Category: Politics

Britain is Stronger in the European Union

Leytonstone teamThis morning, I was delighted to campaign in Leytonstone, alongside other local people, for Britain to remain a member of the European Union (EU).

I have long been pro-European. I have fond memories of trips to Italy and Germany with the Woodcraft Folk as a teenager. I then lived in Germany for a year as a au pair just before going to University. After University, my first professional experience was spending time in the European Parliament office (Brussels) of the British Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Claude Moraes. Thanks to Claude and the GMB trade union, I was then fortunate to be able to undertake a ‘stage‘ (internship) with Anna Diamantopoulou, then the EU Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs. Continue reading “Britain is Stronger in the European Union”

So what’s the real threat to our democracy?

ALEX KAVANAGH, EXHIBITION OFFICER, POLISHES A PAINTING OF KING JOHN. PART OF THE BRITISH LIBRARY'S MAGNA CARTA: LAW, LIBERTY,LECACY EXHIBITION OPENING ON MARCH 13TH. PHOTO BY CLARE KENDALL. FOR FURTHER INFO CONTACT PRESS OFFICE 02074127110
ALEX KAVANAGH, EXHIBITION OFFICER, POLISHES A PAINTING OF KING JOHN. PART OF THE BRITISH LIBRARY’S MAGNA CARTA: LAW, LIBERTY,LECACY EXHIBITION OPENING ON MARCH 13TH. PHOTO BY CLARE KENDALL. FOR FURTHER INFO CONTACT PRESS OFFICE 02074127110

I have written an article for The Justice Gap in response to the Prime Minister’s announcement that the Government will ‘clamp down’ on ‘spurious’ legal claims. You can read the piece HERE.

Saluting the Survivors of The Rivonia Trial

RivoniaI visited the Guardian Newspaper’s offices for the first time last night to listen to former ANC leader Denis Goldberg and Denis’ and Nelson Mandela’s Rivonia Trial lawyer Joel Joffe in conversation with former British High Court judge Nick Stadlen.

The event was held for Guardian newspaper members, as the men are in London to receive the freedom of the City of London from UK Prime Minister David Cameron. Continue reading “Saluting the Survivors of The Rivonia Trial”

Suffragette

Nicky and MirandaI was honoured to be invited to watch the opening night’s screening of director Sarah Gavron’s new film ‘Suffragette‘ by her proud mum Nicky Gavron, my old boss, the former Deputy Mayor of London and still a London Assembly Member.

The film was superb. It was also the first time in Hollywood history that a film’s writer, director and main protagonists were all female.

To be so visually reminded of what the suffragettes went through – the police surveillance, community shunning, imprisonment, beatings, torture and force-feeding – strengthened my resolve to continue to play as full a role I can in the democratic life of this country.

Nicky is right to be so proud of Sarah for having made this vitally important film. We owe the Suffragettes our deepest gratitude and I’m glad this film has helped their own voices to be heard.

Bernie Grant Memorial Lecture 2015

BGT panelGreat to join a panel of amazing speakers at the 2015 Bernie Grant Memorial Lecture, which took place at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre in Tottenham, North London, last night. I have been a board member of the Bernie Grant Trust since 2012.

This year’s Bernie Grant memorial lecture was delivered by the brilliant Gary Younge, Editor-at-large for The Guardian newspaper. Continue reading “Bernie Grant Memorial Lecture 2015”