It’s possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. I have, of course, so worded my proposition as to be right either way (K.Marx, Letter to F.Engels on the Indian Mutiny)
Friday, August 23, 2024
Labour MP does not rule out voting against government over cuts to winter fuel payments
Labour MP Rachael Maskell has not ruled out voting against the government’s plans to scrap winter fuel payments for most older people.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced last month that around ten million pensioners in England and Wales would lose the annual payments as part of plans to means test the benefit.
However, according to The New Statesman, several Labour MPs are said to be uneasy at the move, with one said to have described the cut as “almost suicidal”.
Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central and chair of the all-party parliamentary group on ageing and older people, told Times Radio there are backbenchers which are applying for a debate on the matter.
She said: “I know that there are many colleagues which are concerned about these measures and certainly we’ve written to the Chancellor and have asked for a meeting so that we can discuss these measures in full.
“I know in speaking to Liz Kendall, the secretary of state for work and pensions, she has clearly stated to MPs that no one should go cold this winter and we need to ensure that that comes to fruition and that old people feel safe and warm in their own homes.”
When asked by Ed Vaizey on Times Radio if she would vote for an opposition motion calling for a debate on winter fuel payments criticising the government, she said: “I would have to see what the motion said but I think government should lead this initiative and ensure that it is protecting the most vulnerable.
“In our society, of course I know that there are many people who get the winter fuel payments who don’t need that additionality and we need to examine that closely. But what I don’t want are people to struggle this winter.
“The UK Health Security Agency says that the indoor temperature of households and particularly for our older people shouldn’t drop below 18C. That’s only a few degrees lower than we are experiencing currently and therefore people will be making decisions through September, October, right through those cold winter months ‒ whether or not to flick the switch to put the heating on.
“We need them to have confidence that their warmth and their well-being comes first and that’s why I want to ensure that we have done everything possible to protect the most vulnerable in our society.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “The dire state of the public finances we inherited from the previous government means we’ve had to make some very difficult decisions.
“Our commitment to supporting pensioners remains, which is why we are maintaining the triple lock.
“We want pensioners to get the support they are entitled to. That’s why I urge all pensioners to check whether they are eligible for pension credit.”
‘Inhumane’ and understaffed Wandsworth Prison ‘having worst year in memory’, finds report Watchdog accuses Ministry of Justice of having ignored its concerns over crisis-stricken London prison
HMP Wandsworth is enduring its worst year in recent memory, a watchdog has warned, as a damning report highlighted “inhumane” conditions and rampant violence in a prison beset by staff absences.
Nearly half of officers at the squalid and dangerous Victorian prison had less than a year’s experience as of April, according to the jail’s independent monitoring board (IMB), which warned that this had “seriously undermined the ability of the prison to function effectively”.
And with the rate of staff absences at Wandsworth rarely falling below 50 per cent on any given day, most inmates are left to spend 22 hours a day doubled up in locked cells built by the Victorians for one person, often forced to choose between showering and any other activities, the annual report warned.
The crisis-stricken jail was put into emergency measures in May by HM chief inspector Charlie Taylor amid concerns over security failings and severe issues with overcrowding, drugs, violence and self-harm – prompting the new government to redirect £100m from other jails to fund “urgent improvements”.
Warning that, “for HMP Wandsworth and the men whose treatment we monitor, this year has been as bad as any in our memory and, by many measures, worse”, Wandsworth IMB chair Matthew Andrews said his team of volunteers had been raising the alarm for years to no avail.
The chief inspector’s report in May “was highly critical but said little that surprised us”, Mr Andrews said as the new report was published on Thursday, adding: “Many of the same issues had been raised in previous IMB annual reports and ignored by the Ministry of Justice”.
The woes at Wandsworth were brought under the wider public glare in the wake of the alleged escape of prisoner Daniel Abed Khalife in September. He is due to face trial in October and has pleaded not guilty.
The new report reveals that a subsequent security audit identified “81 points of failure” and resulted in “previously unavailable” funding which enabled “long overdue” upgrades to CCTV cameras which had not worked for over a year.
An audit found a raft of security failings at a scandal hit jail after a prisoner allegedly escaped, the report states (Lucy North/PA)
This also included a new system installed in May in the visits hall this year to replace an old system “which had not been functioning for over a year”, which “immediately led to an increase in the number of illegal passes detected”.
The security audit was carried out in November while an internal review completed in December made 39 recommendations, the report said. The government is yet to publish these documents or confirm whether any disciplinary action has been taken.
While the IMB welcomed the improvements in security at the gate and reception, it warned it was “possible” the measures “led to an increase in drone activity, with 261 instances noted during the reporting period”, with such activity relatively rare in the previous year.
As a result, inspectors previously found that 51 per cent of inmates surveyed said it was easy to get illicit drugs, with the smell of cannabis ubiquitous in the prison. The prison’s governor resigned days after that report was published.
In its new report, the IMB said the crisis at the Category B jail could be blamed on the buildings’ decaying infrastructure, staffing issues and “insufficient or unhelpful management” from the Prison Service (HMPPS) and its lack of financial support.
Levels of violence at HMP Wandsworth remain far too high, the IMB warned (Peter Nicholls/Getty Images)
The watchdog said prison officers worked very hard to try to give prisoners a full regime of time out of their cell to work, eat, socialise and access services despite a high level of violence, but that the prison “is severely limited in what it can do”.
As a result, sometimes inmates were not even given the basic essentials of 45 minutes outside of their cell to exercise and 45 minutes for domestic tasks. Prisoners were often forced to forego any other daily activity to queue for “squalid” showers frequently blighted by mould and rat faeces, the report states.
Essentials such as underwear and blankets were also frequently absent, with in one wing of 122 men at one point sharing 50 blankets, 25 sheets, 30 towels and no boxers or socks – to the extent that they had reportedly become “currency”, with new inmates forced to “pay” others for kettles and other essentials”.
Over 1,200 prisoners shared cells designed in 1851 for single occupancy – a total far greater than at any other prison in the country, the report said. Cells were cramped, squalid and often had broken or missing windows, furniture and fittings.
HMP Wandsworth is the worst prison in the country for inmates being forced to share cells built for one person, the report said (Lucy North/PA)
While the number of assaults fell slightly from more than 1,000 in the previous year to 960, the level of violence was still far too high, the report warned – with some 900 instances of disorder also recorded, including 363 cases involving damage to cells, further straining prison capacity.
There were 10 inmate deaths at Wandsworth over the past year. Six appear to have been self-inflicted, while four people apparently died from natural causes, the report said. There were nearly 1,000 incidents of self-harm involving 302 men.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “The new government inherited a justice system in crisis and has been forced to take action and get a grip of the situation across the prison estate, so we can lock up dangerous offenders, protect the public and make prisons safer for hard-working staff.
“Earlier this month, the new Lord Chancellor announced that the Prison Service is deploying extra specialist staff and will redirect £100 million to be spent over five years at HMP Wandsworth to ensure immediate action is taken to improve conditions.”
Additional reporting by PA
Fact Check: Claims that Tim Walz Signed Law Requiring Schools to Stock Tampons in Boys' Bathrooms Are Inaccurate
Anna Rascouët-Paz Fri, 23 August 2024 Getty Images/screen capture
Claim:
Kamala Harris' running mate in the 2024 presidential election, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, signed a law requiring schools to stock tampons in boys' bathrooms.
Rating: Rating: Mostly False
Context:
Tim Walz signed a law in 2023 that required Minnesota schools to stock free menstrual for students in grades four through 12. The language of the statute was gender neutral and therefore compelled schools to make menstrual products available to all "menstruating students," including transmasculine (trans boys and male-presenting) students, although they may be able to obtain them in places other than boys' bathrooms.
After Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz spoke at the Democratic National Convention that nominated him as presidential candidate Kamala Harris' running mate in August 2024, a rumor that Walz had signed a law requiring Minnesotan schools to stock tampons in boys' bathrooms took on new life (archived):
The claim has appeared multipletimeson X,Reddit, and Facebook since Harris picked him as her would-be vice president. The posts had accumulated tens of thousands of views as of this writing and earned Walz the sarcastic moniker "Tampon Tim" (archived):
Menstrual Products for 'Menstruating Students'
In 2023, Walz signed a school funding bill into law containing a provision that guaranteed access to free menstrual protection to Minnesota students from the fourth through the 12th grade. This legislation required all school districts and charter schools to stock menstrual products, and the language of the law was gender neutral. It read (emphasis ours):
A school district or charter school must provide students with access to menstrual products at no charge. The products must be available to all menstruating students in restrooms regularly used by students in grades 4 to 12 according to a plan developed by the school district. For purposes of this section, "menstrual products" means pads, tampons, or other similar products used in connection with the menstrual cycle.
While the law did not specifically mention boys' bathrooms, it also did not restrict the rule to female or girls' bathrooms. Paired with the laws protecting children's access to gender-affirming care, this would require schools that do not provide gender-neutral restrooms to ensure such products to are available transmasculine students — that is, students who are either trans boys or students born female whose gender expression is masculine — to access them. In theory, this could require the stocking of menstrual products in boys' bathrooms in some cases, though the editorial board of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune argued that is not the case:
Critics contend, wrongly, that it mandates menstrual products in boys' bathrooms. This has unfortunately been used to stoke ongoing culture wars over transgender individuals.
But the law's actual language provides considerable flexibility for school districts to implement it, according to Deb Henton, the executive director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators.
That might mean making these products available for free in various locations for all who need them, such as unisex bathrooms, girls' bathrooms, the school nurse or the front office, but not necessarily in boys' bathrooms. Henton, in an interview, lauded the "local control" the law provides for implementation, and said she's fielded no concerns about its rollout.
At Anoka-Hennepin, the state's largest school district, the free products are not found in traditional male-only bathrooms, a spokesman said. But they are provided for free to all in "nongendered bathrooms," girls' bathrooms or from health staffers. 'Tampon Tim' Goes Viral
Megyn Kelly, the conservative television show and podcast host whom former U.S. President Donald Trump once attacked for having "blood coming out of her wherever," embraced the monicker "Tampon Tim" as criticism of this and other of Walz's policies (archived):
But in 2024, talk of menstruation was no longer taboo in the public and political sphere. Far from putting people off, the fact that Walz supported such a law was, to many, a demonstration of empathy and good judgment, including from former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (archived):
Taliban bans women from looking at men they don’t know and speaking loudly inside their homes
Akhtar Makoii Thu, 22 August 2024 Afghan women have been ordered not to speak loudly inside their homes to prevent their voices from being heard outside - Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images
Afghanistan’s Taliban has banned women from looking at men and speaking loudly in public and inside their homes.
In a 114-page document of new orders seen by The Telegraph, the regime announced strict measures governing everyday life for Afghan citizens.
“It is forbidden for adult women to look at strange men,” according to one of the new rules.
Women have also been ordered to cover their faces “to avoid temptation and tempting others” and refrain from speaking in the presence of unfamiliar men - who are not, for example, husbands or relatives.
The Taliban have ordered women not to speak in the presence of men who are not husbands or relatives - Sanaullah Seiam/AFP
Afghan women have also been ordered not to speak loudly inside their homes to prevent their voices from being heard outside.
“The international community’s engagement with the Taliban has emboldened them to further suppress women,” Zainab, a former civil servant, told The Telegraph from the capital Kabul.
“These are radical individuals in power who refuse to acknowledge our existence,” she added.
The new rules, which have mostly targeted female behaviour, make it mandatory for a woman to cover her body at all times in public.
“If it is necessary for women to leave their homes, they must cover their faces and voices from men,” according to the new rules, approved by the Taliban’s supreme leader.
In addition, women have been banned from singing or reading the Koran in public and their clothing must not be thin, tight or short. Arrested and sent to prison
Taxi drivers have been instructed not to transport “women without a hijab or those without an adult male guardian”.
Playing music in vehicles and allowing the mixing of women with men is explicitly listed among the prohibited actions.
Women who defy the new rules will be arrested and sent to prison, the Taliban said.
'If it is necessary for women to leave their homes, they must cover their faces and voices from men,' say the new rules, approved by the Taliban's supreme leader - Samiullah Popal/Shutterstock
Men are also banned from looking at women’s faces in public and wearing tight or short clothing while “they are in public or exercising sports”. They are also barred from trimming and shaving their beards.
The new rules have sparked an outrage among Afghan women who have already been banned from working with aid agencies, entering parks, restricted travel without a male guardian and numerous other freedoms.
Girls over the age of 12 have also been excluded from education since the Taliban’s return to power. ’A massive cage called Afghanistan’
Zainab, who was one of many women who lost their jobs after the Taliban resumed control of the country in 2021, said: “They’ve essentially created a massive cage for us called Afghanistan. I’m very concerned about what lies ahead.”
She added: “They’ve threatened to prosecute women without hijabs but they haven’t clarified what type of hijab they consider acceptable.
“They’re arresting women on the streets and pulling them out of taxis if they’re not accompanied by a male guardian.”
Afghan girls over the age of 12 have been excluded from education since the Taliban's return to power - Ebrahim Noroozi/AP
The Taliban set up its “ministry for the propagation of virtue and the prevention of vice” in the premises of the former women’s affairs department in 2021.
In July 2024, a UN report said the ministry was contributing to a climate of fear and intimidation among Afghans through edicts and the methods used to enforce them. ‘Dragging us back to the stone age’
It said the ministry’s role was expanding into other areas of public life, including media monitoring and eradicating drug addiction.
“They’re dragging us back to the stone age,” said Zainab. “Society is no longer normal.”
UN report blames politicians, public figures and media for fuelling hate speech in UK
Nadine White Fri, 23 August 2024
UK politicians, public figures and media outlets are fuelling racial hatred, a new United Nations (UN) report has warned.
CERD criticised the persistence of hate crimes, hate speech and xenophobic incidents on various platforms and by politicians and public figures across the UK.
In the wake of recent race riots which swept the UK, The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) was “concerned about recurring racist acts and violence against ethnic and ethno-religious minorities, migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers by extremist far-right and white supremacist individuals and groups”.
Following the murder of three children in Southport last month, racist rioting broke out around the country with Muslim, Asian and Black people targeted in violence for a number of days.
The violence, denounced as “far-right thuggery” by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, was sparked by false claims about the identity of a suspect being a migrant of Muslim faith.
The new Labour government is being urged to implement “comprehensive measures” to curb racist hate speech and xenophobic rhetoric including thorough investigations and strict penalties for racist hate crimes, plus effective remedies for the victims and their families.
This comes as the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Britain’s equalities watchdog, published a report into racial disparities across the country which points out serious inequalities in areas including criminal justice, employment, housing and mental health
The watchdog submitted these findings to the UN’s Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and demanded that ministers tackle racial disparities experienced by ethnic minority communities.
CERD published findings on Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, the United Kingdom and Venezuela after reviewing the seven countries in its latest session.
The committee monitors the extent to which countries are eliminating all forms of racial discrimination, as per a UN treaty they all signed.
Baroness Kishwer Falkner, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission said: “Everyone should enjoy their human rights, regardless of their race.
“We urge the UK and Welsh governments to closely look at our report and action our recommendations, to support the achievement of racial equality in Britain.”
The UN committee also expressed concern about the disproportionate impact of police stop-and-search practices, including strip searches, on ethnic minorities, especially children.
The police’s use of excessive and deadly force was also referenced in the report, as well as a “lack of accountability” and “inadequate support for victims’ families”, all of which disproportionately affect Black people and other ethnic minorities, the committee concluded.
It further highlighted concerns about institutional racism within policing and the criminal justice system.
Moreover, Black people are stopped, searched and arrested by police at higher rates than their white counterparts.
The UN Committee is calling on the UK government to set up an independent complaint mechanism to investigate allegations of racial profiling, stop-and-search practices, strip searches, and excessive use of force by police.
The government has been approached for comment.
LGBTQ+ organisations respond after UK puberty blocker ban extended to Northern Ireland
Alice Linehan Fri, 23 August 2024 This article is about a ban on puberty blockers extended to Northern Ireland. In the photo, the hand of a person holding a blue, white and pink sign that reads 'Protect trans lives' while marching at a protest. Via Shutterstock - Michael Tubi
LGBTQ+ organisations have responded after the puberty blocker ban currently in place in England, Scotland and Wales was extended to Northern Ireland. The news was announced by the UK government’s Department of Health and Social Care on Thursday, August 22.
The government’s statement reads: “The continuation of the ban applies to the sale or supply of these drugs, prescribed by private UK-registered prescribers for gender incongruence or dysphoria to under 18s not already taking them. It also prevents the sale and supply of the medicines from prescribers registered in the European Economic Area or Switzerland for any purposes to those under 18.”
The puberty blocker ban will come into effect in Northern Ireland from August 27, and BBC News NI reports that the order was signed off by the first and deputy first ministers without wider executive approval.
LGBTQ+ organisations Cara-Friend, The Rainbow Project, HERe, Belfast Trans Resource Centre and Mermaids collectively responded to the announcement, calling it “extremely disappointing” and adding that it “will undoubtedly cause harm to trans young people and their families who require this care”.
“Decisions around puberty blockers, and any other care for trans youth, must be made by young people, their clinicians and their family, not by politicians.
“We are seeking urgent clarification on why this decision was made, and are requesting meetings with Executive parties to chart a path forward where all trans people in Northern Ireland have access to timely, competent and accessible care that meets their needs.” the statement concluded.
Similarly, Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin wrote: “We must look at the ‘evidence’ that’s being used to justify the removal of healthcare for young trans people. The move to ban puberty blockers in the UK came after the Cass Review was published. We must be honest about what the review says and how it is being used.”
In a lengthy post on X, the organisation states that the Cass Review is “deeply flawed” and “disregards over 100 studies that show the safety and effectiveness of puberty blockers for trans youth”.
“The reality is puberty blockers and gender affirming care are life saving for trans youth,” the group continues.
“For the guaranteed protection and liberation of trans people and all exploited people, we need to fight oppression at its root. We need to build a grassroots movement that tackles the capitalist system head-on and fight for a better world for all.”
Up to this point, puberty blockers were only available for minors in Northern Ireland under NHS prescription. To qualify, patients must have been accepted to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Gender Identity Service endocrine pathway prior to March 2020, and it is understood that the young people who remain in that category will continue to receive treatment.
Gender surgeon says JK Rowling should ‘not comment on stuff that she doesn’t know much about’
Dale Fox Thu, 22 August 2024
Mr James Beringer has commented on JK Rowling's views on transgender issues (Image: YouTube/LadBible TV; WikiMedia/Dan Ogren)
A prominent UK gender surgeon has expressed concern over JK Rowling‘s public statements about transgender individuals, saying the author’s comments on trans issues are “somewhat ill-informed”.
In a video interview on LadBible’s YouTube channel, Mr James Bellringer, a consultant urologist specialising in gender affirming surgery in trans women, said he wished Rowling would “stick out of what I do and not comment on stuff that she doesn’t know much about.”
“It seems slightly unfair to use her privileged position to make, I think, somewhat ill-informed comment about this patient group,” he added, also saying, “I’m not going to try and write a children’s book tomorrow.”
Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, has faced criticism for her stance on transgender issues. She has been critical of some aspects of trans activism, often expressing concerns about the erosion of women’s rights and single-sex spaces. Her comments have sparked accusations of transphobia, which she has denied. “If you don’t offer them appropriate support, counselling and in the end, surgery, we think about one in five of them commit suicide” – Mr Bellringer on the importance of gender surgery
Mr Bellringer, who LadBible says in one of only four surgeons qualified to perform vaginoplasties in the UK, also noted that many trans individuals are at risk of suicide without appropriate support and surgery.
“If you don’t offer them appropriate support, counselling and in the end, surgery, we think about one in five of them commit suicide,” he explained.
The surgeon also highlighted the significant improvement in quality of life for many patients post-surgery. “Patients literally change overnight,” he remarked. “They report back immensely increased levels of satisfaction and happiness with their lives. It’s a huge, amazing change.”
Khelif won women’s boxing gold a year after being disqualified from the World Championships, with her Olympic journey giving rise to misinformation and speculation around her gender.
JK Rowling’s team was approached by Attitude, but declined to comment.
“You cannot have “a council housing revolution” without a big increase in central government grant. Squeezing more money out of already poor tenants will not resolve the funding crisis of housing revenue accounts.”
Martin Wicks, Secretary of the Labour Campaign for Council Housing
By the Labour Campaign for Council Housing (LCCH)
The LCCH notes with alarm the report in the Financial Times that Rachel Reeves is proposing to continue with the Tory government rent formula of CPI+1%; that is 10 years of above inflation rent increases for council and housing association tenants.
The idea that this will boost house building is risible. In 2022-23 rent income for all councils in England with a housing revenue account was estimated to be £7.3 billion. An extra 1% rent increase above inflation would raise a paltry £73 million.
Council housing revenue accounts are grossly under-funded. So much so that 20 Councils in their report, “Securing the Future of Council Housing”, call for £12 billion over the next five years just to bring those homes not at the Decent Homes Standard, up to it. They warn that
“Unless something is done soon, most council landlords will struggle to maintain their existing homes adequately or meet huge new demands to improve them, let alone build new homes for social rent.”
For tenants who don’t receive housing benefit, or only have part of their rent paid by it, this would be a disastrous decision – an increase in rent of 10% above inflation over a decade. It would hit the working poor especially hard.
At the same time it would drive up the housing benefit bill.
Martin Wicks, Secretary, said:
“We need to press the government not to introduce a decade of above inflation rent increases, but, on the contrary, to abandon the Tory rent formula of CPI+1%.
There is no substitute for the government funding housing revenue accounts sufficiently to maintain and improve their existing homes, which, if it is serious about global warming, need retro-fitting and decarbonising. You cannot have “a council housing revolution” without a big increase in central government grant.
Squeezing more money out of already poor tenants, will not resolve the funding crisis of housing revenue accounts. You cannot have a council housing renaissance if existing council homes deteriorate because of a shortage of funding.
Rachel Reeves says Labour faces “the worst economic inheritance since 1945”. Yet, if Aneurin Bevan could increase grant for building council homes threefold, and launch the NHS, in economic conditions far worse than they are today, then this government can find the necessary funding if it is a political priority.”
You can follow the Labour Campaign for Council Housing (LCCH) on Facebook and Twitter/X.
A Bishop for the People: Wilfred Wood’s Legacy of Service and Justice
Bishop Wilfred Wood, the first Black bishop in the Church of England, dedicated his life to faith, service, and the fight for racial justice. His enduring legacy continues to inspire and uplift communities across Britain.
2D33CY0 The Bishop of Croydon, the Rt Rev Wilfred Wood, the Church of Englands only black Bishop, seen here with his family whilst still Archdeacon of Southwark
Bishop Wilfred Wood’s life is a powerful testament to the strength of faith, the pursuit of justice, and the indomitable spirit of the Windrush generation. As the first Black bishop in the Church of England, his story is intertwined with the larger historical currents of post-war Britain—a nation grappling with its colonial past and the presence of new communities that had come to rebuild the “mother country.” His journey from Barbados to the heart of the British Anglican establishment is a reflection of both personal resilience and a broader struggle for racial equality, shaped by faith and a commitment to justice.
Wilfred Denniston Wood was born on 15 June 1936 in Barbados, then still a British colony. His childhood was framed by colonial rule and the Anglican faith that dominated the Caribbean islands. His father, a sexton in the Anglican Church, and his mother, a teacher, instilled in him the values of hard work, service, and a deep connection to the church. These values would follow him across the Atlantic when he moved to the United Kingdom in 1962, part of a generation of Caribbean migrants who had been invited to Britain to fill labour shortages after World War II.
The Windrush generation, named after the HMT Empire Windrush, which brought the first wave of Caribbean immigrants to Britain in 1948, found themselves navigating a country that both needed their labour and rejected their presence. For many, including Wilfred, it was a jarring confrontation with the harsh realities of racism and exclusion, far removed from the promises of the British Empire. Yet, it was in this crucible of discrimination that his faith deepened and his resolve strengthened.
In later reflections, Bishop Wilfred acknowledged the importance of his upbringing in guiding him through these difficult times: “My faith was the cornerstone of my life. It gave me purpose, and it showed me that service to others was how I could best serve God.” For him, faith was not a passive acceptance of the world’s injustices but an active, forceful engagement with them—something that carried him through his ministry.
The Call to Ministry in a Divided Britain
The Bishop of Croydon, the Right Reverend Wilfred Wood, the Church of England’s only black Bishop.
Arriving in Britain in 1962, Wilfred entered a society deeply divided along racial lines. The country’s immigration policies were tightening, and tensions were rising between the native white population and the growing communities of Black and Asian immigrants. Against this backdrop, he pursued his calling to ministry, seeking to embody the teachings of Christ in a context where racism and inequality were the norm rather than the exception.
He was ordained as a deacon in 1962 and a priest in 1963, quickly gaining a reputation for his commitment to social justice. His ministry was defined not just by pastoral care but by an insistence that the Church must be a beacon of justice. Bishop Wilfred believed that the Church’s mission extended far beyond its walls; it had to confront the issues of the day, particularly those affecting the most marginalised.
The 1960s and 1970s were turbulent decades in Britain, marked by racial tensions, riots, and the rise of far-right groups like the National Front. Bishop Wilfred was unwavering in his belief that the Church could not remain silent on such matters. He often invoked the words of the Epistle of James: “Faith without works is dead.” For him, it was not enough to preach love and justice from the pulpit; it had to be lived out in action.
His early ministry in London brought him face to face with the struggles of Black Britons—many of whom, like him, had arrived from the Caribbean, hoping for a better life only to be met with hostility and exclusion. Bishop Wilfred’s work with immigrant families, his advocacy for racial equality, and his public denunciation of discrimination earned him a place as a leader within both the Black British community and the Church.
Becoming the First Black Bishop: A Historical Milestone
In 1985, Wilfred Wood was consecrated as the Bishop of Croydon, making him the first Black bishop in the Church of England. His appointment was a significant milestone not only for the Church but for the nation as a whole. It was a symbolic breakthrough, representing a small yet significant crack in the centuries-old racial barriers that had kept Black Britons on the margins of British institutions.
Bishop Wilfred’s elevation to the episcopate did not occur in a vacuum. It came at a time when Britain was wrestling with its own identity—caught between the legacy of empire and the realities of a multicultural society. His appointment was seen as a reflection of these changing times, yet for him, it was not just a personal victory but an opportunity to amplify the voices of the marginalised within the Church.
His leadership as a bishop was characterised by a profound sense of duty to both his faith and his community. In his own words, “Being a bishop is not about wearing robes or sitting in a grand chair. It’s about being a servant of the people, caring for them, and fighting for justice in their lives.” This philosophy guided his work, as he used his position to advocate for those who had been historically excluded from the corridors of power.
A Bishop of Activism and Moral Leadership
Wilfred Wood’s activism was inseparable from his faith. He viewed the teachings of Jesus as a call to confront injustice, wherever it existed. During his time as bishop, he became a prominent voice in the international anti-apartheid movement, speaking out against the South African government’s racist policies and lending his support to global efforts to dismantle apartheid. His stance was not merely symbolic; it was rooted in a deeply held belief that the Church must stand on the side of the oppressed.
In Britain, he continued his work for racial justice, becoming a leading advocate for police reform in the wake of events like the Brixton riots of 1981. These riots, sparked by the police’s use of stop-and-search powers disproportionately against Black Britons, highlighted the fractures in British society. Bishop Wilfred was unafraid to speak truth to power, often reminding the Church of its moral responsibility: “The Church must be a conscience for society. We cannot remain silent in the face of injustice, for silence in such times is a betrayal of our faith.”
His advocacy extended beyond race relations to broader issues of social justice. He was a vocal supporter of initiatives aimed at improving housing, healthcare, and education for the poor and marginalised. His faith compelled him to see these issues as interconnected—the fight for racial justice was part of a larger struggle for the dignity and well-being of all people.
Those who knew Bishop Wilfred Wood recall him as a man of deep compassion and humility, whose leadership was rooted in his personal relationships with the people he served. His pastoral care was not confined to grand gestures; it was expressed in the everyday acts of kindness that defined his ministry. Whether visiting the sick, offering comfort to the grieving, or listening to the concerns of his parishioners, his leadership was marked by empathy and a commitment to the well-being of others.
One parishioner, reflecting on his time under Bishop Wilfred’s leadership, said, “He was more than just a spiritual leader; he was like a father to us. He would sit with you, listen to your troubles, and remind you that God’s love was always with you, even in the darkest times.” His ability to make others feel heard and valued was a testament to his character and his understanding of what it truly meant to lead.
Even as he rose to prominence, Bishop Wilfred remained grounded in his belief that leadership was a form of service. He famously said, “I am but a servant of the Lord. All that I do, I do for His glory, and for the love of His people.” His life was a lesson in the power of servant leadership—a form of leadership that places the needs of others above one’s own ambitions.
Legacy and Ongoing Influence
Bishop Wilfred Wood retired in 2003 after a long and impactful career, but his legacy continues to resonate within the Church of England and beyond. His work as a faith-driven advocate for justice has inspired countless others to carry forward his mission of compassion and social change. Even in retirement, the bishop has remained an influential figure, occasionally speaking out on issues of race, justice, and faith.
Bishop Wilfred’s legacy is perhaps best understood in the context of the wider struggles for civil rights and racial justice in Britain. His leadership helped to open doors for greater diversity within the Church of England, and his moral courage in the face of adversity continues to serve as an example for future generations. As he once said, “The Church must be at the forefront of the struggle for justice. We are called to love our neighbour, and that love must be expressed through action—through standing up for those who are oppressed and working for a world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.”
Bishop Wilfred Wood’s life and ministry are a testament to the enduring power of faith, justice, and love in action. His journey from the Caribbean to the episcopate in Britain is a reflection of both personal resilience and the larger historical forces that have shaped modern Britain. Through his work, he has taught us that faith is not a passive belief but an active force for good—a call to serve, to uplift, and to stand against injustice in all its forms. His legacy continues to inspire those who seek to live out their faith in a world that still grapples with inequality, teaching us all the power of a life dedicated to justice, compassion, and service.
Technical issue forces Fukushima nuclear plant to delay trial removal of radioactive debris
This handout photo taken on August 22, 2024 shows pipes for the installation of a telescopic device to be used for the removal of radioactive debris in Fukushima reactor. — AFP pic
Friday, 23 Aug 2024
TOKYO, Aug 23 — The operator of Japan’s stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant said this week’s trial removal of radioactive debris from a battered reactor has been postponed due to a technical issue.
Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) was aiming to remove a tiny sample of the estimated 880 tons of radioactive debris believed to sit inside reactors at the tsunami-hit nuclear plant.
But after carrying out the preliminary steps of the trial retrieval yesterday morning, a Tepco spokesperson said the operator had “decided to suspend the work”.
The trial removal will not resume on today as the operator has to “investigate the cause of the trouble,” another spokesman Tatsuya Matoba told AFP today.
“We can’t exclude the possibility that we resume this Saturday, but personally I’ve never experienced this kind of operation starting on Saturday or Sunday,” he said.
He added that it was also unclear whether the work would resume next week.
“It depends on how deeply we’ll investigate,” he said.
Three of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant’s six reactors were operating when a tsunami hit on March 11, 2011, knocking down cooling systems and sending them into meltdown in what became the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.
In three units of the Fukushima plant, fuel and other material melted and then solidified into highly radioactive “fuel debris”.
The tiny sample was to be studied for clues about the condition of the inside of the reactors and their hazardous contents, a crucial step towards decommissioning the plant.
The debris has radiation levels so high that Tepco has had to develop specialised robots that can withstand them to function inside.
Removing it has long been dubbed the most daunting challenge in the decades-long project to decommission the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
Tepco deployed two mini-drones and a “snake-shaped robot” into one of the three nuclear reactors in February, as part of the preparations for the removal task.
The latest probe, equipped with a robotic arm, is expected to take about a week to reach radioactive debris inside the reactor and should emerge again with the sample next month.
Japan began almost a year ago to release wastewater from the stricken plant into the Pacific Ocean.
The step has sparked a diplomatic row with China and Russia.
Both countries have banned Japanese seafood imports, although Tokyo insists the discharge is safe, a view backed by the UN atomic agency. — AFP
Bangladesh Unrest: More Murder Cases Against Deposed PM Hasina, Top Cricketer Shakib Also Charged
The case against Bangladeshi cricketer Shakib involves the death of a garment worker, Mohammed Rubel, whose father, Rafiqul Islam, filed the complaint
Shakib Al Hasan, a well-known cricketer and former member of Parliament of Bangladesh belonging to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League party, is among 147 people charged in connection with a murder during protests in the country in early August.
The charges were confirmed by an officer at Dhaka's Adabor police station where the case was filed, an espncricinfo.com report mentioned.
The case involves the death of a garment worker, Mohammed Rubel, whose father, Rafiqul Islam, filed the complaint on Thursday, August 22.
Shakib, who was away from Bangladesh during the protests, is listed as the 27th or 28th accused in the First Information Report (FIR). At the time, he was in Canada participating in the Global T20 Canada league and had previously been in the United States for the Major League Cricket tournament.
The complaint alleges that some accused, following orders from others, opened fire on protesters, including Rubel, who later died in the hospital.
Bangladesh Unrest
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reported over 400 deaths during the unrest, with some sources suggesting the number could be over 650.
Of the total deaths, over 230 people were killed in the incidents of violence that erupted across the country following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government amid massive protests by students against a controversial quota system in government jobs that first started in mid-July.
Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India on August 5 amid the protests. An interim government has since been established in Bangladesh, leading to changes at the Bangladesh Cricket Board, with former captain Faruque Ahmed becoming the new president.
Shakib had become a member of parliament in January after winning the general elections from his hometown of Magura. He is currently playing in the Rawalpindi Test against Pakistan.
Meanwhile, at least five more murder cases were filed on Thursday against Sheikh Hasina, her former cabinet members and top police officials, taking the number of cases against her to 49.
Of the five cases, three were filed in Dhaka while two cases were registered in Narsingdi and Bogura, the Daily Star newspaper reported.
Hasina, the 76-year-old Awami League chairperson, now faces at least 49 cases, including 40 for murders, seven for crimes against humanity and genocide, one for abduction and one for an attack on a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) procession.
