Meeting held on Wednesday 20th August 2025
Seven people were present. Five gave apologies.
We were concerned about the way that asylum seekers have been addressed in the mainstream media. We opposed the law that prevents asylum seekers from gaining employment while their case is being considered. Wouldn’t it be better for them to be making a contribution to the economy? But the root of the problem is the backlog of applications.
This was one of a number of issues which led to the observation that our government (but not only ours!) lacks compassion. Where are the political leaders like Gandhi and Mandela? Or is Starmer really compassionate but this is not evidenced in political discourses.
Lack of compassion comes together with the rise of authoritarianism. There appears to be some evidence that many younger voters would prefer ‘strong’/authoritarian government to more democratic forms. Opportunities for protest are being increasingly limited. The decision to proscribe Palestine Action was based upon intelligence that is not available to the public.
Is there also a lack of compassion in the government’s silence over gross inequality. Or are policies which address inequality inevitably small steps which don’t attract the wrath of the right wing press?
We wondered whether either the Green Party, or the new Corbyn-led party offer a progressive possibility. Or will they simply divide the left and make a second term of Labour less likely?
In relation to the war in Palestine we wondered what the place of religion was. But it was observed that no religions present a unified voice. In Israel (and amongst the Jewish diaspora) there are widely differing views about politics. Jews are amongst the most vociferous opponents of Israeli policy. There was some encouragement in the way Jewish refusers of military service in Israel are becoming more prominent.
The next meeting will be on September 17th.