WRITTEN ON July 7th, 2005 BY William Heath AND STORED IN Across the Board
I think how we feel about government has changed more times in the last week than in years.
Last Saturday I was at the Eden projectwhere Nelson Mandela appeared on a large screen to address the Cornwall Live8 audience, part perhaps of the largest live global audience any politician has ever addressed, and with an overwhelming proportion agreeing with every word he said. This retired politician set out an agenda independent of our government, and we stood in a space that proved what could be achieved, as founder Tim Smit pointed out, without government.
Then we won the Olympics and tired old Blair became human, danced a jig, hugged his neighbour and found the right words about how we felt about M Chirac. I think we felt joy, pride, unity and a sense of shared purpose. No more Domes.
Today we feel a different solidarity with the emergency services, transport authorities, forensics experts and detectives. Blair, Howard, Davies, Simon Hughes, even Ken Livingstone hits the nail on the head. And Beardie, of course, spot on as ever. We know London won’t be bombed into terror, but will respond with solidarity, phlegm, and – let us hope – with tolerance. Even M Chirac is supportive, with a grave face, and we’re grateful.
The expression “war on terror” is oxymoronic. It’s the war that causes terror. The terrorism just causes resilient stoicism.
Two bombs went off within yards of where I stay. The Quakers are on the radio offing tea and a place for silent reflection at Friends House round the corner.
So today I feel about goverment – solidarity, pride, a tempered sense of joy, and an earnest desire to see government protect our values, dignity and freedom in a culture of respect. And I still don’t want an ID card – cue the debate on whether ID cards would have prevented the London bombings…
4 Responses to “How we feel about government this week”
OK – add portaloos to the emergency plans.
On the last point, yes…I was due to speak at St Georges, Queen Sq Holborn on the day but that was taken over and the vicar was out comforting. Also Friends House, as I mentioned, opened up. Good to see the Sally Army had vans out dispensing tea also.
Fortunately, I had cancelled my journey so was not in London yesterday.
However, current emergency plans do seem to ignore the needs of the hundreds of thousands of ordinary commuters and travellers, not all of whom are young and fit or equipped for long walks or sleeping rough.
Public buildings are quickly shut, all public transport stopped etc. etc.
In other circumstances there have been similar problems when people were recently left baking for hours in a stranded train or trapped overnight on a snowed-up motorway.
In recent years we seem to have lost the useful humane services previously provided by WRVS and Red Cross volunteers etc. It is good to hear that religious organisations yesterday reacted so promptly.
Current emergency plans appear to deal well with the most badly injured, but really do need an extra level to care for the uninjured.
Ps. It was humbling today to receive a message of concern from someone whose small district of Sri Lanka lost more than 4500 people in the Tsunami.
I just want to say how shattered I was to hear of these attacks. As it happened, I was flying back to Australia from Asia, so the first I knew was when I switched on my mobile upon arrival…and received a barrage of ‘I’m ok’ SMS’s…well, at least I had answers to questions I hadn’t yet had time to ask.
What do these people want, and how can we help them achieve that, without death, injury and terror?
CornwallLive8 looked good on TV, very different from the other venues. This weekend, Hitchin has its annual “Rhythms of the World” free music festival.
Regarding yesterday’s outrages:
– Ken Livingstone spoke well.
– The BBC needs to review its Radio/TV response: Too much “shock/horror,” too little accurate, useful information.
– Official emergency plans should deal more compassionately with the needs of ordinary commuters and travellers: Providing temporary facilities for shelter, toilets and refreshments etc. Apparently some churches did their best.