6 August - Don’t rise to the bait
You may be pleased to know that there
will be no riotous reports today and you have my daughter to thank for that.
A journalist who mainly works from home requires a time consuming, but hopefully not difficult,
modification to her PC. As you may imagine she is a bit busy this
week and the bosses are demanding twice the usual weekly output. Dad to the rescue!
With any luck London will be peaceful unlike Birmingham
and Plymouth last night. Please do us
all a favour if you are even slightly inclined to join in ‘the funְ’. It is not
fun and the police
have more than enough to do without you adding to their problems; what might
happen politically will not be changed by Bexley people sticking their oar in. Best to sit at home. Maybe watch events on YouTube.
Meanwhile our Labour politicians have put out a statement. I offer no comment
except that I think they may have opened their eyes a bit wider. Sod all from
the Conservatives which is only to be expected.
For your convenience
the Labour Press Release (PDF) is reproduced below as well as in the usual place
- the Labour PR Archive.
Bexley Labour Group stand united against racism.
5th August 2024
Bexley Labour Councillors stand united with all communities across the
country who have faced the appalling racism, Islamophobia and rioting we
have seen in recent days.
There is no excuse for any of this thuggery which has been fuelled by the
far right with their divisive agenda and misinformation spread on social
media platforms, instead local communities have to clear up the mess and
have made it clear this behaviour is not reflective of the inclusive nature
of these communities affected over the last week
In Bexley, as a Labour Group we have been liaising with Senior council
officers, senior police officers and local community and religious
organisations to monitor community cohesion.
Cllr. Zainab Asunramu Deputy Labour of Bexley Labour Group said:
“I am devastated about the violence and disturbances we have seen across
the country; we have seen people of diverse backgrounds and faiths being the
target of hateful rhetoric, Islamophobia, violent attacks and verbal assaults.
As Cllrs we must lead by setting a good example for a more inclusive and
tolerant society, that is why I am disappointed that at the recent Council
meeting the Conservative members of the Council could not agree unanimously
to the motion proposed by Cllr. Ogundayo on fighting racism and celebrating
cultural diversity. We believe that this would have sent a clear message of
the council united against those who seek to divide us”
At the recent July council group we were disappointed that the Conservative
Council could not support the motion below and instead decided to amend it
to suit their agenda, rather than showing cross party unity on a
particularly important issue.
Cllr. Stefano Borella, Leader of Bexley Labour Group.
“I fully support the measures taken by the Prime Minister and the Home
Secretary to support the police and the court system to deal with those
involved with this disgraceful behaviour, to feel the full force of the law
and are brought to justice”
As local Councillors we will be working with our Members of Parliament,
including Abena Oppong Asare MP for Erith and Thamesmead and Daniel Francis
MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford to support the communities we represent and
fighting the scourge of racism across Bexley.
All hate crime should be reported directly to the police for response. This
should be done by calling 999 in an emergency or otherwise by calling 101,
visiting a police station or reporting online to the Met’s dedicated
platform, True Vision: www.report-it.org.uk.
Residents can seek support from the London Victim and Witness Services if
they are a victim or witness of hate crime by calling 0808 168 9291. There
are also specific services for anti-Muslim hate: Tell MAMA,0800 456 1226;
and for racist hate: The Monitoring Group, 020 7582 7438. More info:www.bexley.gov.uk/hate-crime
The linked Press Release also contains a copy of the Labour Group’s recent ‘Racism’ Motion.