Within Seconds of Drawing Weapons

So reads the lead article in the Saturday Edition of 'The Times' of London. How fast have events moved in the last 24 hours as the evidence is gathered, footage obtained, and the stark report by Sean O'Neill and Valentine Low on page 10:

Armed police were moments from drawing their guns when a protester jabbed a stick through the open window of a royal limousine and attacked the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Duchess was visibly shaken when she was prodded in the ribs as she tried to close the window of the Rolls-Royce in which she and the Prince of Wales were travelling on Thursday.

The royal couple's car was pelted with paintballs and other missiles, had a window cracked and was repeatedly kicked by demonstrators in Regent Street shouting "Off with their heads" and "Scum".

As I watched the day's events live on Thursday I would not have even comprehended this scene and would have said to anyone suggesting that it could happen, that they were being fanciful. As the Editor writes in today's Times, in other less liberal regimes those thugs would have been shot.

It came home to me this afternoon when meeting for a coffee in the Walker Art Gallery, a friend commented, 'You know, if the police had shot someone or more in that particular incident it would have been entirely justified and it would be no good the parents complaining of over the top responses from the police. This is after all the future Head of State.'

Can one imagine what would have happened in the USA if the President's Motorcade was similarly attacked? It does not bare thinking about.

For my part, I will say this to all those who wish to argue about the savagery of the tuition fees, and particularly to the students. You have lost ground and you have brought upon yourselves the very considerable anger of the British People. All of us recognise that many protesters pleaded with the thugs to stop their violence. But what hits home today is the refusal of the leaders of the Students, despite vigorous questioning on BBC News, even offering an apology for the appalling behaviour.

So I stand four square with the Editor of The Times in stating that in the future violent demonstrations that we know we are going to face, that 'the police must be far more ruthless and efficient'.

It will be a long time before I am prepared to listen to students. We have five universities here in Liverpool and an enormous student population. I suggest that this group of discredited young people get themselves back onside with the British People, stop belly-aching and prove that you are at University to learn and to enrich this Nation, something which, sadly, many students throughout this country do not do.

Let us hope that with the Government's policy will come the weeding out of stupid and meaningless degrees; that students, when they decide to embark upon a university education, will think seriously about the task.

In the meantime, the Prime Minister has set the tone clearly and decisively; that no stone will be left unturned in bringing those thugs and anarchists who undermined the very purpose of the genuine protesters, to justice.

I am rightly very angry, for the young people whose cause I have always championed, have let me down personally.

Ian Bradley Marshall

LIVERPOOL
11 December 2010

www.ianbradleymarshall.com

Parliament Square - What Price the Rule of Law!

Yesterday I spent the day watching with an increasing sense of anxiety the events in Parliament Square. I did not like what I watched either side of the lines.

Obviously, part of me will always stand with my colleagues in the enforcement of the rule of law about which I feel passionately; it is the heartbeat of the British People, of our parliamentary democracy, of our whole way of life.

Watching in real time the first incursion of mounted officers, I was frustrated, shocked even, that the BBC commentator did not notice that one horse was riderless, that clearly there must be a rider on the ground; the helicopter camera caught it all, and yet the BBC commentator rabbited on oblivious to what was actually happening on the ground.

I can only put this down to the fact that having been a policeman on the lines during the bread riots, and having undertaken riot training as a 19 year old constable with mounted officers, I was watching with a very different perspective. As a horseman I know too just how serious it is when horse and rider become detached, and in Parliament Square yesterday the matter was very serious.

It took some 12 minutes for the BBC commentators to refer to the incident.

Much of the protest was of course peaceful, and the police have openly reported that. But they came under increasing pressure, attack even, from a persistent group of people that acted with only one intention - violence and anarchy.

That last word seemed strong yesterday even as the afternoon deteriorated to the formal mounted police charge. 3 hours later, when HRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall found themselves caught up in the continuing lawlessness, I admit that my stomach turned. What if that paint had been a bomb? What if the paint thrower had been a suicide bomber? What if any of the people kicking the car and smashing the windows had been snipers?

WHAT if it had not been the Prince of Wales, but rather The Queen?

I was relieved at the very strong, no nonsense announcement by the Prime Minister. We will have no truck with thugs who are hell bent on violence and disorder. They will face the full weight of the law. They will be brought to justice, and some will go to prison.

As regards parliamentary democracy, I can well understand the countless liberal democrat voters feeling betrayed; but to keep pronouncing that they will never again vote for their MP is quite bluntly stupid and naive.

Get real.

If the Government was a one party government, then of course you hold the MPs to their Manifesto promises. But with a Coalition Government, the People themselves have moved the goal posts and instructed Parliament through the ballot box to form a Coalition. That means that there will be concessions and compromises. And quite plainly, if narrow minded voters cannot grasp this fundamental democratic principle, then I would say that the Liberal Democrats are most definitely better off without them.

Communism is inflexible and rigid. Democracy is flexible and goes with the flow. When I visited Bosnia in 1998 as a guest of the UN, my host, the British Police Commander of the small town of Bcko explained to me the problem of dealing with this inbred inflexibility with the local police force which had formerly been part of the former Soviet Union.

He explained in candid terms how the officers were unable to use their initiative in dealing with a road side accident because the incident did not fit perfectly one of the examples in the manual; therefore they must obtain prior approval of the commissar some eighty or so kilometres away. It would have been amusing had it not been for the fact that the incident involved very seriously injured members of the public.

To return to Parliament Square. The Police are absolutely right to use the tactic of 'kettling'. In the 1970s we did similarly. We would form a spearhead and the spear would move forward into the crowd, then break to the left and right, encircling the demonstrators left and right, thus enabling us to break up the demonstration, arrest those breaking the law and allowing the peaceful protesters to do just that, to protest peacefully and out of danger. And to assist this, we were flanked by police horses.

Undoubtedly, some police officers will have over-reacted and I would hope that where this proves to be the case beyond all reasonable doubt, not, as some would want, on the lesser proof of the balance of probabilities, then the correct action will be taken and future training will emphasise still more the need to keep control regardless of how one is baited and antagonised by demonstrators.

In defence of the police I will say this. They were working under extreme provocation yesterday. As the BBC Reporter Ben Brown repeatedly reminded us and showed us, it is no flippant matter when blocks of concrete are being broken up and then hurled into police lines. Likewise, the wooden and metal shafts and poles thrown like spears at the mounted officers.

At the day's end, the rule of law prevailed. We have a very strong prime minister and deputy prime minister, the business secretary and the home secretary. We have good government.

And perhaps the greatest example of all is the young man's 'on the street' observation to the BBC as he reported the royal car incident; that at one point the Duchess of Cornwall was smiling and talking to the protesters, and which we saw demonstrated minutes later when they arrived at the Theatre for the Royal Variety Performance.

Their Royal Highnesses kept their cool and that was a tremendous demonstration of leadership and example to the people, the exact same cool demonstrated by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth throughout the War.

Lessons must be learned from this. The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has made this clear. So too the Home Secretary. Now let us get on with the country's good governance, a matter which, despite the siren voices here at home, is being reported by the international media.

This is London. This is the mother of parliaments. We will show all how we deal with the events of yesterday and not in the manner of less tolerant regimes.

Ian Bradley Marshall

LIVERPOOL

9 December 2010

www.ianbradleymarshall.com

Corruption and Prejudice

Last week I remember watching with pleasure the interviews with the Prime Minister, David Cameron, HRH Prince William and Mr David Beckham, and the obvious work being done to secure the nomination by FIFA to England to host the 2018 World Cup.

With the selection of Russia and Qatar to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cup respectively, I can only surmise that the Panorama Programme hit the nail on the head in exposing the corrupt nature of this long recognised group of people.

I commend the decision of the acting FA Chairman Roger Burden to withdraw his application for the permanent post over England's 2018 World Cup. It is discomforting and salutary to read that his work as FA chairman would have required him to also play an important role in liaising with FIFA, the governing body, but more disturbingly his broadcast comment that "I am not prepared to deal with people with whom I cannot trust and I have withdrawn my candidacy."

It pleases me that there is considerable disquiet across the country, and that FIFA members must now be comprehending perhaps for the first time, the contempt with which they are held by the general public.

To use the jargon of the back street, the two bids were a total stitch up and I am glad that the Prime Minister made plain and visible his anger. I do not like people (and I have experienced this personally this year) who look one direct in the eye with an absolute assurance and guarantee that they will decide in one's favour, only to discover that even as they were giving this assurance, they were already decided on the opposite course of action.

Let us now work towards achieving the greatest success in 2018 and 2022 and at the same time deal with this discredited body of people, FIFA. They have brought shame upon themselves and upon the Game. They have chosen two countries whose record on human rights leaves them being weighed in the balances and found wanting.

For England I would say this. Let the righteous anger we felt this week now transpose into an absolute determination to win both the 2018 and the 2022 World Cups.

We have the ability and the funds and the technical expertise to do it. We also have outstanding leadership at the top.

We have something else too. Put a great cause before the people, whether it be Britain as a whole, or in this case, England, and something curious happens. The people rally forth and refuse to be beaten but strive only for one thing - total victory and being able to prove that we were right to object so strongly to this week's decision.

Ian Bradley Marshall

LIVERPOOL

www.ianbradleymarshall.com

www.justinfashanucampaign.com

Standing Apart - in Europe but not part of Europe!

Several years ago an argument raged as to whether we should give up Stirling and join the Euro. Eventually, the government of the day fixed a test whereby it would only commit itself to joining the Euro if five tests were satisfied. At no time prior, nor since then, have all five points of the test been attained. Result? We still stand with our own Currency and are thankfully not part of the Eurozone.

In retrospect, regardless of the ups and downs of premiership, I think most people on all sides of the political arena would agree that the then Chancellor, Gordon Brown, was absolutely right in laying down those five elements of the test.

It is frightening to see what has now happened across the water in a country for which I have great respect; and regardless of what some might think or say, the Chancellor's reasons for assisting Ireland this week certainly resonated with me. The Irish People most assuredly deserve assistance from us. Yes, it will cost us dearly, but as we saw even at the height of The Troubles, it wasn't the vast majority of the People of Ireland either south or north of the border that were in contention with us. On my frequent visits to Belfast I have always seen another side to Ireland, and Northern Ireland, and either side of the border the surprise of the majority at the influence and savagery of the vociferous minority.

We must stand by Ireland and we must also look very carefully at our relationship with the European Union. It is worrying to see laws being enacted on our behalf that undermine our national sovereignty. It is one thing for the United Kingdom to have devolved government and to see the sovereignty of Parliament perhaps weakened, but that is the choice of the British People and with the overall objective, hopefully, of protecting the foundation of the Union itself. I know that some in Scotland might take issue with that, but I find even there that the majority still wish to remain within the Union regardless of how the SNP might present the opposite view.

As regards our Currency though, I am absolutely sure that the people will be heaving a sigh of relief this week that we are independent.

It is extraordinary to read so many reports and columns in the media whereby leaving the EU is now seen as not only possible but perhaps even probable in the long term. I am reminded of that great Russian City St Petersburg, formerly Leningrad. For the greater part of my life the latter was its name, and when I studied history I always felt sad that this ancient city had lost its title and assumed the name of a blank stark mausoleum. Not in my lifetime did I ever expect to see its name restored. And there will have been millions who will have lived and died within the period that this city was known as Leningrad. They would have known no different, and yet on the line of history, that period of some 70 years would be seen as the tiniest blip, something not even worth talking about. One can imagine a lecturer in years to come talking of the City... "and of course St Petersburg, two thousand years old, except for a few short years when it was known as Leningrad after the founder of Russian Communism before that too collapsed..." and a student might assign it a line in an essay to gain an extra mark.

So too with the EU. Will there be a time when history will look back at the UK's brief flirtation with Europe, a country that is part of Europe geographically but somehow not part of it politically?

The German economy is strong and the suggestion that Germany may even consider a return to the Deutschemark in the next 2-3 years certainly raises alarm bells. What annoys me is the suggestion that Germany should have to pay more by way of bailing out weaker economies, just because Germany has worked so hard and well to bring about prosperity for its People following Reunification.

Once again, we are being encouraged to look to widening our international trade links and it is good to see the Prime Minister in the vanguard in advocating this policy change. We have a strong government and we have a good team; it is wise and sensible to have a formal Coalition at this time, and it means that the Labour Party must work extremely hard to be the very necessary effective Opposition that is so important to our Parliamentary system. At the moment it is something akin to a dismasted ship, and I am relieved to read that there are hints that all is not well with the Leadership, that there is disquiet at Westminster and that David Miliband is ready and waiting quietly in the Wings.

Mr Miliband should be the leader of Her Majesty's Opposition. He has the ability and experience to unite the Party and to be an effective check and balance on Government. I do not agree with all his policies, but it is fair to say, that I agree with none of his younger brother's policies nor his lack of leadership and dynamism that most surely is in the gift of his elder brother.

We do indeed live in interesting times.


Ian Bradley Marshall
LIVERPOOL
24 November 2010

Downright Arrogance or Insensitivity - whichever?

The Media has more influence today, arguably, than at any time in history. Often it is handled correctly and to the greater good of all. We can all, without exception, recall examples that have personally impacted on our lives and for the better.

But the downside of the media industry is its belief that it has a right to speak on behalf of people, whole nations even, by presenting views and opinions held by a few people within that industry but as if it is reflecting the majority view.

This week I have watched with increasing disquiet the manner in which DJs of local and national radio stations have all but blacked out the new single Ambitions by Joe McElderry and the forthcoming album WIDE AWAKE out on Monday 25 October 2010.

Following the blog on his website has been an education and very uplifting, for I am learning just how important it is for all of us to make use of this means of communication to enable our collective and individual voice to be heard.

To DJs everywhere I would say this - get off your high horses, listen to your supporting public and stop equating yourselves to the great composers and Conductors down the centuries. You have a gift for mixing music and bringing joy to people. Leave it at that. And if you're being pressurised by the recording companies and Record Labels, then stand up to them, defy them and play the music they are telling you not to play. Don't bring your own prejudices and dictates into it. The public in time grow tired and in this country vote with their feet and wander off elsewhere.

Elsewhere! I wonder whether Wayne Rooney should have gone elsewhere?

Has this whole apparent rift between him and Sir Alex Ferguson been nothing more than a publicity stunt? And on Rooney's part, an attempt on his part to double his salary right at the time when all of us have been faced with the most swinging cuts since the Second World War?

Has the 'rift' been fomented by the news media to increase their own revenue?

Either way, Rooney has lost much ground. It's a pity he hadn't been sent packing. Not only has he let down his fans again, but he has let down the nation, his home town Liverpool and his former beloved Everton FC.

We do not need people like him on side even though his skills are undoubted and I respect those skills.

Kenneth T Webb
The Editor
Liverpool CityLife

23 October 2010

Confusion!

The Coalition Government has an excellent opportunity to demonstrate to the public the 'mess' that this labour leadership contest has produced and to expose, once again, the vice-like grip that the unions have on this country.

I am no supporter of would-be failed politicians who cannot make it on the hustings, so try instead to enter Downing Street through the back door. We saw this in the Wilson-Callaghan years and we saw what happened to that group of people under Mrs Thatcher.

The fact that I have this morning had a very good discussion (for over two hours) with someone about how good it is that the former foreign secretary had been elected - I had not seen any news reports - led me to believe that David Miliband had won. When I went back and questioned my colleague his reply was, 'yes, Ed Miliband the former foreign secretary'!

I suspect I am not the only person to have found that people are already confusing the two brothers.

The Coalition Government is strong and it is what this country needs to deal with the current problems. I would even suggest that the greater British Public will not be easily dissuaded from continuing Coalition Government for another full term.

I am naturally suspicious of any politician who relies just a little too much on union power. Let us not return to the Downing Street Beer and Sandwiches years.

So work hard to keep Mr Miliband and whatever brand his Labour Party now becomes, well and truly out of Central Government for at least the next 10 years.

Kenneth T Webb
The Editor
Liverpool CityLife