New Publication: ‘The West Midlands’ Changing Population’

The West Midlands Regional Observatory (WMRO) has today published a series of new policy reports as part of its work on State of the Region Thematic Dialogues. The reports are entitled:

What makes a sustainable community?;
The West Midlands’ changing population;
The importance of innovation in a changing economy; and
West Midlands’ knowledge economy

Of these, I have contributed a policy think-piece on the topic of ‘Safer, Stronger Communities’ to ‘The West Midlands’ changing population’ report.

To read my piece, download the free report, click here.

For more information on the WMRO, click here.

Vote BNP: the Bimbo National Party

Thanks to former student of mine Adam Smith who forwarded this article onto me. Given the BNP’s recent success in the European Elections, it’s good to see that Vice Magazine*** has run a feature on the new breed of BNP voter.

Focusing on the views of Rebecca (23), Jo (19) and Helen (19), we find out in the article that most would prefer to send Tinchy Stryder ‘back home’ than Dizzee Rascal:

Dizzee Rascal. I know this is gonna sound horrible, because he’s the one who’s the most, like… because, my problem is that when immigrants come over to this country, they try and bring in their own churches and languages. And I think he expresses himself more as like an African or whatever he is, whereas Tinchy Stryder is more American. That’s the difference.

It would be crass to say don’t vote BNP (but I hope you don’t)

As the Labour Party goes into meltdown and the end of Gordon Brown’s tenure at number 10 seems to be coming to its timely climax, the country go to the polls today to vote in European and local elections. When the results of the European elections are announced, much of the focus will be on Labour’s share of the vote and the impact this has on Brown’s demise. But what about the number of votes picked up by the BNP?

According to the Institute of Community Cohesion (iCoCo), support for far right parties such as the British National Party (BNP) is smaller in the UK than in other parts of Europe. But following its success in winning a seat on the Greater London Assembly (GLA) last year, the party now has strong hopes of winning seats in Europe.

“We don’t do God” but then maybe we do: Speak Out magazine

(The following short post is an introductory piece that will be included in the next edition of Speak Out magazine due for publication in early June. It will introduce a collection of short pieces about minority religions in Birmingham and a more detailed piece of the British Humanist Association’s recent report into the ‘religion or belief’ equalities strand – click here to read)

The former Labour spin-doctor Alistair Campbell was once famously quoted as saying, “We don’t do God”. In many ways, Campbell may have been speaking on behalf of the British per se: or at least how things might have been because there are signs that some things might be changing.

‘Speak Out’ magazine – issue #3

The latest edition of ‘Speak Out’ magazine – the premier equalities magazine for Birmingham – has just been published.

Issue 3 takes a hard-hitting look at child poverty in Birmingham. Featuring expert comment from national campaigners, debate from local politicans, and views on the issue from real people in Birmingham. The issue also takes a look at racism in the beautiful game, the people on the frontline of tackling gang culture, and recent immigrants who give their take on life in modern Britain.

Hard copies are available freely in various locations around Birmingham city centre. An electronic version can be read online here.

Chris Allen is Editor of  ‘SpeakOut’ magazine.