Journalist and Camden Labour member Lazzaro Pietragnoli says that Italian Democratic party primaries have been a major innovation not just for the (leftist) Democratic party, but for the political culture of the country.
Why are people so afraid of this change here?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
No BBC, it wasn’t a 2009 version of Cable Street
So some of Nick Griffin’s crackpot theories and bullshit intellectualism were given public airing for the first time last night on Question Time.
In the run up to the debate the chatter around town about “watching Question Time” took on an almost pornographic quality, with the sofa-settled home audience engaged in the largest joint act of mass voyeurism in British history (or since the Ice Age at least).
This middle-class rubber-necking was awful to experience (I went to the pub).
The reality of racism and the insidiousness of its expression in communities up and down the country was completely lost in the pantomime that the BBC allowed the event to become.
Even worse, today the press are acting like it’s a televised version of Cable Street, that fascism had been seen off and that this was some form of victory.
This wasn’t a victory at all. Griffin is a canny politician. For all of his failings last night, he will undoubtedly learn and bounce back stronger.
I have some sympathy for the views expressed by Nick Cohen in last Sunday’s Observer. However, I’m not sure that just because they are the BNP (elected now, with a mandate) we can dictate which shows they go on. Sure, a better introduction into Prime Time might have been an hour long fisking by Andrew Neil, who could then throw Griffin’s carcass to the Question Time audience.
But now Question Time isn’t the end, it’s the beginning.
What next? Jeremy Kyle? Through the Keyhole? QI?
Griffin will presumably see this as a learning experience. He will recognise that the laughter and incredulity subsided when he started talking about the connection between patriotism, loyalty and Islamism.
He will know that he struck a dog-whistle, populist cord when he spoke about the impact of immigration over the last decade.
As I said, this is not the end, it’s the beginning.
In the run up to the debate the chatter around town about “watching Question Time” took on an almost pornographic quality, with the sofa-settled home audience engaged in the largest joint act of mass voyeurism in British history (or since the Ice Age at least).
This middle-class rubber-necking was awful to experience (I went to the pub).
The reality of racism and the insidiousness of its expression in communities up and down the country was completely lost in the pantomime that the BBC allowed the event to become.
Even worse, today the press are acting like it’s a televised version of Cable Street, that fascism had been seen off and that this was some form of victory.
This wasn’t a victory at all. Griffin is a canny politician. For all of his failings last night, he will undoubtedly learn and bounce back stronger.
I have some sympathy for the views expressed by Nick Cohen in last Sunday’s Observer. However, I’m not sure that just because they are the BNP (elected now, with a mandate) we can dictate which shows they go on. Sure, a better introduction into Prime Time might have been an hour long fisking by Andrew Neil, who could then throw Griffin’s carcass to the Question Time audience.
But now Question Time isn’t the end, it’s the beginning.
What next? Jeremy Kyle? Through the Keyhole? QI?
Griffin will presumably see this as a learning experience. He will recognise that the laughter and incredulity subsided when he started talking about the connection between patriotism, loyalty and Islamism.
He will know that he struck a dog-whistle, populist cord when he spoke about the impact of immigration over the last decade.
As I said, this is not the end, it’s the beginning.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Welcome to the wonderful world of Cllr. Graves
Help me out here, I’m confused...
Can this 'concerned Islington resident' be the very same person as Camden Belsize ward Lib Dem Cllr Arthur Graves, who said that despite living outside of the borough he was 100% committed to the residents of Belsize until 2010?
In 2007, when it was revealed that he had moved from the borough, the local press reported that “Councillor Arthur Graves said that he would still be able to work for his constituents in the Belsize ward despite moving house beyond the borough boundaries to a new family home on the Islington side of Tufnell Park.”
Strange then, to see him doing the usual Fib Dem ‘glum’ councillor act outside of a betting shop (17th Sept, n.b. blaming the government for Lib Dem council's planning policy) in Junction ward Islington, where he lives and appears to be running for council.
I ask you, can this man serve two electorates at the same time?
This a question mused on by New Journal Deputy Editor Richard Osley in his new blog, with some juicy added information from a Town Hall leak which exposes a couple of holes in Mr. Graves' own account of things...
The people of North London cry: "Get your story straight Arthur!"
Can this 'concerned Islington resident' be the very same person as Camden Belsize ward Lib Dem Cllr Arthur Graves, who said that despite living outside of the borough he was 100% committed to the residents of Belsize until 2010?
In 2007, when it was revealed that he had moved from the borough, the local press reported that “Councillor Arthur Graves said that he would still be able to work for his constituents in the Belsize ward despite moving house beyond the borough boundaries to a new family home on the Islington side of Tufnell Park.”
Strange then, to see him doing the usual Fib Dem ‘glum’ councillor act outside of a betting shop (17th Sept, n.b. blaming the government for Lib Dem council's planning policy) in Junction ward Islington, where he lives and appears to be running for council.
I ask you, can this man serve two electorates at the same time?
This a question mused on by New Journal Deputy Editor Richard Osley in his new blog, with some juicy added information from a Town Hall leak which exposes a couple of holes in Mr. Graves' own account of things...
The people of North London cry: "Get your story straight Arthur!"
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Gong for Heather Brooke and other transparency campaigners
Here's a post I have done for Progress, out just now, argiung that Parliamentary transparency campaigners like Heather Brooke should be recognised for their efforts.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Council CPO on 'Mornington Monster' - finally!
The long running saga of the derelict buildings at 11-13 Camden High Street looks to be resolved - finally - by the Camden Executive tonight.
Both buildings are known to everyone locally as an eyesore, having been derelict for over 15 years and now monstruously dominating the Mornington Crescent end of the High Street.
Both are not in a habitable condition and are essentially 'shells' facing the high street, vacant and with fire damage. In fact the only living things in there are rats and pigeons.
As the strong officer report notes "The south end of Camden High Street is visibly marred by these derelict premises, which in turn affects the vitality and viability of the local shopping centre..."
It also detracts from the local Conservation Area.
The reason why the building hasn't been put back into use seems to be down to the intransigence of the owner - Nicholas Eziefula - who owns the neighbouring building, a camera shop, as well.
The sorry tale of 'engagement' with the disgraceful Eziefula is outline in 18 paragraphs in section 3 of the report.
Simply put this is one of the worst cases I have seen in the planning department and it is high time the Executive took action.
http://democracy.camden.gov.uk/alfresco/guestDownload/direct/workspace/SpacesStore/7f38cb55-b280-11de-b95c-4d6e69293ee3/2009-10-14-Report-Item%2015%20-%20Proposed%20Compulsory%20Purchase%20of%2011%20-%2013%20Camden%20High%20St-Executive.pdf
Both buildings are known to everyone locally as an eyesore, having been derelict for over 15 years and now monstruously dominating the Mornington Crescent end of the High Street.
Both are not in a habitable condition and are essentially 'shells' facing the high street, vacant and with fire damage. In fact the only living things in there are rats and pigeons.
As the strong officer report notes "The south end of Camden High Street is visibly marred by these derelict premises, which in turn affects the vitality and viability of the local shopping centre..."
It also detracts from the local Conservation Area.
The reason why the building hasn't been put back into use seems to be down to the intransigence of the owner - Nicholas Eziefula - who owns the neighbouring building, a camera shop, as well.
The sorry tale of 'engagement' with the disgraceful Eziefula is outline in 18 paragraphs in section 3 of the report.
Simply put this is one of the worst cases I have seen in the planning department and it is high time the Executive took action.
http://democracy.camden.gov.uk/alfresco/guestDownload/direct/workspace/SpacesStore/7f38cb55-b280-11de-b95c-4d6e69293ee3/2009-10-14-Report-Item%2015%20-%20Proposed%20Compulsory%20Purchase%20of%2011%20-%2013%20Camden%20High%20St-Executive.pdf
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Support local caretaker Stuart Doran for national award
I hope every reading this blog can spend a little time and support Threefields Estate residential caretaker Stuart Doran who is nominated for the Guardian's Public service awards, closing 30th October. http://publicservantoftheyear.guardianprofessional.co.uk/Vote/index/10
Stuart's sterling work on the estate helping residents has seen him nominated for a number of awards, but he has never won yet!
Please do all you can to publicise this among colleagues, friends and family in Camden... http://publicservantoftheyear.guardianprofessional.co.uk/Vote/index/10
Stuart Doran: Resident caretaker, Camden council
For many people the job of a caretaker conjures up an image of an old man in a well-worn overcoat. But as Stuart Doran's experience as a residential caretaker in Camden Town in north London illustrates, there can be much more to the job than cleaning and tidying.
In the six years he has held his post, Doran, 46, has given life-saving first aid, helped victims of crime, tackled intruders and antisocial behaviour, as well as cleaning up hazardous materials such as needles and drug paraphernalia. "I'm surprised I've managed to cope with some of it," he admits.
Perhaps the most dramatic incident he helped with came in January 2007 when a man was stabbed in a tenant's flat. "The victim was on his back on the floor with blood gushing from the side of his chest," says Doran. "It was lucky I knew some first aid. I folded over a towel and pressed that on his chest to steam the blood flow. I was there for about 12 minutes until the ambulance arrived. Looking back it was really scary but at the time I was too caught up in trying to keep him alive to think about it."
No less challenging was dealing with the aftermath of a sexual assault on one of the tenants. Some residents came to the victim's aid after hearing their screams and managed to scare off the attacker. But they were afraid to contact the police, so Doran reported the incident. He also made contact with the victim who had also not reported the crime. With his encouragement and support both the victim and witnesses went to the police. The caretaker also asked for CCTV footage from the crime scene to be retrieved, which proved vital in securing the attacker's conviction. "If I'd not been here those witnesses would never have come forward," he says. Doran, who was brought up on a local estate, stresses that daily life in the neighbourhood, where he lives with his wife and two children, is not so grim. "Most people who live here are fantastic. I love the rapport with the residents. Most of the time you just get on with cleaning and supporting vulnerable people. Because I live here I do get a buzz from making the place look nice. It's more than just a job its about building friendships. People trust me and feel they can approach me, not just to deal with problems but for a chat."
David Gingold, a resident caretaker in neighbouring Kentish Town, nominated Doran for the Public Servant of the Year award for always going "the extra mile" to help the residents of the 135 flats he looks after. "He's incredibly calm given the things he has to deal with," says Gingold. "He doesn't just pass problems on to other agencies, he tries to help wherever he can. He's a very sensitive and caring person."
Stuart's sterling work on the estate helping residents has seen him nominated for a number of awards, but he has never won yet!
Please do all you can to publicise this among colleagues, friends and family in Camden... http://publicservantoftheyear.guardianprofessional.co.uk/Vote/index/10
Stuart Doran: Resident caretaker, Camden council
For many people the job of a caretaker conjures up an image of an old man in a well-worn overcoat. But as Stuart Doran's experience as a residential caretaker in Camden Town in north London illustrates, there can be much more to the job than cleaning and tidying.
In the six years he has held his post, Doran, 46, has given life-saving first aid, helped victims of crime, tackled intruders and antisocial behaviour, as well as cleaning up hazardous materials such as needles and drug paraphernalia. "I'm surprised I've managed to cope with some of it," he admits.
Perhaps the most dramatic incident he helped with came in January 2007 when a man was stabbed in a tenant's flat. "The victim was on his back on the floor with blood gushing from the side of his chest," says Doran. "It was lucky I knew some first aid. I folded over a towel and pressed that on his chest to steam the blood flow. I was there for about 12 minutes until the ambulance arrived. Looking back it was really scary but at the time I was too caught up in trying to keep him alive to think about it."
No less challenging was dealing with the aftermath of a sexual assault on one of the tenants. Some residents came to the victim's aid after hearing their screams and managed to scare off the attacker. But they were afraid to contact the police, so Doran reported the incident. He also made contact with the victim who had also not reported the crime. With his encouragement and support both the victim and witnesses went to the police. The caretaker also asked for CCTV footage from the crime scene to be retrieved, which proved vital in securing the attacker's conviction. "If I'd not been here those witnesses would never have come forward," he says. Doran, who was brought up on a local estate, stresses that daily life in the neighbourhood, where he lives with his wife and two children, is not so grim. "Most people who live here are fantastic. I love the rapport with the residents. Most of the time you just get on with cleaning and supporting vulnerable people. Because I live here I do get a buzz from making the place look nice. It's more than just a job its about building friendships. People trust me and feel they can approach me, not just to deal with problems but for a chat."
David Gingold, a resident caretaker in neighbouring Kentish Town, nominated Doran for the Public Servant of the Year award for always going "the extra mile" to help the residents of the 135 flats he looks after. "He's incredibly calm given the things he has to deal with," says Gingold. "He doesn't just pass problems on to other agencies, he tries to help wherever he can. He's a very sensitive and caring person."
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Conservative threat to your council home
See this Guardian video by Dave Hill http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/davehillblog/video/2009/oct/09/housing-london-tory-social
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