a referendum for PR me thinks.
Chloe Smith has spoken alot about accountability-I am sure the electorate will respond to her record accordingly. She would do well to hold this seat post boundary changes and the loss of apparent Tory leaning areas to the new Broadland seat. maybe she should have fought SW Norfolk after all.
For the Lib Dems, second place would have been nice but avoided getting completely squeezed and saw off UKIP and the Greens. I still feel that April Pond was left in a difficult situation when it emerged that the party had made approaches Martin Bell and Peter Franzen to stand. I still hope this was not true but have seen no convincing denial. Certainly neither made any effort to endorse the party in the campaign with Bell publicly backing Craig Murray who deserves credit for his own campaign and result.
UKIP will be pleased, benefiting from proximity to EP elections where they polled well in Norfolk. The Greens must be devastated and made no inroads in the Broadland end of the seat.
Despite high profile campaign from several parties and media, only 45% of people bothered to vote. This election was about differential turnout. I was telling in Mile Cross and the low turnout there spoke volumes. But why not vote- are people disillusioned with politics as a whole or loyalty to Ian Gibson?
Having lived in the constituency myself, I can testify that Gibson was a good constituency MP. He may have done the wrong thing in terms of the property issue but other MPs have done much worse. I think it was more to do with Labour wanting to look tougher than Cameron so removed the whip from this frequent thorn in their side. So good result all round for Labour-until Gibson resigns to force by-election. Once again Labour party leadership underestimated his principles. He could easily have followed the example set by series of other (mainly Tory) MPs who announce they will not be restanding at next election thereby getting another year's pay and generous pay-off. He had a strong personal vote which appears to have stayed at home.
On one level, the by-election was a victory for the Conservatives but a somewhat hollow one-failing to really create a bandwagon of enthusiasm for David Cameron's revamped party-not reaching the heights of New labour in 1997 but maybe sleepwalking towards victory. I still think that is far from certain but Labour do have to take action soon-time for proper political reform and a referendum for PR me thinks.
Chloe Smith has spoken alot about accountability-I am sure the electorate will respond to her record accordingly. She would do well to hold this seat post boundary changes and the loss of apparent Tory leaning areas to the new Broadland seat. maybe she should have fought SW Norfolk after all.
For the Lib Dems, second place would have been nice but avoided getting completely squeezed and saw off UKIP and the Greens. I still feel that April Pond was left in a difficult situation when it emerged that the party had made approaches Martin Bell and Peter Franzen to stand. I still hope this was not true but have seen no convincing denial. Certainly neither made any effort to endorse the party in the campaign with Bell publicly backing Craig Murray who deserves credit for his own campaign and result.
UKIP will be pleased, benefiting from proximity to EP elections where they polled well in Norfolk. The Greens must be devastated and made no inroads in the Broadland end of the seat.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Is this the most desperate political spin of the year?
"Was this a poor result for us- yes it was, but everybody lost bar Chloe Smith, and even she cannot go to take her seat until October."
Andrew Withers, UK Libertarian Party responding to party achieving 36 votes 0.01% and 11th place in Norwich North by-election
more of that at: http://lpuk.blogspot.com/
Andrew Withers, UK Libertarian Party responding to party achieving 36 votes 0.01% and 11th place in Norwich North by-election
more of that at: http://lpuk.blogspot.com/
Friday, July 24, 2009
Norwich North by-election result
Here is the result but what does it mean for politics, parties, policies and people?
At the By Election in Norwich North on 23rd July 2009, 34379 votes were cast (approximately 45% of the total number of eligible voters) with the following result:
39.5% Chloe Smith (Conservative): 13591 votes (+6.3%).
18.2% Chris Ostrowski (Labour): 6243 votes (-26.7%).
14% April Pond (Liberal Democrat): 4803 votes (-2.2%).
11.8% Glenn Tingle (UK Independence Party): 4068 votes (+9.4%).
9.7% Rupert Read (Green Party): 3350 votes (+7%).
2.8% Craig Murray (Put An Honest Man into Parliament): 953 votes.
2.7% Robert West (British National Party): 941 votes.
0.5% Bill Holden (Independent Candidate): 166 votes (-0.2%).
0.4% Laud Howling (Official Monster Raving Loony Party): 144 votes.
0.2% Anne Fryatt (None of The Above Party): 59 votes.
0.1% Thomas Burridge (Libertarian Party): 36 votes.
0.1% Peter Baggs (Independent Candidate): 23 votes.
At the By Election in Norwich North on 23rd July 2009, 34379 votes were cast (approximately 45% of the total number of eligible voters) with the following result:
39.5% Chloe Smith (Conservative): 13591 votes (+6.3%).
18.2% Chris Ostrowski (Labour): 6243 votes (-26.7%).
14% April Pond (Liberal Democrat): 4803 votes (-2.2%).
11.8% Glenn Tingle (UK Independence Party): 4068 votes (+9.4%).
9.7% Rupert Read (Green Party): 3350 votes (+7%).
2.8% Craig Murray (Put An Honest Man into Parliament): 953 votes.
2.7% Robert West (British National Party): 941 votes.
0.5% Bill Holden (Independent Candidate): 166 votes (-0.2%).
0.4% Laud Howling (Official Monster Raving Loony Party): 144 votes.
0.2% Anne Fryatt (None of The Above Party): 59 votes.
0.1% Thomas Burridge (Libertarian Party): 36 votes.
0.1% Peter Baggs (Independent Candidate): 23 votes.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Secularists attempt to drive faith from politics
Over at Conservative Home, Tim Montgomerie brings news of The National Secular Society's latest unwarranted attack on the participation of people from religious faith prespectives in politics.
This time the target is David Kerr, SNP Candidate in the forthcoming Glasgow East by-election. He has been open about his membership of Opus Dei and rightly tells the Scotsman (190709)that it is "preposterous and deeply prejudiced" to argue that somebody of his religious beliefs should be "debarred" from running for public office.
Unsuprisingly, the NSS disagree and claim that "The concern for voters would be that such a person would have their allegiance to the Church and not to the SNP. It is one thing to bring your religious beliefs to politics, but it is another to bring the dogmas of a right-wing Catholic organisation. That would be the worry for voters."
It is people of faith who are at the forefront social reform remaining significant drivers of community cohesion and social capital. The NSS should be doing likewise.
This time the target is David Kerr, SNP Candidate in the forthcoming Glasgow East by-election. He has been open about his membership of Opus Dei and rightly tells the Scotsman (190709)that it is "preposterous and deeply prejudiced" to argue that somebody of his religious beliefs should be "debarred" from running for public office.
Unsuprisingly, the NSS disagree and claim that "The concern for voters would be that such a person would have their allegiance to the Church and not to the SNP. It is one thing to bring your religious beliefs to politics, but it is another to bring the dogmas of a right-wing Catholic organisation. That would be the worry for voters."
It is people of faith who are at the forefront social reform remaining significant drivers of community cohesion and social capital. The NSS should be doing likewise.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Statement from the Norfolk Church Leaders re the Norwich North by-election on July 23rd
The following statement was released today by Church Leaders in Norwich
Prior to the European and County Council elections on June 4th we issued the attached statement. We reiterate those same concerns in the context of the Norwich North by-election on July 23rd.
It is important for us to do so since the British National Party candidate styles himself as ‘Revd’ and is often to be seen dressed as a clergyman. He belongs to no known denomination and voters should not be mislead by his adoption of clerical dress. The policies he promotes are not shared by any of the Churches we serve and are contrary to the teaching of the New Testament. There we read that in Christ ‘there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female’ (Galatians 3.28).
Christians in Norfolk and Norwich have had a long tradition of welcoming the stranger. We pray that this generous instinct may continue to be celebrated here.
The Rt. Revd. Graham James, Bishop of Norwich (Church of England)
The Rt. Revd. Michael Evans, Bishop of East Anglia (Roman Catholic)
The Revd. Graham Thompson, East Anglia District (Methodist Church)
The Revd. Richard Lewis, Regional Minister, Norfolk (Baptist Union)
The Revd. Paul Whittle, Moderator Eastern Province (United Reformed Church)
John Myhill (Society of Friends)
Prior to the European and County Council elections on June 4th we issued the attached statement. We reiterate those same concerns in the context of the Norwich North by-election on July 23rd.
It is important for us to do so since the British National Party candidate styles himself as ‘Revd’ and is often to be seen dressed as a clergyman. He belongs to no known denomination and voters should not be mislead by his adoption of clerical dress. The policies he promotes are not shared by any of the Churches we serve and are contrary to the teaching of the New Testament. There we read that in Christ ‘there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female’ (Galatians 3.28).
Christians in Norfolk and Norwich have had a long tradition of welcoming the stranger. We pray that this generous instinct may continue to be celebrated here.
The Rt. Revd. Graham James, Bishop of Norwich (Church of England)
The Rt. Revd. Michael Evans, Bishop of East Anglia (Roman Catholic)
The Revd. Graham Thompson, East Anglia District (Methodist Church)
The Revd. Richard Lewis, Regional Minister, Norfolk (Baptist Union)
The Revd. Paul Whittle, Moderator Eastern Province (United Reformed Church)
John Myhill (Society of Friends)
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Norwich North by-election-the question the BNP refuse to answer
Thursday will see the long-awaited by-election in Norwich North following the resignation of popular maverick MP, Ian Gibson. Despite, its unprediactable nature, the campaign momentum seems to be heading for a Tory v Liberal Democrat, April Pond finale. Labour seem well out of the race yet their is still not massive enthusiasm for the Tories in a seat they would have been expecting to win in the next General Election anyway.Despite their previous predictions, there is no evidence that the Green bandwagon is really rolling. I suspect that this will be the story of the by-election, at a time when all parties attempt to manage expectations.
One thing that is clear is that the BNP are far from gaining ground. So before he slopes off after defear, I join calls from Ekklesia and other faith-based groups and individuals for the BNP candidate, Robert West (from outside the county let alone the city to finally answer the question so far avoided by him and cronies: Exactly where does he get his "Rev" title from?
I know of no Church in the UK that doesn't condemn the racist party. It was suggested by The Times a while ago that he might belong to the Apostlic Church. However, the Apostolic Church expressed no knowledge of West.
A spokesperson for the church told Ekklesia: "If this person has had any association with The Apostolic Church in the past the only means by which he can maintain either his membership or office is by attending one of our churches. If he were an active member of the Church his views would not be accepted by the Church and disciplinary action would be undertaken by the Church which strongly distances itself from views such as these."
Will any church come forward to claim him? Or is this another example of BNP deception? Is his "Rev" status somehow derived from the Christian Council of Britain? And if so, who ordained him if it only has a membership of one?
Norwich has a notable history of welcoming people fleeing persecution elsewhere in Europe, sometimes on religious grounds-for example it has been home to one of the earliest Muslim communities in the nation. Christian teaching is clear that hospitality and living together with mutual respect remain the foundation of a civilised society. All human beings are created equally in the image of God. That is why racism is a sin. Christ calls us to love our neighbours as ourselves and in this forthcoming by-election, it is right to be vigilant about any party or individual candidate seeking to use people’s fears for their own well-being to stir racial or religious hatred.
At a time when many people are anxious about their jobs, finances and future, we pray that the best and most generous traditions of our national life will guide all voters on July 23rd and that people from faith perspectives not only vote but do so with an attitude of hope not hate.
Thanks to Ekklesia and many others for keeping this issue live and attempting to keep candidates to account.
One thing that is clear is that the BNP are far from gaining ground. So before he slopes off after defear, I join calls from Ekklesia and other faith-based groups and individuals for the BNP candidate, Robert West (from outside the county let alone the city to finally answer the question so far avoided by him and cronies: Exactly where does he get his "Rev" title from?
I know of no Church in the UK that doesn't condemn the racist party. It was suggested by The Times a while ago that he might belong to the Apostlic Church. However, the Apostolic Church expressed no knowledge of West.
A spokesperson for the church told Ekklesia: "If this person has had any association with The Apostolic Church in the past the only means by which he can maintain either his membership or office is by attending one of our churches. If he were an active member of the Church his views would not be accepted by the Church and disciplinary action would be undertaken by the Church which strongly distances itself from views such as these."
Will any church come forward to claim him? Or is this another example of BNP deception? Is his "Rev" status somehow derived from the Christian Council of Britain? And if so, who ordained him if it only has a membership of one?
Norwich has a notable history of welcoming people fleeing persecution elsewhere in Europe, sometimes on religious grounds-for example it has been home to one of the earliest Muslim communities in the nation. Christian teaching is clear that hospitality and living together with mutual respect remain the foundation of a civilised society. All human beings are created equally in the image of God. That is why racism is a sin. Christ calls us to love our neighbours as ourselves and in this forthcoming by-election, it is right to be vigilant about any party or individual candidate seeking to use people’s fears for their own well-being to stir racial or religious hatred.
At a time when many people are anxious about their jobs, finances and future, we pray that the best and most generous traditions of our national life will guide all voters on July 23rd and that people from faith perspectives not only vote but do so with an attitude of hope not hate.
Thanks to Ekklesia and many others for keeping this issue live and attempting to keep candidates to account.
End Vulture Culture Now
Picture shows Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg pledging his support to the Jubilee Debt Campaign to "End Vulture Culture", whilst attending the Glastonbury Festival earlier this month.
One of the shadier aspects of international finance has been the role of companies known as ‘vulture funds’. Vulture fund is a name given to a private company that seeks to scavenge profit from some of the world's poorest and heavily indebted countries by buying up ‘bad’ debt at a cheap price, then trying to recover the full amount, often by suing through the courts. At least 54 companies, many based in tax havens, are known to have taken legal action against 12 of the world's poorest countries in recent years, for claims amounting to $1.5 billion. This means money released by debt relief is going into the pockets of a few wealthy investors, not spent on much needed health and education.
So far 155 MPs (including 43 Liberal Democrats) have signed the all-party Early Day Motion (EDM 1440)in the name of Sally Keeble MP.
More information available via: www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk/vultures.
Photograph from Jubilee Debt Campaign with thanks.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Ill-thought out Tory plans would make things even worse for world's poorest people
Aid agencies have attacked a 'Green Paper' on International Development issued by the Conservative Party yesterday, with some saying it could increase the dependency on aid of the world's poor.
Entitled 'One World Conservatism' it was branded a "disappointment" by one agency, said to have "glaring omissions" and "blind spots" by others while one even said it risked worsening the impact of the financial crisis on the world's poor.
"This green paper is a disappointment for anyone looking for fresh thinking in response to the financial crisis. Instead of questioning the policies that have led to the crisis, the Conservatives risk worsening its impact for the world's poor" said Nick Dearden, Director of Jubilee Debt Campaign.
"More liberalised trade, more privatisation, more multinational corporations and more exposure to volatile capital markets - the very steps that have caused the worst economic crisis in a generation. The millions of people reeling from the effects of this crisis do not want more of the same."
"The paper speaks of capitalism as Britain's 'gift to the world'. Given the problems which the unregulated global economy has recently subjected the world to, many countries might prefer to be removed from the Christmas list."
The aid agency Tearfund pointed to the report's failure to address the role of faith groups.
It comes after the Government promised to double development funding for those working from a faith basis in international development.
Tearfund Advocacy Director Paul Cook said: "It is astonishing to see a debate on international development without any recognition of the role of faith communities in the field.
"In Tearfund’s experience of working for more than 40 years through local churches in the poorest parts of the world, it is facile to consider that it is possible to address need at a local level without engaging local faith-based organisations."
The agency also said it wanted more policy detail in the paper’s reference to climate change. "This is not just an add-on to international development; environmental sustainability is fundamental to addressing issues of food security, agriculture, land and water resource management and disaster risk reduction" Cook said.
Christian Aid also pointed to what it called a number of "blind spots" in the paper.
Melanie Ward, Christian Aid’s Senior UK Political Adviser said: "While the Conservatives now officially share our vision of a world free from the scourge of poverty, we believe that the party’s plan for realising it currently lacks some vital steps. To build a better world, we must tackle the fundamental causes of poverty, including huge existing inequalities of wealth and power. The Conservatives need to address their blind spots and explain how they would do this."
Christian Aid issued a statement saying that the Conservatives had "not yet fully articulated their understanding of what causes and sustains poverty." They warned of "a risk that short-term, micro projects get undue support because they are easier to evaluate than large-scale, long-term work for social change."
It also called on the party to expand its ideas for mitigation - what needs to be done to prevent further climate change - and to set out a vision of how poor countries can continue to develop in a low-carbon future.
The agency also said it was concerned about the proposal to issue aid vouchers to individuals in poor countries. "This may exacerbate aid dependency and undermine the development of basic services such as health and education" it said. "Vouchers would break the link between citizens and the state and effectively remove governments’ responsibility to provide services for their citizens. Vouchers will, in the long term, jeopardise development."
It descibed as "deeply worrying" the idea that the budget of the Department for International Development (DFID) could be diverted to support the priorities of other departments, such as the Ministry of Defence.
Most agencies welcomed the report's call for accountability and transparency in the delivery of aid. But they also warned that using aid money to support private schools and healthcare throughout Africa would not make developing country governments more accountable to their people but instead could weaken them even further.
Christian Aid said that the Tories should now accept that ideas of transparency should apply to tax revenue as well as to aid.
This article taken from Ekklesia 140709
Entitled 'One World Conservatism' it was branded a "disappointment" by one agency, said to have "glaring omissions" and "blind spots" by others while one even said it risked worsening the impact of the financial crisis on the world's poor.
"This green paper is a disappointment for anyone looking for fresh thinking in response to the financial crisis. Instead of questioning the policies that have led to the crisis, the Conservatives risk worsening its impact for the world's poor" said Nick Dearden, Director of Jubilee Debt Campaign.
"More liberalised trade, more privatisation, more multinational corporations and more exposure to volatile capital markets - the very steps that have caused the worst economic crisis in a generation. The millions of people reeling from the effects of this crisis do not want more of the same."
"The paper speaks of capitalism as Britain's 'gift to the world'. Given the problems which the unregulated global economy has recently subjected the world to, many countries might prefer to be removed from the Christmas list."
The aid agency Tearfund pointed to the report's failure to address the role of faith groups.
It comes after the Government promised to double development funding for those working from a faith basis in international development.
Tearfund Advocacy Director Paul Cook said: "It is astonishing to see a debate on international development without any recognition of the role of faith communities in the field.
"In Tearfund’s experience of working for more than 40 years through local churches in the poorest parts of the world, it is facile to consider that it is possible to address need at a local level without engaging local faith-based organisations."
The agency also said it wanted more policy detail in the paper’s reference to climate change. "This is not just an add-on to international development; environmental sustainability is fundamental to addressing issues of food security, agriculture, land and water resource management and disaster risk reduction" Cook said.
Christian Aid also pointed to what it called a number of "blind spots" in the paper.
Melanie Ward, Christian Aid’s Senior UK Political Adviser said: "While the Conservatives now officially share our vision of a world free from the scourge of poverty, we believe that the party’s plan for realising it currently lacks some vital steps. To build a better world, we must tackle the fundamental causes of poverty, including huge existing inequalities of wealth and power. The Conservatives need to address their blind spots and explain how they would do this."
Christian Aid issued a statement saying that the Conservatives had "not yet fully articulated their understanding of what causes and sustains poverty." They warned of "a risk that short-term, micro projects get undue support because they are easier to evaluate than large-scale, long-term work for social change."
It also called on the party to expand its ideas for mitigation - what needs to be done to prevent further climate change - and to set out a vision of how poor countries can continue to develop in a low-carbon future.
The agency also said it was concerned about the proposal to issue aid vouchers to individuals in poor countries. "This may exacerbate aid dependency and undermine the development of basic services such as health and education" it said. "Vouchers would break the link between citizens and the state and effectively remove governments’ responsibility to provide services for their citizens. Vouchers will, in the long term, jeopardise development."
It descibed as "deeply worrying" the idea that the budget of the Department for International Development (DFID) could be diverted to support the priorities of other departments, such as the Ministry of Defence.
Most agencies welcomed the report's call for accountability and transparency in the delivery of aid. But they also warned that using aid money to support private schools and healthcare throughout Africa would not make developing country governments more accountable to their people but instead could weaken them even further.
Christian Aid said that the Tories should now accept that ideas of transparency should apply to tax revenue as well as to aid.
This article taken from Ekklesia 140709
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
