My most recent column published in the Ham & High today.

The political party conference season is always a time when politicians naturally turn to thinking and talking more to their internal audience – the party members who turn up to fill the halls when they speak. With a coalition government it also means we therefore hear more about issues where the two parties in government disagree, especially those issues on which party members feel passionately.

And so the talk of human rights at both the Liberal Democrat and Conservative Party conferences – same topic, but very different talk, at each.

In the Blue Corner, Theresa May (my Home Office boss) launched an attack on the Human Rights Act on the morning of the Conservative conference in the Sunday Telegraph saying that saying she “personally” would like to see it go because of the problems it caused for the Home Office. On Marr the same day David Cameron – when questioned on his Secretary of State’s position – backed it up, saying he too would like to see it go and be replaced by a written British Bill of Rights.

In the gold corner, Nick Clegg – my other boss (and Deputy Prime Minister obviously) – at our Conference a couple of weeks ago defended the act: “So let me say something really clear about the Human Rights Act. In fact I’ll do it in words of one syllable: It is here to stay”.

Positions stated, party differences made clear. But the truly important point – and one I hope and trust that both coalition parties subscribe to – is that human rights are absolutely crucial to a civilised world and civilised society – and something to be proud of.

And in fairness – I have been impressed by William Hague and the priority he has given to human rights (including equal rights for women and the LGB&T community) in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office work across the world. There is a real personal sincerity from many leading Conservative figures showing how, in this respect at least, the Conservative Party now is very different from the one of Section 28.

The Foreign Secretary has supported my own international mission in tackling violence against women across the world and gay and trans rights by supporting my key messages on these issues. Travelling ministers will now raise such issues wherever appropriate and possible in their travels – it is becoming a core part of their work when abroad on behalf of the UK , rather than something to be sidelined into the occasional special trip.

As for the Human Rights Act – there are times when people cynically, lazily or ignorantly quote it in a way that completely perverts its intention (and doesn’t stand up if put to the test in court). In that respect it is very similar to the Data Protection Act – often also called in aid as the supposed justification for bizarre decisions in a way that fuels shock media stories but really says far more about the ignorance of those quoting it than about what it actually says.

As even David Cameron said, the real issue with the Human Rights Act is its over-interpretation by some. We do see stupid judgements and ridiculous trivialisation of the Act and the intention of the Act.

So there is scope for common ground on dealing with those excesses, but outside of tha – the Home Sec’s ‘personal’ desire to see the Human Rights Act go – is just not going to happen under this government.

The Government ‘Body Confidence’ project was launched last year. This is a campaign about pushing back against the overwhelming pressure on all of us to conform to one, impossibly perfect body image.

One part of the project is about helping children deconstruct the images used by the media and advertising.

Media Smart – a not for profit organisation – yesterday launched a learning package for teachers to help children understand how the media can and does alter images to make them unrealistic – as well as the impact of these images on self-esteem. Obviously – working with quite young children (10 and 11) the ‘lesson’ has been very carefully worked out.

This media literacy tool will help young people critically appraise and gain more realistic perceptions of the images they see. It explores how and why idealised images in advertising and the media are used to construct particular messages.

Media Smart develops and provides, free of charge and on request, educational materials to primary schools. They developed this particular program to support the Government campaign on Body Confidence – and yesterday I went to the launch at Surrey Square Primary School.

It was absolutely amazing. The children were so genuinely engaged and interested and very vocal on the lesson. It was clear that many had never realised that what they saw in magazines was not real. It was equally clear that they wanted ‘truth’ in what they saw. Advertisers take note!

It will clearly spark many a conversation between the children and with their parents about image, beauty and what is it that matters. There is a homework project to bring in pictures of people that the children love. Of course – they will bring in pictures of parents – and parents of every shape, size and colour! That enables a conversation about what makes you love someone. Is it their appearance? Should appearance be the only way to value someone? What makes us like someone and so on.

It’s gentle – but it raises key issues and helps children understand the images they are seeing in a different way. It starts the conversation and it raises awareness. That is the purpose.

Children are confronted with thousands of images every year through media and advertising. These images create a culture of conformity, not individuality and don’t reflect the real society we live in. Children need the tools to be able to critically analyse these images to counter the negative impact they can have on body image and self esteem.

We want children to have healthier and happier futures and recognise that their value is worth so much more than just their physical appearance.

And of course – it’s not just children – it’s all of us.

But this part of the Body Confidence project was about the impact of idealised images on children and the launch of the Media Smart literacy tool for Body Confidence.

After a recent analysis of the funding from the New Deal for Communities (NDC) which was designed to regenerate Tottenham, my Liberal Democrat collegues on Haringey Council have expressed caution that funding to help the area following the riots should be part of a coherent, long-term programme with the local residents of the area at its heart. Quite right in my view.

Liberal Democrats have calculated that nearly one pound on every six spent as part of the £77million NDC programme was spent on consultants, plans, studies, project management and controversial projects such as Wards Corner which was subject to Judicial Review and its plans thrown out.

The government has pledged £20million for Tottenham and Croydon following the riots and another £30million to support high streets, businesses and residents affected around the country.

Cllr Jonathan Bloch who is Liberal Democrat Regeneration Spokesperson said that he was “really glad that coalition government have prioritised Tottenham for much-needed funding following the destruction of property, homes and livelihoods during the riots. Now we have moved into the next phase we cannot see a repeat of the wasteful spending of the NDC on strategies, consultants, and studies.

“The funding must be spent on people not plans with residents at the heart of every decision and should consider a focus on long-term job creation and raising education aspiration.

“We have already seen the side of Tottenham we all know – people proud of their area and willing to rebuild. We must help them and the best way we can do this to ensure that money is spent wisely to bring lasting regeneration to Tottenham.

This is a really important issue. In my early days as a Haringey councillor I sat on the regeneration committee because Haringey seemed to win a lot of funding bids – but not deliver productive outcomes and I wanted to understand where all the money went. What became clear is exactly the same pattern that Cllr Bloch is concerned about – millions in, committees formed, umbrella groups, structure and consultants making plans – all in receipt of funds – endgame not delivering outputs.

Given the high levels of need – we need that money to be used wisely.

Additionally, at the public meeting I attended last Wednesday night about the riots it was being said that Spurs were allocated £8million out of the £20million. I googled this when I got home to find that Boris Johnson is apparently allocating this amount out of the fund to Spurs to get them to stay in Tottenham. The inference in the articles is that this is to make up for what happened over their bid for the Olympic Stadium as their new grounds – which they didn’t get.

It certainly is vital that Spurs stays where it is. What would really help would be a tube stop! It would be great if Mayor Boris could turn his mind to that! I know – it’s a bit more than £8million – but in regen terms – that would deliver.

Came back from the Liberal Democrat Conference in Birmingham early yesterday evening.

Nick’s speech had kept us all happy.

Nick acknowledged the tough times we have gone through. But more importantly – he reminded us of the tough times the country is going through and our part in making sure we come through it. I think it is the balance between Liberal Democrat economic competence in making these hard calls (against a backdrop of constant vilification for doing so) and fairness. We retain our social conscience – thank goodness.

For the Liberal Democrats it was a really good conference. We were in good heart and Nick was in cracking form. There were, as ever, the forces of darkness out there (confused clearly by the good atmosphere) saying how can you be happy given your losses at the last local elections and the AV result? But that is the point – we are now winning by-elections and moving on from those early dreadful days – and delivering a whole host of LibDem policies in government. As Peter Bone and just about everyone acknowledged – punching well above our weight.

I just think you move in a direction and keep true to getting the country on solid economic ground and promoting growth. It’s the long, hard road. There are no quick fixes. And listening to Vince at conference – the road ahead is tough. Vince did refer to the fact that his speech had been rather gloomy and that we, the audience, were waiting for the sunny uplands – but there weren’t really any – yet!

I made my keynote speech on the first day (which I will paste at the end of this post). I wanted to target and highlight the situation in the Middle East – where the Arab Spring has brought such hope – but where women who fought for the revolution alongside their countrymen are now being aced out of decisions and participation in the future of these countries.

I also made the announcement on moving forward on the equal marriage. That has been widely covered in the media – and welcomed across the board. However, as ever – along with ‘thanks very much for this’ there is also the ‘what about religious marriage and equal civil partnerships’ and ‘what about the ending the need for a trans husband or wife to divorce and then civil partnership – as currently to remain married would be illegal. And what about divorce and adoption.

All I can say is that over the next couple of months I will be meeting with all those groups with an interest in these matters to discuss their views prior to the launch of the consultation on equal marriage next March.

Seem to have stirred up a hornet’s nest (at least with the Evening Standard) when I said at a fringe to encourage women into Parliament that women need to get their hands on levers and get into a position where they take the big decisions. I went on to say that we have seen what bad decisions men have made with the mess the world is in.

The Evening Standard decided this was an opportunity to have a go and bang one of their favourite drums. Craig Brown wrote it up and then Anne McEvoy wrote a column on this outrageous slur on the male species. Even though – obviously in the room this was said with some humour – given the attack – what I would point out to both her and the ES is that it is a matter of record and fact that the world is in a mess and that it is almost all men who have made the decisions that brought us here.

Now – it is undoubtedly true that we might be in exactly the same mess had women been in the decision making positions. But we weren’t there! So I look forward to the day when we are in those positions and I can stand at a LibDem fringe meeting blaming both genders – for the state of the world – good or bad!

Just to add insult to injury – I am sympathetic to the amendment moved by Evan Harris in the Violence Against Women debate about not having naked women displayed to those who do not choose to have naked women in their sights.

Anyway – conference was a lot of fun, a lot of hard work and lot of inspiration.

Here is the speech in full:

Conference – the Liberal Democrats have now been in Government for more than 500 days.

And I know what you’re all thinking. You’re thinking – this is tough.

And I know that it hasn’t always been easy; and that at times the reality of this Coalition business is very tough.

But that is the point. That is what we are here for.

Because who are we – if not the party who makes the hard calls?

We are the ones who opposed Iraq – when no one else did;

Who championed the Green agenda – when no one else did;

Who warned of the banking crisis – when no one else did;

And who stood up to Rupert Murdoch – when no one else did.

And now, we’re trailblazers all over again, forming the first coalition since the Second World War –

And I understand that it can be challenging for us all.

In fact, sometimes, I let myself dream about what we could get done if we were in power by ourselves.

What a Liberal Democrat Britain would look like.

Perhaps we’d start by investing extra money in the most vulnerable children, I think;

Or by cutting tax for the lowest earners, instead of the highest.

Perhaps we’d bring back the earnings link for pensions; and create more apprenticeships for young people.

We could invest billions in green technology;

And make life easier for parents who want to share their childcare duties.

Pinch! – this is no dream – this is a reality!

This is what we are doing: right here, right now.

And conference, this reality is down to you.

Because you campaigned for it, because you fought for it – We are delivering it in Government.

People say Lib Dems are optimistic.

Well I agree!

For me – today it’s a Liberal Britain, tomorrow, a Liberal world!

So I want to talk to you about why for me, a Liberal world is so important.

At the end of last year I was appointed Ministerial Champion for tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Overseas.

Now this is an important role with a vital mission:

Because right now, rape and domestic violence are a higher risk for women aged 15 to 44 than cancer, traffic accidents or malaria.

This is simply deplorable. It is a scandal and an outrage that we should not accept.

So I am honoured to take on this role, a particular privilege in this landmark year for political rights and human dignity.

2011 brought the Arab Spring, which saw millions of people fight for those most basic of principles.

For freedom, for opportunity, for human rights. For Government by consent, and not by force.

So many brave people, who in the face of such brutal oppression, went out there and declared, “No more.”

But since taking this new role, the part of the revolution that interested me the most was the vital role played by women.

We saw women from Tunisia to Bahrain organising, leading, and participating in protests shoulder to shoulder with their countrymen.

In Yemen, a young women, Tawakul Karman, led the first demonstrations on a university campus against the vicious rule of President Saleh.

In Egypt, the video blog of Asmaa Mafouz, calling on her compatriots to fill Tahrir Square went viral, playing a significant role in the success of that event.

Women have been vital in movements from Martyr’s Square to Pearl Roundabout –

Marching, making speeches, treating the injured – shedding their traditional roles and refusing to be spectators to a revolution.

In Yemen President Saleh went as far to call these women un-Islamic for marching side by side with men.

So what did they do? They turned out in greater numbers than ever before.

Proud Muslims, proud women, and proud democrats.

But the truth is that while there were many women on the front line, experiencing the most joyous moments of the revolution,

There were just as many, away from the cameras, experiencing some of the darkest.

Periods of conflict always leave women and girls vulnerable to attack, and the instability caused by the Arab Spring has been no exception.

There are reports of rapes in Libya, assault in Bahrain, forced virginity tests in Egypt;

And who can forget watching those harrowing images of Iman al-Obeidi bursting into the Rixos hotel in Tripoli – desperate, but determined to tell gathered journalists how she had been raped by Gadaffi’s forces?

And the even more disturbing footage of her being forcibly gagged and bustled away by Government officials?

I was horrified, as I’m sure you were.

But the sad reality is that Iman could represent millions of women all over the world – terrified, abused, silenced.

But she refused to be silenced, and they must not be silenced any longer.

The Arab Spring has been a great political revolution – a fight for equality.

Equal rights to vote, equal access to the labour market, equal share in the future of your country – for all classes and races and religions.

But this must apply to women too.

Because while half their populations are isolated and marginalised, these new societies can never reach their full potential – economically, socially, or morally.

So I urge these new nations to ensure that this isn’t only a political revolution, but a social revolution as well.

That this Arab Spring is followed by a Feminist Summer, where women can vote, work, speak their minds and live free from violence.

In Egypt, activist Mozn Hassan was in Tahrir square every day until Mubarak resigned.

Yet when she and other women marched for their rights on International Women’s Day, they were harassed and threatened by the very men who they had once walked beside.

These heroic women are being told that now is not the time for women’s rights – that there are more important things to deal with.

Well I say, now IS the time.

Now is the time for women to have a say in the way their country is run.

Now is the time for women to be allowed to work to feed their children.

Now is the time for women who have suffered sexual violence to know justice.

And now is the time, if there ever was one, for full legal, social, and political equality for all women in the Arab and Islamic world.

But I want to be clear that violence against women is not a problem just for Arabic or Islamic countries.

This is a problem across the globe; and political representation is just the first step in a long battle.

On my first visit as Ministerial Champion, for example, I visited India.

Now in India, women occupy four of the most senior political positions – Head of State, President of the Congressional Coalition, Head of the Opposition party and Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

But from my visit it became clear that despite this political representation, India, like many other countries across the globe can still be a very unsafe place for women.

On one of the days, I went to the village of Patna, in the northern state of Bihar – where reported incidents of domestic violence are highest in all of India.

In this region, two thirds of all women have suffered violence at the hands of their husbands.

And some of the stories I heard – of rape, of beatings, of kidnap and imprisonment – were truly harrowing.

Now I met with Ministers and civil groups trying to change this, and I commend both their efforts and their intentions.

But India proves that women in power doesn’t always mean empowered women.

And legislation alone will not solve these problems.

For women to feel truly safe when they walk home from work late at night, what has to change is attitudes.

There must be social change, cultural change.

And this must be achieved through the education of men and boys, as well as through new laws that move away from the dangerously outdated notions of a woman’s “modesty” and “virtue”and towards a judicial system that says sexual crime, domestic violence, and the abuse of women in all its forms is nothing less than an affront to their human rights.

But I do not preach to these countries blind to our own failures, conference.

Because we in Britain must admit that we have not solved the issue of violence against women.

And that we have our own outdated cultural norms to overcome.

Our country still has unacceptable levels of domestic violence, terrible conviction rates for rape, and a serious problem with human trafficking.

It is simply not acceptable that in a modern democracy like ours, an average of two women a week are murdered by their partners or ex-partners.

But neither is it acceptable for our law-makers, no matter how-well intentioned, to talk about rape in a way that seems both casual and callous.

As a nation, and as a Government, we must be clear that we understand that rape and sexual violence is about power, not about sex.

That what a woman wears, or does, or says, will never be justification for violence against her.

And that abuse in the home, by someone you know, is no less traumatising than abuse by a stranger.

Now I am incredibly proud of the work this government has done so far to tackle violence against women:

– The extra funding for rape support centres

– The introduction of domestic violence protection orders

– The opt-in to the European Human Trafficking Directive

But we know that there is much more we can and must do.

So I am delighted to see a motion from conference this Monday which encourages the Government to keep pushing, keep progressing, and not rest until we have eradicated violence against women in Britain once and for all.

Because while there are courageous women out there –

Like Iman, like Tawakul, like Asmaa – Like the women I met in India, who are willing to risk their freedom and their lives to fight for their rights, Britain must say – we stand with you.

While there are women who live in fear, in poverty, in isolation – Britain must say – we hear you.

And until all women across the world have complete equality – Britain must remain a leader and an inspiration to all nations in the way we treat our women.

But conference, while my official mission is to tackle violence against women, this won’t stop me from continuing to fight for the rights of all persecuted minorities around the world.

Because it often follows that in countries where women are oppressed, other minorities are too.

In Africa, where the majority of countries still have no law against domestic violence, homosexuality remains illegal in all but sixteen countries.

In Saudi Arabia, where women are prevented from voting, driving, or learning; homosexuality is punishable by death.

So this government is playing a lead role in the UN to ensure that the international community recognises the persecution and human rights violations that LGBT people continue to suffer.

Against fierce opposition from some countries who seek to dismiss or dilute this issue we have played an instrumental role in building international support for our position.

And I am pleased that this culminated in a landmark UN resolution rejecting such abuses, which was signed by more states than ever before.

But sadly, this is not an area where the West can claim complete moral victory.

Even in European countries we have seen abhorrent attitudes towards LGB&T communities.

In Italy, violent homophobic attacks continue, while politicians use demeaning rhetoric.

In Lithuania, legal provisions came into force which attempted to stifle public discussion and restrict freedom of expression for LGBT people.

And in Turkey, research by Amnesty International found systematic fear and discrimination, in a country with no provision to prevent it.

So we will also work within the EU, to ensure that there is full implementation, across Europe, of the Council of Europe’s measures to combat homophobic discrimination.

I will be in Brussels, again, on October 18th, raising this very issue.

And while on my travels as a Champion for Women’s Rights, I am and will be a Champion for Gay Rights too.

I will be raising the issue with Governments all over the world and will continue to push everyone, from allies to adversaries, to recognise what we know is true:

That Gay Rights are Human Rights.

No excuses, no exceptions, no compromises.

But, conference, as with the treatment of women, Britain must not get complacent.

We are a world leader for gay rights, but as this conference made clear last year with your call for equal marriage, there is still more that we must do.

That is why I am delighted to announce today that in March, this Government will begin a formal consultation on how to implement equal civil marriage for same sex couples.

And this would allow us to make any legislative changes necessary by the end of this Parliament.

Civil partnerships were a welcome first step – but as our constitution states, this party rejects prejudice and discrimination in all its forms.

And I believe that to deny one group of people the same opportunities offered to another is not only discrimination, but is not fair.

Conference, this is a Liberal Democrat policy – but now it is a policy being put into action.

Along with all the other Liberal Democrat policies which are now, because of your commitment, a reality.

This is why I became a Liberal Democrat.

This is why you became a Liberal Democrat.

To build and safeguard a fair, free and open society.

And with Liberal Democrats in Government this is exactly what we are doing.

Thank you.

It’s been quite a journey – but today as this post goes up – I am announcing in my keynote speech to Liberal Democrat conference that in March, this Government will begin a formal consultation on equal civil marriage for same-sex couples.

This would allow us to make any legislative changes before the end of this Parliament.

We will be working closely with all those who have an interest in the area to understand their views ahead of the formal consultation.

The consultation will only cover civil marriage for same sex couples – not religious marriage.

My recent column in the Ham & High

Am I bovvered? That was the gag line from Catherine Tate – and we all laughed. But there was nothing funny about the real life representation of lots of young people who were not bothered at all.

Their consciences weren’t bothered. They weren’t bothered about the victims of their actions. They weren’t bothered about the consequences to themselves of their actions. They weren’t bothered about their communities. They weren’t bothered about their families. They weren’t bothered about what people thought of them and they weren’t bothered about the businesses they ransacked and looted.

All sounds rather similar to the concerns being so widely discussed after the tragic riots – but the fact that Catherine Tate started her satire several years ago reminds us that far from all of these issues are new and so we should not under-estimate the continuing work that should be our response to the riots.

The police certainly deserve thanks for their bravery, but as many police acknowledge the question of what tactics to use when needs careful study. Even as we remember that the police’s choice of tactics reflects previous concerns expressed about their behavior, we should not shy away from a careful re-consideration of what the best tactics are.

The Government was criticized for not having its senior members on the spot (that left me to go out on the airwaves as duty Minister at the Home Office on the Sunday and Monday). It is now being criticized for knee jerk reactions and for raising questions about police tactics. It is the government’s job to ensure that its citizens are safe – and if there are questions that need answering on operational decisions – that is appropriate. But we do have to be careful about jumping to conclusions.

There is already much information flowing in from the many who have been out talking and interviewing in the affected communities, added to which is the data from the thousands being passed through the justice system. Some of those cases catch the eye – such as the improbable sounding looting of a violin or the case of a primary school employee. But we all know that the stories which catch the headlines can be far from typical – we need a full analysis of the whos, the whats and the whys so that future decisions are based on reality rather than everyone just cherry picking the evidence to support what they always wanted anyway.

One question I particularly want to keep an eye on is the large number of people who were on parole who have been arrested and those who have ‘previous’– which raises questions about how our parole and prison systems work (or don’t).

We should also learn from the few bright spots, the displays of strong community spirit to protect property and clean-up communities – a display which I, as a London MP for a highly diverse community, am particularly pleased to have seen was fully multicultural, involving all different parts of our society.

We saw great dignity from the father of one of the three young men mowed down by a car. We saw community spirit rise from the ashes and give us all heart. And we probably managed to arrest more of our criminal fraternity in London on a single night than ever before.

On my visits to the various parts of my constituency to talk to traders and local people I talked to one young man. He told me he had grown up on a council estate in Tottenham. I asked him what he thought of the looting of phones. He said it was simple – you have to have a phone. If you don’t – you’re nobody. It’s not just a matter of convenience or communication, it is a matter of status – an eerie reminder of what so many people say to me is the excuse the carrying of knives too – it gets you status.

So as the evidence comes in I expect we will be faced with two main challenges: that of how to make our policing and legal system work better and that of how to help give people in some of our poorest communities a different sense of hope and self-worth than that which comes from criminal or threatening behavior.

Am I bovvered? Yes – very!

Public disorder – help for high streets

A £10m recovery fund to help councils with the immediate costs of making their areas safe, clear and clean again. This fund can be used, for example, to clear debris left strewn in streets and make immediate repairs to pavements and roads. This Recovery scheme can also be used to support councils who use their powers to offer council tax discounts or council tax relief to those whose homes have been damaged but are still habitable.

A £20m High Street Support Scheme – funded jointly by the Departments for Communities and Local Government, and Business Innovation and Skills, which will be made available immediately, for the streets and areas where businesses were affected by the rioting. The money is intended to finance those measures that will get business trading again and meet short term costs. Councils will distribute the money and could use it to reduce business rates, finance building repairs and encourage customers back to the affected areas.

In addition, seriously damaged homes and business properties will be taken off the respective valuation lists, and Mr Pickles has strongly encouraged the Valuation Office Agency and local authorities to do so as promptly as possible. This removes any liability for council tax or business rates.

Councils have the power to offer rate relief for local firms, but must pay a quarter of the cost; central government automatically pays for three quarters of the cost. The High Street Support Scheme will help reimburse councils for this cost, to facilitate immediate and real financial help to be given to small and medium firms to rebuild their local businesses. Business rates are typically the third biggest outgoing for firms after rent and staff.

Local businesses can get more information from http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/home

On Tuesday night there was a lot of twitter conversation about expected trouble in Crouch End, Muswell Hill and Highgate. I contacted our local police commander around 6pm to ask what intelligence the police had on potential trouble in these local areas. The commander checked police information and phoned me back to say there was nothing coming in on that over the police information channels. Police information was correct.

Whilst Tottenham High Road sustained massive damage (as we all saw) – in Hornsey & Wood Green constituency – Wood Green High road had substantial looting and vandalism – but the other areas like Hornsey, Crouch End, Bounds Green, Muswell Hill and Highgate were more fortunate – sustaining random acts of vandalism and looting on a few individual businesses.

Having visited Tottenham and Wood Green on Monday, yesterday I went to visit some of the traders in Muswell Hill and Crouch End who had suffered damage and/or looting: an optician and a mobile phone shop in Muswell Hill and a cafe in Crouch End. They were all open for business and pretty stoic in the face of events. Clearly – the level of damage was nowhere near as great as the major areas – but the anxiety of the shop-keepers had inevitably heightened with one shopkeeper now removing his total stock to the safe each night – taking staff an hour so to do.

Today – Parliament is recalled. At 11.30 the Prime Minister will make a statement on the riots. At 13.30 (or later depending how long the first statement and responses run) the Chancellor will update us on the economic situation. When that concludes – the Home Secretary will open the debate on the riots.

Two departments will also be publishing at 11.30 information on what measures the government is taking to help those hit by the riots and hopefully information on issues around insurance.

To me the priorities have been clear. First duty is to restore law and order. Second is to make sure that those who committed criminal acts are brought to justice. In terms of roof over head, clothes and food for those who have lost their homes – in Haringey the priority has been to help those people.

And today – I think we will begin to hear the broader discussion – on how and why this happened.

Thornton’s Budgens in Crouch End are setting up cages outside their shop, where they will be collecting items for people whose homes have been affected by the fires in Tottenham at the weekend.

If you have donations you would like to make, such as bedding, clothes, toys and unused toiletries, you can drop them off there and they will drive them to Haringey Council’s offices on Seven Sisters Road in their delivery vans. Please bring donations before 8pm today, or after 6.30 am tomorrow.

The address of Thornton’s Budgens is:

21-23 The Broadway
Crouch End
London
N8 8DU

The disregard for human life, the looting, the wanton destruction of the fabric of our communities and the violence against the police made for scenes of absolute horror – the like of which we have not seen on the streets of London.

Like everyone else – I watched the horror unfold on breaking news throughout the evening and night – as what started in Tottenham spread across our capital city and beyond.

The bloody scenes of violence, peppered with raging fires, indicate that we have people in our communities who care nothing for the rule of law and order, nothing for human life and nothing for peoples’ livelihoods. And there can be no justifications and nowhere to hide from such behaviour. We all need to stand together on this and condemn all those who perpetrated these acts. No ifs – no buts.

David Cameron will chair an emergency meeting of Cobra this morning – and no doubt there will be following announcements on actions to be taken to restore law and order to our streets.