Photo by Sides Imagery on Pexels.com In 1983 Michael Foot was leader of the Labour Party at the General Election when the Conservatives, under Margaret Thatcher, won a landslide victory. The recent victory in the Falklands War undoubtedly helped, but despite the harsh economic policies, massive unemployment and civil unrest of the early 80s, Labour’s… Continue reading ‘The longest suicide vote in history’: Why I have left the Labour Party
Category: Politics
We need Sport Relief from corporate injustice – by Andy Turner
So another Sport Relief has come and gone. An unrelenting mash up of fun, sporting heroics, comedy and conviction, highlighting poverty and raising money. The banter, unlikely competitions, silly stunts, and comedy sketches are fun. The heroic feats, especially Eddie Izzard's incredible 27 marathons in 27 days, are inspiring. The short, beautifully crafted films capture eye-watering poverty… Continue reading We need Sport Relief from corporate injustice – by Andy Turner
Being a voice for the voiceless in politics – by Alison Hill
The last few months have seen some huge political decisions being made: whether to extend airstrikes against ISIS, the response to the refugee crisis, the UK’s commitments in the UN Climate Change Talks, or the reaction to the flooding seen over the Christmas period. These are political decisions which impact the lives of millions of… Continue reading Being a voice for the voiceless in politics – by Alison Hill
Fat Cat Tuesday: top bosses have already made more money by today than the typical UK worker will earn in a year
I work for a charity that helps homeless people in the West End of London. A few weeks ago I walked out of my office and saw this car parked outside - a gold Bentley. I am used to seeing flash cars in the area - like people sleeping rough, it's a hallmark of central London life.… Continue reading Fat Cat Tuesday: top bosses have already made more money by today than the typical UK worker will earn in a year
Honour where it’s due: Neil Jameson & the difference between profile & real influence
I am not a big fan of the Honours system which awards Knighthoods, CBEs, OBEs and MBEs every year. Again this year there has been controversy over political bias in the awards as the director of the Conservative election campaign, Lynton Crosby, was given a knighthood. And as The Times reports, despite only 7% of the… Continue reading Honour where it’s due: Neil Jameson & the difference between profile & real influence
‘A revolution of the heart’ – Remembering Dorothy Day
Today is the 35th anniversary of the death of the radical catholic activist, Dorothy Day, who founded the Catholic Worker movement in the 1930s. She was a journalist who, after converting to Catholicism, worked in New York, running a house of hospitality for homeless people and working for peace through her writing, protest and civil disobedience. She… Continue reading ‘A revolution of the heart’ – Remembering Dorothy Day
I’m agnostic, but if it wasn’t for Christians many more homeless people would die on the streets – by Paul Anderson
Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels.com I have worked for a variety of homeless charities for over 20 years, so generally not much surprises me when it comes to the reality of poverty and destitution. However, this week I was out doing a street count in London to assess how many people are actually sleeping on the… Continue reading I’m agnostic, but if it wasn’t for Christians many more homeless people would die on the streets – by Paul Anderson
Holy rows: why disputes between Church and Government will increase
Photo by Altaf Shah on Pexels.com This weekend saw another avalanche of media coverage about a row between the Church and the government. This time it relates to the refugee crisis. The Bishops have accused the government of dragging its feet and not responding adequately to their offers to help mobilise the churches. Stephen Cotterill, Bishop of Chelmsford, said:… Continue reading Holy rows: why disputes between Church and Government will increase
The boy on the beach: when the political becomes personal
1972, a Vietnamese girl, Kim Phúc, burnt by napalm, flees naked and crying from her bombed village. 1989, a solitary pro-democracy protester resolutely stands in front of a line of tanks in Tiannamen Square and blocks their path. Both were just ordinary people out of thousands caught up in the turmoil and crisis of war and political… Continue reading The boy on the beach: when the political becomes personal
We are the problem: Western militarism created this ‘refugee crisis’ – by Alan Storkey
Photo by Ahmed akacha on Pexels.com Home is where the heart is for most of the world’s population. People do not readily leave home, family, jobs, friends and their familiar life to tramp across borders and take their lives in hock in perilous crossings. Our public reflection on this issue is so shallow. We freeze… Continue reading We are the problem: Western militarism created this ‘refugee crisis’ – by Alan Storkey
Grace + Truth 