Three great local organisations

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On Friday, a woman came to my advice surgery. Odiri started and runs and inspires an organisation called Kori. Kori works with young people – mainly from ethnic minorities – to improve their skills, language, vocabulary and general education – but extending this help on through to their performance and artistic activities.

I was really impressed with the work they do – it is about creating leaders and inspiration and aspiration. But it is such a struggle for genuinely excellent groups like Kori to keep going and to get bits of funding. That’s what makes me mad about Ken Livingstone and the London Development Agency. All these excellent groups who could really benefit from assistance – and who would in return really benefit our communities – and yet the LDA has sloshed around so much money with so little control – and with Ken Livingstone repeated refusing to take seriously complaints about lack of control or wrong decisions being made.

Later in the day Marlon came to see me. Marlon has been running an outfit called Kush. It’s about getting young people involved in black film making and so on. Marlon wants also to get funding – but he said that ultimately he didn’t really believe funding was such a great thing as when it runs out – you are in trouble. He would rather make Kush self-sustaining – a small business really. He seemed to be fanatical about black film and about going into schools to inspire young people to get involved. So good luck to him too.

And then it was more inspiration. Off to give out the medals to the winners from Whizz Kids’ obstacle course races organised by Burk Gravis at White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre. Judging by the noise levels the kids certainly seemed to be having a fantastic time!

Great fun was had by all – but I was somewhat shocked to find that the Centre only gets £32,000 per year to develop sport for young people in Haringey. So it was a day of three organisations – all doing great work – and all on close to a shoestring budget. And yet you turn to other areas and there’s so much badly spent and wasted money. It’s not a matter of saying spend, spend, spend (though I’m happy to defend the need to have reasonable spending levels) – but rather saying we need to cut the waste, and remember the worthy causes that miss out because of waste and carelessness elsewhere.

Sports and politics: do they mix?

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Beijing 2008 countdown clock. Photo credit: Flickr user http2007My latest newspaper column (for the Ham & High) is about the Olympics and China’s behaviour:

I can’t help but observe the contrast between how Britain and China deals with protestors. In Britain – the police’s response to protests during the passage of the Olympic Torch through London was to pop the torch on a bus for a bit. How very English! And then in China we have the dark side of the contrast – the violence, gunshots and even deaths that are the frequent response to protests.

Standing in Bloomsbury Square last Sunday chanting ‘China Out’ in reply to a young Tibetan shouting out through a megaphone ‘Free Tibet’ reminded me not only of the issue in question but also of the feeling you get when you go out onto the streets to claim your democratic right to peaceful protest. It is active. And it makes you feel that you are not taking it lying down; not abjectly rolling over, tut-tutting at the pictures on the news whilst saying there is nothing I can do.

Indeed, in a world of global, near-instant media, protests in one part of the world can garner coverage all over the globe – including, directly or indirectly, in China itself. (I know how well the internet reaches all sorts in China from when I was on the London Assembly – and got a three page marriage proposal from a fisherman in a remote part of China!)

As you may have guessed – I don’t buy the argument that Olympics = sports = you mustn’t say anything about anything other than sport. The Chinese Government has been repeatedly and politicising the Olympics for its own ends – so simply mouthing that formula means conceding it is ok to politicise the Olympics to promote thuggish authoritarianism but not ok to speak out against such behaviour. Where is the morality in that approach of self-censorship and unnecessary deference?

Read the rest of the piece here.

Photo credit: Flickr user http2007

If you're good and keen enough, a team of five can beat a team of twelve

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I visited Amir Laksari today to find out more about the Sparrows. Mr Laksari came over from Iran as a political refugee in 1986 and soon after he joined a wheelchair basketball team, becoming very heavily involved.

Traditionally the Sparrows Wheelchair Basketball Club has been mainly a refugees / ethnic minorities team. Something like 30% of the people in the team and half the people on the Management Committee are from Haringey – albeit Haringey wouldn’t negotiate a reasonable price for them to use Tottenham Leisure Centre to practise and play so instead they had to go to Hackney.

The club is extremely successful and has won tournaments in a host of different countries. In a particularly memorable example Mr. Laksari described when they only had enough money to send five members of their team, but won games against other teams who had the full quota of 12 players! The famous Ade Adepitan used to play for their club.

They used to play in Haringey but are currently in Hackney. Mr. Laksari wishes that Haringey Council would be more supportive, both in terms of championing the achievements of the team and also possibly providing some financial support.

Competitive wheelchairs for basketball can cost £2,500. The organisation was given £8,000 lottery funding – but that is not enough for them to repair or provide the special wheelchairs -nor pay for practise facilities – nor help with their expenses in competing abroad.

We say we want integration and participation for those with disabilities – but we don’t seem to do that much to help.

I am writing to the Leader of Haringey Council to seek support for the team and to try and link up the schools and the Sparrows so that there is a pathway into the team from our local schools. I will also write to the Olympic Committee for the Paralympics to see if they can try to make sure the Sparrows Club benefits from the investment for the London Paralympics. Surely any such team that is inspiring and achieving ought to reap some benefits from the zillions it is costing London to host the event.

Thank you Neil

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My friend Neil Williams is stepping down after four and a half years as Leader of the Liberal Democrat Council Group in Haringey. With taking control of Haringey Council at the next local elections the ambition and likely result – Neil reckons the next leader will not only need to get feet under table in good time – but must also be willing to commit to the long term after winning. And saint that Neil is – another decade as leader is too much to ask.

Lynne Featherstone and Neil Williams campaigning for the 603 busNeil and I go way back here in Hornsey & Wood Green. We have worked together on many campaigns – such as for the 603 bus route (pictured). He has been my election agent forever (and hopefully will continue to be such). He has been not only key in building our success here in Haringey, but himself was first elected to Haringey Council in Highgate in May 2002, where a big swing wiped the small Tory opposition off the political map in Haringey.

He took on the leadership of the Liberal Democrat group in January 2004, leading a group of 15 Liberal Democrat councillors. Since then, the party has gone from strength to strength. The Lib Dems have won four landslide local by-elections, and taken seat after seat from Labour in the council elections in 2006.

Oh, and along the way he was also agent for my own election as MP for Hornsey and Wood Green!

Neil has been a brilliant leader of our Council Group. It’s not just that he is talented in the chamber – which he is. It’s not just that he has guided our Liberal Democrat group from 15 to 26 members ready to take the council next time – which he has. It’s not just that he has a sharp political brain – which he does. It’s that he is a really great person and has been a friend and trooper for over ten years and co-author of the rise of the Liberal Democrats in Haringey. I’ve no doubt that whatever role he takes on next Neil will be brilliant again.

Al Yamamah: High Court rules against Labour

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Well – hurrah! The High Court has just ruled that it was illegal for the Serious Fraud Office to drop its investigation into corruption around the Al Yamamah arms deal with Saudi Arabia. Of course – the reason the SFO dropped the investigation was that the Prime Minister and Attorney General put heavy pressure on them. As I’ve said before – so much for Labour’s ‘tough on crime’ rhetoric when they put the pressure on to axe criminal investigations when it suits.

What now? Well, Gordon Brown – here’s your chance to step up and show you really are a change from Tony Blair’s discredited regime. Will you now back a full investigation and see it through, to wherever the allegations of law breaking take it?

We should also see a public inquiry into how on earth we ended up in this mess – where Labour Party ministers pressurised the SFO into breaking the law. I and my colleagues have been calling for an inquiry for some time – but there’s no time like the present to sign our petition if you haven’t yet.

Refurbished hospital for sick animals opened with the help of local MP

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The brilliant service provided by a local animal hospital has now been matched by equally brilliant new facilities. The Wood Green Animal Shelter in Lordship Lane was officially opened yesterday by Haringey’s Mayor, with the help of local Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone.

For many years now, sick animals in Wood Green have been able get an amazing vet service at the Shelter. A successful, donations-based system means that the vet service is available to all, as local pet owners make a donation based on their ability to pay.

Lynne Featherstone comments:

“With this fantastic newly refurbished hospital and its brilliant team of staff, the exceptional treatment provided to the pets here can get even better. We all love animals, and want them to be looked after, but vet care can be very expensive – that’s why Wood Green Animal Shelter is so valuable.

“It’s especially great to see that those animals that have been abandoned are getting the care and attention they need at Wood Green. It’s a wonderful service.”

Wood Green Police Station sees Labour u-turn

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Local Liberal Democrats have welcomed the abandonment of controversial plans to build a new police station at Wood Green – and have also welcomed a major u-turn by the area’s only Labour councillor on the issue.

Haringey Police have withdrawn their planning application for the four storey development that, last year, local Labour councillor Matt Cooke described as “exciting” and “iconic”.

Following a backlash from local residents, Cllr Cooke has subsequently shifted his support to oppose the plans, which he now says are out of character for the area. His support for the new building was so intense that he even talked about his support on YouTube (see here and here) praising the scheme.

Cllr Ron Aitken, Lib Dem Crime Spokesperson comments:

“I’m delighted we have seen the back of these plans – and it’s always good to see a sinner repent. It seems that after realising the unpopularity of the scheme, this Labour councillor has carried out a complete u-turn. It’s a pity Councillor Cooke didn’t speak out earlier, as so much time has been wasted on this scheme, yet the police do need better facilities. Local Liberal Democrats will continue our work with the Police to provide these”.

Haringey's Liberal Democrat Leader to step down

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Haringey’s Liberal Democrat council group leader, Neil Williams, has announced he is stepping down as leader. Cllr Williams, who has led the Liberal Democrats for the past four-and-a-half years, is to complete his term of office at his party’s Annual General Meeting in May, where a new leader will be elected.

Cllr Williams wants to give a new leader plenty of time to prepare for the next local elections in 2010, where the Liberal Democrats need just a handful of votes, and three more councillors, to take control of Haringey Council, ending four decades of continuous Labour rule.

Neil Williams was first elected to Haringey Council in Highgate in May 2002, where a big swing wiped the small Tory opposition off the political map in Haringey.He took on the leadership of the Lib Dems 18 months later, in January 2004, leading a group of 15 Liberal Democrat councillors. Since then, the party has gone from strength to strength. The Liberal Democrats have won four landslide local by-elections, taken seat after seat from Labour in the council elections in 2006 and seen the election of Lynne Featherstone as the Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green.

Commenting on his time as Haringey’s Liberal Democrat Leader, Cllr Neil Williams says:

“I’ve really enjoyed leading the council group for nearly five years now, and it’s been a great pleasure to play a part in so many successful campaigns. There have been tremendous highlights. I’ll always remember waiting at the bus stop with Lynne Featherstone on the first day of the 603 bus running through Highgate. After so many years of campaigning, it was a great moment and we were both choked. More recently, the campaign to save Jacksons Lane, and the huge response from Highgate residents, was a real highlight.

“I’ve really enjoyed the election successes too, with so many new friends made, new party members, and council seats gained from Labour, but especially the moment when I phoned Lynne Featherstone to tell her that she had been elected as MP for Hornsey and Wood Green in 2005. These are the moments you don’t forget.

“However, we need a leader to take us through to at least 2014. Ten years in the role I feel would be too long for me, so it’s definitely time for a change. The Liberal Democrat Council group in Haringey has so many great people coming through. It’s a fantastic group that is just raring to go when it comes to taking control of the Council. I’m really looking forward to the new team in place, but most of all I will have more time to spend on the most enjoyable part of the job, which is working with my two ward colleagues Rachel Allison and Bob Hare as a ward councillor for Highgate.”

Lynne Featherstone MP adds:

“Neil has been a brilliant Leader of our council group. It’s not just that he is talented in the chamber – which he is. It’s not just that he has guided our Liberal Democrat group from 15 to 26 members ready to take Haringey Council next time – which he has. It’s not just that he has a sharp political brain – which he does. It’s that he has been a friend and trooper for over ten years and co-author of the rise of the Liberal Democrats in Haringey. I’ve no doubt that whatever role he takes on next Neil will be brilliant again.”

Olympics and politics

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I can’t help but observe the contrast between how Britain and China deals with protestors. In Britain – the police’s response to protests during the passage of the Olympic Torch through London was to pop the torch on a bus for a bit. How very English! And then in China we have the dark side of the contrast – the violence, gunshots and even deaths that are the frequent response to protests.

Standing in Bloomsbury Square last Sunday chanting ‘China Out’ in reply to a young Tibetan shouting out through a megaphone ‘Free Tibet’ reminded me not only of the issue in question but also of the feeling you get when you go out onto the streets to claim your democratic right to peaceful protest. It is active. And it makes you feel that you are not taking it lying down; not abjectly rolling over, tut-tutting at the pictures on the news whilst saying there is nothing I can do.

Indeed, in a world of global, near-instant media, protests in one part of the world can garner coverage all over the globe – including, directly or indirectly, in China itself. (I know how well the internet reaches all sorts in China from when I was on the London Assembly – and got a three page marriage proposal from a fisherman in a remote part of China!)

As you may have guessed – I don’t buy the argument that Olympics = sports = you mustn’t say anything about anything other than sport. The Chinese Government has been repeatedly and politicising the Olympics for its own ends – so simply mouthing that formula means conceding it is ok to politicise the Olympics to promote thuggish authoritarianism but not ok to speak out against such behaviour. Where is the morality in that approach of self-censorship and unnecessary deference?

It’s a question of morality that, I hope, our Prime Minister will consider more carefully as the Olympics approach. So far, Gordon Brown seems too timid to show any real displeasure at China’s repeated abuse of basic human rights. Numerous other government heads have spoken and acted – but not our own. What is the point of having the privilege of holding a post such as Prime Minister if you’re not willing to use it to speak out when needed? Will Gordon Brown continue to jump through every hoop the Chinese present to him, or will he find the moral voice to speak up for the rest of us?

I am luckier than most people in that as an MP I can raise issues in a way most people cannot, including in Parliament where I have also criticised China for failing to fully use her influence with the Khartoum government to stop the genocide in Darfur. But there is nothing like physically making a public statement the way you can in a protest.

It was inevitable the second China was awarded the Olympics that there was going to be a need to use the opportunity both to engage with China – and also to clearly state the sort of behaviour we find acceptable – and that certainly does not include what we have seen directly in Tiananmen Square, what we are seeing in Tibet or what we are seeing via China’s failure to act in Darfur.

On Sunday we saw people in London coming out to show China our disapproval of her behaviour. Who would rather it any other way? Would the silence and compliance of Gordon Brown’s meek appearance in Downing Street really have been preferable?

But events do not stop with last weekend, nor with the Olympics this summer. I am part of a group of British MPs who take part in a forum to build and strengthen Chinese/Anglo relationships. The Chinese Ambassador to Great Britain, who is a delightful and disarming and extremely personable woman, said at one of these sessions that we in the West have a responsibility to help China understand what being a responsible world power means. That is a challenge and offer I am happy to take up.

It has to be carrot and stick. The Olympics are a significant carrot. Our protest – a small but necessary stick. I have no doubt that in the long term all our interests will be best served by engagement and the formation of sustainable bonds – set alongside clear and unequivocal speaking out on human rights abuses and similar issues.

Photo credit: Flickr user http2007

(c) Lynne Featherstone, 2008