meeting with the Palestinian Legislative Council PLC.

On returning from on a delegation to the Gaza of UK parliamentarians recently, through Cairo, Murad Qureshi AM tells us what he saw first hand as the Arab spring enters its summer.  

The trip began in Cairo on the day that a new government with the same limited powers was sworn in as the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Council came under fire from the revolutionaries who refused to leave Tahrir Square.  The trip ended with news that the Hamas authorities in the Gaza strip had executed two men who were convicted of collaboration with Israel; reminding us all that it was as much a war as a siege that had yet to resolved along the Gaza strip.  

In-between, I gathered a number of impressions including the following: When we first entered the Gaza strip, it felt like an open prison which was the description used by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron last year. The Rafah crossing is the only route into the Gaza Strip on the Egyptian side whilst all the points of entry fromIsraelare closed off; therefore the Rafah crossing is a vital link to support the Gaza economy. The movement of goods and aid via the crossing is a vital lifeline for the Palestinians who live in the Gaza strip and who desperately rely on this channel for their basic sustenance.  In recent times, most of us around the world were under the impression that the Arab spring would have opened it up but alas, movement through the crossing is at best slow and if you’re a Palestinian painfully so.  What ever happens, one thing is for certain, that is,Egypt will play a key role in the survival of the Gaza strip through its management of the Rafah crossing. 

During the official tour, we of course paid a visit to the Palestinian legislative Council.  We were greeted by some of their members where we were told of the number of times the premises had been bombed by the Israeli forces.  WhileIsraelmay still have some difficulty accepting Hamas as the main political grouping running the Gaza strip, it is nonetheless incomprehensible and inexcusable that the democratic institution that represents Palestinians in the Gaza was bombed. Not surprisingly, the resilient character of its citizens has seen it rebuilt so that Palestinians can continue along a democratic road. 

It was harrowing also to learn about the plight of relatives of prisoners inGazawho have not been able to see their loved ones since their imprisonment in Israeli jails.  There are children who have never seen their fathers and who perhaps never will.  The siege has meant little if any Palestinian’s freedom to move between the Gaza or West Bank, let alone toIsrael.  This is where many would have worked making daily trips and the curtailment of this movement for the families is clearly isolating prisoners. 

The current siege is affecting the delivery of desperately needed medical supplies to hospitals like Al Shifa, where the lack of medicines and supplies to equipment like radiographs has meant that no less then 500 more patients have died since the siege began.  Some convoys of medical supplies have been allowed in like the “Miles of Smiles” initiative earlier in the month but it is not enough to plug the huge gap of critical care needed inGaza. 

And finally at our last stop back to Cairo was the Al-Asqa University.  Here, the educational apartheid between academic institutions inIsrael and Palestine was very apparent.  This does not bode well for the future.  Often links between academic institutions are the only thread of cohesion in countries or states existing within political and military adversaries but alas there were no signs that there is any such exchange of thought and views, often critical in maintaining links between states in difficult times.

 All this and many more impressions made me increasingly aware that the two state solution has become just a mirage in the desert sands.  If things are to move forward in the near future, recognition of Palestine is critical. In this respect moves are afoot to get the UN to recognise Palestine this coming Autumn and let us wish it much success.  In the meantime, the Arab spring has yet to forge a permanent change in the fortunes of Palestinians but as spring turns into summer, one starting point can be to open up the Rafah crossing – undoubtedly, the life line for citizens living in the Gaza strip.

Murad Qureshi, who lives in Marylebone, has written a letter to the Mayor of London asking if the inquest findings should prompt one of the stations to be renamed.

There are currently two Edgware Road stations – one on Edgware Road for the Bakerloo line and one on Chapel Street for the Circle, District and Hammersmith & City lines.

Mr Qureshi has previously supported local campaigners who proposed to rename one station Church Street Market and says the “health and safety” concerns highlighted in the inquest show another key reason for a change.

The bombings on July 7, 2005, saw 52 people killed including six when a bomb detonated on a Circle line train just outside Edgware Road station.

The recent inquest stated “a combination of human and computer error” contributed to delays in emergency services reaching the station. The report states the fire brigade was asked to attend the Chapel Street station with a specific reference made to the Circle line.

But when resources were sent to the scene they incorrectly mobilised at the Edgware Road Bakerloo line station.

“It is clear to many that having two Edgware Road tube stations has been very confusing for both users and local residents,” said Mr Qureshi.

“I have always said that renaming one of the stations would make it less confusing and offer the opportunity to emphasise local features in the neighbourhood like Church Street Market.

“When I heard the concerns expressed at the July 7 review, it made me realise there are perfectly sound health and safety reasons for the name change as well.”

The inquest report states the fire brigade has subsequently “taken important steps” to rectify the situation.

In response to Mr Qureshi’s question, Mayor Boris Johnson said: “The coroner’s report acknowledged that the London Fire Brigade (LFB), in conjunction with London Underground, had taken important steps to rectify this issue, including the introduction in the LFB’s computerised mobilising system of a unique reference number system for every Underground station and every tunnel.

“The Coroner also noted that the London Ambulance Service had implemented the same unique reference number system.”

A Transport for London spokesman confirmed there are no plans to rename either station.

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In Sep 2010 the Mayor referred to the hacking scandal as "codswallop"

 In 2008, Johnson won the London mayoral election and one of his manifesto promises to chair the Metropolitan Police and hold it to account. No offence would be too small, he said.

Fast forward to September last year and, as new damning revelations emerged about the conduct of Rupert Murdoch’s newspaper, the Mayor claimed it was, variously, a “song and dance about nothing”, “completely spurious and political” and – in true Boris Johnson style – “a load of codswallop”.

When he was asked by Labour members of the London Assembly what assurances he had sought from Assistant Commander John Yates about the initial inquiry into phone hacking, the Mayor said he had asked for none. He insisted that he was completely satisfied with the police investigation and said he had not spoken to any senior Met officers about the issue.

Knowing what we know now, this is truly astounding. The man elected on a platform of holding the police properly to account asked no questions at all about the biggest scandal to engulf the Met a since Sir William Macpherson’s report into the events surrounding the murder of Stephen Lawrence

So why did this issue not get the attention from the Mayor and his team that it so clearly merited? A look at his diary might provide some answers.

In his three years at City Hall, Boris Johnson has had nine lunches and meetings with senior News International figures – including Rupert and James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks. He attended a News International board meeting just last month. Meanwhile, he has dismissed concerns about Rupert Murdoch’s influence on British public life as “rants”.

It’s now that the scandal that has engulfed the Murdoch empire and the Met is not going away. David Cameron is on the back foot. As more and more is revealed, the Prime Minister’s decision to bring former News of the World editor Andy Coulson into Downing Street at the heart of government as his director of communications raises serious questions about Cameron’s judgement. We know that Cameron was warned by the editor of The Guardian and others that Coulson was a liability and that there were more damaging revelations to come. Cameron either chose to ignore these warnings or was persuaded not to act on them .

It’s not just Cameron’s judgement under scrutiny. Initially Boris Johnson dismissed The Guardian’s stories about the News of the World’s behaviour as “codswallop”. He decided not to ask any probing questions of the Met despite chairing the body that holds the force to account. He joked in the £250,000-ayear column which he writes for the Daily Telegraph that celebrities who haven’t been bugged would be sacking their agents and tried to deflect attention onto other news organisations.

The extent of Murdoch’s corrupting influence on this country is becoming increasingly clear.

Questions must to be asked about why the London Mayor was so quick to dismiss the allegations against Murdoch. Boris Johnson’s decision may come back to haunt him.

In 2008, Johnson won the London mayoral election and one of his manifesto promises to chair the Metropolitan Police and hold it to account. No offence would be too small, he said.

Fast forward to September last year and, as new damning revelations emerged about the conduct of Rupert Murdoch’s newspaper, the Mayor claimed it was, variously, a “song and dance about nothing”, “completely spurious and political” and – in true Boris Johnson style – “a load of codswallop”.

When he was asked by Labour members of the London Assembly what assurances he had sought from Assistant Commander John Yates about the initial inquiry into phone hacking, the Mayor said he had asked for none. He insisted that he was completely satisfied with the police investigation and said he had not spoken to any senior Met officers about the issue.

Knowing what we know now, this is truly astounding. The man elected on a platform of holding the police properly to account asked no questions at all about the biggest scandal to engulf the Met a since Sir William Macpherson’s report into the events surrounding the murder of Stephen Lawrence

So why did this issue not get the attention from the Mayor and his team that it so clearly merited? A look at his diary might provide some answers.

In his three years at City Hall, Boris Johnson has had nine lunches and meetings with senior News International figures – including Rupert and James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks. He attended a News International board meeting just last month. Meanwhile, he has dismissed concerns about Rupert Murdoch’s influence on British public life as “rants”.

It’s now that the scandal that has engulfed the Murdoch empire and the Met is not going away. David Cameron is on the back foot. As more and more is revealed, the Prime Minister’s decision to bring former News of the World editor Andy Coulson into Downing Street at the heart of government as his director of communications raises serious questions about Cameron’s judgement. We know that Cameron was warned by the editor of The Guardian and others that Coulson was a liability and that there were more damaging revelations to come. Cameron either chose to ignore these warnings or was persuaded not to act on them .

It’s not just Cameron’s judgement under scrutiny. Initially Boris Johnson dismissed The Guardian’s stories about the News of the World’s behaviour as “codswallop”. He decided not to ask any probing questions of the Met despite chairing the body that holds the force to account. He joked in the £250,000-ayear column which he writes for the Daily Telegraph that celebrities who haven’t been bugged would be sacking their agents and tried to deflect attention onto other news organisations.

The extent of Murdoch’s corrupting influence on this country is becoming increasingly clear.

Questions must to be asked about why the London Mayor was so quick to dismiss the allegations against Murdoch. Boris Johnson’s decision may come back to haunt him.

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Richard’s Barnes comments about Irish builders has kicked up quite a furore and rightly so, as well-paid bureaucrats think that it is somehow ok to encourage out-dated prejudices at the expense of any builder who happens to be Irish. There are good and bad builders of every nationality and I am in no doubt that the lack of overt racial or cultural distinction between the English and Irish somehow makes them and other white minority groups a target for racist and derogatory remarks like those made by the Deputy Mayor at last week’s meeting of the Transport Committee.

If you look at the Deputy Mayor’s “spin” page headed “Equality and Diversity”, the story takes on even more of a sharp, most would say ironic edge. In it, he mentions how he is now the champion of one of the Mayor’s policy documents Equal Life Chances For All and the author of a GLA equality framework Equal Life Choices For All. What, I wonder does this say about the Mayor’s choice of personnel for key posts in his office?

Amongst other pledges, the Deputy Mayor promises to:

• Ensure that all communities are supported in the economic downturn – I take it that either the economic downturn is now up or he didn’t mean to include the Irish!
• Embed equality at the heart of business and corporate planning – We can safely conclude this does not extend to the building trade!
• Provide practical solutions that effectively tackle inequality – here’s a suggestion, say “sorry”
• Support the development across the London economy of diverse markets, workforces and suppliers – presumably to the exclusion of Irish builders!

No more jokes Deputy Mayor, time to say sorry

Richard Barnes, who earns just over £96,000 a year, made his "throwaway" remark last week at a transport committee meeting.

Mr Barnes, who is responsible for Mr Johnson’s social justice policies, has previously spoken about how he and the Mayor are "determined to make a difference in addressing inequalities".

The Conservative made the comments at City Hall on July 14 in a discussion about the High Speed 2 rail project.

Asking about the cost of redeveloping Euston station, Mr Barnes said: "Are they like most Irish builders … saying it’s going to be roughly that [he licked his finger as if checking the wind direction]. Are we working on estimates?"

Labour Assembly member Murad Qureshi, who was at the meeting, said: "I was taken aback by the comment. Given the huge contribution made by the Irish in building London, this is particularly offensive.

"What is even more shocking, is that he made these comments as the Mayor’s lead on equality and diversity policies. He should make an unreserved apology to the Irish in London."

He added: "He’s been pretty exemplary on the subject of equality other than this. He has to accept that someone in his position making a comment like this is not acceptable."

Mr Barnes said: "If anyone was offended I will turn around and apologise but no offence was intended and I’m sure none of my Irish friends would find it offensive. It was a throwaway line. We’ve all had builders."

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The proposals would allow both runways to be used simultaneously for either arrivals or departures as a way to cut delays and cancellations when airport operations are disrupted by poor weather or other problems.

The campaign to persuade Transport for London (TfL) not to amalgamate the 312 and 412 services has been taken up by London Assembly member Murad Qureshi.

Mr Qureshi asked the mayor to review the situation, which he claimed would lead to more overcrowding and a reduced service for people living near Croydon Bus Garage, in Brighton Road.

The TfL proposals involve withdrawing the 412 route, which serves Purley, Sanderstead and Selsdon.

The 312 route, which runs from the bus garage to Norwood Junction via East Croydon station, would no longer serve the garage.

Instead, it would divert on the journey from Norwood Junction at the Swan and Sugar Loaf pub in South Croydon and follow the 412 route to Sanderstead, Selsdon and then on to Purley.

Opponents to the changes have organised a petition to TfL, urging a rethink.

The petition claims the 312 is the only bus during the peak hours on which people living near the bus garage can guarantee to find a place.

In reply to Mr Qureshi’s request, the mayor said TfL was considering feedback from residents and would write to them "once a final decision is made."

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The Stop the Tunnel North Westminster action group protested outside City Hall on the banks of the Thames, waving placards calling for an end to High Speed Two (HS2).

The group told a committee investigating the rail link from central London to Birmingham they had been shut off from the plans and warned that properties would be damaged ­during years of disruption to areas already hit hard by the Crossrail development. 

Chairman of the group Julius Hogben said: “HS2’s aim is to keep the public in the dark as much as possible and rush this monstrous project through Parliament.”

Queen’s Park activist Katie Cowan said: “They did not tell us about their plans until April and we have had problems getting information from them.”

HS2’s proposals include running trains in a tunnel run under north Westminster at a depth of 30-35metres.

The group told the committee that “no data” had been provided on whether noise from the tunnel would be heard in their homes.

Plans to build a huge ventilation shaft in Queen’s Park was described by committee panel member Murad Qureshi as “a big hole in the ground which will surpass anything that we have seen before”.

Mr Qureshi wants the route to terminate in Acton and not smash through central London. 

HS2 were notable by their absence despite being called to give evidence. Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon, who chairs the cross-party transport committee, told the West End Extra: “I was extremely disappointed and frustrated that we were let down by the department and HS2 when they are the prom­oters of the project. We wanted to have a balanced discussion focusing on the issues affecting London and we have not been able to do that.”

Though HS2 did not present evidence to the committee, they had support at City Hall in the form of Adam Raphael, a journalist and member of the Campaign for High Speed Rail, who said the scheme was “essential to economic development” and would help address economic imbalances across the country. He said: “We’re 60 years behind France, 20 years behind Spain and about the same in Germany. Let’s get on with it.” 

The government’s public consultation on the HS2 ends at the end of this month.

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A Boeing 747-400 passes close to houses shortly before landing at London Heathrow Airport

So at the moment BAA are permitted under limited circumstances, for example, during busy periods or during poor weather conditions to use both runways simultaneously.  These proposals effectively give airlines the green light to implement these special measure procedures much more often.  Mixed mode expansion is what residents have feared the most.  The government pledged there would be no expansion at Heathrow, yet this is exactly what they are now proposing.  In the meantime The Department for Transport are playing the whole thing down using semantics, claiming that the proposals are different to mixed mode because they are not “planned”. And they think this is somehow better? Now residents are not only expected to endure noise throughout the day, but they will also be subjected to it at hoc, at the discretion of the airline companies without effective stringent policing. I think it’s time to bolt the back door!