Cressida Dick gets an award… bloody shameful!

Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick will receive the Queen’s Police Medal from the Prince of Wales at an investiture ceremony later.

Her award is for what, exactly? Being in charge of a botched operation where an innocent man got shot in the head countless times… Yeah, give that woman the Queen’s Police Medal for distinguished inept service. She’s already been promoted!!!!!

During the inquest into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes, Cressida Dick was asked by Michael Mansfield (representative for the de Menezes family) whether this could happen again she replied:

I’m afraid, sir, I do believe that this or something like this could happen again.

Bodes well, doesn’t it? Hey, give that woman an award!

Furthermore, she was asked by Mansfield about what precisely went wrong that day and this is her response:

Well, sir, you have started with the 21 July. I would start with two weeks before that. I think one thing that clearly went wrong was that we, as a nation, did not manage to prevent those attacks on 7 July or indeed Hussain Osman’s and others’ attempts on the 21st. Going on from that, I think Mr de Menezes was the victim of some terrible and extraordinary circumstances the day afterwards. He was extraordinarily unfortunate to live in the same block as Hussain Osman had been, he was desperately unfortunate to look very like Hussain Osman.

There are some things that happened, for example, the fact that the first surveillance officer was indisposed and only able to get a relatively short glance. Mr de Menezes waited only a very short time at the bus stop, so as I understand it — I didn’t know that at the time but as I understand it — therefore a surveillance officer again would not have a great ability to look at him properly. Some of the things that Mr de Menezes did in all innocence, the way he behaved, the way he came off the bus and on the bus,contributed to our assessment — my assessment of him asa bomber from the day before, and someone who might beintent on causing an explosion today.

Finally, the thing I would say last is he had the great misfortune of entering the same tube station that three of the bombers had entered the day before. So lots of things happened, any one of those you might describe as went wrong. If you ask me whether I think anybody did anything wrong or unreasonable on the operation, I don’t think they did.

Michael Mansfield coined the phrase when describing the behaviour of the top brass in the police as ‘institutional denial’.. Their ‘justification’ being that Jean Charles was in the ‘wrong place at the wrong time’, ‘acting edgy’ and ‘suspicious’… Not once do they examine their own behaviour or simply, to admit they were wrong. No admission of fault, or mistakes from senior ranking cops like Cressida Dick.

Her evidence at the inquest exposed the sheer level of incompetence, cock-ups, negligence and above all the contradictions in their stories…yet not once does she admit that there were serious flaws, from the start, in this surveillance operation such as no useful identification of the suspect to technical problems with the police radios, contradictory orders from the command centre to the officers on the ground, Mistakes, fatal murderous mistakes, were made that day…but not one of these people will take any responsibility for the fact an innocent man was fatally shot, executed in the name of ‘war on terror’ by wound-up cops with their trigger itchy fingers. Their behaviour that day more akin to the Keystone Cops.

No chance of mea culpa!

Rather perversely the state along with a archaic, feudal, anachronistic (a terrible hangover from the bloody brutality and racism of colonialism), establishment friendly and class-ridden system which should have no place in a democratic and transparent society (unfortunately we don’t seem to have either) honour someone like Cressida Dick.

Why aren’t I surprised!

Guardian Letter: ‘John McDonnell will inspire leader debate’

I signed the letter as well along with countless other activists.

Letter in today’s Guardian

As a range of Labour party members, councillors, national executive committee members, trade unionists, activists, community workers and campaigners, we are asking Labour MPs to nominate John McDonnell to allow a genuine debate about the future direction of our party. We are concerned that a contest between candidates with broadly the same views will fail to deliver the wide-ranging policy debate Labour urgently needs following our defeat at the polls (Politics, 20 May).

We welcome John McDonnell’s commitment to a leadership debate based on the policies, not the personalities. We note his long-standing support for workers’ rights, a peaceful foreign policy, publicly owned services, progressive taxation, an emergency council housing programme, a living wage, and civil liberties. We also welcome his determination that working people must not be made to pay for a crisis that is not of their making, and his opposition to the Con-Dem cuts that will devastate our communities. We want these policies to be given a platform in the leadership campaign. We ask MPs to nominate John McDonnell, regardless of how they will subsequently vote, to allow an inspirational, comradely debate about the future direction of our party and our country.

Christine Shawcroft (Labour NEC), Cllr Lynn Wallace (Preston), Cllr Barry Buitekant (Hackney), Bill Butler MSP, Tony Benn, Martin Mayer (Unite executive council). Full list of names:www.john4leader.wordpress.com

Why I still support John McDonnell for Labour Leader

I was disheartened and very disappointed to hear that Diane Abbott has decided to run for Labour leader. As I tweeted this morning this decision will inevitably split the vote on the Left. How principled is Abbott, well she supported the privatisation of the East London Line. Sent her son to a private school.

Furthermore

The Guardian understands that Abbott has caused some disquiet by failing to have a courtesy discussion with her local constituency party executive prior to declaring her intention to stand, with some on the left fearing her decision will result in neither of the leftwing candidates ending up on the ballot paper.

John McDonnell has welcomed Diane’s candidacy

If the Labour Party rules were about creating vibrant debate between the various points of view that are bound to exist in a “broad church” Abbott’s standing would have been a good idea. The problem is that she has entered the contest without any comradely discussion with anyone. Does she anticipate getting votes from the Left? How does she propose to deal with the right wing. Where is her record of teamwork in organising with ordinary party members? To whom does she see herself as accountable? How does she see herself as being accountable? In this respect she suffers in comparison with the likes of John McDonnell and Katy Clark.

No one wants a sop controlled by others as a party leader. We do want someone who thinks for themselves. But the left needs someone who does work with others and as part of an organised movement. Otherwise they will be a weak leader of a weak movement.

Orwell Prize

Well, had a splendiferous evening last night at the Orwell Shortlist. Commiserations to good mate and comrade, Madam Miaow aka Anna Chen and also to Laurie Penny. The winner was Winston Smith blog. The night was good, the free booze flowed as did the conversation.

Splinty Sunrise bought the latest tome by Peter Hitchens (Hitchens…. won the journalism prize!!) which was duly signed by the man (Splinty clutched that book like his life depended on it though I suppose I did threaten to pinch it and sell it on ebay). Raincoat Carl the Optimist also bought Kenan Malik’s book that was also signed by the author.

I was rooting for Freedom for Sale by John Kampfner to win the book prize (his previous book, Blair’s Wars was excellent). Alas, he didn’t win. I have to say Raincoat Carl the Optimist was very inventive in making up words though that’s probably known as slurring your words (sorry comrade but there were some crackers you came out with!)

I was fascinated by the ceiling in this room where the event was held

The Left blogging contingent left the gathering as the event was finishing and as the evening was young we sought out another drinking hole where we could partake in further consumption of alcholic beverages. Along the way Red Maria spotted John Bercow walking down the road and we all waylaid the Speaker.

Aforementioned book along with Peter Hitchens signature

We found a pub. Much merriment was had. Have to say I haven’t laughed so much in ages especially with everything that has happened in the past couple of weeks, the night did me much good along with a couple pints of Guinness. So…many thanks to my Left blogging companions last night!

My picture taking started off ok but degenerated by later on as mainly due to the consumption of booze, and many of the pix I took of the bloggers were well, erm, rather blurred.

Two of my drinking companions .......

The unions strike back

Fantastic news!!

Unite have won their appeal against the injunction served on them earlier this week. So hopefully the strike will go ahead. Hurrah!!

Support the Marie Stopes advert

There is not much more to add about the issue of Marie Stopes and the advertisement promoting an impartial helpline that will include information about sexual health and access to abortion services as Laurie Penny says it all here.

Laurie is absolutely correct when she argues that,”opposing the promotion of information about reproductive health is not about saving foetuses but prolonging ignorance”.

And that is central, women having the right to choose over their reproductive health and giving them that information. Because the issue of reproductive rights reflects the power relationships that exist in this society, where it is fundamentally about control and power.

Furthermore, Laurie argues, “Encouraging women to feel shameful about our bodies and discouraging us from seeking objective information is, as Shulamith Firestone, paraphrasing Marx, said, alienating women from “the means of reproduction”. Marie Stopes’s campaign to normalise discussion of unwanted pregnancy should be welcomed by anyone who is a friend to women.”

Not right-wing moralists who want to curtail the right to choose and prolong the ignorance. Women being able to control their own reproductive rights is paramount. We need to fight against the dictates of religious and state morality and for a system, which supports sex education, free and accessible contraception including the morning-after Pill, abortion services and information about sexual health. And that includes supporting the Marie Stopes advert being televised.

We must end the detention of families

Letter in yesterday’s Guardian

“We will end the detention of children for immigration purposes,” says the new coalition government (Asylum children will be kept out of ‘distressing’ detention centres, 14 May). But what about their mothers?

Paediatricians and psychologists have testified to the mental and physical harm caused to children by detention. But separating them from their mother or primary carer is even worse; it may cause “insecurity, depression and anxiety” which lasts throughout life.

The recent six-week hunger strike by women in Yarl’s Wood removal centre brought to public attention that many women detained inside are mothers whose children were taken by social services or otherfamily members. Some face deportation and permanent separation, often after years of raising a family in the UK .

One mother tries to shield her seven-year-old daughter from the painful truth by telling her that she’s “working away from home”. She and many others speak constantly of their anguish at being unable to care for their children, many of whom may already be traumatised by violence in their home country, and experience depression, bed-wetting and fear.

An estimated 1.5 million youngsters suffer abuse each year in the United Kingdom , many of them while in care. This horrifying reality must not be added to by separating yet more children from the mothers who love them and whom they love. Ending the detention of children has to mean ending the detention of families.

Maria Ziwa All African Women’s Group

Cristel Amiss Black Women’s Rape Action Project

Oliver James Clinical child psychologist

Niki Adams Legal Action for Women

Frances Swaine Leigh Day and Co

Professor Sheila Kitzinger

John McDonnell MP

Dr Jonathan Fluxman

Kristina Brandemo Women Against Rape

Clare Sambrook End Child Detention Now

Rev Paul Nicolson , Zacchaeus  2000  Trust

RMT backs John McDonnell for Labour Leader

Press release from RMT union

TRANSPORT UNION RMT today issued a call for trade unionists and socialists to unite behind John McDonnell’s bid to secure enough nominations to stand in the Labour Party leadership contest and to use his campaign as an opportunity to begin the fightback against the ConDem government’s all-out assault on public services and living standards.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said today:

“John McDonnell leads the RMT group in parliament and no MP has done more to fight against attacks on jobs, public services and workers rights. John is a tireless worker on behalf of trade unionists and the communities that will be there in the front line of the ConDem attack and he is the perfect alternative to the assorted candidates from Continuity New Labour.

“John McDonnell has a reservoir of support that extends way beyond the ranks of the Labour Party membership, it would be an absolute travesty if he was kept out of the race for the leadership and would send out a signal that the Labour Party machine has learnt absolutely nothing.

“On the big issues; defending public services, opposing privatisation, repealing the anti-trade union laws, bringing our troops home and supporting workers rights, John stands shoulder to shoulder with RMT and the trade union and socialist movement. He deserves our full support.”

John McDonnell on BBC News here.

Back home

Just back from a work-related sojourn in Brighton. Nice to be back home. Been too busy to find out what’s happening in the real world other than £6bn cuts being rushed through at some point and John McDonnell standing for Labour leader!!

John McDonnell to stand for Labour leader

…..Now let’s get him (and socialist policies) on the ballot paper!
John has confirmed he will stand for Labour Party leader and seek nominations from MPs (the first stage of the contest). However, nominations close on Thursday 27 May. So we have just a week to lobby MPs to nominate John.

We need to work NOW to ensure that there is a real contest and all members and affiliates have the option of a socialist candidate.

If you have a Labour MP, please lobby them today to nominate John.
You can also lobby MPs sponsored by your union.
If you worked for a Labour MP during the election campaign, lobby them to nominate John too.
Support the letter below (see details below), which will be published in The Guardian on Monday
We are asking MPs to nominate so that everyone has a chance to vote in the broadest possible contest. Nominating John does not commit them to voting for John in the ballot, but it gives us all a choice.

Nearly every MP has a generic email surnameinitial@parliament.uk, e.g. Gordon Brown would be browng@parliament.uk

Please get lobbying today

Letter

The letter below will be published in the Guardian on Monday. If you are in support, please email your name, your CLP and/or trade union (if applicable), and any relevant positions to o.p.jones@gmail.com by Sunday at the latest. Please also circulate this email to all of your contacts.

“As a range of Labour party members, councillors, NEC members, trade unionists, activists, community workers and campaigners, we are asking Labour MPs to nominate John McDonnell in order to allow a genuine debate about the future direction of our party.

We are concerned that a contest between candidates with broadly the same views will fail to deliver the wide-ranging policy debate Labour urgently needs following our defeat at the polls.

We welcome John McDonnell’s commitment to a leadership debate based on the policies, not the personalities. We note John McDonnell’s long-standing support for workers’ rights, a peaceful foreign policy, publicly owned services, progressive taxation, an emergency council housing programme, a living wage, and civil liberties. We also welcome his determination that working people must not be made to pay for a crisis that is not of their making, and his opposition to the Con-Dem cuts agenda that will devastate our communities. We want these policies to be given a platform in the leadership campaign

That is why we ask MPs to nominate John McDonnell, regardless of how they will subsequently vote, in order to allow an inspirational, comradely debate about the future direction of our party and our country.”

See John on the BBC here.

If you support socialist principles then support John and put your name to the above letter..!!