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Gen Z: Persuasion, Power and Politics

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 15:54:48 GMT

Photo, Imbue. Gen Z’s top priority is climate change and the environment.

Are Marcus Rashford, Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg's social and climate justice activism changing the leadership landscape?

Gen Z “want a better planet, a fairer system, a kinder humanity—and they’re ready to help make that happen”, the Deloitte Global 2021 Millennial and Gen Z Survey, titled A call for accountability and action reported.

While Covid and the lockdown shut down large swathes of the world, it conversely led to Gen Z voices becoming more strident with regard to social justice and the climate crisis. Child poverty, COP26, and the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan amplified their values and voices.

This sociopolitical climate of accountability and action is demonstrated by Gen Z in general, and influencers in particular. Marcus Rashford forced the PM into a U-turn on free school meals (FSMs); Greta Thunberg held those in power to account, and Malala Yosafzai’s activism on girls’ education became touchstones for young voices.

Ernst & Young LLP defines Gen Z as those born between 1997 and 2007. They describe them as values-driven, digital natives, and the most racially diverse generation.

Photo: Imbue, Gen Z are digital natives

“Unlike previous generations, they do not know life without the internet. They’ve always been potentially more worldly because they've had more information… at their disposal”, said intergenerational expert and psychologist Ali Shalfrooshan.

Deloitte found that they believe in the power of individuals to bring about change… and “embrace personal responsibility” which is evident in how they approach everything from the pandemic to social justice.

“For someone like Boris Johnson to have to parrot platitudes about climate change is testament to the amount of pressure that is on him from young people”, said Guy Taylor, trade campaigner for Global Justice Now.

However, is this activism changing the leadership landscape and what exactly is leadership?

Leadership requires us to visualise success and communicate possibilities for what lies ahead. “It is a journey of development for all of us, whether we have a formal title of leader or not”, said Mehar Brar, former Ofsted inspector.

Are our influencers leaders?

Photo: Imbue

What do their Gen Z peers h ave to say?

Do the experts agree?

Marcus, Greta and Malala have become “spokespeople”, said Bernd Vogel, professor in leadership at Henley Business School, University of Reading. He explains that they found “a personal connection” to cut through the everyday noise to find “a resonant body” and address what is “at the forefront of people’s minds”.

Mr Shalfrooshan goes so far as to say that these influencers are representative of servant leadership. “I would say that Greta and Malala are 100% real good representatives of [servant leadership]”.

Prof. Vogel said that Marcus wielded social media, and that this together with his personal story and influence, is “quite powerful” while Greta “created a shift around climate change”.

In contrast, Graham Wilson, research scholar at the Ronin Institute, New York, and psychology tutor at the University of Oxford said: “As individuals, [the influencers] have not actually achieved social change or indeed reversed climate change”.

While they are certainly influential, Prof Vogel issued the caveat that we should not put these influencers “on a pedestal and say that without these individuals there wouldn’t be change or movement”. Mr Taylor concurs and said that he is “always a little bit wary of crediting the big names too much”.

The Deloitte Survey found that Gen Z channels their energies towards action to increase political involvement and drive change on societal issues.

Source: Deloitte Global 2021 Millennial and Gen Z Survey

Has Gen Z’s activism changed the leadership and political landscape?

“Frankly no, the political landscape hasn't changed,'' said Mr Wilson.

In contrast, Prof. Vogel is unequivocal: “Well, I think all three have definitely changed the political landscape”. Mr Taylor concurred and said that young people are changing the leadership and political landscape and are “inspiring”.

In answer to whether Gen Z shows a paradigm shift in leadership, Mr Shalfrooshan said that their leadership is a trend rather than a shift. He added that this is better as a shift brings pushback, for example, “for every Barack Obama, there’s a Donald Trump”.

Photo: Imbue. Prof. Bernd Vogel, Henley Business School, Graham Wilson, University of Oxford, and Ali Shalfrooshan, psychologist

No matter how you regard them, Gen Z is trending. They’ve seized their moment and the impact is reverberating globally.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Diwali: Timeless themes amidst turbulence

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 14:35:21 GMT

Credit: Bhaktivedanta Manor, Diwali at the Manor

This Diwali “as diyas are lit in homes and temples, we envision their light dispelling the darkness of negativity, fear, frustration and materialism that resides within all of us,” said Visakha Dasi, feminist, photojournalist and Bhaktivedanta Manor’s first female president.

The Manor, a sprawling estate set in the English countryside near Watford, is the UK headquarters for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Former Beatle George Harrison donated it to AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, ISKCON’s founder.

Visakha clarified that "Deep-avali" means rows of light and that the goal of spiritual culture is to overcome our dark propensities and come to the light of goodness, characterised by knowledge, satisfaction, sense control, and peace.

During what is arguably the most turbulent moment in recent history, the timeless themes of the five days of Diwali - underscored by light over darkness - resonate with a world that is still reeling from untimely Covid deaths, increased calls for the protection of girls and women, and food distribution during a period of scarcity.

Why are the five days of Diwali especially pertinent in 2021?

The first day marks the onset of celebrations. At sunset, Hindus offer oil lamps, called diyas, and sanctified food to the lord of death and pray for protection from an untimely death.

Day two is Diwali eve and is believed to be the day when Krishna rescued 16,000 princesses from captivity.

Day three, November 4 this year, is the actual day of Diwali and Rama returns to Adoyha after rescuing his wife, Sita, from the demon Ravana. Rama’s path is lit by diyas, and the themes of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance prevail. At dusk, Hindu families light diyas to celebrate, and to attract goddess Lakshmi who brings wealth and prosperity to their homes.

Sikhs celebrate Diwali to mark the release of Guru Hargobind, and 52 other princes from prison. The Golden Temple in Amritsar, a city in the Indian state of Punjab, was filled with resplendent lights to rejoice in this victory and the tradition continues today.

Buddhists celebrate Diwali to honour their emperor’s decision to convert to Buddhism. Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists meet their families, exchange gifts, share sumptuous meals and visit the temple or Gurdwara together.

On the fourth day of Diwali torrential rains fell in the ancient village of Vrndavan, India. To protect the villagers and animals, Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill and allowed the residents to take shelter. This led to the observance of Annakut and Govardhana prayers where a hill of mithai (confectionery) is prepared in temples worldwide and distributed to everyone.

As we approach a winter of scarcity, how can we use the message of Diwali as a lever to alleviate this scarcity?

“Gandhi said there is enough for everyone's need in this world, but not enough for everyone's greed. Diwali's spiritual message is for each of us to overcome the forces of greed and lust; for us to light the path to sense control, to become absorbed in spiritual truths and to become peaceful in this world,” said Visakha.

Day five is dedicated to sisters, and brothers make time to check on their sister’s well-being.

“Lord Rama was highly protective of Sita and when she was kidnapped he and many other males made huge efforts to rescue her. Dharmically, [religious and moral law governing conduct] girls and women are to be protected at all costs," said Visakha.

Her final message is that this festival of lights illuminates everyone with positivity, hope, happiness, and rejuvenated spiritual aspirations.

12 Hacks to Beat the Winter Energy Crisis

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 12:03:00 GMT

Rising gas prices led to the collapse of 15 energy suppliers this year with the crisis showing no signs of abating.

The regulator Ofgem transferred 2m customer accounts to larger, surviving suppliers. However, while consumers have been given assurances that their energy supplies would not be interrupted, they could face a £30 per month increase to their energy bills for switching suppliers.

With winter looming, £20 a week cut to Universal Credit, and the bleak prospect of astronomical rises in energy prices, consumers are facing breaking point in managing their household budgets.

Here are 12 hacks to take the chill off a winter of discontent:

Read the fine print . If your supplier goes under, Ofgem allocates your account to a new supplier. Reading the fine print helps you to budget and precludes (more) nasty shocks when your adjusted bill arrives in your inbox.

Install an automated meter reading for gas and electricity. It’s free and once installed, readings are sent automatically to your energy supplier. This means that you will be paying only for energy consumed, rather than an estimation of your monthly usage.

If you are on Universal Credit, check your eligibility for a government wall insulation grant . https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-green-homes-grant-scheme. If you are not eligible for an insulation grant, you could recoup the cost of installation within six months to two years. This return on investment (ROI) also packs a punch for the planet, as lower energy consumption is kinder to the environment.

For electricity, check if you are eligible for the Warm Discount Scheme which could shave a whopping £140 off your energy bills.https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme While you’re at it, ask your supplier if you were eligible last year. Low income pensioners could also qualify for this benefit.

Similarly, dial it down for the planet and your pocket. Lower your thermostat at the onset of winter and only increase during the coldest of spells.

Draw blinds and curtains to trap heat inside your home and offset your lowered thermostat settings. If you know that your family or housemates will forget to do this at sunset, go hardcore and set a reminder on Alexa daily.
If you have laminate flooring, buy cheap and cheerful rugs to keep your home warm.

Layers, layers, layers. If you're feeling the chill, put on a jumper with a hood. Have throws scattered invitingly for your family or house mates to snuggle into.

Invest in thermal blinds that will keep rooms warmer for longer. It’s a one off expense but a long-term benefit, winter after winter. Dress your windows with curtains to prevent a somewhat bland or office-like look.
Turn it off! Be switched on about savings that come from switching off electronic devices when not in use.
Make the kitchen the hub of family life. The heat emanating from the hob keeps everyone warmer and lends a glow to family and conversation.

Go green and consider installing solar panels.

If this all sounds too spartan for you, turn on the romance with a wood- burning fireplace that could reduce gas and electricity usage by 80%, leaving you hot (and bothered!) all winter.

Panic Buying: What Fuels a Scarcity Crisis?

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 12:23:25 GMT

Seventeen per cent of UK adults couldn’t get the essential food items they needed in the last two weeks, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Almost 25 per cent said they were unable to buy non-essential items.

These statistics follow on the heels of petrol panic buying which fuelled petrol and diesel scarcity and resulted in seemingly unending tailbacks seeping steadily from forecourts.

For a nation that prides itself on a well-formed queue, we’ve had plenty of practice.

The start of the pandemic spawned a scarcity crisis for toilet roll and pasta, leading to Mother Hubbard-like shelves that were completely alien to the thriving first-world economy we’ve grown accustomed to.

But what really fuels the psychology of scarcity?

Social psychologists tell us that we place a higher value on things that are scarce and a lower value on what is in abundance. In September, we placed a high value on petrol with consumers’ petrol panic buying.

Psychologists add that two principles feed this scarcity mindset:

The first is social proof. If a product is sold out or supplies are low, it leads to greater demand for it. Headlines, photos, videos and trending hashtags on the petrol shortages, panic buying, and the post-Brexit loss of HGV drivers to transport petrol, fed the need to fuel up.

Similarly, as major supermarkets shelves are stripped bare of food items it leads to consumers desperately searching for supplies to stockpile.

The second principle of the scarcity mindset is commitment and consistency.

Once you commit to buying something and it isn’t available, your desire for it increases. Motorists drove from station to station to fill up with fuel. When they arrived at forecourts, they waited in long queues, often for hours, to get petrol.

A doctor said: “I drove to my usual garage but couldn’t move as the roundabout was at a complete standstill. The next two garages I tried were closed. Finally, I got to a bigger garage and waited. It was a two-hour palava, but I needed petrol to get to work.”

The effect of scarcity leads to panic-buying which results in hoarding.

One mum said: “When I saw the empty shelves where there was usually a choice of pasta, I went from shop to shop until I got it. Instead of buying pasta for the week, I stocked up for the month.”

We use heuristics - mental shortcuts made up of a set of rules - when we are confronted with scarcity. This manifests in the fear of being unable to, for example, get petrol at the pumps when we see motorists turning their cars around at garages that are closed. Or a motorist with a petrol car finding out after a long wait, that the petrol hose is empty, while diesel is readily available.

This scarcity mindset feeds our belief that there will never be enough, no matter what the item is, petrol or pasta.

Furlough’s End: Future Scenarios for the UK Economy

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 11:07:25 GMT

The government’s unprecedented furlough scheme, the brainchild of chancellor Rishi Sunak, which subsidised 11.6 million jobs, ended on 30 September.

Under the scheme, the government paid 80% of furloughed workers’ wages, up to £2,500 per month. It was the bulwark against instant job losses, protecting the income of employees from almost all sectors of the UK economy.

The New Economics Foundation warned that the end of the £70 bn scheme could leave more than 700,000 workers jobless.

However, according to the Office for National Statistics, job vacancies in the UK were at a record high at 1.2 million in September.

What does it mean for the economy and what’s next for employers and employees?

We spoke to Rohit Talwar, a London-based futurist speaker who shares the need for a foresight capability in a post-furlough future.

What is foresight capability?

It is about trying to understand what might shape the future and help us make better decisions today by understanding how our world might be in the future.

How will the pandemic, lockdown, furlough and the end of furlough affect foresight?

It highlighted the need for foresight. While people were aware of a pandemic, few had it on their radar as something to prepare for. Even fewer had the expectation that the economy would shut down as it did. This shocked many organisations and led them to prepare for turbulence.

What impact does furlough’s end have on organisations in terms of vision, values and strategic direction?

For a lot of organisations, it raises the question: “Do we need (furloughed) people back or can we function just as effectively without them?”.

It led to many organisations becoming leaner. Many struggled financially and will not employ furloughed staff. Others say they need to grow faster and have readily available talent from furloughed staff. It’s different for different businesses.

The critical thing was the acceleration of people's thinking about the future. We've seen five years worth of development in e-commerce happen within a few months. And shifts to working from home and acceleration of automation, as businesses try to reduce their reliance on humans. Businesses will question how they should design around a digital model.

So the end of furlough means large-scale job losses?

Yes, these job losses are beginning to emerge as a result of Brexit and accelerated automation.

Are job losses within top leadership or at middle or lower levels within organisations?

Historically, it's always been easier to cut people at the bottom. This time round, we've seen a more focused approach where more management is cut because we are automating more. We don't need people just going to meetings. We want streamlined organisations with fast decision-making and more efficient communication. Some management roles could be consolidated or eliminated.

If some jobs will be taken over by artificial intelligence, how can people find jobs?

On the plus side there are a lot of start-ups that are creating jobs. There is an emergence of new sectors, whether it is the green technologies like solar or new manufacturing processes like 3-D printing. However, that is not going to require as large a workforce.

How can people future-proof their jobs?

They need to take more responsibility for three types of learning and development. The first is learning how to learn and accelerating learning to acquire new knowledge and skills quickly. The second is self-management - skills that help us be really good players in the workplace - managing stress, communication skills, conflict resolution, problem solving, systems thinking and scenario planning. Finally, there are skills for different roles.

Does e-commerce spell the end for bricks and mortar businesses?

It doesn’t spell the end but it's driving a rethink where we question the purpose of our physical outlet.

South Africa Riots: Rainbow Nation of Bitter Ironies

Sat, 17 Jul 2021 14:37:07 GMT

As South Africa's infrastructure is razed to the ground, age-old juxtapositions default, with spectrums of this rainbow nation locked in race wars; food poverty and the milk of human kindness; rule of law and lawlessness.

For a country where millions already live on the breadline, daily supplies of bread and milk were suddenly out of reach. Road closures meant that food supplies could not get to customers who were so desperately in need.

As Jacob Zuma transitioned from president to prisoner, looters burnt commercial buildings and shopping malls. Those that still stand in the port city of Durban, do not have fridges or cash tills and staff cannot travel because of road closures.

For many starving South Africans - in a bitter irony - devastated dairy farmers were forced to dump life-giving, nourishing milk down the drain.

Colin Wellbeloved (43), Chairman of South Africa’s Milk Producers’ Organisation, said that there are 330 dairy farmers in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), and at this time of year they produce two million litres of milk a day. Since the road closures throughout the province, 80 percent of this milk had to be spilt daily.

His dairy farm is in Boston, close to Pietermaritzburg, KZN. On Wednesday, he and his immediate dairy farm neighbours poured 60 000 litres of milk down the drain. "It is unimaginable," he said.

He explained that the pandemic and the lockdowns saw an increased demand for milk and healthy farm produce, which was a saving grace. Through all the lockdowns they were able to sell every litre of milk at reasonable prices.

Many farmers had two tough years with high inputs such as diesel and fertiliser, and they had just managed to ride through the rough patches. However, Mr Wellbeloved believes that the riots were “the last straw that broke the camel’s back. The future of dairy farming in KZN looks untenable”. This will impact nationwide food supplies and employment.

“We are grateful there hasn’t been any loss of life on our farms,” Mr Wellbeloved said. He believes that when the situation settles farmers would probably be unable to sell their milk. Where would they send it he wondered, since commercial property was completely destroyed.

KZN dairy farmers are a major source of South Africa's milk. They supply Gauteng province, with the city of Johannesburg, the commercial capital of South Africa, with 50 percent of its milk. Currently milk is not getting out to those who most need it. "The entire country will suffer food shortages" Mr Wellbeloved said.

"There is bigger trouble coming", Estcourt dairy farmer, Shaun Braithwaite (42) said, "Food shortages and panic buying, together with the N3, a major arterial route through the country, linking KwaZulu-Natal with Gauteng, being closed off. We have suffered devastating losses and our milk was unable to leave the area. I worry about the future".

As millions cry out for food, individuals, charities and communities rallied to feed their hungry neighbours. Mr Wellbeloved donated 2 700 litres of milk and one ton of maize to those who he says have "nothing to eat". These acts of kindness were mirrored throughout the country with some charities using helicopters and tankers to deliver tons of food to their starving countrymen.

It reflects the legacy of Mandela, founding father of South Africa's democracy, whose theme for Nelson Mandela Day 2021 is "One Hand Can Feed Another". It is also a reminder that when he transitioned from prisoner to president, his first message to war-torn KZN was "throw away your guns, your knives and your pangas [machetes]...into the sea". Mandela's strategy was not to draw fault lines but to bring peace between the ruling African National Congress (ANC), and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) to steer South Africa into democracy.

With racism once enshrined in the South African constitution, the riots resurfaced the residual acrimony between the largely Indian Phoenix and Chatsworth population in Durban, with their black neighbours. The violence resulted in life and death daily running battles between them.

In contrast, black, Indian and white Estcourt residents stood shoulder to shoulder every night to defend their town against violence, thugs and opportunists. In a Facebook post, Estcourt resident Sunil Ramprith, said to the volunteers: "Well done to all the heroes". Belinda Woodley Stipp added: "Thank you for doing shift after shift," and Mncedisi IW Makuyi proudly announced: "No looting in our small town Estcourt".

Perhaps the saddest irony is that the fledgling democracy that fought bloody battles to build a rainbow nation, and held steadfast to the rule of law for 25 years, is once again on the brink, as lawlessness threatens to torch its constitution.

South Africa Zuma Riots: A Country in Despair

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 14:03:02 GMT

Queuing for bread, restricted to two loaves per customer. Estcourt, KZN.

Jacob Zuma’s incarceration opened the floodgates to violence, rampant looting, buildings razed to the ground, and desperate food shortages in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

In KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), the little town of Estcourt became a focal point when the former president was jailed there. The Constitutional Court found him to be in contempt for refusing to appear before the Zondo Commission to answer allegations of bribery and fraud.

The Zondo Commission was set up by Jacob Zuma himself to investigate allegations of state capture, corruption and fraud.

The riots started at Mooi River Plaza, 20 km from Estcourt, the main arterial route between KZN and Gauteng, when 27 trucks each carrying 30 ton of goods, such as grain, petrol and coal, were torched. Highways were immediately closed in both directions and food supplies ground to a halt.

Tim Jeebodh, community activist and former ANC MP said that youths were bussed into Estcourt, and they assembled in the town centre on Monday. The police were completely overwhelmed by the sheer numbers.

Local men immediately mobilised to assist the police. These volunteers had running battles with the youth throughout the night and provided logistical support to the police. Men used their private licensed firearms to man roadblocks and protect their businesses. Police shot rubber bullets to disperse the crowd and made arrests at the scene. They did not use live ammunition.

Mr Jeebodh said that in this all too familiar picture, the country’s infrastructure has been devastated and people are struggling to find food. Yesterday, residents waited patiently in long queues to buy milk and bread, which was restricted to two loaves per person.

Mr Jeebodh said: “Despite the story being peddled by Zuma’s supporters, this is not a political issue, but a constitutional one. There is a clear separation of powers and Zuma’s arrest follows the rule of law”.

Lymon Shelembe, MP for the Democratic Alliance (DA), the official opposition to the ruling ANC concurs. He said: “No one is above the constitution. If we do not respect and obey the courts, our hard fought democracy will be worth nothing”.

He said: “This is the same president [Zuma] who said that everyone must respect the Zondo Commission".

He believes that when someone is arrested, if we set a precedent and give in when threats are made to release prisoners, then what we have achieved as a country would be lost.

Mr Shelembe said that the burning of the trucks at Mooi River and subsequent national road closures were the opening blow to South Africa’s economy. The riots will impact investment and the economic future of the next generation and give power to the looters.

The burning of commercial buildings and rampant looting will see soaring crime rates as people become desperate to obtain food. Mr Shelembe said: “No country can survive without its economy”.

He added that the deployment of a further 25 000 soldiers in KZN and Gauteng will help bring the situation under control and praised the Estcourt community for helping the police defend the town.

David Allen, an Estcourt business owner said that the community groups were effective because the "supermarkets, warehouses and other shops are still standing", as compared to places like Durban where commercial property was "burnt to the ground."

Knife Crime in the Capital

Fri, 14 May 2021 09:33:25 GMT

Stark Stats on London's Youth

Metropolitan Police figures from the height of the lockdown showed that London knife crime was rife amongst children and young people and the trend shows no signs of abating.

Following a freedom of information request, Met data from January last year to February 2021, revealed that the largest number of victims and perpetrators of knife crime were aged between 11 and 20, with the youngest offender being just six.

Enfield recorded the highest number of victims, while Newham was the hotspot for knife offences in the capital.

The fatal stabbing of 14-year-old schoolboy Fares Maatou last month was the latest tragedy behind the stark stats in Newham. A 14-year-old was charged with his murder.

Of the 13 433 victims of knife offences in the last year, more than 10 000 were male.

In a nation-wide crackdown on knife crime, police launched Operation Sceptre which aims to raise awareness of knife crime and get knives off the streets.

Similarly, in an appeal to get Londoners to call Crimestoppers with information on knife crime, the Met spoke to five mothers who shared their heart-breaking stories after losing their sons to knife crime and violence.

They described the anguish at the loss of their children and the devastating impact it has on their families.

“They told me Christopher has been murdered. We called nine or ten times. Slowly, we came to the realisation that he was never going to call back, Jean Foster said.

Yvonne Lawson MBE recounted: “I rang my sister and said I’ve just been told Godwin has died. I just kept repeating ‘died, died, died.’ Godwin was stolen away from us in such a terrible way. My family is broken into pieces, just missing him. We didn't even get a chance to say goodbye…”

The NPCC tweeted: “By speaking up anonymously to our charity, you could help save a life”.

The Met police tweeted: “This week we are intensifying the work officers are already doing on a daily basis to tackle knife crime. The impact of knife crime on families is devastating”.

With regard to victim ethnicity, white Europeans topped the list, followed by Afro-Caribbean.

How to Transition From a Caterpillar to a Butterfly

Fri, 07 May 2021 13:16:43 GMT

How to Break Into Broadcast Media

KISS FM's Sam Darlaston shares how he broke into broadcast media.

And a royal case for why chocolate is good for you.

Masters Men Hurdle Through Covid

Fri, 07 May 2021 13:00:23 GMT

Fastest Hurdler in the World Donald Brown

British Masters elite athlete, Donald Brown, became world champion in his age category when he won gold in 2019 for the 60m hurdles.

He added to the medal haul and sprinted his way to the winner’s podium as a triple European Champion.

As a world-renowned athlete and sculptor, he didn’t let anything stand in his way. Until Covid stopped him in his tracks.

Donald Brown’s coach, Leon Braithwaite, former professional footballer and coach to a squad of elite athletes, including Masters medallist, Fausto Furlotti, said that Brown’s positive mindset helped him overcome Covid and get back on track.

They are training at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre.

Masters athletics is for those over 30 years of age.

Why Windsor Will Win Over the Pandemic

Thu, 06 May 2021 08:32:46 GMT

When Windsor’s Mama Mia staff served Italian ice creams, their only concern was that the generous helpings would topple over little hands as their customers rushed to feed the ducks or take a boat cruise.

That was until the pandemic struck. The Berkshire town of Windsor transitioned from the role of international host to the limbo of lockdown overnight as cafes, bars and restaurants shut.

Crowds melted away as deserted streets became a sad microcosm of how the world ground to a halt. It was unprecedented. For the first time in over a 100 years, Queen Victoria’s bronze statue presided over a town in shock.

Bronze statue of Queen Victoria

Visitor hotspots were closed and the silence echoed through the town’s hospitality and tourism industry.

However, W indsor is not just a pretty face. Residents spoke of a sense of family, community and resilience as they confronted the challenges of the pandemic.

Windsor is a major player in the UK tourism industry, with visitors numbers to Windsor Castle at 1.65 million in the fiscal year 2018-2019. This translates into millions of pounds in revenue each year.

Source: Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

The aftershocks of the pandemic continued to reverberate. Windsor Royal Station, a veritable cornucopia of shopping and dining, trickled to a standstill. This much sought-after destination stood silent and empty.

Ian Jones opened the Cinnamon Cafe, a thriving eatery in the heart of the shopping centre 20 years ago. He said that in the summer, 30-40% of profits come from international and national tourism and for the first time in its history, the Cinnamon did not make a profit. With locals in lockdown, this meant a “very limited passing trade” for the cafe. While they were busy at the weekends it was not enough to cover

the cost of operating.

Similarly, Julie Loosemore, general manager of the riverfront Mama Mia Cafe said that lockdown meant losses on a scale they had not seen before. They were trading for over 20 years. Local families and tourists would wait in lines to be served breakfast, grab a snack, buy ice creams or duck feed.

In the same vein, Chris French, director of The French Brothers boats said: “Covid had an absolutely devastating effect” and that hospitality

and tourism have been the hardest hit sectors in the whole of the economy.

Mr French said that this massive impact was alleviated with the help of the government’s job retention scheme, for which they were “very

grateful”. They managed to retain all staff. “We are very proud of this and of our staff, some of whom are long-standing for 30 years”, he added.

The French Brothers’ boats have carried people up and down the River Thames for over 40 years. Amongst their fleet is two 100-year-old

steamboats which were renovated. They were part of the Golden Jubilee pageant, behind the Queen’s barge as it sailed on to London as part of the celebrations.

Julia White, visitor manager for the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead said that of the eight million tourists who visit the borough

each year, five million come to Windsor. The split between tourists is 68% domestic and 32% international.

Ms White said that it’s been an incredibly difficult time for businesses in Windsor, especially for those who rely on tourism. In some cases,

they’ve seen a 70% to 80% fall in visitor numbers. For those who rely on international visitors it was more difficult as Heathrow Airport saw a reduction of around 90% in their usual footfall.

As Windsor emerges from lockdown residents and visitors share their joy. Visitwindsor tweeted that “even geese are enjoying lockdown easing.”

While Windsor welcomes everyone back, they have issued the caveat: #Don’tLetYourGuardDown. For full details on how to do this and the

timeline of openings visit:

https://www.windsor.gov.uk/things-to-do/royal-borough-unlocked

This means meeting up with loved ones again, hugs, laughter, ice creams in the sunshine, and of course having a quintessentially British cuppa.

Thames Valley PCC Elections

Tue, 04 May 2021 13:06:51 GMT

THAMES Valley will be going to the polls to elect a Police and Crime Commissioner (PPC) on May 6, and never has the role been more crucial following the recent breakdown in confidence between the public and police.

The directly elected role created by the 2010 Conservative/LibDem coalition government was a bid to decentralise control and provide greater accountability to the public.

The PPC role is to represent local people; set priorities by agreeing the local five-year policing plan; appoint, dismiss and hold the chief constables to account, and help to set the budget and council tax precept. The first elections took place in November 2012.

The PCC candidacy in Thames Valley will be contested by Matthew Barber, Cllr Laetisia Carter, Cllr John Howson and Alan Robinson.

They were asked about their top priority, how confidence in the police would be built in the wake of policing at the Sarah Everard vigils, the impact of budgetary cuts which could prove to be their biggest challenge, and rooting out “bad apples in the force” highlighted by the case of a neo-Nazi probationary officer in the Met.

Matthew Barber , Conservative candidate and current deputy PCC, said his priority is to have strong local policing so that there is confidence in policing.

He said that Thames Valley police have a “pretty good track record” policing protests and that early engagement with the public made a big difference in relations between police and the public.

Cllr Barber said that it was clear that the Met officer lied and attempted to cover up his part in order to get through his application. He added, “I think it will be foolish to suggest that we can ever prevent anybody getting into the police force who is in some way unsavoury”. However, there are robust measures in place to remove them once it is found out.

His biggest challenge would be rising crime as lockdown ends and the increased demand in calling the police for not what is not core police business.

The cuts have led to greater collaboration with other forces. He said, “I’m really keen to demonstrate confidence in the police – that people are getting their money’s worth”. However, with finance, the greatest challenge would be dealing with the funding formula which is incredibly “archaic and complex”.

Cllr Laetisia Carter , Labour and Cooperative candidate has worked in Thames Valley in roles for the police, the Local Criminal Justice Board and the NHS in mental health.

Her priority is violence against women and her greatest challenge is to restore confidence in the police. She said, “I see how damaging ten years of Conservative government has been.”

With regard to the loss of public confidence, she said that she would take preventative measures; support victims, and deal robustly with misogyny, sexual offences and violence against women and girls.

Cllr Carter said that cuts led to an “underfunded and under resourced police force” and that the funding formula for Thames Valley is not working as it needs to reflect the size and complexity of the area.

Cllr John Howson , Liberal Democrat candidate and a former senior magistrate and teacher trainer, said his top priority would be to ensure that police are there to serve and protect so there is “a police service not a police force”.

In engendering public trust in operations like policing vigils, the idea of providing a police service should be at the forefront. He said a more diverse workforce should be recruited and that a disproportionate number of African and Caribbean people are subject to stop and search.

In answer to the appointment of a neo-Nazi at the Met, he said, “If I’m elected, I would be asking the chief constable to go through the recruitment process for staff to make sure they are rigorous in unacceptable bias. It is unacceptable to have a process that allows neo-Nazis to be recruited into the police service”.

Taxpayers have had to bear most of the costs when it came to cuts. Council tax precepts have gone up by about 20% in the last 10 years because of central government funding cuts.

Cllr Howson said his biggest challenge would be building trust, which is very low with certain groups. The “savage cuts to the ministry of justice means…that justice delayed is justice denied”.

Alan Robinson , an Independent candidate, is a former policeman who served Thames Valley for over 25 years. His top priority is to raise the morale of officers. He said that it is “debilitating” for officers to be reduced to having policies imposed on them with ‘meaningless targets”.

With regard to loss of confidence in the police, Cllr Robinson said that the answer is to have the “Bobby back on the beat”; community engagement and less “political interference”.

His biggest challenge would be managing the budget. The cuts have taken a toll on police and it has become difficult to recruit officers because morale is low.

He added that if he is elected he would not be subject to “puppet masters and hierarchy which leads to management rather the leadership”.

He would bring back common sense policing which serves as a reassuring presence to the public.

Chalkface: Lessons on Race and Equality in British Education

Tue, 04 May 2021 12:54:05 GMT

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Race Equality in Education was launched last month with former Shadow Home Secretary, Diane Abbott as chair.

Founder and co-ordinator L’Myah Sherae, said the APPG aims to ensure that schools and other educational institutions are inclusive to all learners, staff and parents, irrespective of their racial background.

A week after the APPG launch, the Sewell Report was published. It said: “If there is racial bias within schools or the teaching profession, it has limited effect and other factors such as family structure, cultural aspirations and geography may offset this disadvantage".

In response to the Report, the Runnymede Trust, a race equality think tank, wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister: “We, the undersigned, reject the findings of the ‘independent’ Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities published… Should you and your Government be genuinely committed to acknowledging and addressing the issue of racial equity in the UK, we would call on you to repudiate the Commission’s findings immediately and withdraw its report.”

In her speech to the House of Commons, Minister for Equalities, Kemi Badenoch said: “…the Government welcomes the [Report’s] thoughtful, balanced and evidence-based findings and analysis” and that they would “work at pace to produce a response” to the Report this summer.

One of the vice-chairs of the APPG, Windsor MP Adam Afriyie said that the Report was badly received because it challenged assumptions: “From my reading of it, it says that there are six or seven factors which affect educational attainment, and it’s not just racism. If we stand back from it, it appears to be self-evident that this is the case”.

He cited the educational attainment of Chinese and Asain students, concluding that their outcomes are not better because of “better IQs or energy for school”, as compared to other children of colour, but the “other factors” cited in the Report.

He added that the APPG “understands the inequality of outcomes and opportunities for specific groups exist, and aims to bring people together across political divides to…play a serious role in populating what the levelling up agenda means”.

Mr Afriyie said that there is currently “harmony and common ground” in the APPG but a future issue of conflict could be the “nuance on the decolonisation of the school curriculum”.

Yvonne Davis, a former headteacher and Ofsted inspector said that she is “disappointed and angry” as the Report makes every effort “not to acknowledge institutional racism”.

She added that with reference to the curriculum, Black history has been “disconnected” from British history for too long and that young people want to be valued and respected for their contributions made in society. “We need to create cultural esteem and raise attainment as well as a sense of belonging,” she said.

“We should start with the truth about colonialism, enslavement and the industrial revolution as the diverse past helps to understand the present”, Ms Davis said.

In sharp contrast to his fellow vice-chair of the APPG, former chair at the Race Disparity Advisory Group at No 10, Lord Simon Woolley wrote in a LinkedIn post: “Who would have seriously thought that in 2021 we’d still be arguing whether or not systemic race inequality exists? The grubby Sewell Report could have easily been written in the 1980s when denial reigned and forces pitted one minority community against another.”

In a further repudiation, Dr Patrick Vernon OBE, co-author of 100 Great Black Britons said of the Sewell Report: “To assume that there is no racism in schools is very naive”.

He believes the educational system is still very “elitist” and while the PM speaks of the levelling up agenda, this Report does not help social mobility as “it stigmatises communities and talent”.

With regard to the above statistic, Mr Afriyie said that perception is always challenging as it can be “created by media, politicians, campaign groups. For example, in the changing mores of the day if something is perceived as racist, it doesn’t make it racist”.

He added that it was important to acknowledge someone’s perception and look at the context. Is it delivered because of skin colour or something else? He cited the example of growing up in Peckham in the ‘60s and ‘70s where racism was perceived to be “overt and brutal”.

The Sewell Report found that in 2019, 85.7% of all teachers in state-funded schools in England were White British.

Mr Afriyie said that the APPG will look into this over the next year to “drill down” on it. He clarified that it depends on which area of the country you live in. In his Windsor constituency, the ethnic minority in a part of the town is 1.4% and that is reflective of the neighbourhood. In contrast, in his childhood neighbourhood in Peckham, the diversity was higher. He issues the caveat that the blanket term BAME was unhelpful as it does not always look at the makeup between teachers, students, and student role models.

He said that while we have come a long way since the 1960’s in tackling racism, there was still a “lot of work for [them] to do”.

Ms Sherae said, “For far too long, we have witnessed students, parents and educators from BAME backgrounds being repeatedly failed by education systems. This is unacceptable”.

£4bn Investment Boosts Slough’s Bounce Back

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 15:29:43 GMT

ROADMAP TO RECOVERY

Slough Town Centre

An injection of over £4bn over the next 10 years puts the Berkshire town in the lead to post-pandemic recovery according to Slough’s chief executive, Josie Wragg.

The investment from Slough Borough Council (SBC), Sovereign Wealth Funds, Institutional Investors and a range of world-leading companies, concentrated within a square mile of the town centre, reflects the ambitions set out in the Regeneration Framework Masterplan approved by the council in 2020.

Ms Wragg said: “Slough is leading the UK to Covid recovery in the next few years. It is punching above its weight in terms of its geographical and population size”.

In October SBC collaborated with Berkeley Homes to begin the transformation of the iconic Horlicks site into 1 300 homes, public open spaces, a nursery, and a cafe.

Photo credit: Berkeley Homes, aerial site Horlicks Quarter building progress

Rob Perrins, Berkeley’s chief executive said: “SBC is driving forward the wider generation of the town centre and we are very proud to bring their ambitious vision to life at the Horlicks Factory”.

Increased footfall and high spend potential since lockdown continued the boom with Companies House registering 2 000 new businesses.

O ne of Slough’s newest companies, Yondr, is seeking planning permission to introduce a £450m data centre in the town which already has the second-largest concentration of data centres globally. If approved, they aim to be on-site at the end of the year and envisage the creation of 1 000 jobs per year during construction.

In an earlier signpost of confidence and growth, Cycas Hospitality chose the town to create its brand in the UK resulting in the opening of the Marriott dual-brand Moxy and Residence Inn Hotels in February.

Cycas’ CEO Wayne Androliakos said: “This is a landmark development for Slough. We are confident that the addition of two high-profile hotel brands will add renewed life to the town centre”.

Cycas’ business projection showed demand from frontline workers and essential travellers who wanted a place to stay in Slough. As the pandemic took hold, they adjusted staffing and planning to cater to key workers’ expended stay at the Residence, while their “fun brand Moxy” aims to “connect” people after lockdown.

This bounce back is reflective of a “collaborative approach” says Nancy Lalor, President of the Slough Chamber of Commerce. Slough was ranked the most productive town in the UK with the second-highest average workplace earnings.

Cities Outlook Report (2020) named it the best place to work and live in the UK while the fDi European Cities and Regions of the Future Report (2020-21) ranked Slough No 1 in the Small European Cities of the Future category.

Ms Lalor said: “The Chamber of Commerce, the council, businesses and education have a vision and passion to develop a workforce for the future to support and include this vibrant, diverse community”.

Slough also benefits from having the largest privately-owned industrial estate in Europe. It is well connected with Crossrail trains, 10 to 15 minutes out of London, and within the range of the M4, M25 and M40.

In addition to structural advantages, Ms Wragg credits the residents’ “entrepreneurial spirit”. She said that they showed “resilience” in the aftershocks of the pandemic but “came out fighting”. Heathrow’s woes impacted directly on Slough airport workers and saw a sharp rise in the claims for benefits.

Statistics from the Centre for Cities show the impact of the pandemic on Slough. In February 2020 it was identified as “more productive than expected” for its size. A year later, it was ranked No 4 in urban Britain for Job Retention Scheme (JRS) claims.

Statistics from the Centre for Cities shows the impact of the pandemic on JRS claims in Slough

Ms Wragg said that with its large BAME population; the impact of Covid; lower life expectancy and quality of life, her vision is to ensure that in the levelling up agenda, residents are embraced and included in this growth strategy.

“In our road to recovery, we don’t want a shiny new Slough. We want a shiny new Slough along with its residents”, she added.

It’s not just big business that is investing. The very same confidence led two former employees to set up shop in February. Oxford residents, Abdul Bari, 42, and Sarfraz Manazar, 36, registered their pizza franchise in November.

Mr Bari said: “Our research showed overall confidence in Slough. We have supportive business neighbours in this prime location, and even during the lockdown, business has been good.”

NHS Slow Clap Back

Sat, 10 Apr 2021 15:14:41 GMT

"CLAPPING DON'T PAY THE BILLS BORIS"

The government’s proposal to increase NHS staff pay by 1% was branded a “disgrace” and “pitiful” amid warnings that many nurses will leave the profession.

One senior nurse, Kirsty Brewerton, 34, a clinical sister from Coventry said: “1% is a joke. When you see how MPs’ pay has risen over the last decade, and our pay rise, I think it’s an absolute disgrace”.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Chief Executive and General Secretary Dame Donna Kinnair said: “This is pitiful and bitterly disappointing. The government is dangerously out of touch with nursing staff, NHS workers and the public. A pay award as poor as this would amount to only an extra £3.50 per week take-home pay for an experienced nurse”.

The RCN tweeted: “Nursing is a highly skilled profession, deserving of fair pay”.

In response, Matt Hancock said the pay award reflected the “difficult financial circumstances the country is in”. The health secretary added: “One of the challenges we’ve faced as a country is in terms of the financial consequences of the pandemic”.

In further defence of the decision, he said: “We have been able to carve out the NHS from the pay freeze that applies to everyone else in the public sector”.

Similarly, Boris Johnson said the government was giving workers “as much as we can” during the challenges of the pandemic.

Ms Brewerton said: “How the government can say there’s no money beggars belief. The billions that they spent on Test and Trace and the PPE contracts that were not appropriate for use whilst we were wearing bin bags for aprons and asking kids with their 3-D printers to print visors”.

When the pandemic started the “NHS was already on its knees”, Ms Brewerton said. During the PPE crisis, her mum helped her make PPE and she went to work wearing it. Then she looked at her team and took it off because they had inadequate PPE. She fears that this latest pay blow will lead to experienced nurses leaving the profession.

Ms Brewerton added that when the public clapped for the NHS, it boosted them and helped them through a difficult time. However, when politicians clapped for nurses and then make decisions like their 1% pay rise, it felt “hollow’.

She composed and performed the song “Slow Clap Back” hitting back at the government with her message, ”Clapping don’t pay the bills Boris” and the lyrics:

It’s time to stand up

it’s time we said no

raise your voice

make some noise

Clapping don’t pay the bills Boris

SLOW CLAP BACK

Sent us to war

whilst under resourced

Cash spaffed up walls

dodgy procurement

left us all exposed

All as we get poorer

and jobs go under

queues at food banks getting longer

https://music.apple.com/gb/album/slow-clap-back/1540404073?i=1540404076

Credit: Written and performed by Kirsty Brewerton and Aaron Woodhouse. Backing track by SM Soundz. Recording by 14Records.

P hoto credit: Kirsty Brewerton

She added: “Words are cheap. It’s action that makes a difference,” and believes that some serious action and support from the government – some recognition for what nurses are facing – is needed. Her message: “It’s not over for us,” pointed to this issue not going away any time soon.

M inisters will make their final decision in May after the Pay Review Body recommendation.

Bridgerton Review

Sat, 13 Mar 2021 16:29:42 GMT

RACE, CLASS AND GENDER: A 3D LOOK AT BRITISH PRIVILEGE

When Bridgerton ushered the vicarious pleasures of lockdown sex and the thrill of the frenetic London party season, even the staidest of Brits succumbed to the delights of this period drama.

Producer Shonda Rhimes and creator Chris Van Dusen bring the Netflix Regency romance right up to date when they hand out 2021 lenses, inviting scrutiny into race, class, and gender. This is achieved with the intoxicating cocktail of an alternate history where racial integration is a royal precedent; the omniscient narrator’s pithy, often brutal commentary on the rigid social mores of the era, and contemporary pop music.

The themes are ably tackled in the first episode with the mysterious Lady Whistedown’s (Julie Andrews) narrative; symbolism, and an audience with a queen of colour.

Despite the gossipy tone which lures the reveller, Lady Whistledown has the full measure of this breed of British high society: ‘Dear reader, I know you.’

She directs the talking points for the day with her newsletters. The long shot of a little boy handing out free newsletters in the lush Mayfair backdrop, and the eagerness with which these ladies of leisure grab them and consume its contents, play out the paradox of her wide-reaching power in this patriarchal aristocracy. She’s one of them but holds a mirror to their unyielding gender bias.

I found the seamless seating of Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) to the throne – an alternate reality that mocks a 2021 world – fascinating. A Black queen leads England in the absence of a troubled monarch. Bridgerton is a catalyst for open dialogue on race during the watershed moment when royalty and allegations of racism face-off.

The start of the social season unleashes ‘bloodthirsty mamas’ who ‘hoist’ their daughters into the scrum to secure a man of suitable social standing and whose wealth, manners, and properties are benchmarks in a forensic-like audit.

The Bridgerton family comprises the widowed Dowager Viscountess and her eight children. Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), a debutante, has her mother and eldest brother Anthony, on either side. Ironically, this places her in the perilous position of being branded a spinster. Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) highlights the microcosm of another paradox. He repeatedly tells Daphne that he will protect her, but summarily dismisses her suitors and recommends the unctuous Lord Berbrook.

Ariana Grande’s ‘thank u, next’ is the cue for the scene to be fast-forwarded into 2021. When Berbrook attempts to stain Daphne’s reputation, in a nod to #metoo Daphne defends her honour and marks him – with a black eye. Her impassioned voice: ‘You have no idea what it is like to be a woman’ is a very Shondaland call for a modern audience to ponder.

After a passionate encounter with his mistress, Anthony vows, ‘I will always protect you’. When she replies that every woman won’t be protected, he retorts with the cruel jibe that every woman is not a lady. She’s told in no uncertain terms to stay in her societal lane.

The symbolism of the bee got me thinking. It first appeared on the door of the Bridgerton family home and then in the spring blossoms, followed by a reference to a hive. Does it refer to the order of this community and how it takes generations to infiltrate and ascend social hierarchy?

On the opposite side of the street are the Featheringtons. Lady Featherington’s attempts to secure a match for her three daughters, Philippa, Prudence, and Penelope, are in sharp contrast to her husband’s indolence. Penelope enjoys a warm friendship with Eloise Bridgerton.

Eloise and Penelope are the feminist touchstones for the generation who want to do things differently. When Daphne is late for the ball, Eloise’s strident voice brings the Bridgerton household to a shocked silence. But it gets the job done.

In the same vein, the symbolism in tightening the laces on Prudence’s corset depicts the rigid class and gender mores. Penelope questions if she is able to breathe and her mama says she endured worse in her day. Social aspiration is an art form that is pursued relentlessly for generations.

Amidst this simpering, Simon, the Duke of Hastings (Rege-Jean Page) rides into town providing the perfect eye candy shopping commodity. He sends the mamas into a frenzy as they trip over themselves to snag him. Simon brings the full package to the party: he’s titled, wealthy, and irresistibly unavailable. His thirsty sip from the hip flask readies us for a riveting backstory.

Simon’s and Daphne’s banter underscore their connection and friendship and the close-ups show frissons of sexual chemistry. It is their cunning plot to achieve their individual ends, with their conflicting aims on marriage and children, that makes Bridgerton a slow burn to the inevitable. In an age of instant gratification, this made it a thoroughly binge-worthy treat for me.

Bridgerton aired on Netflix on 25 December 2020.