There comes a point at which political correctness becomes an inquisition – a method of shutting down free speech by twisting words to political ends.
Many of them think Ed Miliband is doing a bad job.
There are many problems with describing politics in terms of left and right – and one of them is that it encourages us to see the main political parties as mirror images of one another. Of course, symmetries do exist on issues like public expenditure (the left wants more, the right wants less). But beyond […]
The Conservative leader of Redbridge Council, Cllr Keith Prince, has criticised the inclusion of his borough in the route for the Home Office's advertising van, concerned with illegal immigration. The van has the message: "In the UK illegally? Go home or face arrest. Text HOME to 78070 for free advice and help with travel documents. […]
There was an appalling decision recently by Labour councillors in Radstock not to fly the English flag on St George's Day on the grounds it was offensive to Muslims. The Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has written the following letter to Cllr Eleanor Jackson about it. I was disappointed to read today that […]
Labour-run Birmingham City Council is undertaking a survey of their residents. They explain: A citywide consultation on wheelie bins has already begun to find out residents’ views. The survey doesn't ask residents if they want wheelie bins or not. However it does those responding which "most accurately describes your sexual orientation" Bisexual Gay man Gay […]
Green Party led Brighton and Hove Council's Trans Equality scrutiny panel has published a paper with some "emerging themes" – it will go before a full council meeting in December for approval. Among their proposals is that the council should abolish honorifics in its communications with residents – this is because use of such terms […]
The Macpherson Report, which investigated the Metropolitan Police over their response to the murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993, defined "institutional racism" as: "The collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their colour, culture, or ethnic origin. It can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes […]
One of the welcome aspects of the demise of the Audit Commission was the scrapping of the requirement for councils to ask intrusive, irrelevant questions about our sex lives. The Government has confirmed to councils that there is no longer any excuse to carry out this offensive exercise. Soon after we took control of Hammersmoth […]
By Paul GoodmanFollow Paul on Twitter Islington Council already has form on asking residents about their sexual orientation if they want to borrow a library book. My colleague Harry Phibbs has written about the matter on this site previously, arguing correctly that local authorities should not be sex snoopers. Now I see that Islington has […]
A defence of grammar schools from, say, Melanie Phillips in the Daily Mail would surprise no one, but when it comes from Mary Ann Sieghart in the Independent feathers are ruffled. Referencing the ongoing debate about social mobility, Sieghart reminds us that education really can make a difference: “…pupils who had free school meals and […]
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles is to give a speech today stressing shared British values. The themes are trailed in an interview with the Daily Mail. Eric says: "We must be unafraid to insist on the common ground and common values we all share. "It’s right to stand up for the right of councils who wish […]
Local authorities, along with bits of the public sector have a legal obligation to "promote" equality. This requires much costly and worthless bureaucracy such as undertaking "equalities impact assessment." However it does not require the employment of diversity officers nor does it require funding for groups which seek to nurture resentments by campaigning and lobbying. […]
The Evening Standard reports that Southwark Council is renaming Guy Fawkes night "The Colour Thief: A Winter Extravaganza Celebrating The Changing Of The Seasons". I wonder if the new name will catch on. The event takes place in Dulwich Park on November 4th and is the only official fireworks display in the borough. Cllr Veronica […]
Further to the recent post about Rod Liddle's criticism of "non-jobs" at Conservative councils some of the Council leaders have now responded. This was the list produced by Liddle: Havant District Council (Conservative-controlled) Workplace travel co-ordinator (£22,000+) Herefordshire County Council (Conservative-controlled) Gypsy Romany liaison officer (£26,700+) Rugby District Council (Conservative-controlled) — Family Lifestyles officer (what that? […]