This is important to prove the point of our government being in solidarity against racism whether black or white or whatever race. "This is not just insulting to the #BlackLivesMatter movement, it is deeply embarrassing for Dominic Raab. He is supposed to be the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom." "This Government continues to shame us to the world."

Dame Vera Lynn has just died at the age of 103, and at this time it seems most appropriate to honour a lady whom even younger people would/do find inspirational in everything she achieved in her life. It is particullarly pertinent at this moment in time, not only because of her achievements in bringing pleasure to thousands of servicemen during WW2, but because she was such an uncontroversial personality that I cannot inagine anyone objecting.

DAMAGE TO HOMES, ROADS, FINANCIAL LOSS, INJURY, EMOTIONAL DISTRESS. PERSONS LOSS OF USE OF THEIR HOME & POSSESSIONS UNECCASSAIRLY.

Extravagance at a time of hardship could trigger social unrest in the UK and ridicule from overseas

She has been an icon for 80 years

Because it is very important that they should get a better pay rise

Rough sleepers across the country could be about to be forced back onto the streets. With day and night shelters still closed because they’re simply not safe, and the Hotels for the Homeless scheme ending, there’s simply nowhere for hundreds of people to go. The coronavirus pandemic is far from over. With some schemes coming to an end, the government must take urgent action to ensure alternative housing and shelter is put in place for homeless people so everyone can be kept safe, not just those who qualify for benefits. For many vulnerable adults who are homeless, this could be the difference between life and death. So, if you think everyone deserves a safe roof over their head, sign the petition for the government to ensure no rough sleepers are pushed back onto the streets.

The publicly seen sculpture ‘population’ of this country needs a radical overhaul. We need many more sculptures of women who have made their mark and left a legacy of hope and kindness. In Dame Vera’s recent speech to remember the 75th anniversary of D-Day and with the COVID-19 pandemic in mind she said that the key to getting through any crisis is 'to come together to help one another and be kind'.

On 17th June the Prime Minister announced a plan to merge DFID with the FCO, to be led by the Foreign Secretary. The stated purpose is to create a united department that will better promote British interests, to allow the Foreign Secretary to make decisions on aid spending in line with the UK's priorities overseas. In other words, to prioritise helping those who can help us in return. This means that the poorest and most vulnerable people, those who can most easily be seen to offer the UK little or nothing in return, will be pushed not only to the bottom of the queue, but all too easily off the queue altogether. UK charities have already united to condemn this move, condemning it as having been taken "without any process or consultation, and against the recommendations of both independent aid scrutiny bodies as well as the UK's development and humanitarian sector", and transferring the aid budget into "the hands of those with little expertise in global health systems, humanitarian response and disease prevention and eradication" (Stephanie Draper, CEO of Bond, a UK network for international development NGOs). Mark Sheard, CEO of World Vision UK, said it would "risk money being diverted to address UK foreign policy interests rather than alleviating poverty". A Google search of "DFID merger with the FCO" will provide many more, convincing arguments from UK aid and development charities. Of course DFID isn't perfect; no institutions are. But its ability to give aid where it is most needed in the world represents the UK's ability to express our common humanity, not only with those who can scratch our backs in return, but with all our fellow human beings especially the neediest. Please write to your MP now, making the points that: * Aid tied to the perceived national interests of whatever is the government of the day will be inconsistent and short-termist. * Although DFID, like all institutions, can always be improved, removing its independence and subsuming it under a trade-focussed body will both emasculate its expertise and remove its teeth. * Finally, our true "national interests" are best expressed in being both altruistic and, if we want to gather international kudos, in being seen to be altruistic. DFID gives us a good name in the world; merging it with the FCO will lose its identity and its good name.

A flashingly painted plane may look good on TV as a backdrop to political sound bites, the money would be better spent alleviating the real poverty affecting huge numbers of families in Britain today. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53082294

To keep UK state pensioners out of poverty

The UK is going through turbulent times, people are going hungry, losing their jobs. This is not the right time to spend £900,000 on rebranding a plane. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53082294