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07 Jul 2005

How we feel about government this week

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…

• Posted by William Heath on 07/07/05 at 6:28pm
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