Latest news with #CarolineLucas
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Glastonbury Organiser Says Those Who Don't Agree With Festival's Politics 'Can Go Elsewhere'
Michael Eavis has insisted that politics still play an important part of Glastonbury's identity. The 89-year-old festival founder was recently interviewed by the Glastonbury Free Press about whether he thinks that the huge-scale music event still stands for something (as reported by The Guardian). 'Oh heaven's above, yes, of course it does,' he said. 'And I think the people that come here are into all those things.' Michael added: 'People that don't agree with the politics of the event can go somewhere else.' As well as musical performances, this year's Glastonbury will include a number of political events. These will include a talk about 'what['s] next for the Left' by commentators like Ash Sarkar and Gary Younge, as well as a debate about the rise of the 'far-right' in our contemporary society with Labour's Zarah Sultana. Green Party MP Caroline Lucas will also make an appearance for a discussion titled Saving The Planet But Not Leaving Workers Behind, while Gary Lineker will take part in a panel called Standing Up For 'Getting Along' In A World That's Being Pushed Apart. One of the most talked-about acts at this year's Glastonbury will be Kneecap, who are due to appear after one of its members was charged with a terror offence. Kneecap have long maintained that they've been the victims of a 'witchhunt' and 'smear campaign' ever since their set at the Coachella music festival in April, where they expressed solidarity with Palestine amid the current conflict in the Middle East, leading the crowd in a chant of 'free Palestine' and projecting the message 'fuck Israel' onto the screens behind them. Days later, it was reported that counter-terrorism officers were assessing a resurfaced video filmed at one of the group's gigs that took place five months earlier, during which they reportedly declared 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. It was subsequently confirmed that musician Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh – better known to Kneecap fans by stage name Mo Chara – had been charged with a terror offence, for allegedly brandishing the flag of the proscribed terrorist group Hezbollah, after being handed it by a member of the crowd at Kneecap's London show in November 2024. Kneecap responded: 'We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story. Genocide is.' Prime minister Keir Starmer has voiced the opinion it is 'inappropriate' for Kneecap's Saturday afternoon slot to go ahead, to which the group wrote on Instagram: 'You know what's 'not appropriate' Keir?! Arming a fucking genocide…' Michael Eavis' daughter Emily is now one of the event's organisers, and shared her take on the Kneecap controversy during an interview on Wednesday morning. 11 Must-See Performances If You're Watching Glastonbury From Home This Year The BBC Sets The Record Straight About Why They Won't Be Airing Neil Young's Glastonbury Set Glastonbury Organiser Breaks Silence On Controversy Over Kneecap's Spot On This Year's Line-Up
BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Taskforce launched to tackle root causes of UK riots
An independent commission aimed at tackling community divisions across Britain in the aftermath of last summer's riots will hold its first meeting on cross-party body, led by former Tory home secretary Sir Sajid Javid and Labour MP Jon Cruddas, says it will examine what Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer last year called the "cracks in our foundation" and has support from across the political aims to develop "evidence-based" recommendations for a stronger, more connected sense of community across the Sajid said ministers have only responded to challenges to community cohesion "when tensions spill over, and too often ignoring the root causes". Did social media fan the flames of riot in Southport?MPs reject two-tier policing claims in 2024 riots Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas, ex-Tory mayor of the West Midlands Sir Andy Street, and former counter-extremism tsar Dame Sara Khan are also among its Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion was announced after the summer riots last year which hit parts of the country last year following the Southport stabbings. False information spread on social media about the identity of the attacker, later found to be 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana, was widely seen as playing a role in fuelling the disturbances, which saw mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers targeted, were denounced at the time as "far-right thuggery" by Sir recent weeks, there has also been unrest in parts of Northern Ireland, where police have said some of it has been racially motivated. The commission said a UK-wide "national conversation" will be launched this autumn, to hear directly from people across the country about how they experience connection and belonging and what they want to see panel will have representation from all four nations of the UK and people from different faiths and is being facilitated by the Together Coalition founded by Brendan Cox, the husband of the Labour MP Jo Cox who was murdered by a far-right not officially government-sponsored, the commission is being supported by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.A spokesperson for the department said: "We are supportive of the work that the Together Coalition is undertaking, and we look forward to following the commission's progress".
The Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Cross-party body seeks to tackle divisions in wake of 2024 summer riots
An independent commission aimed at tackling community divisions across Britain in the wake of last summer's riots will hold its first meeting on Wednesday. The cross-party body, led by former Tory community secretary Sir Sajid Javid and Labour MP Jon Cruddas, says it will seek to examine what Sir Keir Starmer last year called the 'cracks in our foundation'. The commission will develop a series of evidence-based recommendations for measures to build more social cohesion across the four nations. Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas, ex-Tory mayor of the West Midlands Sir Andy Street, and former counter-extremism tsar Dame Sara Khan are among its members. Sir Sajid, who served in the Cabinets of David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson, said successive administrations had treated social cohesion as a 'second-tier' issue. He said governments had responded 'only when tensions spill over and too often ignoring the root causes.' 'This commission has been established to do what governments alone cannot: take a long view, propose radical policy changes and — crucially — help forge a cross-society consensus about how we want to live together now and in the future,' Sir Sajid said. Former veteran Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham Mr Cruddas said the commission would seek to respond to one of 'the most pressing and persistently neglected issues' facing Britain. He said: 'This won't be a top-down exercise. Over the next year, we'll be listening directly to people across the UK – drawing on their experiences to help shape practical, long-term answers to the forces pulling us apart.' The commission is being facilitated by the Together Coalition founded by Brendan Cox, the husband of the Labour MP Jo Cox who was murdered by a far-right extremist. It was established in the aftermath of a wave of violent disorder that swept across parts of the UK last summer following the Southport stabbings. False information spread on social media about the identity of the attacker, later found to be 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana, was widely seen as playing a role in fuelling the unrest. The disturbances, which saw mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers targeted, were denounced at the time as 'far-right thuggery' by Prime Minister Sir Keir.
Daily Mail
01-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Millionaire property developer is being prosecuted over 'wanton vandalism' of Victorian pub after his gang of workers smashed up historic tiles
A millionaire property developer accused of the 'wanton vandalism' of an historic Victorian pub is being prosecuted by council bosses. Charlie Southall, 46, bought the 150-year-old Montreal Arms in Brighton 'on a whim' after it closed during lockdown. He then hired a team of workers who took a pneumatic drill to the historic glazed green tiles of the locally listed pub. Residents were furious and confronted the property developer in the street, demanding he stop vandalising the historic pub. Police were called and the council issued an emergency stop order to prevent him further damaging the heritage tiles. Residents branded Mr Southall a 'vandal' after the incident in 2022 and Green MP Caroline Lucas called on the council to take action. Council bosses ordered the developer to replace the green glazed tiles in 2023 and restore the damage to the pub. But after a series of appeals and planning applications by Mr Southall, no work has been carried out. Now the council has announced it has launched legal proceedings against the developer for failing to restore the pub to its former glory. Cllr Tim Rowkins of Brighton & Hove City Council said: 'I can now confirm that the council has filed a summons with the court to prosecute the owner for the failure to comply with the enforcement notice relating to the reinstatement of the tiles. 'The next step will be for the court to issue the summons and fix a date for the first hearing.' The pub was built during a boom period of Victoria construction in Brighton in the 1870s and was the centre of a bustling community. The tiles date from around 1927 when work was carried out following the merger of the Portsmouth United brewery and Brighton's Rock brewery. Mr Southall, who also runs Dragonfly Digital Video Services, bought the pub for around £425,000 following its closure during the Covid lockdown. Nine days after collecting the keys, he decided to offer it for use as a free co-living space for refugee women and children fleeing the war in Ukraine. But when the property developer asked the local community to crowdfund a £85,000 renovation residents began to question his motives. In a heated exchanged during a public meeting, residents accused him of offering the property as accommodation for refugees in order to push through a change of use with city planners. Days later Mr Southall and a team of builders arrived outside the pub with a drill and proceeded to remove the glazed tiles from the exterior. Horrified residents gathered in the street and tried to stop the builders removing any more tiles In just over six hours, the team drilled off around one third of the listed green tiles before the council ordered issued an emergency stop order. Resident Harry Magee said: 'The tiles are called green faize tiles. They reflect different colours from different angles and are made of lead dyes. Each one will be handmade.' Accusing him of 'wanton vandalism', resident James Elliott said: 'He turned up with some guys armed with an almighty drill and proceeded to ruin a pub that has stood here for 150 years. He's an absolute disgrace and he's behaved like a spoilt child.' In a statement at the time Mr Southall, of Brighton, said: 'The new property owner has exactly the same permitted development rights as any other property owner in the area, and it is entirely lawful for external features to be altered or removed. This is a privately owned property.' The pub has now been put up for sale for £425,000 by Mr Southall and the estate agents are holding an open day next week. Mr Southall bought the pub for £420,000 in 2022 but has recently valued the pub at £150,000 in his own company accounts. Brighton and Hove City Council say responsibility for restoring the tiles would then fall on the new owner, who would be prosecuted if they failed to carry out the work.
The Guardian
27-03-2025
- General
- The Guardian
‘A symbol of hope': environmentalists choose their favourite invertebrates
Invertebrates are hugely important for ecosystems and the general health of our planet and there is a dizzying array of beautiful examples, from fluffy bees to glow-in-the-dark woodlice. But which do you prefer? We asked the great and good on the UK conservation scene to name their favourite invertebrate: Steve Reed, UK environment secretary Red admirals are such a beautiful sight on a sunny day in the garden. Sadly we are seeing far fewer butterflies and insects, which is why this government is committed to banning bee-killing pesticides. Caroline Lucas, former Green leader and MP My vote goes to the common green grasshopper, because I like the vividness of its green body but mostly because the familiar 'churring' sound they make as they rub their legs against their wings is a sure sign that summer is on its way. The word 'stridulation' is a cool one, too – the name of the grasshopper's song. Nadia Shaikh, co-director of the Right to Roam campaign I nominate the green tiger beetle, Cicindela campestris. First, they are so strikingly beautiful: the body of the beetle is iridescent forest green with cream smudges. They also have long shiny legs, which are a sort of aubergine bronze colour. What is perhaps even more worthy of nomination is how they hunt: you'll find green tiger beetles on bare sandy soil looking for other insects, which they will catch in their very large jaws. It's spectacular to watch them running at great speeds along the ground after they've spotted something to eat. They are relatively easy to spot and endlessly exciting to watch dart around on their long legs. Sadiq Khan, mayor of London The relationship between Londoners and oysters goes beyond the card for catching the tube. Oysters once kept the working class of London fed, with Victorians eating hundreds of millions a year. They also have an inspiring future, as I saw when I visited New York and the Billion Oyster Project, which is using their natural filter feeding to clean the harbour – an idea with exciting potential for London's waterways. Craig Bennett, chief executive of the Wildlife Trusts The humble bumblebee wins out for me for several reasons, not least because they are beautiful and fluffy insects whose appearance effortlessly symbolises the hope of spring and vibrancy of summer. But they're not just here to look nice. They play a vital role as ambassadors for the important ecosystem services that nature provides and humanity replies upon – in this case, pollination. For many children, especially in urban areas, bumblebees are one of the first connections they make to nature and the beginnings of an awareness of the importance of nature for our survival. And I love that everyone can experience them, whether in towns, cities, the coast or the countryside. Whenever I see one, to me they also symbolise the huge threats to nature we're facing. The loss of habitat and overuse of pesticides continues to be incredibly damaging to bees. Now that the government has promised to ban one group of these toxic pesticides – neonicotinoids – I'm looking forward to seeing bumblebees this year as a symbol of a hope after a hard-fought and recently won campaign, but also a reminder of how much more we have to do. Mary Creagh, UK environment minister The ladybird is a the best sort of superbug – chomping through the aphids on my fruit trees and inspiring generations of children through poetry. My only grumble is that they love having their babies in my bathroom, which can lead to some close encounters in spring! Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England The small tortoiseshell. Their orange, black and white wings, fringed with blue dots, bring a bright splash of exotic colour to spring and summer. They are sadly no longer common, with numbers now at an all-time low. Guy Shrubsole, author and nature campaigner I think I'd have to go with the blue ground beetle, an icon of Britain's temperate rainforests and devourer of slugs. I've only seen this species once, on a moonless night around midnight, in a damp and dripping Atlantic oakwood on the banks of the River Dart. They're surprisingly large, iridescent indigo-blue and scuttle up and down tree trunks in search of their prey. Beccy Speight, chief executive of the RSPB In the cloud forests of Saint Helena, a UK Overseas Territory in the middle of the South Atlantic, the spiky yellow woodlouse has a party trick: when the UV lights show, they literally glow, the only woodlouse of record to have this reaction. But they're not the only incredible creature on Saint Helena: the island is also home to 250 other unusual species which live nowhere else on Earth. The RSPB has been involved in conservation on this magical island since 2018, working with the island community and partners on a plan to save and restore the vital cloud forest. Prof Dave Goulson, expert in invertebrates I have to go for the hairy-footed flower bee, Anthophora plumipes. Seeing these lovely fluffy bees zipping about the garden is one of the highlights of springtime. The jet-black females are most interested in drinking nectar from lungwort and grape hyacinth, while the rusty-brown males have eyes only for the girls, chasing off rival males and defending patches of flowers that females might visit. Courtship involves the male grabbing clumsily at the female either mid-air or while she feeds on a flower. He then tries to make up for his gauche behaviour by gently brushing her face seductively with his hairy feet. These are solitary bees, only on the wing for a few weeks in April and May. Between 24 March and 2 April, we will be profiling a shortlist of 10 of the invertebrates chosen by readers and selected by our wildlife writers from more than 2,500 nominations. The voting for our 2025 invertebrate of the year will run from midday on Wednesday 2 April until midday on Friday 4 April, with the winner to be announced on Monday 7. Read the other wonderful nominations here.
