Faith groups

I read an article in the papers today illuminating the growth of faith communities. Politicians and pastors a like met to discuss the roles in which these groups can play in local communities. While I respect the right of individuals to undertake their private beliefs, I'm very sceptical when I see the words religion and politics in the same sentence. However well intentioned these people are, faith is not the answer to solving problems like housing, fuel prices and the like. Although what some of the faith groups said on increasing understanding and diversity is to be welcomed, faith is still very much a cleavage and is very divisive. The inclusion of groups in community initiatives and activities could create more problems than solve them.

Third camp physicians

I experienced not one, not two, but THREE consultants applauding vehemently when I mentioned the dreaded word "socialism" at a meeting with the Royal College of Physicians on the subject of co-payments last week. Does this suggest that instead of reading medical journals consultants are reading Capital and the New Left Review? Are we in a pre-revolutionary situation? Are we going to see the Countryside Alliance calling for workers control? Make haste comrades and don't stop until the pips squeak!

Food for thought?

The highlight of my trip back to Norwich is to partake in a Delia Smith charged meal on the restraunt car of the train. Sometimes you are joined by Mail on Sunday journalists who are always a danger, Daily Telegraph who are even more of a danger, fortunately though you do meet an odd nice constituent. The meals are excellent and usually finish by the time you get to Ipswich.

To take that service away will destroy I think the concept of British rail travel, which has been part of our lives for years, from getting a bacon roll in the morning to sitting down to dinner in the evening. So many people rely on this on the way back home from London. By the time I arrive back in Norwich it can be as late as 11 which is far too late to be getting pots and pans out to cook a meal. This service is well appreciated, well used and helps to make ammends for what is a pretty poor service with there often not being enough seats for passengers, services being severly delayed and cancelled. The decision to cut this service makes no sense at all.

Tony Benn spoke in the Maddermarket Theatre in Norwich yesterday afternoon and unsuprisingly captivated a large audience with his views, especially on democracy. Although an elder statesman (yes he's older than me!) he is still as quick as a whistle. He said it was clear that Bush needed Blair's political support on Iraq, the fact that it would be more pallitable internationally if it was not just America "going it alone" so to speak. The troops that went with the support that Blair gave, Benn went on to say weren't needed.

How to act against detention

I went to see the play "Motherland" a couple of nights ago with performances from Juliet Stevenson and Harriet Walter. The play is based on experiences of refugees seeking asylum in the UK being detained in detention centres. It was a very moving performance, but more importantly it highlighted the disgraceful treatment that many receive when seeking asylum in this country, particularly children. Many families have come here seeking asylum from oppression and violence, and for them to be treated the way that they have been by immigration services is utterly disgusting.

The Government decided in September to remove its opt out to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, allowing child asylum seekers to be fully protected by this convention. I hope this will mark the end to indefinite detentions and abuse of people that have started new lives in this country.

Give Bees a chance!

The sound of "give bees a chance" droned over 10 Downing Street by keepers from accross the country. Over 400 potestors came to blow smoke around Parliament Square. A delegation presented a petition with 140,000 signatories to 10 Downing Street.

They wriggled their way from Parliament Square past the lunch time joggers with evil thoughts of releasing bees on Whitehall bureaucrats. I got quite a buzz from the event.

Football and religion

There is much consternation in the city as far as the team is concerned, will they survive or will they be relegated? The club is looking for new investment so why shouldn't the evangelical church man who is building sites in Drayton and on the Heartease recognise that was put so well by Bill Shankly that "soccer is bigger than life and death"! is the evangelist listening?





In relation to politics, old Bill came up with another little cracker especially now considering the financial markets bottling it. "The socialism I believe in is everybody working for the same goal and everybody having a share in the rewards. That's how I see football, that's how I see life". Not Bevan, but not wrong either.