Stand up for democracy or lose it

Democracy it seems us hanging by a thread in the United States. The administration of President Donald Trump seems to be running roughshod over the different institutions that maintain the democratic system. What will be left after four years remains to be seen? Democracy is under threat in many other places across the world, with people being squeezed out of having any meaningful say in how their lives are run. It is important to remember that democracy is a relatively recent concept. Democracy in any meaningful form has probably only been around for 200 years..and a lot less than that in most places. The idea is that everyone has the right to play a part in electing a government that then serves the people. It was a hard fought battle to win those rights. The suffragettes, civil rights protesters and trade unions were among those who fought long and hard to get the vote. Previously, it was rule by monarchs assisted by the other powerful factions in the land, who ran things just as they liked. A sort of gang warfare. Indeed, many argue, that is where things are heading now - backwards to the dictatorship of authoritarian figures ruling for themselves. The weakness of democracy today comes from ignorance. In order to put down sustainable roots and endure democracy needs an informed and educated population. It also requires people in power to deliver for the mass of people, not just a small elite of the wealthy. Both factors are lacking today. There is a disillusionment among many regarding the political class. The complaints are familiar: they're all the same, they're only in it for themselves, my vote doesn't make a difference etc. But there is a real danger that people won't realise what they have lost until it is gone. Broadly, there seems to be three groups of people - bystanders, spectators and the engaged. The bystanders are not interested, do not believe politics makes any difference to their lives and at best view it as some sort of soap opera ( this tendency is helped by much media coverage, which treats politics like a big soap). Most annoying amongst this group are those who pride themselves on not taking part and not voting. The spectators are those who keep themselves informed about what is going on. They speak out, usually via social media, from time to time and usually vote but don't get involved beyond that. Then there are the engaged. They would be members of political parties, trade unions, community groups, charities and much of civil society. This is by far the smallest group. If democracy is to survive, more people need to get actively involved. They need to be better informed and act to bring those in power to account. There has to be a plurality that allows for all sorts of different views to be represented and heard. Another problem of the present system is a morphing together of the main political parties, who all seem to be wedded to the present neo-liberal economic system, which is causing the hardship ( and so disillusion with democracy) for so many people. The voices of those who want to change, rather than just manage the present system need to be heard and represented. Some way needs to be found of getting better community representation. Political parties are. becoming increasingly insular, representing a small elite. The introduction of Proportional Representation would be one way to improve things. Also, a change in the way representatives are selected. But make no mistakes democracy is under threat. It is not perfect but as Winston Churchill said : "democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others." There is a real danger today that people will only recognise the value of democracy when it is gone. So get involved in making sure you retain the right to participate

Retrograde - Sidney Poitier story - "what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet forfeits his soul"

Retrograde Apollo, Shaftesbury Avenue This fascinating play about actor and civil rights activist Sidney Poitier grips from start to finish. Retrograde began life at the Kiln theatre in Kilburn, two years ago, prior to graduating on to the West End. Expertly direct by Amit Sharma, Ryan Calais Cameron's sharp script is brought to life by some great performances from Ivanno Jeremiah (Sidney Poitier), Stanley Townsend (Mr Parks) and Oliver Johnstone (Bobby). The witty dialogue provides a great tempo to the essential plot, which revolves around temptation and betrayal. Aged 28, Poitier is on the edge of making his acting breakthrough but in the fevered atmosphere of 1950s McCarthyite America, betrayal is required in order to make that leap. He must betray his friend Paul Robeson in order to prove himself a loyal American. The dilemma is nicely summarised with the biblical quote from Poitier as to "what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet forfeits his soul." The play is particularly timely, given what is going on in America at the moment, the brutal condemnations and constant questioning of loyalty to the flag. Maybe, writer Ryan Calais Cameron could have slipped a make America great again into the flow of invective from NBC lawyer, Parks. Though, that may have appeared a little too trite. The three hander works well, with the constant to and fro, of the dynamic between Parks, scriptwriter, Bobby and Poitier. Parks, the cynic, prepared to do anything for a comfortable life. He threatens Poitier as to how he will end up on the black black list if he doesn't sign the loyalty oath and denounce Robeson. This means double condemnation for being black and a communist. Liberal, Bobby, who is as bad, if not worse, promoting his ideals and friendship with Poitier, but equally prepared to sell out to get on. Then, there is the moral Poitier, not prepared to sell his soul but Jeremiah superbly portrays his own struggle to do the right thing. The whole play is set in the lawyers office, with characters entering and leaving intermittently, as the dilemmas come and go. Retrograde is in many ways a tribute to one of the great civil rights activists and actors of our time. A truly moral man, who did the right thing. It is also a celebration of what was achieved by the civil rights movement over decades of struggle. But the timeliness of the play today is in providing a reminder of how dark things can become when authoritarianism takes hold as it did with McCarthyism in 1950s America and how a similar thing seems to be happening now under Trump and his Magas. Runs till 14 June

Excitement of watching wildlife

The bittern is an iconic bird, much admired by birdwatchers across the land. Many, though, have yet to see the bird in the wild. The bittern has featured in a number of wildlife programs recently. The presenters setting out to spot the diminutive bird but on most occasions failing - not great TV you might think! But the magic of the bird remains. A brown streaked bird that merges in perfectly amongst the reeds where it lives. The bittern is a member of the heron family, being slightly smaller in size than the grey herons that are so plentiful in Wanstead Park and along the River Roding. The bittern was threatened with extinction a few years ago but has made a great recovery with the help of conservationists. The bittern was a bird that I had longed to see for many a year. Three years ago I was lucky enough to briefly spot one at Rye Harbour in Sussex. At the time, I had almost given up hope, despite hearing the characteristic booming for days. Then, suddenly one rose out of the reed bed, flew a short distance and disappeared into another mass of reeds. All over in a minute, but what a view! It was an exciting moment. Unfortunately, that was my one and only sighting. Bitterns, though, have been seen at the Fisher Green reserve in Cheshunt, with occasional visitors at other places around London. Norfolk is a favourite place. Local birders here hold out hopes that one might one day come to reeds around Wanstead but better not hold your breath. It is a special moment, when you spot a creature in the wild that you have never seen before. A few years ago, I remember first seeing a kingfisher, that flash of emerald back and bronze chest flying down the river. Then, another, sitting on a branch. There have been a few sightings now over the years but it is still always exciting to see the little bird in action. A most recent wildlife spot was an otter, not, unfortunately on the River Roding (not for want of trying). This was an early morning in Oxfordshire, in a pool just off the Thames. Rings of water and then three otters appeared, one out of the water, the other two heads just showing - it was a great moment. I live in hope of seeing one of the Roding otters soon! There really is some fantastic wildlife around this area, so get out and have a look. Not every trip will be successful, indeed most won't. But that occasion when you see your first otter, bittern, kingfisher, or something else altogether will live with you for ever. It will be a really great moment to savour.

Review of Peak Injustice by Danny Dorling

A third of children in the UK live under the poverty line. The UK is now the second most unequal society in Europe, only Bulgaria is worse. It was not ever thus, back in 1976, the UK was the second most equal country, after Sweden, and people were happier. These are some of the salient facts brought together in this impressive work from social geography professor Danny Dorling. Dorling seeks to pull together a number of the threads that make up one of the most unequal societies in the world. Many of the arguments are familiar, from his previous works Shattered Nation, Seven Children and Slowdown. This should come as no surprise give that each chapter relates to a separate piece written at different times over the years. This can give a dated feel at times, especially, since the Labour Government came to power last year. The strength, though, is that all the works remain true, proving the correctness of the original analysis, even when a few years old. The arguments are familiar, as revealing a certain frustration in the author, as he battles to show the injustice of such an unequal society, whilst always pointing to the fact there is another better way. Hope is always there. One of the hopeful times was when Jeremy Corbyn became leader of the Labour Party, carrying the hopes of many, especially the young, with him. Another way of doing things was put on the public agenda. The 2017 general election result was a high point. The personal attacks on Corbyn, then went into over drive. Dorling, though, does think Corbyn should have hit back harder against his critics. The impression of a country drowning, as it slides down the international scale is hard to escape. The underfunding of health, education and welfare. High poverty levels. How the decay of the UK made the country more vulnerable to COVID, when it came along. There are some interesting insights on COVID, such as that between 2020 and 2023, 15% of men and 10% of women of 90 plus died earlier that they would otherwise have done. Also, that excess death levels in the population were higher in the autumn of 2015, than 2020, yet this hardly got a mention in the media, at the time. Dorling points out that austerity policies killed more than COVID and ofcourse there was cross over. He claims that: "as many as two million were killed through the actions of the government that had been in power up to 2023." Housing receives much attention, with the fact that there are enough rooms in the country to house the population but many are empty. The author suggests that a drop in prices, maybe via a housing crash, could free up property and enable a realignment. Rent controls or another event could trigger this. Dorling is a keen advocate of land and wealth taxes. He would also like to see all student debt cancelled. He points out that countries that tax at higher rates have better education, health and transport, less pollution, better housing outcomes and less use of anti-depressants. The hope that things can improve often comes from looking to other countries. Finland is a favourite, with people happy to pay taxes for public services. The society is not polarised like the UK and people are happier and healthier. Nearer to home. the Scottish government is more progressive, not having the two child benefit limit. They have also had a Scottish child payment, since 2021, of £25 a week for those in need. The result is that child poverty levels are 24% of the population and falling. By contrast, in England the level is 29% and rising. Dorling estimates child poverty costs the UK £39 billion a year. The author also applauds recent pay deals for rewarding the lowest paid with higher settlements, so closing the inequality gap a little. So it is not all bad news. Dorling believes that UK society is at Peak Injustice, so things should get better, as the country comes down from the peak.(Peak Inequality came in 2018). Peak Stupidity came in Spring 2024. Let's hope he is correct, with society moving towards being more just, cohesive and equal. Though, given the present direction of travel, I wouldn't hold your breath. Published by Policy Press, £14.99

World peace means confronting warmongers

The geopolitical map has certainly been shaken since Donald Trump began his second term as President. He said in the campaign for office that he would resolve the war in Ukraine. Moves do appear to be being made in that direction. Most concerning for Europeans, though, is what that peace will look like. It has been interesting to see the question of Ukraine's mineral wealth suddenly being raised by President Trump. Over the previous three years of war, these resources rarely got a mention in the media discourse. Despite, ofcourse, being a crucial part of the war equation. Indeed, that discourse was one of unending war, causing death and destruction whilst the cash tills of the arms companies rang ever louder. At least now some of the issues are up front. The concerns for European countries and particularly the UK is a new defence burden that it seems will be placed on them. The new US administration expects Europe to pick up the bill for it's defence. In the Ukraine context, this could mean a peacekeeping force. This will cost billions. That money will come from other areas of government. It will mean less money for essential services at home and abroad. Already, Prime minister Kier Starmer has declared aid to the poorest in the world will be cut to make up the defence budget rise. The UK is in a very vulnerable position, out of the EU, and in a different relationship with America. Potentially a small isolated country in the north of Europe. How the UK government plays it's hand will have serious consequences for now and future generations. The present government would do well to remember the warning of a former US President, Dwight D Eisenhower, who on leaving office in 1961, warned of the power and growing influence of the military industrial complex. A group who profit from war. They have grown as President Eisenhower warned, wielding huge influence. And for every penny spent on war there is less for everything else. Eisenhower declared: "Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed." He went on, describing this, as "not a way of life at all." "Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron." Good politicians know when to stand up to the generals and arms companies. We desperately need peace in the world but must not mortgage the future to the weapons industry and those who depend for their existence on war. It is a fine line to tread but all must proceed with care in order to ensure a peaceful future.

Life beyond the mobile phone

A friend of mine recently had her phone stolen. She had just returned from some time away and was caught unawares at the airport. The loss, threw her life upside down for a few days, until she got a replacement organised. It is only when such unpleasant things happen that it becomes apparent how dependent people have become on mobile phones and other technology. Walking along the street people are engrossed in their phones. Some are so much in the virtual world that they are likely to physically bump into others in the real world. How long before the generation arises that can only communicate by phone? It is not an unusual sight to see a number of people meeting socially together, sitting at a table, all on the phone - supposedly not to each other! There was a recent interesting comment from writer and comedian Ben Elton, who said smart phones had stolen children's childhoods. He has a point. Maybe the effort of some schools to ban mobiles in school is an effort to reclaim some of that childhood. That is not to say that the mobile phone is not a fantastically useful device that has revolutionised the way we live. There is so much information available via the phone. It is a way to stay connected to others. A protection for many. But has it not also fostered a strange dependency. In the days before mobiles (yes, there was a time), people could go out, navigate their way around and come home without the phone. Now, separation from the device seems to have a traumatic effect on many. The mobile phone companies have done a great job in selling their product. It has fostered dependency, as well as providing an important social service. The mobile is not going away and nor should it. But the push to have literally everything on the phone maybe going a bit too far. The phone opens up services and information but a rush to only on phone info will exclude some. There are people who refuse to have phones. I have to admit to a sneaking admiration. But what happens to such independent spirits as phone dependency increases. There is talk of phasing out landlines. Where does that leave such people? My friend, who lost her phone, does not have a landline -the absence, makes the feeling of being isolated and cut off all the greater, without the mobile. Landlines must stay. We all also need a break from the phone and maybe other technologies. It must be good to zone out for a while now and again. Also, why not make some person to person contact, not always via phone? To paraphrase the old BT advert, it's good to talk but add in person.

Time to renounce the migrants hate rhetoric and tell another story

The ongoing demonisation of migrants and refugees continues to pick up pace. The return of Donald Trump as US President has enhanced the process, as he talks in terms of invasions and enemies of America. Walls are to be built, migrants incarcerated in Guantanamo Bay and other detention centres. This country is not much better. Migrants have been vilified for many years, even whilst so many staffed the care homes and hospitals, built the houses, harvested the crops and worked in hospitality. Instead of gratitude, there is an ongoing hostility, seeking to criminalise and stigmatise, those who have in the main contributed to the betterment of society. On the refugee side, the small boats saga has been blown out of all proportion, by spineless politicians egged on by a racist media selling it's own products on the back of fuelling hate. Most of those coming across the Channel are desperate, fleeing for their lives. It is not coincidental that most also come from war torn countries like Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. In terms of economic migrants, the country needs a steady flow to make the economy grow. The UK has a rapidly ageing population, with over 65s increasingly outnumbering under 16s. The government continually talks of the millions of economically inactive people, then, about growth. So, how in a country, with so many inactive, are we going to get that magic growth without migrants? This country desperately needs migrant labour, vilifying them, whilst creating a different kind of hostile environment, will not encourage people to come. The fruits of attacking migrants and refugees was seen last summer with the riots across the country. The government responded firmly, with heavy punishments delivered by the courts. In Walthamstow, among other places, people came out to say no. But since then, the cowardice of the political class has resurfaced. The anti- migrant rhetoric of Reform, with Kemi Badenoch's Tory Party running to keep up. And, the other parties have shown worrying tendencies to emulate, rather than stand up to, the Reform agenda. The result of such an approach will deliver Nigel Farage as the next Prime Minister. The time now is to state a clear pro-migrant, inclusive narrative, not retire into the tired recesses of racism and hate. Let's be bold renounce anti-migrant based racism and tell another story.