Tory councils opposing HS2 face questions

by Newswire    
September 9, 2011 at 3:35 pm

It has been reported today that nine Tory councils are spending over £1 million to oppose Government plans for High-Speed Rail.

News broke today that major district and county councils along the route of the proposed high-speed two have established a ‘fighting fund’ to oppose the project.

With dissention already in the Tory ranks, this will surely add fuel to the fire resulting in a confrontation between the Tory leadership and their traditional heartlands.

HS2 was in the Conservative Party manifesto, and has had continued support from the Transport Secretary, the Chancellor and the Prime Minister himself.

In PMQs in June, David Cameron said:

I believe that if we are really serious about rebalancing our economy and ensuring that we get growth across the country, and not just in the south-east, the time for high-speed rail has come. That is why it has my strong support.

Our sources suggest the news has prompted the Audit Commission to look into a possible misuse of public money.

If this is true, this could mean big trouble for the nine councils.

Local authorities cannot be seen to be spending on publicity and lobbying to oppose the government in times of cutbacks and jobs losses.

Update: Tory MP Accuses Councils Of ‘Illegally’ Spending £1m Of Taxpayers Money To Fight High Speed Rail

UK Muslims: ‘terrorists failed’ after 9/11

by Newswire    
September 9, 2011 at 2:59 pm

More than 50 Muslim community groups across the length and breadth of Britain have issued a statement in the run up to the 10th anniversary of 9/11 to express their solidarity with victims of terrorism.

They say their aim is to tell the terrorists that a decade on ‘they failed’ in seeking to divide society on religious grounds.

The message will be reflected today in Mosques throughout the UK, where Friday Sermons will be held to remember the victims and their families, as well as others affected by terrorism.

The strongly worded statement says that the terrorists’ violence has been counterproductive to their aims. “Those who seek to divide society have failed. Indeed their destructive actions have only brought communities closer together.”

Ten years on from the 9/11 attacks, our communities are growing stronger and more resilient. Communities have come together to find common ground and resolve differences.

It also says the Arab Spring illustrated the demand for greater political participation and freedom in Arab countries.

It also makes a reference to the recent riots in Britain:

We will continue to stand together in troubled times, not just against terrorism but against all forms of criminality that pervade our society. Only together can we defeat such problems.

They have also set up a page on Facebook to discuss the statement

Fuad Nahdi, Executive Director of Radical Middle Way said:

The tenth anniversary of 9/11 should be marked as a time of celebrating the triumph of our humanity over the politics of hatred and violence. A decade later we should all be the wiser and work towards creating a world that is not dominated by the politics of despair and extremism, but strive for a future which has a stake for all – a future full of hope, compassion, love and mercy.

The statement was coordinated by three groups: Inspire, the Islamic Society of Britain and Radical Middle Way.

SIGNED
1. Radical Middle Way
2. Islamic Society of Britain
3. Inspire
4. Ahlul Bayt TV
5. Al-Khoei Foundation
6. An-Nisa Society
7. Association of British Muslims (AOBM)
8. Association of Muslim Lawyers (AML)
9. Ayesha Community Education
10. Bristol Muslim Women’s Network
11. British Muslim Forum (BMF)
12. British Muslims for Secular Democracy (BMSD)
13. BritSlam Partnership
14. Canopus Consulting
15. CENTRI
16. City Circle
17. Embrace Foundation
18. Federation of Muslim Organisations
19. Harlesden Islamic Cultural Centre
20. Help Somalia Foundation
21. Hosseinieh Foundation, Bristol
22. International Forum For Islamic Dialogue
23. International Imam Hussein Council
24. Iraqi Welfare Association
25. Islamic Circles
26. JIMAS
27. Karimia Institute
28. Khayaal Theatre Company
29. Khazra Central Mosque, Glasgow
30. Leeds Makkah Masjid
31. Leicester Central Mosque
32. Light of Guidance Theatre
33. London Academy of Iranian Studies (LAIS)
34. London Fatwa Council
35. MAWAH, London (Muslim Active Women Around Hounslow)
36. Mecca 2 Medina
37. Milton Keynes Arts and Culture Organisation
38. Minhaj-ul-Quran International, UK
39. Muhammadi Trust of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
40. Muslim Association of Britain (MAB)
41. Muslim Youth Association (MYA)
42. Muslim Youth Helpline (MYH)
43. Noor Trust
44. Pakistan Community Centre, Willesden, London
45. Ramadhan Foundation
46. Rabita Ltd
47. Sefydliad Materion Mwslemaidd Cymru (Wales Institute for Muslim Affairs)
48. Shia Professionals of London
49. Sri Lanka Islamic Forum UK (SLIF UK)
50. Somali Family Support Group London (SFSG)
51. The Leaf Network
52. The Muslim College
53. The Salam Project
54. The Zahra Trust
55. UK Islamic Mission (UKIM)
56. World Islamic Mission
57. Young Muslims Advisory Group (YMAG)

FULL STATEMENT

As the tenth anniversary of the atrocities of September 11th 2001 draws closer, we wish to take this opportunity to come together to reiterate our profound sympathy for the victims of the attacks in the US. We also honour the memory of all victims of terrorism in all nations around the world.

The last ten years have not been easy. Tragically, we have seen thousands more people from all walks of life become victims of terrorism. We have also seen the impact of the conflicts resulting from 9/11 in different parts of the Muslim world and experienced the terrible consequences of acts of terror here in Britain on 7th July 2005. The recent tragic events in Oslo show us that terrorists still continue to plan and carry out attacks against people regardless of their race, religion, gender or social circumstance.

As a community we have rejected the terrorists, the emptiness of their words and the futility of their actions. They have nothing to offer the world. Those who seek to divide society have failed. Indeed, their destructive actions have only brought communities closer together. Their message that terrorism is the only way to achieve change has been rejected by ordinary citizens standing in peaceful protest for greater political participation and freedom across the Middle East and North Africa.

Ten years on from the 9/11 attacks, our communities are growing stronger and more resilient. Communities have come together to find common ground and resolve differences. For those of us who are Muslims, our faith gives us hope– a hope shared by people of all faiths and of none – for a world free from terror and injustice.

Now is the time to look to the future with greater optimism. Our common humanity, our spirit of community, the values we share as human beings, will give us the strength to confront those who seek to divide rather than unite us, now and in the future. We will continue to stand together in troubled times, not just against terrorism but against all forms of criminality that pervade our society – as we saw during the riots that spread across the UK in recent weeks. Only together can we defeat such problems. Only together can we work to build communities whose unity honours the memory of the victims of September 11th and victims of conflicts and terror around the world.
—–

From a press release

New report exposes extent of subsidies enjoyed by banks

by Guest    
September 9, 2011 at 2:14 pm

contribution by Simon Chouffot

It shouldn’t surprise us that the financial sector lobbies hard to protect its business model. What is surprising though, is the extent of privilege that their business model enjoys.

A report released yesterday by the New Economics Foundation (nef) shows that Britain’s top five banks benefit from a ‘too-big-to-fail’ subsidy of £46 billion a year.

Nef’s report has already caused some uneasiness in the City as for the first time it breaks down the figures for individual banks.
continue reading… »

What the new underclass means for our society

by Guest    
September 9, 2011 at 11:19 am

contribution by James Bloodworth

In June of this year I became unemployed. Nine weeks and six days later, and I am still without work. To date I have submitted something like 50 job applications – of those I have received around five rejection emails; of the other 45 I have heard nothing.

To save money, instead of buying a newspaper I make the short trip each day to my local library and read the papers there. An increasing number of unemployed men have had the same idea of late, and have begun congregating in the seated area each morning sipping pale cups of tea.
continue reading… »

Where are Labour’s objections to the NHS bill?

by Richard Blogger    
September 9, 2011 at 8:50 am

Labour could be re-elected at the next election on a huge majority if it exposed Lansley’s Bill and then campaigned against it. We hear so little from Labour that we do not know if they want the Bill or not. We do not know if Labour wants to be re-elected.

I tried to find a succinct list from Labour giving their opposition to the Bill, but I couldn’t find one.

Read this:
continue reading… »

Of all our economic problems, they focus on 50 tax?

by Duncan Weldon    
September 8, 2011 at 2:50 pm

The UK economy is beset by a multitude of problems – falling real wages, a consumer recession on the high street, contracting manufacturing, weak business investment, high inflation and worrying signs of trouble in the labour market.

Internationally the Eurozone is in crisis, the US economy is slowing and unable to generate jobs and the ‘currency wars’ look to be flaring up once again.

So it is somewhat disappointing that 20 eminent economists decided that now is the time to revisit the 50p tax rate – clearly for some the real pressing issue of the day.
continue reading… »

Beyond the rhetoric, Ken Clarke is right on riot justice

by Guest    
September 8, 2011 at 12:30 pm

contribution by Carolina Bracken

Buried beneath the inflammatory banner ‘Punish the feral rioters’, Ken Clarke is right to argue for more effective rehabilitation in our justice system.

Citing evidence that three quarters of adults sentenced for riot-related offences came to court with a previous criminal history, he calls for ‘radical changes’ to refocus penal policy on rehabilitation, and create robust community sentences that command public support.
continue reading… »

To save the NHS we have to focus on the House of Lords

by Richard Blogger    
September 8, 2011 at 10:38 am

So now the Lib Dems have voted. Four brave souls – who clearly value the NHS more than their chance to become a minister – voted against the Bill: Andrew George, Julian Huppert, Greg Mulholland and Adrian Sanders.

Ten others could not get off their arses to oppose the bill and took the typical Lib Dem sitting-on-the-fence position of abstaining.

The strategy, so I am informed by Dr Evan Harris, is for the Lords to make the Bill better.
continue reading… »

London Arms Fair: embarrassing for Tories?

by Guest    
September 8, 2011 at 10:15 am

contribution by Andrew Gibson

On the 13th-16th September, military delegations and arms companies from around the world will be meeting at London’s Excel Centre.

The biennial Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEi) is one of the largest and most controversial defence exhibitions in Europe, with previous attendees including delegations from Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, China and Saudi Arabia.

To get a feel for the event, check out these photos from DSEi 2009

DSEi 2011 could prove embarrassing for the coalition, who have a checkered record on defence exports.

A recent report by The Parliamentary Committee on Arms Export Controls noted that,

…both the present Government and its predecessor misjudged the risk that arms approved for export to certain authoritarian countries in North Africa and the Middle East might be used for internal repression.

The invitation list for next week’s DSEi, when released, will show whether the government has learnt its lesson.

Three ways in which cutting taxes can hurt our economy

by Chris Dillow    
September 8, 2011 at 8:30 am

Some economists say the 50p tax rate “is doing lasting damage to the UK economy.” I’m not sure I agree.

As Richard and Duncan say, the economists provide no strong evidence for this.

Their concerns that the rate is “making us less attractive as a destination for both foreign investment and talented workers” certainly don’t jump out of the data.
continue reading… »

RECENT OPINION ARTICLES

Diane Abbott resigns from abortion panel 19 Comments Watch: Chicken chases Boris Johnson 33 Comments Does Priti Patel MP care for human rights? 59 Comments Watch: funny spoof explains benefits cuts 18 Comments UKuncut to join disabled to oppose Welfare bill 15 Comments Lawson’s GWPF faces questions over funding 25 Comments Shock poll shows public indifferent to Labour’s new cuts line 38 Comments Watch: NHS report “vindicates Labour” 7 Comments Daily Mail writer: Hurrah for French fascists! 64 Comments Save our pensions! Unite slams Unilever in video 11 Comments

LATEST COMMENTS » Sunny Hundal posted on Revealed: govt to restrict abortion counselling despite Nadine Dorries vote » Sally posted on Even by economic standards Hester's £1m bonus is unworthy » Flowerpower posted on Diane Abbott resigns from abortion panel » Tom (iow) posted on The benefits of being a "burden" on society » Anne posted on Revealed: govt to restrict abortion counselling despite Nadine Dorries vote » Ian M Davies posted on Week of action against Atos begins Monday » Robert2012 posted on The benefits of being a "burden" on society » G.O. posted on Would raising the tax threshold actually help the poorest? » Dave posted on Revealed: govt to restrict abortion counselling despite Nadine Dorries vote » Schmidt posted on Even by economic standards Hester's £1m bonus is unworthy » Link: “govt to restrict abortion counselling despite Nadine Dorries vote” | Help Me Investigate Health posted on Revealed: govt to restrict abortion counselling despite Nadine Dorries vote » Planeshift posted on Would raising the tax threshold actually help the poorest? » Makhno posted on The benefits of being a "burden" on society » Trooper Thompson posted on Would raising the tax threshold actually help the poorest? » ukliberty posted on Does Priti Patel MP care for human rights?