At the moment I am busy trying to meet as many local members as possible. I am really enjoying doing this. I think it is something that needs to be built into the membership diary ie visit members particularly those who many not be able to make it to any meetings or social events.
I have listened to the views expressed. And will reflect a number of these in my hustings speeches on Friday 20th July and Saturday 21st July.
The weather has been generally appalling but I am dashing through the rain to knock on members' doors. Thank you to all those I have met and for the warm, friendly welcome. It's great meeting people with similar political views!
Cameron has just fallen flat on his face with the defection of a Tory MP to Labour. Gordon must have a big smile on his face. But the important thing is that it points up the whole issue with the Conservatives being style over substance. I am sure Labour will make this their theme over the coming months.
It's got to help us here in Truro/Falmouth.
Friday, 29 June 2007
Monday, 4 June 2007
The Slave Trade in Bristol
When I was in Bristol I visited the exhibition 'Breaking the Chains' commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade.
Between 1450 and 1850 over 10 million Africans were forcibly transported across the Atlantic Ocean – with another 10 million perishing in the process of capture.
• British ships carried over 3 million Africans to slavery in the Americas between 1662 and 1807.
• Over 2000 slave voyages left Bristol alone between 1698 and 1807, by which time over 60% of the city’s trade was directly related to slavery.
• Britain’s official involvement in the transatlantic slave trade was ended in 1807 after years of protest by the Abolitionist movement.
This is an exhibition well worth visiting and its on for the next 2 years.
Between 1450 and 1850 over 10 million Africans were forcibly transported across the Atlantic Ocean – with another 10 million perishing in the process of capture.
• British ships carried over 3 million Africans to slavery in the Americas between 1662 and 1807.
• Over 2000 slave voyages left Bristol alone between 1698 and 1807, by which time over 60% of the city’s trade was directly related to slavery.
• Britain’s official involvement in the transatlantic slave trade was ended in 1807 after years of protest by the Abolitionist movement.
This is an exhibition well worth visiting and its on for the next 2 years.
Kate Hoey at the Zimbabwe rally
A large banner saying ‘Supporting the People of Zimbabwe’ was the backdrop to a rally in Bristol last week.
Held in the centre of town, the area was alive with the sounds of drumming and singing. The Anti-Apartheid Movement together with the Bristol Zimbabwe Association orgnaised the event.
Kate Hoey MP spoke about her involvement in the struggle to get international condemnation of Mugabe and praised the Australian prime minister in his clear decision recently to ban the Australian cricket team from going to Zimbabwe. She compared this with the shilly shallying of our own government and the England Cricket Board in 2003 in refusing to act on the same issue, being unsure of what they should do lest they lose votes and money. She pointed out that sport was an area with a lot of clout and that boycotting international sporting events against Zimbabwe would draw worldwide attention to the tyranny of Mugabe’s regime.
Kate Hoey was followed by the Red Notes Socialist Choir who performed a fine repetoire of South African songs. White balloons were handed to the assembled crowd with messages demanding Mugabe’s departure and free and fair elections.
Held in the centre of town, the area was alive with the sounds of drumming and singing. The Anti-Apartheid Movement together with the Bristol Zimbabwe Association orgnaised the event.
Kate Hoey MP spoke about her involvement in the struggle to get international condemnation of Mugabe and praised the Australian prime minister in his clear decision recently to ban the Australian cricket team from going to Zimbabwe. She compared this with the shilly shallying of our own government and the England Cricket Board in 2003 in refusing to act on the same issue, being unsure of what they should do lest they lose votes and money. She pointed out that sport was an area with a lot of clout and that boycotting international sporting events against Zimbabwe would draw worldwide attention to the tyranny of Mugabe’s regime.
Kate Hoey was followed by the Red Notes Socialist Choir who performed a fine repetoire of South African songs. White balloons were handed to the assembled crowd with messages demanding Mugabe’s departure and free and fair elections.
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