The BNP secured two ¬significant wins in British politics when its leader Nick Griffin became an MEP in the north-west, and Andrew Brons – a former leader of the National Front - won in Yorkshire and Humberside. The major parties blamed each other for the drift to the far-right and this was reflected in results across the country.
The British National party hailed their triumphs in the north-west and Yorkshire and Humberside. Brons said it was the first step for the UK getting freedom from the EU dictatorship.
In the East, & West Midlands Regions thank goodness that the BNP did not gain a foot hold. If the BNP had succeeded in the East, & West Midlands Region, it would have become a no go area for Black & minority ethnics.
The fact that the BNP was elected to serve the communities of North West and Yorkshire & Humberside Regions goes to show that the main three political parties need to reengage with their policies and challenged the rhetoric of the Far Right parties in the UK.
Monday, 8 June 2009
Monday, 1 June 2009
MP EXPENSES
We're all rightly disgusted about this expenses scandal and the way some of our politicians have behaved. They have let us all down. It might seem easy to voice our anger by not voting this Thursday.
But that would be a mistake.
It would be easy to believe the press and the talking heads on television when they say all political parties are all the same. But they are not. No matter how angry and disappointed we are - we must never forget this. Because the price of not voting is so high - it could mean the racist BNP getting elected through the backdoor and representing you and me in the European Parliament.
Voting matters, because politics still matters.
A few months ago, Labour Party attacked David Cameron's plan to pull us out of the Social Chapter and undermine the rights we have fought so hard for. Thousands of people responded. They responded because of the very real threat that the Tories would pose to their rights - because politics matters.
Politics matters more than ever at the moment. We are faced with two very different visions of how to lead our country during the economic downturn.
The Tories would do what they did in the 1980s - and leave every man, women and child fighting for themselves, forcing a generation onto the scrapheap of long-term unemployment. Cutting back on vital public services, sending us back to the days of leaking school roofs, the sick dying on hospital waiting lists and record numbers of homes repossessed.
The trade unions don't think Labour's got everything right - but we do know that under this government we have seen change for the better in Britain - change that has made a real difference to people's lives.
I am a former trade union, and I want to tell the public why politics matters to me. Thanks to Labour, I was able to arrange with her employer to work hours that fit round my children's school day, so I got to spend more time with them every day.
Real lives - and real change.
The truth is that politics does matter. With the threat of the BNP on the horizon, and a stark choice between real help now from Labour, or sink-or-swim with the Tories - now is not the time to turn our backs on politics.
If you agree with me that, despite the anger the expenses scandal has caused, politics matters - and that it can make a real and significant difference to people's lives.
The job of the trade unions is to stick up for their members. That's why I want the government to know when I think they're getting things wrong, and why I and friends always pushing them to go further, to win a better deal for union members, and non union members. But we also know that when it comes down to it, working people are always better off with Labour. That's why I'll be voting Labour on June 4th, and why I hope you'll be doing the same.
Thank you,
But that would be a mistake.
It would be easy to believe the press and the talking heads on television when they say all political parties are all the same. But they are not. No matter how angry and disappointed we are - we must never forget this. Because the price of not voting is so high - it could mean the racist BNP getting elected through the backdoor and representing you and me in the European Parliament.
Voting matters, because politics still matters.
A few months ago, Labour Party attacked David Cameron's plan to pull us out of the Social Chapter and undermine the rights we have fought so hard for. Thousands of people responded. They responded because of the very real threat that the Tories would pose to their rights - because politics matters.
Politics matters more than ever at the moment. We are faced with two very different visions of how to lead our country during the economic downturn.
The Tories would do what they did in the 1980s - and leave every man, women and child fighting for themselves, forcing a generation onto the scrapheap of long-term unemployment. Cutting back on vital public services, sending us back to the days of leaking school roofs, the sick dying on hospital waiting lists and record numbers of homes repossessed.
The trade unions don't think Labour's got everything right - but we do know that under this government we have seen change for the better in Britain - change that has made a real difference to people's lives.
I am a former trade union, and I want to tell the public why politics matters to me. Thanks to Labour, I was able to arrange with her employer to work hours that fit round my children's school day, so I got to spend more time with them every day.
Real lives - and real change.
The truth is that politics does matter. With the threat of the BNP on the horizon, and a stark choice between real help now from Labour, or sink-or-swim with the Tories - now is not the time to turn our backs on politics.
If you agree with me that, despite the anger the expenses scandal has caused, politics matters - and that it can make a real and significant difference to people's lives.
The job of the trade unions is to stick up for their members. That's why I want the government to know when I think they're getting things wrong, and why I and friends always pushing them to go further, to win a better deal for union members, and non union members. But we also know that when it comes down to it, working people are always better off with Labour. That's why I'll be voting Labour on June 4th, and why I hope you'll be doing the same.
Thank you,
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Lozells and East Handsworth Labour Selections
We've been told that three enthusiastic and well-qualified candidates were keen to put themselves forward to party members – yet only one ended up on the shortlist.
The trio were:
Elaina Cohen, close friend and parliamentary assistant of Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood.
Camille Ade-John – Vice Chair of Khalid Mahmood’s Perry Barr constituency.
Hendreina Quinnen – the ultimate winner.
All three met the criteria of Labour’s selection panel, and as late as Saturday afternoon were expecting to have the chance to put their case to the assembled throng.
Yet by 5.30 a nine member party panel (only three of whom came from the constituency) had decided that only Hendreina should be shortlisted.
It was a simple “yes” or “no” vote and with Mahmood Hussain urging the 60 or so members present to back her, she romped home with 98% of the vote. Who knows, maybe next time Hendreina might even crack the 100% barrier.
Party hacks detect in all this a playing out of the rivalry between former allies Khalid Mahmood and Mahmood Hussain. Khalid’s selection as an MP owed much to Mahmood’s mastery of the “dark arts” of politics but now it seems the two have fallen out.
I sense to record somewhere in history that Shirley Chisholm was an African American to go for the presidency of the USA. Yet Jessie Jackson submitted his name twice for the presidential seat but did not even secure the nominations from his own party (Democrats) but did not get it twice.
In 2008 saw major changes in the American elections for the first time we have witnessed the first African American President (Hurricane Obama). The question was put by the American people and the rest of the world will Obama’s election campaign be based on anger or bitterness.
Instead we saw a campaign that introduced:
• Removing all barriers to participation
• Enabling channels for dissent & debate
• Give supporters better informed; and
• Reward hard work and entrepreneurialism
I have met all three candidates in the Lozells and East Handsworth Labour Selections and it is in my opinion that one of them is a rising star which actually meets the criteria to help Labour to win seat in Lozells and East Handsworth by elections. Her name is Hendreina Quinnen as she will be the best candidate to
• Remove all barriers to participation
• Enabling channels for dissent & debate
• Give supporters better informed; and
• Reward hard work and entrepreneurialism
Good luck with your elections in the Lozells and East Handsworth by elections and remember where you come from, from humble beginnings
The trio were:
Elaina Cohen, close friend and parliamentary assistant of Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood.
Camille Ade-John – Vice Chair of Khalid Mahmood’s Perry Barr constituency.
Hendreina Quinnen – the ultimate winner.
All three met the criteria of Labour’s selection panel, and as late as Saturday afternoon were expecting to have the chance to put their case to the assembled throng.
Yet by 5.30 a nine member party panel (only three of whom came from the constituency) had decided that only Hendreina should be shortlisted.
It was a simple “yes” or “no” vote and with Mahmood Hussain urging the 60 or so members present to back her, she romped home with 98% of the vote. Who knows, maybe next time Hendreina might even crack the 100% barrier.
Party hacks detect in all this a playing out of the rivalry between former allies Khalid Mahmood and Mahmood Hussain. Khalid’s selection as an MP owed much to Mahmood’s mastery of the “dark arts” of politics but now it seems the two have fallen out.
I sense to record somewhere in history that Shirley Chisholm was an African American to go for the presidency of the USA. Yet Jessie Jackson submitted his name twice for the presidential seat but did not even secure the nominations from his own party (Democrats) but did not get it twice.
In 2008 saw major changes in the American elections for the first time we have witnessed the first African American President (Hurricane Obama). The question was put by the American people and the rest of the world will Obama’s election campaign be based on anger or bitterness.
Instead we saw a campaign that introduced:
• Removing all barriers to participation
• Enabling channels for dissent & debate
• Give supporters better informed; and
• Reward hard work and entrepreneurialism
I have met all three candidates in the Lozells and East Handsworth Labour Selections and it is in my opinion that one of them is a rising star which actually meets the criteria to help Labour to win seat in Lozells and East Handsworth by elections. Her name is Hendreina Quinnen as she will be the best candidate to
• Remove all barriers to participation
• Enabling channels for dissent & debate
• Give supporters better informed; and
• Reward hard work and entrepreneurialism
Good luck with your elections in the Lozells and East Handsworth by elections and remember where you come from, from humble beginnings
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
BRAMU PRESS RELEASE(Part 2)
BRAMU (Birmingham Racial Attacks Monitoring Unit) threatened with closure.
On the 10th anniversary of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, which resulted in the Sir MacPherson report / recommendations, and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of BRAMU, we are threatened with closure due to the lack of financial commitment from Birmingham local authority. BRAMU was formed in 1989 after Home Office report found that victims were reluctant to report incidents of race hate crimes to statutory organisations. We are a community based independent organisation. BRAMU has since then provided support and advice to, and campaigns on behalf of, those who have been subjected to racist discrimination, harassment or violent attacks. It has been involved in over 3,500 cases and currently has over 120 ongoing cases.
BRAMU will be holding another rally outside the Council House, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BB on Tuesday 9th June at 12.00 noon to demand that Birmingham City Council reverse their decision to withdraw the funding to BRAMU, the only community based organization providing essential services to victims of hate crimes, particular race hate crimes. Guest speakers to be confirmed near the time:
BRAMU are also currently circulating a petition asking members of the public to support our campaign. Please contact Maxie Hayles for further details mhayles@btconect.com 07956141554.
Editors Notes:
Over the years, BRAMU have received numerous awards for the work they have done in challenging racism over many years. In 2000 Tony Blair presented the Chair of BRAMU, Maxie Hayles with an award for Building a Fair and Just Community. Also, In December 2008 Maxie Hayles was recently recognised with an international Life Time Achievement award for defending Human Rights and Race Equality presented by the Civil Rights campaigner Revered Jessie Jackson. It’s ironic that BRAMU has been recognised internationally, but not by our own Local Authority who are allowing the organization to close.
The Safer Birmingham Partnership, who now has the responsibility for the cities hate crimes agenda, is a partnership of agencies, bringing together the likes of Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Police and West Midlands Fire Service. BRAMU has been squeezed out of Birmingham’s strategic partnerships of the Safer Birmingham Partnership Hate Crimes Agenda. The question that we would like to ask those individuals responsible for hate crimes in Birmingham is why are local community groups are not seen as partners within the hate crimes agenda? This is despite that fact that research shows that the majority of reported hate crimes are actually race hate crimes. BRAMU was created in the 1980’s by communities which felt and still often feels failed by statuary bodies, which were meant to protect and support victims of racial harassment / race hate crimes. We can only conclude that this action taken against BRAMU is part of a wider political agenda.
A recent article by the internationally renowned Institute for Race Relations (IRR) www.irr.org.uk/2009/april/ha000010.html stated that following the 1981 uprisings in inner-cities and the Scarman Inquiry, the concept of 'multi-agency' policing was developed, 'based on the notion that the problem of crime cannot be resolved by the police alone through law enforcement but requires closer cooperation between agencies. Therefore, efforts were made to recruit a variety of non-police agencies, such as community groups and local churches, into collaborative schemes of multi-agency crime prevention. Organisations like BRAMU were created by communities which felt that they were being failed by the statutory bodies which were meant to protect and support them. Yet the political climate has shifted, to the extent that an organisation like BRAMU, as well as other community-based anti-racist groups and Race Equality Councils, can find themselves increasingly marginalised. Furthermore, as some social commentators have stated, recently the whole discussion on race hate crimes has taken a reactionary leap back twenty years.
The Safer Birmingham Partnership represents a new kind of 'multi-agency' approach, bringing together the police and other local authority bodies with the express task of tackling crimes including racial violence. The difference is that local community groups, such as BRAMU are not seen as partners, but at best as agents implementing a strategy decided in their absence. It is not only the decision not to renew a long-standing partnership between Birmingham City Council and BRAMU that raises concern.
Many anti-racism campaigners, point out the dangers of this new approach and that the anti-racist perspective has been undermined. It’s not just that BRAMU and other local groups lost their funding and that the issue has got depoliticised. It is not just a matter of getting organisations to meet targets. Do we know what kind of service is being given to those who report racial attacks to new corporate-style bodies? We are certain they won't be getting the customised, community-based support that BRAMU has provided over the years, like staying in homes with people when under attack, walking victims children to school, accompanied victims of race hate crimes to difficult meetings with the police or housing departments. Nor will individuals get the sense of empowerment they used to get by working with others who have faced similar circumstances.
Birmingham's 'strategic partnership' approach, and the resultant squeezing out of BRAMU, fails to take into account a number of important issues. Safer Birmingham Partnership's 'Hate Crime Strategy', which was recently launched after months of delays. The hate crime agenda focuses on individual acts, and in doing so directs attention away from collective racism and focuses it instead on the socially-deviant attacker and his/her victim. Therefore, racist attacks are re-branded as 'anti-social behaviour', devoid of any sense that they are symptomatic of a racist society, but rather the actions of a few bad apples. In this way, we are directed away from questioning why those who are subject to racist attacks are not being protected by the police and judiciary. Instead we focus on the deviant attacker, who is now defined as 'anti-social',
In conclusion, the struggle continues and we are prepared to work in partnership with Birmingham City Council in order to protect, support and advise victims of race hate crimes in Birmingham, as we have done for the past 20 years. BRAMU was created by communities which felt and still feel failed by statuary bodies, which were meant to protect and support victims of racial harassment / race hate crimes. We can only conclude that this action taken against BRAMU is part of a wider political agenda. Again, we would like to thank you for your support and we look forward to your continued support. We will continue to keep you updated on our situation.
Yours in the Struggle Maxie Hayles (Chairperson) BRAMU. 07956141554 mhayles@btconect.com please sign the petition on http://www.gopetition.co.uk/online/27579.html
On the 10th anniversary of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, which resulted in the Sir MacPherson report / recommendations, and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of BRAMU, we are threatened with closure due to the lack of financial commitment from Birmingham local authority. BRAMU was formed in 1989 after Home Office report found that victims were reluctant to report incidents of race hate crimes to statutory organisations. We are a community based independent organisation. BRAMU has since then provided support and advice to, and campaigns on behalf of, those who have been subjected to racist discrimination, harassment or violent attacks. It has been involved in over 3,500 cases and currently has over 120 ongoing cases.
BRAMU will be holding another rally outside the Council House, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BB on Tuesday 9th June at 12.00 noon to demand that Birmingham City Council reverse their decision to withdraw the funding to BRAMU, the only community based organization providing essential services to victims of hate crimes, particular race hate crimes. Guest speakers to be confirmed near the time:
BRAMU are also currently circulating a petition asking members of the public to support our campaign. Please contact Maxie Hayles for further details mhayles@btconect.com 07956141554.
Editors Notes:
Over the years, BRAMU have received numerous awards for the work they have done in challenging racism over many years. In 2000 Tony Blair presented the Chair of BRAMU, Maxie Hayles with an award for Building a Fair and Just Community. Also, In December 2008 Maxie Hayles was recently recognised with an international Life Time Achievement award for defending Human Rights and Race Equality presented by the Civil Rights campaigner Revered Jessie Jackson. It’s ironic that BRAMU has been recognised internationally, but not by our own Local Authority who are allowing the organization to close.
The Safer Birmingham Partnership, who now has the responsibility for the cities hate crimes agenda, is a partnership of agencies, bringing together the likes of Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Police and West Midlands Fire Service. BRAMU has been squeezed out of Birmingham’s strategic partnerships of the Safer Birmingham Partnership Hate Crimes Agenda. The question that we would like to ask those individuals responsible for hate crimes in Birmingham is why are local community groups are not seen as partners within the hate crimes agenda? This is despite that fact that research shows that the majority of reported hate crimes are actually race hate crimes. BRAMU was created in the 1980’s by communities which felt and still often feels failed by statuary bodies, which were meant to protect and support victims of racial harassment / race hate crimes. We can only conclude that this action taken against BRAMU is part of a wider political agenda.
A recent article by the internationally renowned Institute for Race Relations (IRR) www.irr.org.uk/2009/april/ha000010.html stated that following the 1981 uprisings in inner-cities and the Scarman Inquiry, the concept of 'multi-agency' policing was developed, 'based on the notion that the problem of crime cannot be resolved by the police alone through law enforcement but requires closer cooperation between agencies. Therefore, efforts were made to recruit a variety of non-police agencies, such as community groups and local churches, into collaborative schemes of multi-agency crime prevention. Organisations like BRAMU were created by communities which felt that they were being failed by the statutory bodies which were meant to protect and support them. Yet the political climate has shifted, to the extent that an organisation like BRAMU, as well as other community-based anti-racist groups and Race Equality Councils, can find themselves increasingly marginalised. Furthermore, as some social commentators have stated, recently the whole discussion on race hate crimes has taken a reactionary leap back twenty years.
The Safer Birmingham Partnership represents a new kind of 'multi-agency' approach, bringing together the police and other local authority bodies with the express task of tackling crimes including racial violence. The difference is that local community groups, such as BRAMU are not seen as partners, but at best as agents implementing a strategy decided in their absence. It is not only the decision not to renew a long-standing partnership between Birmingham City Council and BRAMU that raises concern.
Many anti-racism campaigners, point out the dangers of this new approach and that the anti-racist perspective has been undermined. It’s not just that BRAMU and other local groups lost their funding and that the issue has got depoliticised. It is not just a matter of getting organisations to meet targets. Do we know what kind of service is being given to those who report racial attacks to new corporate-style bodies? We are certain they won't be getting the customised, community-based support that BRAMU has provided over the years, like staying in homes with people when under attack, walking victims children to school, accompanied victims of race hate crimes to difficult meetings with the police or housing departments. Nor will individuals get the sense of empowerment they used to get by working with others who have faced similar circumstances.
Birmingham's 'strategic partnership' approach, and the resultant squeezing out of BRAMU, fails to take into account a number of important issues. Safer Birmingham Partnership's 'Hate Crime Strategy', which was recently launched after months of delays. The hate crime agenda focuses on individual acts, and in doing so directs attention away from collective racism and focuses it instead on the socially-deviant attacker and his/her victim. Therefore, racist attacks are re-branded as 'anti-social behaviour', devoid of any sense that they are symptomatic of a racist society, but rather the actions of a few bad apples. In this way, we are directed away from questioning why those who are subject to racist attacks are not being protected by the police and judiciary. Instead we focus on the deviant attacker, who is now defined as 'anti-social',
In conclusion, the struggle continues and we are prepared to work in partnership with Birmingham City Council in order to protect, support and advise victims of race hate crimes in Birmingham, as we have done for the past 20 years. BRAMU was created by communities which felt and still feel failed by statuary bodies, which were meant to protect and support victims of racial harassment / race hate crimes. We can only conclude that this action taken against BRAMU is part of a wider political agenda. Again, we would like to thank you for your support and we look forward to your continued support. We will continue to keep you updated on our situation.
Yours in the Struggle Maxie Hayles (Chairperson) BRAMU. 07956141554 mhayles@btconect.com please sign the petition on http://www.gopetition.co.uk/online/27579.html
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Stop The Closure Of Birmingham Racial monitoring Unit(BRAMU)
BRAMU was founded 20 years ago with Home Office backing when it was recognised that victims of hate crime were often reluctant to take their concerns to the police and other statutory organisations.
There is just as much a need for us now as there ever was – and we are not just talking about black people here. Our job is to help members of all BME communities.
Victims still do not report incidents and have to suffer in silence from incidents such as verbal abuse, property damage and assault.
The fact is that people do not trust the criminal justice system and would rather suffer the terror of racism than risk being helped shows that organisations like BRAMU are needed to support and advocate on behalf of the victim.”
In the meantime BRAMU is seeking the assistance from the all communities to: write to:
Councillor Alan Rudge
Council House
Monday, 23 March 2009
Ladywood Selections Process
There has been all sorts of speculation of the Ladywood CLP Selection Process recently in the inter net and local media in regards to Shabana Mahmood that her father had been involved the process from behind the scene. Yet there will always be speculation from Yvonne Mosquito campaign as some of the Mosquito supporters has not even attempt to attend any of the Nechells Labour Party Meeting well as the saying goes those who shout the loudest or throw accusation to bring the party into disrepute as to force a recount should firstly check with the party's rule book. It is quite easy to put pen to paper but it is hard to say that they did not understand the procedures.
Now is the time to put away any differences and begin to heal so we all can move on and do what we are best in the labour party to win elections.
I would like to extend a sincere congratulations to the Labour Party Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) Ladywood Shabana Mahmood and just one thing of Shabana Mahmood I ask of her is to bring back the trophy of Labour back to Ladywood in the next General Elections.
Now is the time to put away any differences and begin to heal so we all can move on and do what we are best in the labour party to win elections.
I would like to extend a sincere congratulations to the Labour Party Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) Ladywood Shabana Mahmood and just one thing of Shabana Mahmood I ask of her is to bring back the trophy of Labour back to Ladywood in the next General Elections.
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