My latest Guardian blog – covering the economy, Mandelson, and a bit on transport (including pressing the case for the Battlebridge bridge) – is now online.
Archive for October, 2008
Islington’s liberal libraries save the day
Hackney libraries (Labour) have banned author Iain Sinclair from launching his latest book there, because he is critical of the London Olympics. Apparently controversy and debate are not welcome in Labour libraries.
Lib Dem Islington has saved the day, by offering him our borough’s libraries for his launch instead.
Hurrah for Islington. It’s particularly shameful that it’s libraries in Hackney that are being used for this crude political censorship.
EGA does it again
Congratulations to EGA for an outstanding Ofsted report.
More evidence that you don’t need to be an Academy to be a great school.
Good and bad news for cycling
I’m trying to remember when I learned to ride a bike. I guess I was about ten – but some children in Islington are now learning as young as three, thanks to a partnership between the Kate Greenaway nursery and the London Cycling Campaign. They have a stock of toddler bikes which can be lent out to nurseries and reception classes around the borough.
Meanwhile we are waiting to hear more about the London bike scheme, like the Velib scheme in Paris, which is supposed to be coming from Transport for London. Islington’s an obvious place to start the scheme; low car ownership, and near enough to central London to tempt even the less fit cyclists to try getting there on two wheels.
No news on the bike scheme; but the Mayor of London is pressing ahead with plans to let motor bikes use bus lanes, a move that’s extremely unpopular with cycling groups. It’s also being opposed by Islington’s Lib Dem council.
War in the 21st century: when is it right to fight?
As a teenager, I was a pacifist.
Now I accept that there are circumstances where armed defence, intervention to prevent abuse, or peace-keeping operations are justified. But I still find the idea of war, certainly of instigating war, horrific. Just one of the reasons I marched against the illegal invasion of Iraq.
A series of lectures on War in the 21st Century at the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity is looking at these issues: when is it right to fight?, when is it right to intervene?, what does it mean to be powerful? and lastly, can humans ever be reconciled?
Appropriately enough, they run throughout November, the month of Remembrance Sunday.
Water on the menu
I’ve blogged before about our strange attitude to water.
We have safe, clean, piped water – a luxury in global terms – but choose to import bottled water from all over the world. And then have to dispose of the bottles.
Now Islington Friends of the Earth are launching a bottled water campaign, starting on Saturday 18th October.
Our borough’s known for its restaurants, so FoE have hit on the idea of tackling as many restaurants as possible along Upper Street their policy on serving tap water. In my experience, most places are fine about serving tap water if you ask, but don’t exactly promote it. I’ve seen at least one restaurant menu (in Essex) which said “we do not serve tap water” – not good.
FoE plan to ask three questions:
1. Do you offer your customers tap water? Yes/No
2. If yes, how do you offer tap water? Upon customer request/On the menu/Other
3. Where do you source the bottled water you offer your customers?
Anyone can take part. – just ask the question when you eat out, and email the answers back to the local group.
Giant dominoes
This video clip , courtesy of Stephen Abrams, made me smile.
Watch out for the cat. And keep watching right to the end.
Big names, little noise
Something special to look forward to this November, with another set of acoustic gigs at Union Chapel, this year in aid of Mencap.
The bands include Stereophonics, Razorlight and Keane. The special gigs will take place every night from Saturday November 8th to Tuesday November 18th.
There are so many good reasons to go and enjoy these sessions. Top quality bands. A unique venue, who have worked hard to promote acoustic sets, in order to be good neighbours. And all in an excellent cause.
Mencap are based in Islington – just. Their Golden Lane HQ is on the edge of the City. Mencap run excellent campaigns, seeking equality and fairness for people with a learning disability – such as with equal heathcare treatment.
Webwise?
I’m a BT Broadband customer, but I’ve not been invited to take part in their Webwise trial.
Not that I’m complaining – if the Open Rights Group is correct, it’s an offer you definitely can afford to refuse.
