When the cost-cutting Tory administration at Ealing council introduced an admission charge to the borough’s long-running free Summer music festival the decision was condemned. Now fellow Conservative Boris Johnson has gone one further by choosing to discontinue altogether the London-wide Rise music event, Europe’s largest anti racist festival with 13 years of history behind it.
Ever since Boris ran for office it was rumoured that the event was in jeopardy. In 2008 the funding was approved on the condition that the anti-racism message was effaced and now the whole thing is being wiped off the cultural map.
Last year’s BNP gains in the London Assembly were a disturbing sign. With the party buoyed up and hoping to make advances in the European Parliament in June the anti-racist message is more relevant now than ever. Despite all that “my grandfather was a Muslim” stuff the Tory toff put out to get the ethnic vote last year, the Rise axing shows his disregard for the anti-fascist cause when it’s most needed.
UPDATE: Longer Comment is Free post on this by me here:
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April 9, 2009 at 10:46 am
Rumbold
Do we have any empiricial evidence that the festival actually helps stem the growth of the BNP/racism? Isn’t it just a case of preaching to the converted? Surely the money would be better spent elsewhere?
If some people think the festival is that important then why not organise it themselves, and charge an entrance fee?
April 9, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Leon
Is there empirical evidence it didn’t?
I see this as a gutless move, I’d lay money Bojo wanted to do this last year but didn’t have the balls.
This event was a wonderful day out with a positive message of inclusiveness. Anyone who’d attended it would experience people (and food!) from many different backgrounds, it fed into the narrative that London is a city of many people’s all able to live in peace together.
I’m more than happy for a bit of money to spent on festivals like this and others (I’m all for celebrating St Georges day or Vaisakhi for example). I don’t buy the charge it angle, because that leaves enjoying the diversity of London’s people’s to those that can afford it.
It’s Boris’ shame this is discontinued and my only hope that if he’s voted out in 2012 this festival returns.
April 9, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Rumbold
Leon:
My point is that if it is meant to be an anti-racism festival, then surely there must be some evidence that it reduces racism. How, for instance, does it reach out to (say) the BNP-leaning mother on the council estate who is worried about the number of non-English speaking children in her child’s school, or the Muslim father who doesn’t want his daughter to date non-Muslims?
I am sure that people who went had a nice time. But should the taxpayer be funding it? Boris doesn’t offer to fund my days out.
April 10, 2009 at 12:35 pm
john zims
You got it in one Rumbold,if it’s such a popular and well attended event,then I am sure that the attendees would be happy to put their hands in their pockets and pay for it instead of always scrounging off the taxpayer.
If the event does not go ahead because individuals are not prepared to put their hands in their pockets to pay for it, then it will clearly show how little value people put on it any were only prepared to turn up because it was a freebie.
If this event is to be paid for by the council taxpayer then how about paying for a pensioners day out?
or
Hard pressed council taxpayers dayout?
Yup,everyone wants that free lunch!
i
April 14, 2009 at 10:20 pm
MixTogether
I don’t feel these sorts of events are welcoming to me as someone who does not embrace far left politics.
One of the stages was run by the Cuba Solidarity campaign, a blatantly politicised organisation.
Plus the supposed anti-racist message does not encompass racism by non whites, so what is the point? History Of London festival, a far more community centred event, a far better use of money.
April 20, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Geordie-Tory
Good afternoon there Labour-ists!
I was greatly impressed to see that Mayor Boris Johnson followed through on (another) capmpaign promise and unveiled a picture of Her Majesty The Queen at City Hall today.
Naturally, it goes without saying that your idol, the former Mayor Livingstone never had a picture of our marvellolus Sovereign on display, you just wonder though what Boris has done with all of the Hugo Chavez and Fidel pictures though?
Perhaps (just a little tongue-in-cheek and to keep this on topic) Livingstone also preferred pictures of everyones favourite Homophobic and Racist Islamic Cleric, Islamic, Yusuf al-Qaradawi to our own dear Monarch too, who knows.
Just wondering if you any of true reactionaries share my quiet and measured appreciation of this small but important civic gesture?
Remember, things can only get better!!
April 20, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Geordie-Tory
Sorry my last comment was a little puerile on a serious theme, I did genuinely though want to add that I agree that the rise of the BNP (which let’s be clear. as well as being racist they advocate hard-left economic policies NOT far right!) in London is worrying to us all, whether such events do any good is debatable, but sometimes as well as throwing stones at Conservatives and vice versa, Labour, Conservatives and the Pointless ones should find common cause to enunciate exactly what the BNP stands for – ie Racial hatred and divsion.
April 20, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Leon
I think it speaks volumes he’d rather hang pictures of a monarch than actually be accountable regarding policing at the G20…