Forum Topic

Ms Huq defence of Naz Shah

Perhaps Dr Huq should keep to her defence of Curry House chefs shown so passionately on a BBC political programme recently.

Anthony Roden ● 3618d14 Comments

Making snide remarks about the Mail on Sunday is an easy way to avoid addressing what was said. I think you rather misrepresented the extent of the Mail's correction to its story (one word); I've set out the full text so anyone can judge how much Rupa was misrepresented.I would expect any credible politician to respond to a question such as ‘Should the UK apologise for Israel?’ with a 'no'. Rupa's 'could' clearly left the impression that one should give serious consideration to making such an apology."she is addressing a question and not stating a view"  Lovely distinction drawn there.

Vlod Barchuk ● 3599d

Vlod, if I can shed some light on the Rupa Huq quote you have included in your reply, she is addressing a question and not stating a view. It is a fact that the UK government could make such an apology, but nowhere does she say that she thinks it should.I feel you slightly brush aside the fact that The Mail on Sunday changed her quote from ‘could’ to ‘should’. There is a very strong imperative difference. Are there degrees of misrepresentation that we should treat as acceptable in the press? The newspaper made her out to say something very different to what she actually said on a highly controversial subject at the time of an election. You continue to express alarm that she wants to disassociate herself from this mangled statement. But looking at the facts, your worry about trusting her remarks can only be valid if you’re reading them in The Mail on Sunday. But then it’s probably wise to worry about everything that’s written in The Mail on Sunday.

Alan Anderson ● 3600d

I don't think criticising her intellect or worrying that she repeatedly puts her foot in her mouth, is equivalent to poison mail which is clearly criminal behaviour.  The two responses to her performance should not be associated.  I am worried to be represented by her because the recent coverage suggests that she does not think before she speaks, never an attractive quality in a politician.

Plum Buddle ● 3605d

That’s a rather generous interpretation of what happened. The Mail on Sunday reported that in response to the question ‘Should the UK apologise for Israel?’ at a public meeting:“Ms Huq said: ‘1948, that happened under a British government. To my mind, an apology – yes. You could do one. A Labour Government could probably get that through.’ She added: ‘But it sounds a bit Tony Blair to me though, and we all know what happened to him.Ms Huq – whose sister is the former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq – told The Mail on Sunday that the remarks she made did not reflect her actual views. ‘I don’t think that, those aren’t my views,’ she said. ‘I was answering a question. I went on later to say that there shouldn’t be an apology.‘I have supported Labour Friends of Israel events and am a signatory to the We Believe In Israel charter.’Rupa only objected to the Mail’s headline, which stated she said ‘should apologise’ not ‘could apologise’ and was changed to the latter. What is most bizarre is that Rupa said “the remarks she made did not reflect her actual views”. Well if they don’t, how can we ever trust that any of her remarks reflect her actual views?

Vlod Barchuk ● 3605d

This debate is definitely sinking below the levels of acceptability in places.I’m sure Huq will take any fair criticism on the chin but some of the abuse she is getting is scandalous.I’ve just come across this which explains how The Mail on Sunday have misquoted her and placed her comments out of context on the issue of the Israel apology – they were forced to alter their online report – and now she is getting very unpleasant poison pen emails, (which thankfully are censored here)..http://hurryupharry.org/2016/05/08/%E2%80%98get-out-of-my-country-you-ugly-racist-cut-ugly-smelly-Muslim-vermin%E2%80%99-an-email-to-mp-rupa-huq/She’s clearly dedicated to the job and I for one am glad to have her representing us.

Alan Anderson ● 3607d

If you've read any of her books you will realise that there are many original thoughts, not all of which I agree with. She is caught between a rock and a hard place: if fact between four competing presuures:a) Her own beliefsb) What she sees is happening and needs to act onc) What the local Labour party want her to "say"d) What the national Labour Party her to say.The bizarre multi-way rope pulling contest over Ealing Hospital is an example. The highly suffessful yet soon to be closed Clayponds as a sub-department of Ealing Hospital subtext in this context. Many people pulling on the ropes and can she do the best for the individual in Ealing (pragamtism) or support an inadequate structure and system that the party politic supports for political reasons?Dr Huq how about a return to the philosophical origins of country that made it work so well for so long: Utilitarianism (John Stuart Mills, Jeremy Bentham, et al.): that which is best for the most!

John Murias ● 3609d

She has not got one original thought in her head.  Her performance in public is an embarrassment.

Plum Buddle ● 3610d

It is disgusting that she has defended Naz Shah and even more disgusting that she has said that Labour should consider apologising for creating the state of Israel.

Alex Nieora ● 3611d

"The cuts are due to Government cuts."Sorry but this is not correct.LBE as with other councils had the option to raise council tax by up to 2% providing any increase was ringfenced for social services spending.http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/nov/20/osborne-plans-to-allow-2-council-tax-rises-to-plug-social-care-holesOther councils chose to protect social services and raised their council tax charges (including both Labour and Conservative run councils) but ours chose the path of unnecessary cuts and to then use these to push its anti-austerity political agenda. The Labour run London boroughs that chose to raise council tax this year can be seen in column E here:http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/download/file/fid/18044Column G shows the councils that raised the Adult Social Care precept and you'll see that many councils raised council tax and have chosen to spend more on ASC.Most people won't have failed to have notice the lack of transparency in the reported financial affairs of the leader of the council so it's unsurprising that the choices made by the Labour Group on council tax are equally opaque.

Ian Ellis ● 3611d

The cuts are due to Government cuts.  It is a shame that LBE is still trumpeting frozen Council Tax when they could have (because the Government has graciously allowed it) have raised it a specific amount to be used for social care.  Other Councils have.  Instead you will find that something else has been sold off for expensive housing without any affordable housing.  In fact I believe that Ealing is a borough now housing people out of the borough.  Then there will a sneaky reduction in services somewhere.  Where is the respite care for teenagers?There is a petition for part of the Gurnell site to be used for affordable housing.

Philippa Bond ● 3611d

Social mobility, welfare, affordable housing, out-of-work households, dsiabilities, etc. etc.All areas address by Dr Huq in Parliament - meanwhile her Labour Council has been cutting benefits for the vulberable while advertising a zero rate rise in Council Tax not to mention slashing social services support and closing disabled support centre left, right, centre.Also, does anyone actually DO anything about these questions? Meaningful rhetoric on which no action is taken. Dr Huq can say as much as she wants and nothing will happen as a result of this.

John Murias ● 3613d

www.theyworkforyou.comRupa Huq has spoken out on many issues.  It is good to be able to see that your MP actually attends the House of Commons!

Philippa Bond ● 3615d

Perhaps if the curry houses paid their chefs a minimum wage they would stay on? Remember, Ms Huq doesn't like the idea of Christians protesting against abortion so we shouldn't expect much connection between her and reality.

Gordon Gottlieb ● 3617d

Perhaps everybody could get a sense of perspectivehttps://opendemocracy.net/uk/jamie-stern-weiner-norman-finkelstein/american-jewish-scholar-behind-labour-s-antisemitism-scanda

Tony Sleep ● 3617d