Empire unravelled

David Olusuga's Empire documentary does an excellent job of linking the history of the British Empire to the immigration debate today Historian David Olusuga has produced a fascinating series of three programs linking the often censorious approach to the history of the British Empire to the immigration debate today. Olusuga runs through the history of the empire from its founding mother, Queen Elizabeth I, to the closing acts under Queen Elizabeth II. So the role of the East India Company in the colonisation of India is contrasted with the settlement approach and slave trade of the empire to the west in America.The role of tobacco and sugar as cash crops, accompanied by the brutal slave trade, also feature. The way in which so many English colonialists got rich via involvement in the likes of the East India Company, then repatriating their wealth to Britain, where it helped secure land and influence, is another highlight. One fascinating story is that of John Gladstone, the father of William, who created the Indian indentured Labour system. This came about as a result of the abolition of slavery, resulting in Indian workers being brought into replace the slaves in places like Guyana. The high point of the empire comes post World War I when colonies belonging to the defeated powers cede to Britain. But this is also the start of decline. The independence movements grow. A central theme of this series is the effective airbrushing of history to present a positive image of empire. Nowhere is this better illustrated than with the exposure of Operation Legacy. This has involved removing and destroying many documents associated with British atrocities in the likes of the Kenyan war of independence. Olusuga exposes how weeks before the declaration of Kenyan independence in 1963, planes left Nairobi with loads of documents destined for London. The whitewashing, Operation Legacy, relating to the whole empire, went on well into the 1990s. This process has helped build a view of the Empire being a great British civilising venture. Olisuga nicely pulls things together in the final episode, highlighting how the immigration debate particularly requires that people know the truth about empire. One particularly poignant and relevant vignette is when he examines post war migration. So there are Irish, Black and European people coming to help reconstruct Britain after World War II. But at the same time more people are emigrating out of Britain, with the encouragement of government, to Australia and New Zealand. This is nicely illustrated with details of the passengers on the ship Miloja leaving Tilbury on 10 June 1948 destined for Australia, just 15 days before the Windrush docked. The Miloja carried nurses and other hospital workers, just 25 days before the NHS opened its doors. A service at that time hamstrung with skills shortages. This story nicely juxtaposes with the debate over immigration today, in a country with an ageing population and skills shortages. Olusuga packs a lot of information into these three one hour programs but there is a good momentum about the narrative. A number of talking heads of mainly young people whose histories are tied up with empire help elucidate the story. Olusuga and the BBC got some stick from the right wing press for being anti-British. Both, though, deserve credit for putting the series together - it goes some way to explain, in accessible form, the real history of the British Empire and why that is so relevant today. Empire is available on BBC I-player

More than a tick box approach needed for those with disabilities

Internationally renowned poet Raymond Antrobus has written a fascinating book on living with deafness. The Quiet Ear chronicles Antrobus's life growing up as a mixed race male with deafness in 1990s Hackney. The struggle was, at first, be accepted - this led to confusion and isolation. Things improved when he went to a school for deaf children, Blanche Nevile in Hackney. Several teachers made a real difference to Antrobus's life. He continued with his writing. In the end, Antrobus came to recognise deafness as almost a way of life, rather than a condition to be endured. Something, even, to celebrate. What the book brings home is how antiquated British society is when it comes to dealing with conditions like deafness. At best you get the there, there pat on the head type approach. More usual, though, is to totally ignore those with the condition. A real tick box mentality pervades the culture. Yet, so many have hearing issues, from those like Antrobus born with deafness to the many who lose hearing along the way. A more inclusive society would recognise hearing issues. If people speak directly, clearly and visibly then many people will be able to hear better. There is assistance. Hearing aids, hearing loops signing all help. The NHS tries but the approach is often token. Dish out the hearing aids and then the person can get on with it. Come back again in four years. A lack of care. monitoring and support. The lack of resourcing is reflected in the fact that there are now more people with hearing difficulties, yet fewer schools and other support institutions than 20 years ago. It has not been easy being a councillor on Redbridge council with hearing difficulties over the past few years. A fellow councillor, with a number of disabilities is Rosa Gomez of Churchfields ward. Rosa lost most of her sight and use of her hands, after being shot 11 years ago in Columbia. Yet, this did not stop Rosa becoming a powerful advocate for the community. Her popularity resulted in an increased majority at the last election. Life has not been easy for Rosa trying to fulfil her role as a councillor. She has cncountered many obstacles along the way. There is much to be learnt to make things easier and more inclusive for future councillors with disabilities. The likes of Rosa Gomez and Raymond Antrobus are champions for those with disabilities. They show what can be done. However, much more needs to be done if the UK is to become a genuinely, inclusive caring society for everyone living here.

UK attitudes on immigration symptomatic of an increasingly insular country on retreat into international isolation

The present febrile atmosphere surrounding the immigration debate has led some to refer to the return of the no blacks, no Irish, no dogs era. This was the time when boarding houses would put up such notices in their windows to warn off immigrants, whilst displaying blatant racism. Irish and Black people have been on the receiving end of British racism for centuries. The treatment of dogs has probably improved! Most recently there were the Irish, who came to build Britain's roads, work in the NHS, teach in schools and a wide range of other occupations. Famously, there was then the Windrush generation, recruited from the Caribbean to work on the likes of London Transport. They were, in turn, vilified and abused. The most recent discriminatory acts came with the return to the Caribbean of many of these hard working people, who had made a home here, at the behest of an ungrateful British state. The Irish ofcourse suffered a further wave of discrimination throughout the conflict in the North of Ireland. Generally, the Irish were regarded as a suspect community. So what has brought the country to the present impasse, where a Home Secretary seems determined to treat all migrants as suspect, with the most desperate (asylum seekers) seemingly labelled criminals? Are even the Irish, born outside Britain safe? There have always been racist tendencies in Britain, towards incoming migrants, as alluded to earlier. But the genie was really taken out of the bottle, with the Brexit vote. This was largely achieved on anti-migrant, anti-European sentiments. The likes of Reform leader Nigel Farage and Tory leader in waiting Boris Johnson helped convince the population that their problems were largely caused, not by austerity policies pursued by Coalition and Tory governments, but Europe and particularly migrants. This myth was also fostered by a right wing media, whose ownership were also keen for the UK to leave the EU. The leave vote was seen as vindication for the take back control of our borders and sovereignty crowd. It was though also seen as beginning of open season on migrants, as the indigenous population turned everywhere more inward on itself. Fast forward a few years and the cheerleaders for Brexit are once again banging the anti-migrant drum. This has led to the absurd position where many in the population consider immigration one of the top issues effecting their lives. Not, poisoned waterways, a crumbling NHS, a fifth of children living in poverty and an under- resourced education system but a few people coming in on boats seeking refuge. The 38,000 who have arrived on British shores via the boats this year represent less than a full Premier League football stadium. It is not an invasion, neither is everyone coming a criminal set to prey on the innocent. What is required is safe routes and a speeding up of processing claims. The ludicrous efforts of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to stop people coming are bound to fail. She talks of push and pull factors. Never mentioned are the push factors of war and climate change.These are not being countered, indeed, British arms companies contribute more than their fair share to fuelling conflict around the globe. Other countries like Germany and France, let alone Turkey take far more refugees than the UK. Then their are those who come to work, filling skills shortages amid an ageing and increasingly sick population. And the overseas students who over recent years have increasingly funded the further education system. They apparently are also to be targeted by this government. So, TFL workers doing vital jobs on the transport system are to be thrown out because they don't earn enough to meet the latest arbitrary threshold introduced by government. Visit any hospital or care home and see who does the work. It is mainly migrants. The present obsession with creating an even more hostile environment for migrants will backfire. Eventually, many of those with the vital skills needed in the UK will not come here. They will go to more welcoming places, like Canada or Germany. Indeed, little is made in the immigration debate of the thousands actually leaving the UK. Recent figures show this phenomena rising. More widely, the British obsession with immigration shows an increasingly insecure, inward looking country. One seemingly happy to move ever further into isolation in an increasingly interconnected world. So having left the EU, the febrile right also want to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights and Refugee Conventions Such moves will have international implications. If undertaken they mean more isolation A reminder to the flag wavers: Britain does not and has not had for sometime an empire, nor does it have the power of somewhere like the US to go it alone. As Britain moves further in to isolation, Ireland moves in the opposite direction, putting itself at the heart of the EU and other international bodies. Yes, there are concerns about immigration in Ireland but nothing of the order of Britain. The Home Secretary faces substantial opposition, from both inside and outside Parliament, for her latest package of draconian measures. Irish born Labour MP Damien Egan put it well, when he said: "Controlling our borders and knowing who comes here is essential, not least to integration. "What can the Prime Minster say to my constituents that will give them an assurance that the reforms that he and the Home Secretary are proposing - which I support- will be firm, but also fair?" What needs to happen is for the case to be made for immigration, rather than follow down the Reform UK direction of travel. A more balanced debate could in the longer term take some of the heat out of the discussions and just maybe focus on dare I say it more pressing issues. Ofcourse, there needs to be a functional system for coming and going from the UK, securing borders, but not the frankly racist constructs now being contemplated. Meantime, where is that Irish passport?

Fascinating insight into the UN's forgotten Secretary General - U-Thant

Peacemaker by Thant Myint-U Published by Atlantic Books £22 An important book about an almost forgotten former UN Secretary General who did so much during the 1960s to promote peace around the world. Written by Thant Myint-U, the grandson of former UN Secretary General U-Thant, this book reveals the key role played by the UN in helping resolve the Cuban missile crisis, war in the Congo and the India/Pakistan clash over Kashmir in 1965. U-Thant had less success in trying to stop the six day war in 1967, when Israel backed by the US invaded Egypt and beyond. More than a bit of a sense of deja vu relating to what has happened in Gaza over the past two years. Notably, U-Thant endeavoured to bring resolution and peace to Vietnam from the outset in the early 1960s. He was ignored and vilified for his efforts by the Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon administrations. Though, it was U-Thant who was finally vindicated by history. A one time Burmese headmaster, U-Thant became acting UN General Secretary in 1961. He was made permanent later that year, going on to serve two terms. The UN was then a fledgling organisation, whose power and influence U-Thant did much to advance. He managed to forge important relationships with the John Kennedy Whitehouse and the Soviet Union. These links proving crucial during the Cuban missile crisis. In fact overall, whilst putting much effort into trying to cultivate relationships with successive US administrations, the Soviets probably proved more consistently supportive. Relations were never good with Johnson due to differences over Vietnam, whilst Nixon had no time for the UN or its Secretary General The role seemed to be one of getting the blame for much and the credit for little. But U-Thant did make an immense impact with his use of soft power. An interesting read, that goes some way to righting the historical record, with regards to the role played by the UN and one of its outstanding Secretary Generals in creating and maintaining world peace in particularly turbulent times.

Without migrants the country would grind to a halt

The staff at Whipps Cross hospital are a fantastic body of people. Overworked, often under stress, but striving for the betterment of us all. I was recently a patient at Whipps Cross, witnessing the selfless work of so many people. The conditions are not easy, pressure to deal with often life threatening conditions. All this, as well as working on what is now, in part, a construction site. Another thing that struck me on my visit was the number of migrants keeping the whole show on the road. Whipps Cross is a microcosm of the NHS, a fantastic operation, that serves us all, staffed to a large degree by people coming from other countries. The same applies to a large number of other sectors from care, education and transport to hospitality and construction. If migrants went on strike the whole British economy would grind to a halt. Britain has an ageing population, with a falling birth rate - the economy desperately needs migrants. So why is it that parties like Reform UK, who base their whole appeal on an anti- migrant agenda, seem to be growing in popularity? Reform UK are the party of the elites, posing as the party of the people, scapegoating minorities in order to attain political office. For those with eyes to see where they have attained office, mayhem has ensued. Kent is one example. These people are not serious but peddle division to win office. They have no time time for an NHS free at point of delivery. That said, the Labour Party could do better -it is seemingly fixated with aping Reform. Take the small boats agenda. Some 37,000 people come desperately seeking refuge, but are stereotyped as criminals. A distortion and distraction. Meanwhile, in the fifth richest country in the world, some five million children live under the poverty line. Over 150 billionaires live in Britain, while millions go to food banks. Rather than stand up for our multicultural society, the government seems keen to follow the Reform UK's lead. Legal migrants it seems are not welcome. There are restrictions, according to earning levels. And proposals to insist on language competency to A - level English level - how many indigenous British have this qualification? How many need it? It is almost as if the pro-growth government wants to stop those migrants, who come to fill the skills shortages, that are hampering British businesses efforts to progress. Higher education is one of the few UK growth sectors, so why penalise the overseas students whose fees largely keep it going? The anti- migrants agenda promoted by Reform UK and mirrored by many other parties is madness. On one level it is immoral, driving division throughout the country. On another, it is economic suicide for a country with an ageing population and falling birth rates. Migrants are net contributors to the economy. So next time your in A&E or visiting relations in a care home, look around you to see what is going on. Then, maybe, smile and say thank you to all those fantastic migrant staff for all that they do.

Quiet Ear

The Quiet Ear by Raymond Antrobus Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson Price £16.99 This fascinating account of living with deafness, will resonate with everyone who has hearing issues. It should also be a wake up call to those who don't. Internationally renowned poet Raymond Antrobus takes the reader through his different life experiences, showing how these have been shaped by deafness The struggle, in a society that, at best, has a tick box mentality to deafness. The battle to be like everyone else (those without deafness). The stigma encountered by wearing hearing aids. Antrobus takes the reader through his life, growing up, a young mixed race man, in the Hackney of the 1990s. Difficult times at school ensue, only improving when he goes to the deaf school, Blanche Nevile. Different individuals, like teachers Penny and Renata, listen and really help the young Antrobus. Swimming teacher Mark becomes a heroic figure to him. These individuals really make a difference. All the time he is learning, trying to make sense of the world. There are times when he feels isolated and lonely. Others though do not overcome such problems. Tyrone Givens was confident, doing well at Blanche Nevile but thing's fell apart, when he left. He ended up in prison, denied his hearing aids, he hung himself. Poetry becomes Antrobus salvation. Always fascinated by words and literature he progresses, with help from some along the way. A lot of the journey is about coming to terms with and accepting deafness as a way of life. This applies to those who are deaf but also the rest of society. The need to be genuinely inclusive. People need to speak clearly and visibly with people who are deaf or have hearing difficulties, not let them become isolated and cut off in a cocooned world. Signing is important. Neither is the there there pat on the head attitude of so many in society helpful. That said, Antrobus comes to not see deafness as a disability but just another way of living. He refers to deafness as "an experience rather than a trauma." He recalls on a trip to the Caribbean, realising you could live deaf in Jamaica. The experience ofcourse will be different for those born deaf to others who have lost hearing for whatever reason. UK society is certainly failing deaf people. There is a lack of recognition of the enormity of the issue. Antrobus points out that there are more deaf people now than in 2003, yet fewer deaf schools and support systems. The Quiet Ear is an excellent read, the story of one man's battle to get through life, how he struggles to deal with and come to terms with deafness. However, his journey results in a recognition of deafness as part of who he is, something almost to celebrate, rather than hide or get depressed about. An uplifting read, with so many lessons for the whole of society.

Looking back and forward - eight years on Redbridge Council

So what has been good, bad or indifferent in the past eight years of serving as Redbridge councillor. On the plus side, has been the efforts to tackle climate and biodiversity crises. Councillor Jo Blackman and myself brought the Climate Emergency Motion to the council in 2019.This was duly passed leading to a new climate policy to address the crisis. On biodiversity, we were both on a Nature and Environment task force, that set out a number of measures to address that crisis. Slowly, things have advanced on the environmental agenda but advance they have. Things like the tree pit adoption, grow zones areas and work around the river Roding have been encouraging. Transport has been a thorny area. The extension of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone and School Streets schemes have improved air quality for everyone. Controlled Parking Zones have handed streets back to the residents. Electric car charging provision has improved. The extension of cycle lanes has been encouraging. However, it has been frustrating looking back at how slow progress has been on transport. Redbridge lags behind neighbouring boroughs on things like cycle networks. We have not been bold enough with schemes like Low Emissions Neighbourhoods, restricting car movements and improving daily life. The rapid withdrawal of the few schemes deployed during the COVID crisis has to be a regret. It would be good to see more pedestrianisation of shopping areas, as has been seen with the mini- Holland schemes in Waltham Forest. Redbridge does now have an active travel policy but it has been slow to arrive. Things have not been made easier by TFL's reordering of bus provision in the area. Running local councils though is not easy, especially in these cash strapped times. Redbridge has had more than £100 million taken away by national government over the past decade. It is one of the worse funded authorities per head in terms of the demands that now exist. Statutory duties like adult and children's care swallow up 75% plus of the budget. Dealing with homelessness is another growing statutory demand. So life is not easy, constantly trying to deliver more for less. It is something that there could be a little more public understanding of, when the council is looking to find innovative ways to address the shortfalls. There is a growing frustration amongst the public regarding services. A frustration shared by councillors trying to improve things. Mostly people become councillors for the right reasons to serve the community. They should not be expected to just become lightening rods for people's frustrations and anger. Yes, things go wrong and could be done better. People have the right to protest. But increasingly you feel in this social media age, people just need someone or something to get angry about. The rapidity with which a sort of lynch mob mentality can develop via social media is alarming. So, yes it has been great to serve the people of Redbridge for the past eight years. But it is a concern looking to the future, as to how things will be afforded under the present funding arrangements. Much has been achieved but much more can be done, given the resources.Above all though, moving forward, let's be nicer to each other. published - Wanstead Directory- November 2025