Latest news with #GarethRoberts
Spectator
2 days ago
- Business
- Spectator
Why corporations won't let Pride die
Pride month has finally come to an end. Did you notice? There has definitely been a reduction in the number of parades, banners, and flags this year. As Gareth Roberts wrote here, Pride has been damaged by its internal contradictions and the Supreme Court's common-sense ruling on what a woman is. Still, hopeful as all this is, it seems that for some corporations, Pride still refuses to die. Whilst shopping I recently saw a jar of Marmite. Its label urged me to 'Stand with Pride.' The flag accompanying the statement included the transgender stripes, naturally. Meanwhile, Marks and Spencer's social media profile pictures were changed to the alphabet flag, not forgetting the intersex circle. Throughout Pride month, M&S matched customer donations to the homeless charity 'akt'. We can argue the merits of corporate philanthropy, and few would object to helping the homeless. But akt doesn't appear to support all homeless individuals, only those who happen to not be heterosexual. It's preferential charitable giving based on sexuality. Other brands go further. Shake Shack, the popular milkshake shop, has launched their 'Pride Shake'. Don't panic if you missed it: it is available until 7 July. For every milkshake sold, they will donate £1 to LGBTQ+ charities. Such charities include Not A Phase, whose mission is 'uplifting and improving the lives of trans+ adults.' Their attempts to achieve this mission have involved 'growing the UK trans+ economy', and condemning those who want to protect males from competing in female sports. Why are brands still throwing money at charities promoting an ideology that the public rejects but which they are ultimately being forced to pay for? The answer is ESG: Environmental, Social, and Governance, a set of standards supposedly measuring the ethical impact of businesses, but which usually just serves to keep the money flowing to questionable yet fashionable causes. This is what is keeping Pride month alive. Whilst the 'E' does much damage to returns as companies are coerced into spending money on unprofitable windmills and solar farms, the 'S' gives us rainbow logos and compulsory trans donations. Increasingly, to access investment, companies must prioritise ESG. This is because most institutional investors in Britain have launched ESG funds and increasingly invest savers' money into these funds by default. They claim this is because of the good that ESG achieves. A cynic might suggest it is because of the higher management fees that ESG justifies. Therefore, to access investment, companies prostrate themselves in front of the ESG ratings agencies, who have largely unchecked power. To receive top points from these agencies, companies must excel in the 'social' category. Obviously social factors are subjective and not easily quantifiable. As such, it is not enough to simply be a thoughtful employer who pays equal work equally. Rather, firms must brandish their commitment publicly, ensuring that when the ratings agencies seek proof of companies' social commitment, it is easy to find. It is no coincidence that the firms which top Stonewall's equality index tend to receive top points in the ESG rankings. The ESG and DEI reports of big brands make this plain. Unilever, the parent company of Marmite, have an entire section of their DEI report dedicated to explaining, 'how our brands are confronting bias and discrimination' – as if Vaseline is the next Martin Luther King. Unilever are also recipients of Stonewall's gold status award for being a leading LGBTQ+ employer and have an AA sustainability rating, one of the highest scores available from ratings agency MSCI. Shake Shack's donation to a transgenderism charity, meanwhile, is not a humble humanitarian mission which they modestly pursue. In their ESG reports they boast that their Pride Shake is part of 'a strong history of supporting the LGBTQ+ community and rolling out national Pride'. This has clearly had the desired effect as they have received the Equality 100 award in LGBTQ+ workplace equality. There are a number of criteria for receiving this award. One which stands out is the requirement for 'Philanthropic support of at least one LGBTQ+ organisation.' Are the executives of these companies true believers in Pride? Some surely are and would fly the flag regardless. Many, however, play along simply because otherwise they would lose access to vital capital. But companies should not be manipulated into pushing an agenda that is increasingly rejected by the public and underlying shareholders. The shifting public mood and consistent financial underperformance means that ESG will not remain viable for long. In the meantime, individuals who are pleased to see the decline of Pride Month should ensure their money is kept away from funds engaged in ESG.
Spectator
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Spectator
Woolworths cancels The Spectator
The Spectator has thousands of readers in South Africa, many of whom get their weekly magazine from Woolworths, the country's upmarket retailer. Not any longer. Woolworths has taken the bizarre decision to stop selling The Spectator. The apparent trigger? Gareth Roberts's 'End of the rainbow' cover story. Does Woolworths really think its shoppers can't cope with encountering such an image on their weekly grocery shop? The issue featuring that article hit newsstands at the end of May, on the eve of Pride month – just as Woolworths launched its own storewide rainbow campaign. It seems that Roberts's piece, in which he argues that Pride's fall can't come soon enough, prompted a review of Woolworths's decision to stock The Spectator. The retailer appears to have decided that stocking the magazine is incompatible with its Pride campaign – and it has removed The Spectator from its shelves. Roberts, who is gay, wrote that: '2025 is the year the genderist movement finally started to break apart. It has been a mad, wild ride. I'm sure there's more to come, but after many false alarms it feels like a corner has finally been turned. The collapsing of Pride under the weight of its own internal contradictions is a sure sign that the jig is up.' The piece was accompanied by an illustration featuring the 'intersex-inclusive Pride flag' – a kaleidoscope of rectangles, triangles and even a circle in thirteen different shades – being painted over. Does Woolworths really think its shoppers can't cope with encountering such an image on their weekly grocery shop? If so, it's quite an assumption about the moral values of its customers. The Spectator asked Woolworths about its recent decision to delist the magazine. It didn't respond. Whatever the reason for the store's decision, it's a shame that some South African readers weren't offered the chance to pick the issue up and learn how iterations of Pride are collapsing under the weight of their contradictions. For readers in South Africa, The Spectator is still available in Exclusive Books stores nationwide or you can subscribe from as little as R49
Spectator
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Spectator
End of the rainbow, rising illiteracy & swimming pool etiquette
End of the rainbow: Pride's fall What 'started half a century ago as an afternoon's little march for lesbians and gay men', argues Gareth Roberts, became 'a jamboree not only of boring homosexuality' but 'anything else that its purveyors consider unconventional'. Yet now Reform-led councils are taking down Pride flags, Pride events are being cancelled due to lack of funds, and corporate sponsors are 'withdrawing their cold tootsies from the rainbow sock'. Has Pride suffered from conflation with 'genderism'? Gareth joined the podcast to discuss, alongside diversity consultant Simon Fanshawe, one of the six original co-founders of Stonewall. (0:59) Next: people are forgetting how to read Philip Womack 'can hear the rumblings of disaster, as if the foundations of western culture, eroded for decades, are teetering into collapse'. The reason? We are forgetting how to read. Today's children 'hardly read; their tech-blinded parents don't care; their teachers don't have the resources'. American students participating in a study requiring them to parse the first paragraph of Bleak House 'were unable to elicit a scintilla of sense' from Charles Dickens's prose. What or who is to blame? Philip joined the podcast to discuss. (23:29) And finally: the social minefield of swimming pool season Arabella Byrne writes in the magazine this week that while she has 'always loved English swimming pools', the arrival of the summer season always presents her 'with an annual etiquette conundrum'. If you're lucky enough to know one of the 200,000 Brits who have a private swimming pool, she asks: how acceptable is it – really – to ask to use a friend's pool? Arabella joined the podcast, alongside the Spectator's very own Dear Mary, Mary Killen. (32:46) Hosted by William Moore and Gus Carter. Produced by Patrick Gibbons.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fears of crime surge as Met disbands dedicated Royal Parks police unit
Fears of a crime surge in London's historic Royal Parks are growing after plans emerged to scrap their dedicated policing team as part of sweeping Metropolitan Police budget cuts. For over 130 years, specialist officers have closely guarded the capital's iconic green spaces, with around 80 Met officers currently assigned to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour, and patrol high-profile events such as the Changing of the Guard. But the Met has now confirmed these officers will be absorbed into local neighbourhood teams as it attempts to bridge a funding gap of £260 million, Sky News reports. The Royal Parks charity manages more than 5,000 acres of green space, including Hyde Park, Regent's Park, and Richmond Park. A spokesperson for the Royal Parks said: "We are disappointed with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) decision to close its dedicated Royal Parks police unit. "The Royal Parks MPS unit and its predecessors have been a massive part of the rich history of the parks in London for over 150 years. "We are deeply grateful to those police colleagues who have been so committed in their work to protect our amazing green spaces and ensure the safety, security and welfare of the millions of visitors to the parks." The charity sought to reassure visitors that their safety "is our top priority," adding it is seeking further clarity from the Met on future policing arrangements. London Assembly Member Gareth Roberts, who is also Liberal Democrat Leader of Richmond Council, warned that crime would inevitably rise due to reduced policing coverage. He said: "We will have that type of space within the capital being largely unpoliced. "I hope that we won't be seeing dire consequences, but we have already seen organised criminal gangs targeting cyclists when they know that the police aren't on duty… and this could open the door to further acts like that." According to the Royal Parks' latest annual report, crime rose by around one-third between 2022/23 and 2023/24, increasing from 76 incidents to 101. Sexual offences, phone thefts and drug dealing are among the most frequently reported crimes, while Mr Roberts highlighted recent cases where cyclists have been threatened and robbed of expensive bikes. Less frequent but disturbing offences include gangs deliberately using dogs to chase deer at night, hoping to force the animals to shed their antlers, which can then be sold online. Commander Owain Richards confirmed last week that as part of its wider budget cuts, the Met will lose around 1,700 officers and staff, with the Royal Parks team among several specialist units set for disbandment. In a letter, Commander Richards stated: "It is with regret that we have taken the tough decision to no longer have a dedicated Royal Parks policing team." The parks have had specialist policing since 1872, beginning with park keepers, replaced by the Royal Parks Constabulary in 1974, and finally the dedicated Royal Parks policing unit established in 2004. In future, local neighbourhood policing teams will take over responsibility for security and safety in the parks. A spokesperson for the Met said: "Park users and partners can be reassured the Met will continue to respond to emergency calls, patrol hotspot areas, investigate crimes, and support events in Royal Parks across London. "We have been working closely with the Royal Parks and stakeholders to understand concerns as we navigate our £260m funding gap and reduce the size of the Met. "The Met is prioritising neighbourhood policing and see this as a positive opportunity to integrate the Royal Parks into local community crime fighting plans and ensure a wider pool of officers understand the unique requirements of parks policing."
Daily Mail
04-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Fears crime in London's lawless parks will skyrocket as the Royal Parks disbands police unit after 150 years
The Metropolitan Police 's decision to disband their Royal Parks unit has created fears that London 's lawless parks will be further ravaged by crime. After 150 years of protecting the capital's Royal Parks, the Met has confirmed the dedicated team will be dissolved in November in an effort to help plug a £260million funding gap. Around 80 officers who respond to serious crimes, protect wildlife, enforce regulations and policing events such as the Changing of the Guard, will be transferred to other local teams. It comes after terrified cyclists begged the Met to start patrolling parks earlier in the day after swathes of violent robberies have seen them threatened with hammers and sharp objects. The muggers have been operating in Regent's Park where more than 30 cycling clubs meet between 5.45am and 7am each day before the area opens to cars. Other serious crimes reported in the parks include mobile phone snatching, drug dealing and sexual offences. Criminal incidents reported in the parks increased by around a third from 76 in the year 2022/23 to 101 in 2023/24, according to the Royal Parks' latest annual report. Preying on the groups, the often expensive bikes are regularly snatched by armed, balaclava-clad men on motorcycles, leaving cyclists petrified to go out in the capital. The Royal Parks charity said they are 'disappointed' with the decision and are working with the force to make sure a plan to maintain public safety is set up. Officers in the area currently do not begin patrolling the park until 8am and have said they cannot start any earlier in response to queries from the bikers. The Royal Parks charity, which is responsible for managing the 5,000 acres of green spaces, said they are 'disappointed' with the decision and are working with the force to make sure a plan to maintain public safety is put in place. Gareth Roberts, the Liberal Democrat Leader of Richmond Council and London Assembly Member, told Sky News he believes a rise in crime is 'almost inevitable'. He said the combined area, which is as large as Heathrow and Gatwick airports, will be 'largely unpoliced'. The MP, who is also a Royal Parks trustee, added the decision 'could open the door to further acts' from the 'organised criminal gangs' who have been targeting cyclists 'when they know police aren't on duty'. In a report on Richmond Councils website, Mr Roberts called it a 'huge mistake' and said: 'At a time when residents are already concerned about the visibility of policing, this decision will do nothing to reassure them. 'The loss of the specialist policing team would leave them more vulnerable to crime and anti-social behaviour.' He added that losing the Royal Parks policing team will place an 'additional burden on already overstretched local policing resources and risks leaving our parks unprotected'. In February, the Regent's Park Cyclists group penned an open letter to Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service Sir Mark Rowley warning him of the 'chilling' effect of the 'weekly' attacks on cyclists across London. In his letter, Chairman of the group, Sean Epstein quoted figures from a Freedom of Information response from the force, which reported that in the year up to December 2023, 768 crimes of a pedal cycle being stolen using violence or the threat of violence were reported - equivalent to '15 violent attacks each week, every week of the year'. He added that a poll of members also found that out of 1,400 respondents, 91 per cent felt less safe as a result of a recent surge in violent robberies, with 59 per cent admitting they'd reduced their cycling as a consequence. However, in a response they received from former Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe, Mr Epstein was told a national review of cycling theft had found that violent robberies were 'currently occurring in isolation' with 'no particular patterns' or indications of 'wider, organised criminality'. The letter from Ms Rolfe, who has since moved on from her role as Assistant Commissioner, said: 'I am confident that our renewed commitment to community-focused policing and the strengthening of the teams working in local areas will only enhance this ability and lead to improved results.' Mr Epstein said he was dissatisfied with the response and added: 'Lots of nice words but no actual resource commitment. 'Over the last year, there has been a massive drop in participation in cycling and people just not feeling safe. 'Over the summer, when the mornings get lighter, the problem went away. But now the winter is back, the cycle continues and there's no meaningful response.' Some cyclists who've had their bikes stolen said they have been threatened by thugs with knives, machetes and hammers. In 2022, almost 90 per cent of bike thefts reported across England went unsolved, according to figures from the House of Commons Library. And in the five years up to June 2022, just 159 people were found guilty of bike theft out of an estimated 350,000 reported cases. Many victims also don't bother reporting their bikes being stolen - due to their lack of faith in the police's ability to locate and reclaim them. Earlier in the year, a Regent's Park cyclist had his £4,200 road bike robbed by hammer-wielding thugs during a morning ride. Patrick Conneely, who lives in from Leyton, east London, was doing a lap around the Outer Circle road when was passed by two men riding a moped, who inspected his bike before turning around and pursuing him. Exclusive video obtained by MailOnline shows the shocking encounter that followed, with one of the men leaping off the moped and shouting at Mr Conneely to, as he recalled, 'Give me the f*****g bike'. After the 33-year-old bravely refused, the thug took a hammer from the top box and waved it at him while continuing to shout violent threats. He then grabbed the bike and jumped on the moped carrying it above his head. At this point Mr Conneely surged forward and tried to push the moped over before the men rode away at speed. The data analyst believes that the way the pair inspected the brand of his Trek Domane bike before deciding to target him showed they 'knew what they were doing'.
