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First hug a hoodie, now grab a gay
2009-07-06 12:57:09
I was asked to write a blog for LabourList with a Pride London theme. Here it is, but it's also here.
David Cameron last week chose an exclusive central London venue, the Paramount Club, with a ticket price of 50 pounds for a two-hour cocktail party, to blow kisses at the LGBT community.
The lucky few who were present - in the main well-heeled metropolitan professionals - (by the way Dave, there are also gay people among the poor, ethnic minorities, who have families and don't live in London) - were treated to a short speech by Mr Cameron followed by an even shorter Q&A session.
Apparently he had another very important fundraiser to attend (yes, I understand the vast majority of the money went to the Conservative Party, not to the Pride London charity which the event was advertised as celebrating).
Nowadays the Tories appear to accept that gay people, gay voters and gay politicians have a right to exist, even if there was a financial purpose behind this event. There have always been gay people right at the heart of all parties. But for the Conservatives it was never discussed. It was swept into a Central Office closet that remained firmly shut.
Cameron acknowledged that the Tories had "got it wrong" in the past, saying "sorry" for Section 28, with the slippery 'explanation' that "it was an emotional issue." I suppose persecution is an emotional issue, for persecutor and persecuted.
There is more explanation required from Mr Cameron, though he will have been pleased that as ever the papers reported the event pretty much as he would have wanted them to. I think there are some on the Guardian staff for example, who would report him blowing his nose into a clean hankie as a decisive and dramatic act of modernisation.
When Dave is around, inconvenient facts tend to get airbrushed.
Not only did he use the opportunity to raise a tidy sum from wealthy Tories. Not only does he have an appalling personal record on gay rights. Most importantly a) he did not offer genuine contrition not just for getting it wrong, but over the years supporting every anti-gay measure (such as Section 28) and opposing almost every piece of equality legislation in the past decade, b) he did not offer any commitment on what the Tories would do on LGBT equality and anti-discrimination issues.
Cameron says his party has moved on but you can't do that without confronting the past and acknowledging the true scale of the stigma inflicted on young people by Section 28 and the true happiness that civil partnerships have given people and their families, including members of his Shadow Cabinet.
In 2000, Mr Cameron said that the Blair government was obsessed with a "fringe agenda... including deeply unpopular moves like repealing Section 28 and allowing the promotion of homosexuality in schools".
Two years later, he told a Guardian fringe meeting at a Tory conference that he backed the repeal of the legislation - only to vote for the Conservative motion to keep S28 a year later.
A little introspection on the impact of what he said and how he voted would not go amiss.
Cameron was asked in the Q & A about what should be done about homophobic bullying. His response was to reel out Tory policy about giving more powers to schools and teachers. How does that solve the problem?
There needs to be hard work, much of it already being done by Stonewall and supported by the Labour government, not only to educate pupils but to train teachers and punish any homophobic statements by teachers - which gay people still hear and have been deeply affected by as children. Giving more powers to schools "to crack down on this sort of behaviour" demonstrates a real lack of understanding and depth of knowledge about the complexity of the issue.
Finally, Cameron was lily-livered to say the least in his attempted justification for his MEPs' plan to link up with a new group that includes the Polish Law & Justice Party. The president of Poland, who is a member of this party, is vehemently anti-gay and banned gay pride when he was mayor of Warsaw.
According to Amnesty International the party has been responsible for unacceptable homophobic statements.
Roman Giertych, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, said on Polish TV in 2006 that "LGBT organisations are sending transsexuals to kindergartens and asking children to change their sex." He also dismissed the director of the National In-Service Teacher Training Centre, an institution subordinate to the Ministry of Education, because "a lot of books there were encouraging teachers to organise meetings with LGBT non-governmental organisations."
Dave's defence was that Poland is a very conservative and religious country. Well, Dave, so is Spain and the Spanish voted recently to recognise gay marriages.
So why link up with a party that is homophobic except to cobble together a new rabble of right-wingers in the European Parliament to satisfy his anti-EU MPs. Dave also said the Law and Justice Party has signed a pledge on equality and that it's homophobia is in the past. Nonsense. It's leader and president of the country has not changed. Would Dave accept a party with a racist platform in his new group of extremists if they signed a pledge? No. The Polish Law & Justice Party has been and continues to be deeply homophobic in its attitudes and its politics. Its politics should have no association with British politics and a British political party should not be in the business of embracing them.
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On the TUC, Roy of the Rovers and Anna WintourPublish date: 2009-09-14 11:04:46
Memo to Apple boss Steve JobsPublish date: 2009-09-13 17:36:31
A day in the life of a (crap) City traderPublish date: 2009-09-11 17:52:25
Defend record with pride, attack Tories with gustoPublish date: 2009-09-10 11:06:36
Cameron's Conservatism beyond parodyPublish date: 2009-09-09 10:38:00
On transforned cities, and tales of Princess Di and Laura BushPublish date: 2009-09-08 09:45:54
Labour should put minister up against Griffin on Question TimePublish date: 2009-09-06 12:39:56
School speech the latest source of right-wing frothing at ObamaPublish date: 2009-09-05 08:23:02
More horse's mouth, less Beeb blah pleasePublish date: 2009-09-04 22:49:20
Real respect for sport can be Olympic legacyPublish date: 2009-09-04 09:27:34
First ladies watch out for Japanese bombshellPublish date: 2009-09-03 10:47:19
TV debate - good idea in theory, but ...Publish date: 2009-09-02 15:37:43
'No worries' - the new response to thanksPublish date: 2009-09-01 12:25:19
Tremors of Japanese political earthquake will be felt far and widePublish date: 2009-08-30 15:50:54
Pressure on Ed Miliband can help get a climate change dealPublish date: 2009-08-28 13:39:08
Why Tories and media cannot stomach GCSE success storyPublish date: 2009-08-27 16:03:34
Exposing the absurdity of Chris GraylingPublish date: 2009-08-26 13:20:19
Joy and beauty and a night of magicPublish date: 2009-08-20 10:55:11
Twitter NHS backlash good for ObamaPublish date: 2009-08-14 15:44:49
A lifetime's ambition fulfilledPublish date: 2009-08-08 16:59:02
Breaking the blog-a-day spell as warm up to holidayPublish date: 2009-07-20 17:44:49
No hiding place from Twitter, me on the bike, JP in DCPublish date: 2009-07-17 18:17:09
At last - something Obama cannot do wellPublish date: 2009-07-16 10:05:47
Will MPs take the lead in the debate on euthanasia?Publish date: 2009-07-15 12:30:01
Berlin brothel leads the way to a greener worldPublish date: 2009-07-14 10:57:25
A time for GB to explain the whole picturePublish date: 2009-07-13 12:37:54
All hail Monty, Jimmy and Collie!Publish date: 2009-07-12 20:06:36
First triathlon of the summer for me, education award for FionaPublish date: 2009-07-12 09:43:06
Of Burnley's friendly and Obama's wandering eyePublish date: 2009-07-11 12:38:52
Two great early morning momentsPublish date: 2009-07-10 10:27:07
Cameron had better be sure he's rightPublish date: 2009-07-09 11:06:22
Guardian scoop has big questions for press, cops and CameronPublish date: 2009-07-08 20:40:54
Divisive legend: Lance ArmstrongPublish date: 2009-07-07 10:38:23
Mail on Scumday's wonderful account of Lansley's kipperdomPublish date: 2009-07-05 13:14:51
Ecclestone undermines his own success with alarming views on HitlerPublish date: 2009-07-04 14:04:04
When the conmen move more quickly than the councilPublish date: 2009-07-03 10:19:52
Andrew Lansley done up like a kipperPublish date: 2009-07-02 10:10:52
A day spent interviewing footballers, then being interviewed by a transvestite comedianPublish date: 2009-07-01 14:47:40
When the power of black eyes fadesPublish date: 2009-06-30 09:24:59
Farewell to Henry HodgePublish date: 2009-06-29 20:41:12
Honouring the power of sport to do goodPublish date: 2009-06-29 14:49:42
Andy Murray is a winner. Is that why some Brits don't like him?Publish date: 2009-06-28 09:19:20
New Parliament will look very different. The younger the betterPublish date: 2009-06-27 17:34:26
Two nice surprises, sad end to dayPublish date: 2009-06-26 09:16:33
Apology from the Spectator on Iraq boosts Henry Hodge fundPublish date: 2009-06-25 19:57:26
Thanks to Mr Harper on mental health, rebuttal of Mr Hague on IraqPublish date: 2009-06-24 23:47:54
Glad to find Eric Cantona in a quiet cinema ...Publish date: 2009-06-24 00:46:23
By Dave's friends shall we know him?Publish date: 2009-06-23 11:30:20
The Speaker has to balance tradition and change - but defend ParliamentPublish date: 2009-06-22 11:58:44
Less a blog than an apology for not having done onePublish date: 2009-06-21 20:07:43
The day Lions skipper Paul O'Connell took my trousers downPublish date: 2009-06-20 11:48:28
On the Iraq inquiry, Independent article wrongPublish date: 2009-06-19 20:28:24
Thank you to three readers, now please get involvedPublish date: 2009-06-19 09:13:35
A tribute to a lovely manPublish date: 2009-06-18 17:19:40
Bad times in Belfast, great day for Burnley, odd statement from Ed BallsPublish date: 2009-06-18 10:04:47
A plea for five-figure cyber-donationsPublish date: 2009-06-17 07:40:42
On two inquiriesPublish date: 2009-06-16 08:57:39
From India to Iran to Labour witPublish date: 2009-06-15 10:13:17
Memories of Princess DianaPublish date: 2009-06-14 09:54:55
A House Divided?Publish date: 2009-06-13 02:53:47
A humbling NHS experience, a media row and a good GB speechPublish date: 2009-06-12 10:48:46
Psychiatrists heading for relegation in 'disease prestige' league tablePublish date: 2009-06-11 10:25:35
The shrinks awaitPublish date: 2009-06-10 09:44:16
As Obama fights for healthcare, let's celebrate the record herePublish date: 2009-06-09 12:52:55
Anger at BNP seats must be turned into activismPublish date: 2009-06-08 14:11:10
Can today be as frenzied as Friday?Publish date: 2009-06-07 10:31:04
Take heart from a win in LambethPublish date: 2009-06-06 18:46:40
JP is right there was no proper campaign but Tories still weakPublish date: 2009-06-05 13:47:20
Do we care more about the NHS or moats?Publish date: 2009-06-04 00:21:23
Guardian of social justice or attention-seeker?Publish date: 2009-06-03 10:19:33
Who says Britain can't deliver the best?Publish date: 2009-06-02 08:08:38
Mainstream has a duty to vote against BNPPublish date: 2009-06-01 11:03:29
Let Diversity inspire a vote against the hate-filled BNPPublish date: 2009-05-31 12:24:20
White House whack at UK media well-timed but sure to be ignoredPublish date: 2009-05-30 13:41:00
Elvis has a plan to make MPs King againPublish date: 2009-05-29 12:09:44
At least there's a campaign on in ItalyPublish date: 2009-05-28 09:04:32
A blow to gay rights and a boost for Cameron's short-termismPublish date: 2009-05-27 11:27:41
It's my blog and I'll be a big kid if I want toPublish date: 2009-05-26 23:25:58
Highs feel better after so many lowsPublish date: 2009-05-26 10:13:12
Only one present countsPublish date: 2009-05-25 11:05:46
Contrast Cheney and BushPublish date: 2009-05-24 12:11:45
Sex (or at least the female form) obsessed BritainPublish date: 2009-05-23 20:49:57
Sport at both ends of the financial spectrumPublish date: 2009-05-23 09:57:23
Stronger together - whether Scotland or expensesPublish date: 2009-05-22 10:22:36
Back to Number 10, familiar faces, familiar argumentsPublish date: 2009-05-21 10:14:34
Speaking up for ParliamentPublish date: 2009-05-20 11:44:17
Peace in the Middle East - yes he canPublish date: 2009-05-19 09:37:35
Breaking news - one frenzy at a timePublish date: 2009-05-18 10:34:30
Getting a good look at Vince CablePublish date: 2009-05-17 09:36:55
How do you solve a problem like Silvio?Publish date: 2009-05-16 09:32:21
It was the internet wot won itPublish date: 2009-05-15 10:04:57
There now follows ... a good whack at CameronPublish date: 2009-05-14 17:21:28
They got their kit off - so you get your cash outPublish date: 2009-05-14 07:41:11
Expenses row must not obscure Tory intentions on minimum wagePublish date: 2009-05-13 16:12:08
We love you Burnley, we do ... what a nightPublish date: 2009-05-13 02:37:17
A tweet cannot express the wonders of TGVPublish date: 2009-05-12 08:48:31
It's Mind week - Get it off your Chest with me and Stephen FryPublish date: 2009-05-11 06:29:15
Hate the Mail, love ObamaPublish date: 2009-05-10 10:04:00
Burnley 1 Reading 0 - a biased reportPublish date: 2009-05-09 21:26:32
MPs expenses - time for party leaders to meet againPublish date: 2009-05-09 09:50:19
Should happiness replace prosperity as national goal?Publish date: 2009-05-08 08:43:23
Musings from a sleepless nightPublish date: 2009-05-07 07:33:49
Darren Fletcher - an injustice that has to be rightedPublish date: 2009-05-06 09:52:29
Maggie's legacy not as great as she thinksPublish date: 2009-05-05 08:33:02
Here's hoping Cardiff is metaphor for CameronPublish date: 2009-05-04 09:38:30
More Mr Benn and Co pleasePublish date: 2009-05-03 10:03:00
Going Fourth with JPPublish date: 2009-05-02 18:25:41
Journalism - print first, think laterPublish date: 2009-05-02 09:10:01
In praise of two poetsPublish date: 2009-05-01 10:26:36
JP hits the road againPublish date: 2009-04-29 18:52:11
My night with Eddie IzzardPublish date: 2009-04-29 10:53:25
Explaining the 50p top tax ratePublish date: 2009-04-28 09:22:53
George Best and Martin McGuinnessPublish date: 2009-04-27 09:02:35
Cameron confused over indepdendence and impartialityPublish date: 2009-04-26 12:20:56
Guide ro Marathon running part 2Publish date: 2009-04-25 11:01:34
Good signals on coal and the OlympicsPublish date: 2009-04-24 10:45:28
Tips for the London MarathonPublish date: 2009-04-23 17:29:27
Missed the Budget, saw why it matteredPublish date: 2009-04-22 23:09:31
Football good, politics bad. AllegedlyPublish date: 2009-04-22 00:00:24
The Great Wall gets greaterPublish date: 2009-04-21 09:55:22
Two sides to police storyPublish date: 2009-04-20 11:39:54
Budgets, Balls, billionaires and Susan BoylePublish date: 2009-04-19 12:31:45
Do muscles have memories?Publish date: 2009-04-18 09:44:44
Bring back standing at footballPublish date: 2009-04-17 14:50:22
When Facebook friends fall outPublish date: 2009-04-16 12:29:16
Guardian sightings and the email and bath plug agendaPublish date: 2009-04-15 11:32:16
The spin is all in the prismPublish date: 2009-04-14 09:22:41
A setback, not a crisisPublish date: 2009-04-13 12:55:19
The real lessons from Damian McBridePublish date: 2009-04-12 10:49:47
Will English always be the dominant language?Publish date: 2009-04-11 10:02:02
On the pipes and what makes a ScotPublish date: 2009-04-10 11:06:20
John Prescott lazy? NO WAYPublish date: 2009-04-09 09:11:31
David Frost is seventyPublish date: 2009-04-08 08:48:38
The Speaker, BBC2, tonight and tomorrow 8pmPublish date: 2009-04-07 14:25:31
Obama, colds and being woken by Korean missilesPublish date: 2009-04-06 11:59:24
When a call matters more than protocolPublish date: 2009-04-05 11:33:42
Green Cities Champions LeaguePublish date: 2009-04-04 10:19:53
Could Cameron have delivered the G20 deal?Publish date: 2009-04-03 10:11:59
Of Benn and BonoPublish date: 2009-04-02 08:21:16
Memo to Sarko - allez vite a LondresPublish date: 2009-04-01 08:46:17
Happy April Fool's DayPublish date: 2009-04-01 01:44:05
Eurostar, Le Monde and a thought for the G20 sherpasPublish date: 2009-03-31 09:17:22
Why Kevin Rudd made an impactPublish date: 2009-03-30 10:24:41
Pre-G20 hype matters less than post-G20 processPublish date: 2009-03-29 13:17:28
The Damned UnitedPublish date: 2009-03-28 10:37:04
A hobby horse, a plug and a bit of sportPublish date: 2009-03-27 10:22:23
Cloughie - he had a lot to be big-headed aboutPublish date: 2009-03-26 09:38:36
A sad sight of the old fearing the youngPublish date: 2009-03-25 17:03:07
Post-modern, post-structural, or bullshit?Publish date: 2009-03-25 08:18:02
Learning the right lessons from ObamaPublish date: 2009-03-24 08:53:15
Lazy Dave needs to keep an eye on lazy KenPublish date: 2009-03-23 11:16:14
Farewell favourite restaurant, hello hometownPublish date: 2009-03-22 08:18:09
Dave, Danny and have the Tories really changed?Publish date: 2009-03-21 08:55:13
Life beyond Dover ...Publish date: 2009-03-20 10:11:21
My friends in The New Statesman - Fergie, Fiona, Tony, Sarah, Kevin, 'Dacre,' and a great GB idea for the G20Publish date: 2009-03-18 10:38:22
Iraq, Iran, GB, Obama and diplomatic chessPublish date: 2009-03-17 10:07:13
The Age of StupidPublish date: 2009-03-16 08:27:13
Is all change good?Publish date: 2009-03-15 10:00:06
The pressure of being a post-modern sex godPublish date: 2009-03-14 10:00:55
Cameron still hasn't sealed the deal with businessPublish date: 2009-03-13 09:21:49
Stand up for social workersPublish date: 2009-03-12 08:31:17
Surely Malcolm Tucker could have told Armando Ianucci ... You can't spin a spinnerPublish date: 2009-03-11 10:58:25
Start of a new approach from Labour?Publish date: 2009-03-10 09:54:12
A peace process still strongPublish date: 2009-03-09 08:21:05
Day of destiny for the real footballer of the yearPublish date: 2009-03-08 09:21:06
Private advice to Peggy Mitchell - the leaked note in fullPublish date: 2009-03-07 08:17:21
Boris, the Tories and the tummy-tickling poodle pressPublish date: 2009-03-06 09:49:37
A day in the life of the self-obsessed TV reporterPublish date: 2009-03-05 07:55:47
GB - good speech, well deliveredPublish date: 2009-03-04 19:31:05
Notes on the environment, a role in EastEndersPublish date: 2009-03-04 10:58:56
She may be my 'wife' but it is time to rebut!Publish date: 2009-03-03 10:52:59
Some speeches matter more than othersPublish date: 2009-03-02 12:04:45
Mental health and the Carling Cup FinalPublish date: 2009-03-01 09:08:17
Inside the chocolate factoryPublish date: 2009-02-28 10:23:59
GB on the G20, JP on Jeremy KylePublish date: 2009-02-27 09:14:36
Charity and the credit crunch, please give generously!Publish date: 2009-02-26 08:55:12
Why oh why are the Tories not home and dry?Publish date: 2009-02-24 09:44:59
Me, Dermot and ten top songsPublish date: 2009-02-23 10:02:19
Names round-upPublish date: 2009-02-22 08:43:39
What's in a name?Publish date: 2009-02-21 09:58:14
Editing the New StatesmanPublish date: 2009-02-20 11:42:36
Salute Peter M’s proper use of the F wordPublish date: 2009-02-19 09:58:58
Labour's communications challenge for the NHSPublish date: 2009-02-18 10:34:39
In praise of KeighleyPublish date: 2009-02-17 14:33:57
A night at the EmiratesPublish date: 2009-02-17 00:06:51
When marriage is testedPublish date: 2009-02-16 13:36:35
Spare me the myths and the whiningPublish date: 2009-02-15 13:29:50
Dave Cameron - is that all there is?Publish date: 2009-02-14 11:11:55
Boris Johnson: F is for ...Publish date: 2009-02-13 07:55:10
The Cameron vacuumPublish date: 2009-02-12 14:48:33
Lincoln, Obama, Blair and the 24 hour media culturePublish date: 2009-02-11 10:28:47
Eighteen interviews later ...Publish date: 2009-02-10 19:24:45
Time to talk about Time to Change on NewsnightPublish date: 2009-02-09 22:47:49
So that’s what they mean by online community?Publish date: 2009-02-08 12:12:51
First blogPublish date: 2009-02-05 15:23:57
Alan Quinn
2009-07-07 09:29:05Trevor,
Well done for highlighting Alder Hey children's hospital, my daughter has had two heart operations there.
Also on site is Mac House where parents of desperately ill children can stay for free in superb accomodation, a great bunch of dedicated people run it and I've always been grateful to them for the work they do.
Katharine T.
2009-07-07 04:26:56@Em Damn girl, I'm glad I am not the only one who was puzzled at the "quango" term...thanks for putting it into Canadian...but, before you start crowing about us, remember we have that plastic haired Conservative knob named Harper in power. We can't be that bloody great if the likes of him have been elected, minority or no.
Trevor Malcolm, Portsmouth Hampshire
2009-07-07 01:39:49SIR: As a dedicated and passionate English Test Cricket lover, of long-standing, you'd be just as excited as I was, that Sir Ian Botham, your leukaemia fundraiser, suggested launching an ambitious project to improve children's NHS hospital rehabilitation and physiotherapy services
Better still, with no less than the mighty Andrew Flintoff, and his wife Rachael, at the charity's helm
And where better to begin than inside one of the largest children's hospitals in all Europe? The physiotherapy department at Alder Hey NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool
Where the service of NHS departmental staff remains tireless, specialised, outstanding. But the basicness of the equipment they're expected to make do with; hardly state-of-the-art. The children's units need refurbishing, the whole environment modernising
Admittedly, you, of all gentlemen, will be first to concede that right now isn't the ideal or easiest of climates for money-raisers
But with a black-tie, red-carpet, official Launch Party, scheduled to begin at 5:30pm on Tuesday, 21st July, at the Hurlington Club in Fulham, West London, I felt it was just the kind of VIP Charity Dinner the whole Campbell Family would really enjoy
As tickets start at £350 plus VAT, that gives plenty of time for us all to save up our pennies, too
Many of the existing patrons and supporters, being sportsmen themselves, and therefore perhaps more prone to niggling injuries, can vouch for the benefits of physiotherapy and rehabilitation themselves, from their own painful experiences
Those already include " ... there on the night" personalities, Steve Harmison, Shane Warne, Michael Vaughan, Sir Tim Rice, Rory Bremner, Jaimie Redknapp and his wife, Louise. And, hopefully, Kevin Pietersen and his wife, Jessica Taylor
Plus Foundation Patrons, Eric Clapton and Piers Morgan
As we speak, even the website is still "under construction" - as they say - but the URL will be ...
www.affoundation.co.uk
... and any online donations will (eventually) be accepted and appreciated, thanks
I see no reason why, once the Alder Hey project proves its worth to the NHS, the same provision shouldn't be rolled out countrywide. Children's rehabilitation and physiotherapy facilities within the health service, are presently like NHS Mental Healthcare provision - a neglected, unglamorous and grossly underfunded resource
Trevor Malcolm
==============
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Em
2009-07-06 22:30:15@Jane
If Ofcom is a quango, then this is the name we give them in Canada: Crown corporations.
There was a man on Start the Week recently (hosted by Andrew Marr) about how the system in the UK lacks transparency compared to Canada and Australia. I couldn't believe what Westminster can get away with doing behind closed doors.
Anyway, today I learned the word "quango" and DC learned to use the word "policy". Surely tonight the world is a better place.
gary Enefer
2009-07-06 21:38:27Dear AC
Just to let you bloggers know that , in view of your blog re Bernie Ecclestone
I have cancelled my hospitality bookings at QPR. You may remember I joked if Burnley didn't win the play offs I would be watching them at QPR next season.
This is my protest at Mr Ecclestone and QPR.
Jane A
2009-07-06 21:36:42@Em - Dave's grasp of quangos has made interesting reading. Here's his comments today:
"They start having their own communications departments, their own press officers, they start making policy rather than just delivering policy and their bosses are paid vast amounts of money.”
It's as if he just discovered a long lost Amazonian tribe. Their own press officers? Fancy.
Still, nice to see him mention the policy word for once.
George the Third
2009-07-06 17:08:32Alastair ... have you visited your Facebook page recently? Your blog has started a right old riot on there today! I sometimes wonder why these people don't do their own blogs rather than rage away on yours
Thomas Rossetti
2009-07-06 16:47:42Interesting article, Alastair. As you well know, politics (and life in general) often involves doing deals with people whom one may not 100% agree. Just as one could ask why Roosevelt and Churchill did a deal with Stalin, one could also ask why Tony Blair stood shoulder to shoulder with such a determined "capital punisher" as George W. Bush. (He used to sign death warrants while playing video games as governor of Texas, according to his staff.)
The answer in all cases is "for the greater good" (the fact that Blair took Britain to war on misinformation is irrelevant here). Roman Giertych may be a misguided individual when it comes to homosexual issues, but perhaps he’s on the right track with regards to other things. Does *everybody* in the Labour party agree about gay adoption rights, I wonder.
Alina Palimaru
2009-07-06 15:48:34I have always been amazed by the paradox of policy priorities among average people: large numbers of people tend to be more involved politically (sign petitions, stage violent protests, organize, vote etc) against issues that have little, if any, real impact on their own lives. At the same time, serious matters with serious consequences rarely, if ever, are the object of such fervour. What your gay neighbours do in their bedroom doesn't have any influence on you whatsoever. So the amount of effort and time that homophobic individuals allocate to this issue boggles the mind, given that nothing of substance or reasonably relevant to their lives will come out of it. At the same time, a food company's decision to replace sugar with corn syrup will presumably have a significant long-term effect on your eating habits and health. But I have yet to see passions run high around this topic.
As for David Cameron... well, this is just another policy issue that reveals the flip-flopper that he really is. Thanks for exposing him again!
Lucy Johnson
2009-07-06 14:55:10This is terrible to hear but not surprising. The Guardian appears to have rolled over and accepted the Conservatives are going to get in. I am very worried about this.
Em
2009-07-06 14:43:21Humphrys made mince meat of DC this morning on quangos.
Polls show that American and Brits are more likely to be pro-gay than not but governments are lagging behind policy.
The US government filed a brief in a gay marriage case last month in which it compares homosexuality to incest, and Obama refuses to ask for a moratorium on "don't ask, don't tell" whilst scores of military careers are being destroyed as gay people in the military came out due to Obama's election.
And now Cameron, who has a slight chance of becoming the next PM, is consorting with East European homophobes -- not that the Tories have a great record with the LGBT community to begin with.
This is 2009. It's time for high ranking politicians to side with the majority of voters and forsake the bigoted minority. There must be a handful of powerful campaign donors pressuring DC because the UK at large isn't homophobic and he has so few votes to gain by refusing to promote equal rights for gays. In the US, 75% agreed for the repealing of "don't ask, don't tell". Seems a move in the right direction would require little bravery and little political cost.
Jane A
2009-07-06 13:45:50Let's hope by the time of the Election, there aren't many people left who Dave hasn't patronised, slighted or offended. He seems to be on a mission.
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