UK’s democracy is being deliberately undermined, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has warned in his address to the Nation from outside 10 Downing Street.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak came out heavily against the rising cases of ‘extremism’ in the United Kingdom and warned that while people have the right to march and protest ‘peacefully’, they can’t call for violence and extremism.
The UK Prime Minister said that a “shocking increase” has been noticed in extremist disruption and criminality in the recent weeks and months, and what started as protests on streets, has descended into “intimidation, threats, and planned acts of violence.”
“Jewish children fearful to wear their school uniform lest it reveal their identity. Muslim women abused in the street for the actions of a terrorist group they have no connection with. Now our democracy itself is a target,” Sunak said in his address to the Nation from outside 10 Downing Street.
He acknowledged that immigrants from different spheres of the world have come and integrated in the country without giving up on their identities.
“You can be a practising Hindu and a proud Briton as I am. Or a devout Muslim and a patriotic citizen as so many are. Or a committed Jewish person and the heart of your local community…and all underpinned by the tolerance of our established, Christian church,” Sunak said.
“But I fear that our great achievement in building the world’s most successful multi-ethnic, multi faith democracy is being deliberately undermined,” he said.
Sunak said that since the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, many groups are trying to take advantage of the war to advance a divisive, hateful ideological agenda. Due to this, on many occasions, the UK streets were “hijacked” by “hostile groups.”
“Islamist extremists and far rights groups are spreading a poison, that poison is extremism,” he stated.
He further said that while people have the right to march and protest demanding protection fo civilian life, they can’t call for “violent Jihad”.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak makes a statement from Downing Street. Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street
“I respect that the police have a tough job in policing the protests we have seen and that they are operationally independent. But we must draw a line. Yes, you can march and protest with passion…You can demand the protection of civilian life…but no, you cannot call for violent Jihad,” Sunak said.
He also cited the order by Home Secretary James Cleverly that the foreign nationals who are in UK on visas, if “spew hate on protests or seek to intimidate people”, their right to stay in the country will be revoked.
“I want to speak directly to those who choose to continue to protest: Don’t let the extremists hijack your marches. You have a chance in the coming weeks to show that you can protest decently, peacefully and with empathy for your fellow citizens,” Sunak further said. (ANI)
Hon Prime Minister, of Great Britain, Rt Hon Mr. Rishi MP, endorses the 7th annual World Music Conference on Music and Intelligence…writes Sruthi Ramakrishnan FRAS
The British Carnatic Choir hosted the 7th Annual virtual World Music Conference on 15th December 2023 under the esteemed patronage of the United Kingdom Commission for the UNESCO.
It is the flagship music conference in the Midlands, which aims to bring together artists and musicians of all ages, faiths, races, and cultural backgrounds, with the hope of sharing intercultural values, practices, knowledge, commonalities and to promote peace, harmony, and togetherness.
The conference is supported by the conference Chief Patron- His Excellency Dr. Shashank Vikram, IFS, Consul General of India in Birmingham, Cllr Chaman Lal, Lord Mayor of Birmingham and the Patron of the British Carnatic Choir, Mr. Andy Street, CBE, Combined Mayor of the West Midlands, Sir John Crabtree OBE, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Dr. Paul Sabapathy CBE, Former Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands and Patron of the British Carnatic Choir.
James Ömer Bridge, Secretary-General and Chief Executive of the UK National Commission for UNESCO says:
‘We were delighted to offer Patronage to the 7th World Music Conference held in December 2023. The conference brings together music communities from around the world to celebrate, share and learn from one another, thus upholding UNESCO’s constitution by building “…mutual understanding and a truer and more perfect knowledge of each other’s lives”.’
The WMC strives to create a platform that allows individuals and communities to develop musical skills, enhance cognitive competence and creativity, and ultimately foster a deeper appreciation of music.
Dr. Chithra Ramakrishnan, MBE, FRSA, FRAS, Founder, Director of The British Carnatic Choir, Founder, Curator of the World Music Conference comments on the theme of this year’s conference:
“The endorsement from our Hon Prime Minister, Rt.Hon. Rishi Sunak, MP is a tremendous honour and a testament to the significance of our most recent event. The Prime Minister’s recognition underscores the importance of exploring the intersection of music and intelligence, and we are grateful for the encouragement to continue our mission.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to the Right Honourable Prime Minister for supporting our cause. The endorsement not only adds prestige to our conference but also highlights the commitment to fostering discussions on the transformative power of music in enhancing intelligence and creativity. A Heartfelt Thank You to the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP.
“It is our intention that this conference could springboard the redefinition of educational curriculums, positively impacting the way we currently go about teaching music to the younger generation. our conference seeks to explore the synergistic relationship between music and intelligence, with focus on world music. The WMC seeks to respect intercultural variation and promote appreciation through music.
“This theme is topical at present, especially with the rapid growth of AI and its proliferation into various fields, from manufacturing to healthcare. This year, the conference vowed to examine the utilisation of AI into music practice and performance, considering how these situations can be enhanced for all stakeholders involved.”
MUSIC AND INTELLIGENCE
This year’s goals were centred around the theme of “Music and Intelligence”.
Identifying and establishing the relationship between music and intelligence in various cultures, considering the following key themes:
The psychological and neurological impacts of music on the brain.
How practicing music can be modified to increase intelligence.
The role of Artificial Intelligence in music composition, appreciation, and understanding.
The conference aimed to achieve these through a series of interactive, hands-on workshops, performances, keynote speeches, by renowned global experts and professionals.
Some of the featured keynote speakers/presenters at the conference were
Professor Francisco Tigre Moura, Professor of Marketing, IU International University of Applied Sciences, Germany,
Professor Nassim Aissa Belbaly, Empathetic AI Founder, Professor of Artificial Intelligence, Australia
Dr. Shantala Hegde, Additional Professor (Neuropsychology) National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
Professor Islah Ali-MacLachlan, Associate Professor, Audio Engineering and acoustics, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK
Dr. Lakshmi Balraj- Indian classical vocalist, Chief Officer and Head, Indian Dental Association, Mumbai.
Diamond Duggal, British-Indian music producer, composer, musician and AI researcher. London.
Dr. Ramya Palacholla, Director, Digital Science and AI, AstraZeneca, U.S.
The conference featured a special highlight called ‘Global Young Trailblazers’, a segment by young musicians from different continents showcasing how they embraced AI in their music.
British Carnatic Choir Awards 2023-Celebrating Excellence in the Arts.
The 7th annual World Music Conference hosted the virtual awards ceremony of the 9th annual British Carnatic Choir Awards for arts and culture -2023.
The British Carnatic Choir (BCC) Awards for Arts and Culture honours individuals and organisations that have made a positive impact on society through their creativity and commitment.
The distinguished awardees for 2023 were-
1. Professor Linda Merrick CBE- Principal of the Royal Northern College of Music.
2. Mr. Vibhaker Baxi- Chairman and Managing Director of UK-based Navras Records Limited
3. Professor Adam Palma- Professor of Jazz Guitar and a Voting member of The Grammy Recording Academy
4. Lucas Pedrosa – Guitarist, producer and arranger at Igreja Batista Nações Unidas – United Nations Baptist Church, São Paulo, Brazil.
It’s almost unheard of for a British Prime Minister to cancel a meeting with a European ally who has specifically traveled to see them in No. 10 Downing Street, and Sunak’s decision has caused outrage in Greece.
With the UK general elections looming next year, some Conservative Party MPs and strategists fear the British Prime Minister might not have the temperament to charm the electorate.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s decision Monday to abruptly cancel a meeting with Kyriakos Mitsotakis, angrily claiming that his Greek counterpart reneged on assurances he would not speak publicly about the disputed Parthenon Sculptures during his three-day UK visit, has reignited Tory fears about a petulant streak which surfaces in the heat of political battle, Politico reported.
It’s almost unheard of for a British Prime Minister to cancel a meeting with a European ally who has specifically traveled to see them in No. 10 Downing Street, and Sunak’s decision has caused outrage in Greece.
A government spokesman in Athens called the decision “unprecedented” and “disrespectful”, Politico reported.
“Whereas when he was Chancellor the public found Rishi Sunak authoritative and reassuring, they now tend to find him lecturing and sometimes snappy,” said Luke Tryl, director of the consultancy More in Common, which regularly conducts focus groups on political topics around the UK.
“The warning signs of this shift in impressions of Sunak have been clear since last year’s leadership debates, when the public found Sunak’s attitude to Liz Truss to be rude and condescending — even when they agreed with what he was saying.
Picture by Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street
“Given that he already struggles on questions of empathy, the Prime Minister is at risk of developing a tone problem with the public and needs to switch back to ‘safe pair of hands; rather than know-it-all,” he added.
With Labour leading in the polls, a former minister added, the stakes for Sunak could not be higher, Politico reported.
“As Chancellor you can get away with it,” they said. “As Prime Minister, you can’t.”
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s autumn statement tax cut has fuelled speculation that Sunak could be gearing up for an election in the first half of 2024, Sky News reported.
With the Conservatives still lagging behind Labour in the polls, the chancellor made the surprise announcement that he will slash national insurance by two percentage points and bring forward the change to January rather than waiting until the new tax year in April.
Sky’s election analyst Professor Michael Thrasher comes to a similar conclusion.
He said: “The Conservatives trail Labour by 18 points in the latest polling, a swing sufficient to give Keir Starmer a healthy majority at the coming election. A series of record-breaking by-election defeats this parliament confirm the Conservative predicament.
Clawing back the deficit, and recovering trust among electors is going to take time.”
The bleak assessments are a remarkable turnaround for a party that just four years ago won a thumping 80-seat majority under Boris Johnson.
But the scandals that led to his downfall, and the economic chaos unleashed by the Liz Truss mini-budget – all against the backdrop of rising NHS waiting lists and a cost of living crisis – is why some strategists believe a Conservative defeat at the next general election is all but inevitable, Sky News reported.
Polling expert Professor John Curtice put it: “Frankly, they are heading for crucifixion.”
He is sceptical the autumn statement will “move the dial much” and said speculation about an early election “is in the interest of the Conservatives to keep everyone on their toes”.
He believes the Conservatives are facing electoral disaster on the scale of 1997, when after 18 years in power the party, led by John Major, was defeated in a landslide by Labour’s Tony Blair, Sky News reported.
The visit also unfolded against the backdrop of significant strides in the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the ambitious Roadmap 2030.
In a diplomatic stride that reverberated with historical resonance, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar concluded his recent visit to the United Kingdom, solidifying the enduring ties between the two nations.
The visit not only provided a fresh impetus to bilateral cooperation but also unfolded against the backdrop of significant strides in the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the ambitious Roadmap 2030.
“External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recent visit to the United Kingdom further consolidated the long-standing historical ties between the two countries and provided a new impetus to bilateral cooperation in diverse areas against the backdrop of progress on the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and Roadmap 2030,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a release.
Jaishankar paid an official visit to the United Kingdom from November 11-15. The EAM called on UK PM Rishi Sunak, and held talks with his new counterpart, Foreign Secretary David Cameron. He also met Secretary of State for Home, James Cleverly; Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps; and National Security Adviser, Tim Barrow.
In his meeting with the Prime Minister, EAM extended Diwali greetings and conveyed best wishes on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Sunak and EAM expressed satisfaction at positive momentum in enhancing the India-UK relationship as an important factor in addressing contemporary challenges. They also reviewed implementation of Roadmap 2030 and discussed ongoing negotiations for a India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the MEA’s release added.
EAM met Foreign Secretary Cameron on his first day in office and congratulated him on his appointment. They discussed avenues to realise the full potential of India-UK partnership in avenues ranging from cooperation in political, economic and trade, defence and security, science and technology, innovation, health, education, people-to-people connections and mobility. They also exchanged views on important global developments including the Indo-Pacific, the situation in West Asia, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, it also said.
With Home Secretary Cleverly, EAM discussed the importance of mobility in skills and talent in the development of bilateral cooperation, and exchanged views on addressing extremism, trans-border crimes including economic offences and trafficking.
In EAM’s meeting with Defence Secretary Shapps, they focused on enhancing defence and security cooperation, recognizing that ‘Make in India’ offers a wealth of opportunities to UK companies for potential industrial partnerships. EAM and NSA Tim Barrow discussed recent developments including in West Asia, Indo-Pacific and Russia-Ukraine. They underscored the need for close collaboration on combating violent extremism and radicalism and agreed to deepen and expand dialogue on these and other shared concerns.
The EAM also met the former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer, Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy, along with Shadow Minister of State for Asia & the Pacific, Catherine West.
Jaishankar addressed the Indian diaspora at a Diwali Reception at Westminster Palace, in which Minister of State Lord Tariq Ahmad also offered greetings on behalf of His Majesty’s Government. EAM also visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple at Neasden. He also unveiled two 8th Century Yogini sculptures from a temple in the village of Lokhari in Uttar Pradesh, which have been recovered in the UK and will shortly be sent back to India.
Meeting with former UK PM Tony Blair
During the visit, EAM also participated in a conversation on ‘How a Billion People See the World’at a Policy Event held in partnership with Wilton Park and the Royal Overseas League. The event, moderated by the eminent political commentator Lionel Barber, was attended by parliamentarians, diplomats, journalists, academicians and business leaders.
India-UK FTA discussed
Ministry of External Affairs Official Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi has said the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was discussed during (EAM) Jaishankar’s meeting with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on his recent visit to the country.
“The EAM discussed the FTA with the UK PM and the newly sworn-in foreign secretary. There are discussions going on. But if you want to know the exact status of negotiations, I would refer you to the trade negotiators,” Bagchi said while speaking on the India-UK FTA during the MEA Weekly Media Briefing on Thursday.
The MEA spokesperson further said: “Both India and UK are engaged on this important issue to see if we can find, a solution or reach a final stage…”
EAM Jaishankar on his recent five-day visit to the UK, met with his British counterpart David Cameron and discussed progressing a Free Trade Agreement and partnerships on defence, science and technology.
During the meeting on Monday, the two leaders reflected on the strength of the UK-India relationship, including meeting the ambition of the UK-India 2030 Roadmap, according to the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Jaishankar meets with UK Labour Party Leader Sir Keir Starmer
“The Foreign Secretary and Jaishankar also discussed progressing a free trade agreement and partnerships on defence, science and technology,” it said.
The duo also discussed shared global challenges, including the situation in Israel and Gaza and the war between Russia and Ukraine. (ANI)
David Cameron replaced James Cleverly who has been appointed as the new Home Secretary after Indian-origin Suella Braverman was sacked from the post, days after she wrote a controversial article in The Times newspaper, criticising the Met Police over pro-Palestine protests in London.
As UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is currently reshuffling his Cabinet, former British premier David Cameron was on Monday appointed as the new Foreign Secretary.
In a post on X, the Downing Street said that Cameron had been appointed as the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.
Cameron replaced James Cleverly who has been appointed as the new Home Secretary after Indian-origin Suella Braverman was sacked from the post, days after she wrote a controversial article in The Times newspaper, criticising the Met Police over pro-Palestine protests in London.
It was later confirmed that she had ignored advice from Downing Street to make changes to the article.
“It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve as home secretary,” the BBC quoted Braverman as saying after she was sacked,
“I will have more to say in due course.”
Braverman was appointed Home Secretary by Liz Truss in September 2022.
But she was made to resign from her post after sending an official document from her personal email – against ministerial rules.
Just six days later, Sunak brought her back into position.
New Delhi, Sept 9 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares a light moment with United Kingdom PM Rishi Sunak during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, in New Delhi on Saturday. (ANI Photo)
Rishi Sunak also congratulated Narendra Modi on Team India’s strong performance in the ongoing Cricket World Cup.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Rishi Sunak discussed the progress on the Free Trade Agreement during their telephonic conversation on Friday.
Sunak also congratulated PM Modi on Team India’s strong performance in the ongoing Cricket World Cup.
“Turning to the friendship between the UK and India, the leaders discussed recent progress on Free Trade Agreement negotiations. They agreed on the importance of securing an ambitious deal that benefitted both sides,” the UK government said in a statement.
India and UK are negotiating a Free Trade Agreement, talks for which had begun in 2022. The 12th round of negotiations for the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) took place from August 8-31 this year.
The UK PM affirmed hope of a good performance from the English side during the Test series in India in January next year.
“The leaders discussed the ongoing Cricket World Cup being held in India. The Prime Minister congratulated Prime Minister Modi on the strong performance of the India team and said he hoped England would have more luck during their test series in India in January,” the statement added.
Earlier this evening, spoke to UK PM @RishiSunak. Discussed means to strengthen bilateral relations and exchanged views on the situation in West Asia. We agree that there is no place for terror and violence. Death of civilians is a serious concern. Need to work towards regional…
Notably, India is having a strong run in the ongoing Cricket World Cup and has won all seven matches it has played so far. The defending champions, England on the other hand, have had poor show, winning only one game out of the six they have played.
In the India versus England game at Lucknow, the Men in Blue registered a huge 100-run victory, after India’s pace attack rattled the English batting while defending a below-par total.
PM Modi and PM Sunak also discussed the conflict situation in the Middle East amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
The two leaders condemned Hamas’s attacks on Israel, and reiterated that Hamas “did not represent” the Palestinian people.
They reflected on the need to deescalate tensions in the wider region. PM Sunak also underscored the importance of protecting innocent civilians in Gaza and ensuring aid was able to flow into the country, the statement added. (ANI)
The reality after losing the by-elections in Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire last week is grim for Rishi Sunak… writes Kishan Devani BEM, FRSA
As Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party said recently – Rishi Sunak is “completely wrong” to say nobody wants a general election actually “What he really meant was he’s not happy to go to the electorate because he thinks he will lose.”
The reality after losing the by-elections in Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire last week is grim for Rishi Sunak. The Conservative Party suffered crushing defeats in electoral contests for two of its safest parliamentary seats, sending an ominous signal to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak about his chances of holding onto power in the next general election. The Tories are heading for a 1997-style defeat, Rishi Sunak needs to wake up and smell the coffee, after two historic by-election losses.
Prof John Curtice said Labour’s shock wins in Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire meant the Tories had not seen such poor by-election results since the run-up to Tony Blair’s 1997 general election landslide. Sir John warned that without a “dramatic” turnaround, Sunak’s party is on course for a huge defeat – predicting that Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party could claim an even bigger win than under Tony Blair in 1997.
Labour overcame a 24,664 majority to win Mid Bedfordshire, marking the largest Conservative numerical majority overturned in the U.K. by the main opposition party since 1945.
In Tamworth, the 23.9-point swing from Conservative to Labour represented the second-largest percentage overturn of its kind since 1945 and took on what was a 66% Conservative majority in the 2019 general election.
Mr Sunak has to go to the country by January 2025 at the latest, but spring or autumn 2024 are more likely options. But why not do it now? Spare everyone the continuing incompetence, division, empty words, nonsensical policies & complete and utter disregard for the problems facing communities across our country. Do us all a favour and call a General Election – if you are so confident that you will win and the Conservatives will continue their campaign of dividing our nation – then please go ahead and call one. The electorate are now fed up of this populist, slogan led, empty and hollow government. It is this that the Conservatives and Mr Sunak obviously know and hence are not calling the General Election our country desperately needs.
Rishi Sunak leaves the Conservative Party headquarters in London, Britain, on Oct. 24, 2022. (Photo by Stephen Cheung/Xinhua/IANS)
Sunak will first meet his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu shortly after his arrival, after which the British leader will travel to other regional capitals….reports Asian Lite News
Amid the escalation of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will land in Tel Aviv on Thursday, making him the second world leader to visit the war-torn nation after US President Joe Biden.
According to a BBC News report, Sunak will first meet his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu shortly after his arrival, after which the British leader will travel to other regional capitals.
Ahead of his trip, Sunak said: “Every civilian death is a tragedy. And too many lives have been lost following Hamas’s horrific act of terror.”
The BBC also said that the Prime Minister will offer his condolences for the civilians killed in the deadly Hamas attacks, as well as press for humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will meet leaders in Egypt, Turkey and Qatar in the coming days to seek support for a peaceful resolution in Israel and Gaza.
He “will push for an agreement on humanitarian access to Gaza, and the release of British hostages held by Hamas”, the BBC report said.
Sunak and Cleverly’s trips follow Biden’s extraordinary wartime visit to Israel on Wednesday which came a day after the deadly explosion at a Gaza City hospital.
Biden had said the blast appeared to have been caused by a failed rocket launched by Palestinian militants, supporting Israel’s account of the incident, the BBC reported.
But Palestinian officials said an Israeli airstrike hit the hospital.
At Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Sunak said that British intelligence services were working to establish who was behind the blast, telling MPs not to “rush to judgment”.
In a later statement, he said: “The attack on Al-Ahli Hospital should be a watershed moment for leaders in the region and across the world to come together to avoid further dangerous escalation of conflict.
“I will ensure the UK is at the forefront of this effort.”
I worry for the sake of my young family and the British Indian Community that we must not build a country for just a few at the top of the socio-economic chain, but for all – regardless of background. The more one delves into the life of our current PM – the more one sees how far detached from reality he really is … writes Professor Kishan Devani BEM, FRSA
Many across my community (the Indian Community) continue to ask me all over the world, it must be great to have an ‘Indian PM’ of the UK. My answer to them is simply, NO. What do I have in common with Mr Sunak – absolutely nothing.
Kishan Devani, BEM, FRSA
Was I born to privilege- No, was I privately educated – No, am I worth over £700M – No. These matters may seem futile to some, however, I ask how will he ever understand the issues that the majority of our community faces? For example, does he really know what it feels like to live on a weekly budget – trying to feed one’s children/family, will he ever understand what it feels to arrive here as an immigrant and have to live as a Paying Guest or in a bedsit?
Will he ever understand what it means to borrow money to have to care for your elderly parents? Or to remortgage your home to make ends meet? Of course not, he probably has no idea what it feels like to budget for anything at all. This for me puts him far away from the reality of what 100,000’s of members of our community go through daily in their lives. I for one, feel that our country is crying out for a Prime Minister that is in touch with the needs of the majority of our country – not just the elite.
I worry for the sake of my young family and the British Indian Community that we must not build a country for just a few at the top of the socio-economic chain, but for all – regardless of background. The more one delves into the life of our current PM – the more one sees how far detached from reality he really is.
Whether it is Climate Change, HS2, Immigration or just general economics he is so far off from the realities affecting families like mine and many other families in the British Indian Community, that it pains me to see him in a position to affect our lives. So when the question is asked, whether I should just simply support the PM as I am a British Indian too – I say – Why? We owe it to our future generations to challenge the status quo and not simply follow as blind followers of a cult.
Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty visit BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple. (Picture by Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street)
The Conservatives have decimated our country in recent years, whether it be Brexit, the systematic dismantling of our NHS and economic policies that have helped the rich get richer. One needs to understand we are a nation for all, not north, not south. All regions of our UK are one and we must work together – unlike what the Conservatives have tried to do, divide communities across our country.
As it says in Hindu/Vedic Scriptures – ” Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – “The Whole World is One Family” – these are, our values and this is the type of world I want to live in. One that the Tories and the Leadership of our current PM Rishi Sunak are far off from delivering. Another pillar of the Vedic traditions is the concept of Unity in Diversity – which forms a great part of our lives as a community – this is also something our current Conservative Home Secretary Suella Braverman and PM Rishi Sunak could learn from.
PM Rishi Sunak speaks to guests at a garden reception to celebrate London Tech Week in 10 Downing Street. (Picture by Simon Dawson No 10 Downing Street)
The right-wing dogwhistle, callous policies of this government need to be thoroughly examined, before one simply supports them. In conclusion, the next time someone asks me whether I should just simply support Rishi Sunak as our PM due to the fact we share ethnic backgrounds – I will simply point them to this article, to lay out my rationale of not supporting him/the Tories and the moral obligation we all have as a community to do what is right for our country and not simply follow someone blindly.
(Professor Kishan Devani BEM, FRSA is a UK political & public figure and a writer & columnist)
Rishi Sunak’s net-zero policy changes, and the likely abandonment of HS2, is meant to provide clear water between the Tories and Labour. Whether this will help his sailboat get to safe harbour remains to be seen, writes Mihir Bose
Rishi Sunak always gives me the impression of being a young college student who is busy discovering this new world he has sought so long and finally entered. A year into his Prime Ministership he is yet to give the impression of having bottom, to use the word Conservative MPs are fond to convey a political heavyweight . When I see him on television with his tie tucked in his shirt I wonder if he has done this because his tie has marks from the breakfast he had that morning. He comes over as a man still working to getting his degree in leadership.
Of course, he could not have been worse than Liz Truss or Boris Johnson. This country was run by Boris Johnson, the man whose chancellor Sunak was, as if he was still a newspaper columnist. Liz Truss behaved a bit like the gypsy ladies who congregate at Epson Downs on Derby days and offer flowers to racegoers promising them a magical win in the Derby if they should buy them. We know how magical Liz Truss’s flowers proved. They nearly crashed the economy. That Sunak has brought order, after such extraordinarily inept leadership, does not say much. Nor does it mean that he has the making of the leader who can lead the Tories after thirteen years in power to victory again.
Labour Leader Keir Starmer with Rachel Reeves MP.
His search for policies that will wrongfoot Labour is a classic example of a student seeking solutions but not at all certain the solution is remotely right. Take his dramatic U-turn on the green measures necessary to hit the net zero target by 2050. Having been outflanked by the BBC he revealed his plans at a hurried press conference where he announced a flurry of U-turns on climate targets – pushing back the ban on purchasing new petrol cars from 2030 to 2035 and delaying the target of eliminating gas boilers. Then, as often happens with Tory politicians under attack, he invoked Margaret Thatcher saying the modern Tory goddess would have agreed with his rationale, and that it was not right for “working families” to face significant costs as part of the country’s transition to net zero.
Yet when questioned further, like the college student playing with a new toy, he struggled to provide an explanation for claims that he had scrapped measures critics said had never seriously been mooted – such as an alleged tax on meat, compulsory car sharing and forcing households to use seven recycling bins. All he could say very lamely was, “These are all things that have been raised by very credible people,” without providing any evidence.
“Sunak is indulging in the classic talk of politicians trying to get to the high ground. The need to change politics. Thinking of our children.”
Sunak also hinted there would be further announcements in other areas to come. “We have to change the way we do politics,” he said. “You can’t chase the short-term headline – you’ve got to do the things that are right in the long term. That’s not going to be easy. I know I’ll get criticism and flak for it, as you’ve seen over the last day or two. But I’m not going to be deterred from doing what I believe is right for the long-term future of our children. That’s what yesterday was about and that’s what I will continue to do.”
Sunak is indulging in the classic talk of politicians trying to get to the high ground. The need to change politics. Thinking of our children.
What he did not say was this must have come from the focus groups of voters where, as one of our best election experts, John Curtice, put it Sunak had “picked up the zeitgeist”, particularly among Conservative supporters about climate change. What Curtis said was spot on that voters do not like things that would cause their bills to grow. Voters may say they recognise the need to do something about climate change but when it hits their pockets they quickly say, in the classic phrase of those who do not really want change, good idea but not now. It may not be clear whether Sunak’s announcement would leave people financially better off in the long run but that does matter for Sunak. The long run may be so long away that by then Sunak will have won the election which must come in a year’s time. The problems caused by Ulez gifted the Conservatives the Uxbridge by-election and is driving these policy changes strengthening the Tory view that this can be used to exploit inept Labour leadership.
Rishi Sunak with Boris Johnson
And it is the Labour leadership that provides Sunak and the Tories with the greatest hope that they can turn round the opinion polls and get to the magic land of a fourth election victory. If Sunak is the perpetual student than Keir Starmer comes over as the well organised office manager who will always make sure the office is in order and tea and coffee available to the staff but without suggesting that going to work will be something to look forward to, let alone it might be fun. Not long ago at the Financial Times Weekend Festival I asked Rachel Reeves, the shadow Chancellor, who was sitting next to a prominent Tony Blair New Labour, whether this was not New Labour Mark2. The answer was no but with no details as to how it would be different.
And that is the problem with Labour. Historically it is a party that loses elections. It wins them when it has exceptional leaders against the background of people yearning for change. Clement Attlee after the war, Harold Wilson after 13 years of Tory rule in 1964 when the Conservatives had run out of ideas and looked a spent force and then Tony Blair after eighteen years of Conservative rule in 1997 when the country wanted the Tories out. Even then Blair won by stressing this was new Labour and not the old Labour of tax and spend and other ideas that the country would never subscribe to. Now Keir Starmer gives the impression of a man who is keeping his ideas so close to his chest that it is difficult to know what exactly they are. Blair had produced a pledge card with five policies new Labour were determined to implement. Starmer has no such pledge card and at the Financial Times Weekend Festival when I asked Rachel Reeves she denied there would be one for this election.
Sunak’s net-zero policy changes, and the likely abandonment of HS2, is meant to provide clear water between the Tories and Labour. Whether this will help his sailboat get to safe harbour remains to be seen. The bookmakers are not convinced and providing very long odds on a Conservative victory. Bookies are rarely wrong and that may be Labour’s best hope. But to pin an election victory on how much money the bookies might make from it will be a first in British politics.
