#ldconf and why I stayed away

I ought to have been in Birmingham this morning, voting on the motion on Accredtiation for Party Conference and between the amendments to it. This motion was brought to conference as a result of the so-called security measures that were brought in for this conference by the Federal Conference Committee (FCC) and the Constabulary. I know which way I would have voted. But sadly, my vote does not count this year. I am not there. I read from Andy that, and indeed the coverage on BBC Parliament allowed us to hear that, some people do not believe that there are … Continue reading #ldconf and why I stayed away

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Is banning all marches really justified? Why not learn from N.Ireland?

So HM’s Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department has decided to ban all marches in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and four neighbouring London Boroughs for a period of 30 days. Why is this felt necessary? Because the Metropolitan Police applied for this ban as they consider that it would result in serious public disorder and that placing restrictions or conditions on such a march – for example its duration, location and size – would not be enough to prevent the disorder Will this really make a difference? And with it all marches are banned because the … Continue reading Is banning all marches really justified? Why not learn from N.Ireland?

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Building Peace Together – a message from 1998 for today

Yesterday, Northern Ireland lost a brave 25 year old officer of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, when the criminals and terrorists of the past came back to haunt us. Immediately our thoughts and remembrances were of the awful bomb which came after the Belfast Agreement in 1998. Ronan Kerr would have been about 12 when the Omagh bomb exploded in August 1998. As a Scouter, thinking back to 1998, I remember that many Scouts from Northern Ireland travelled to Chile for the 19th World Scout Jamboree in Picarquín. The theme for that event was Building Peace Together  This year … Continue reading Building Peace Together – a message from 1998 for today

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PSNI block entrance to All Souls’ Church: to go to Starbucks!

Questionable parking from a police constable in Belfast – blocking entrance to a church car park with fewer than ten minutes to go before the Sunday morning service was due. Surely there are more places to park? Continue reading PSNI block entrance to All Souls’ Church: to go to Starbucks!

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