Shock as Labour MP Stands Up for Minority Rights
The shock, of course - to give Labour MPs their fair due - is that the minorities concerned are England and Wales' rural communities under vindictive and prejudiced legislative attack.
Congratulations to the Rt Hon Kate Hoey MP (Vauxhall) whose outspoken words have been turned into actions, not for the first time, as she takes up her post as chairman of the Countryside Alliance.
Hoey: won’t be bullied by prejudiced colleagues
Hoey said: "It is a great honour and a great challenge to take on this role at such an important time for the countryside.
There should be no difference between the way a government treats people in town or country.
Rural issues, just like urban issues, are about basic rights."
She said rural people had the right to equality of health care, education, decent affordable housing and for their businesses to diversify, develop and compete with those in urban areas and abroad.
They also had "the right to engage in country sports and other activities without prejudiced legislative assault", she said.
"A true democracy respects the rights of all minorities and I look forward to contributing to the Alliance's campaign to ensure that the rural minority is treated with tolerance, fairness and respect."
But let it not be said that Hoey is the only left-wing MP who is not biased against non-urban communities: LibDem meteor-watcher and harmonica zealot Lembit Opik welcomed the appointment by stating that "Kate's determination and skill will undoubtedly help the Alliance challenge existing prejudiced law and amend it into more sensible and workable legislation"
It is worth noting that Blair's Britain is only the third country in the history of the world to ban hunting with dogs. The first was Hitler's Germany and the second was Saddam's Iraq.
Congratulations to the Rt Hon Kate Hoey MP (Vauxhall) whose outspoken words have been turned into actions, not for the first time, as she takes up her post as chairman of the Countryside Alliance.
Hoey: won’t be bullied by prejudiced colleagues
Hoey said: "It is a great honour and a great challenge to take on this role at such an important time for the countryside.
There should be no difference between the way a government treats people in town or country.
Rural issues, just like urban issues, are about basic rights."
She said rural people had the right to equality of health care, education, decent affordable housing and for their businesses to diversify, develop and compete with those in urban areas and abroad.
They also had "the right to engage in country sports and other activities without prejudiced legislative assault", she said.
"A true democracy respects the rights of all minorities and I look forward to contributing to the Alliance's campaign to ensure that the rural minority is treated with tolerance, fairness and respect."
But let it not be said that Hoey is the only left-wing MP who is not biased against non-urban communities: LibDem meteor-watcher and harmonica zealot Lembit Opik welcomed the appointment by stating that "Kate's determination and skill will undoubtedly help the Alliance challenge existing prejudiced law and amend it into more sensible and workable legislation"
It is worth noting that Blair's Britain is only the third country in the history of the world to ban hunting with dogs. The first was Hitler's Germany and the second was Saddam's Iraq.
No porkie pies - absolutely true.
Without going down the class route too far - the perception of class has a lot to do with the prejudice against rural communities. Try calling the Banwen Miners’ Hunt "Toffs on Horses"…
If blaming Blair seems a bit rough, you have to take into account the way he handled the issue: in public he distanced himself from it, saying that as a democrat he had to bow to the will of the people; in private to conservatives and libertarians he let it be known that he was not in favour but his party was uncontrollable on this one; and to the TUC and other predominantly urban/industrial-based lefties he never shied away from using the words 'cruel', 'out-dated' and 'barbaric'.
As you know, I do admire some of the stands taken by our man Blair, notably over Iraq, but the way he sold liberty down the river to avoid rocking the boat in the short-term has to rank as one of the low points along with the betrayal of David Trimble and suspension of trial by jury…
Posted by
Ben |
Mon Jul 25, 04:53:00 pm
I agree entirely about the perception of class thing.
As ever, the actual concept of class has very little to do with it.
And yes, Blairs actions weren't quite heroic over Iraq - he (in my veiw) did the right thing, but lied about why.
Posted by
Ben |
Tue Jul 26, 10:03:00 am