tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253634772024-03-13T17:14:14.674+00:00Tom Franklin - Green activistTomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-48486238017751810522018-12-11T16:25:00.003+00:002018-12-11T16:25:39.798+00:00The BBC have now responded to <a href="https://tomfranklin.blogspot.com/2018/11/bbc-additional-response-to-my-complaint.html">my complaint about bias</a> requesting information on their monitoring of bias with the following dismissal. I have appealed to the Information Commissioner on the grounds that this is management information as well as journalistic information and is therefore not protected.<br />
<br />
<br />
Tom Franklin<br />
By email<br />
11 TH December 2018<br />
<br />
Dear Tom,<br />
<br />
Freedom of Information request – RFI20182116<br />
<br />
Thank you for your request to the BBC of 26 th October 2018, seeking the following information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000:<br />
<br />
<br />
<dir>
The response failed to answer the question<br />
<br />
Thank you for your rapid response to my complaint of bias over Brexit coverage at the BBC.<br />
Unfortunately it doesn’t really address the issue. Although you make assertions that there is impartiality there is nothing in your email which actually demonstrates this. I would therefore be grateful if you would supply me with information that will enable me to understand how you ensure impartiality. In particular could you send me<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>A copy of your policy on impartiality in relation to Brexit. Given the nature of Brexit I presume that you do have one </li>
<li>Data on who you have interviewed on Brexit on national radio and TV, in what programmes and time slots where appropriate (eg the Today Programme), how long they were interviewed for, what their position was deemed to be in relation to Brexit (or why they were chosen). </li>
<li>How you monitor impartiality within and between programmes. </li>
</ol>
<br />
If it helps, this can be considered to be a Freedom of Information Request as well as a complaint. I am sure that you understand that unless you are gathering and monitoring this (or similar) information yourself you cannot know whether or not you are being impartial. I look forward to your response.<br />
</dir>
The information you have requested is excluded from the Act because it is held for the purposes of ‘journalism, art or literature.’ The BBC is therefore not obliged to provide this information to you and will not be doing so on this occasion. Part VI of Schedule 1 to FOIA provides that information held by the BBC and the other public service broadcasters is only covered by the Act if it is held for ‘purposes other than those of journalism, art or literature”. The BBC is not required to supply information held for the purposes of creating the BBC’s output or information that supports and is closely associated with these creative activities.<br />
The limited application of the Act to public service broadcasters was to protect freedom of expression and the rights of the media under Article 10 European Convention on Human Rights (“ECHR”). The BBC, as a media organisation, is under a duty to impart information and ideas on all matters of public interest and the importance of this function has been recognised by the European Court of Human Rights. Maintaining our editorial independence is a crucial factor in enabling the media to fulfil this function.<br />
<br />
That said, the BBC makes a huge range of information available about our programmes and content on bbc.co.uk. We also proactively publish information covered by the Act on our publication scheme and regularly handle requests for information under the Act.<br />
<br />
Appeal Rights<br />
<br />
The BBC does not offer an internal review when the information requested is not covered by the Act. If you disagree with our decision you can appeal to the Information Commissioner. Contact details are: Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF, tel: 0303 123 1113 or see https://ico.org.uk/. Please note that should the Information Commissioner’s Office decide that the Act does cover this information, exemptions under the Act might then apply.<br />
<br />
Yours sincerely,<br />
INFORMATION RIGHTS,<br />
BBC Legal<br />
<br />Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-66204485375520895672018-11-24T16:11:00.003+00:002018-11-24T16:11:37.263+00:00BBC additional response to my complaint - and my responseDear Tom<br />
<br />
Reference CAS-5182836-DCZY8T<br />
<br />
Thank you for contacting us. We appreciate that you were dissatisfied with
our previous response and felt strongly enough to write to us again.<br />
<ol>
<li>We treat Brexit like any other news item - the same rigorous guidelines on due impartiality apply to it as to all topics we report on. They are available here: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/guidelines/impartiality">https://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/guidelines/impartiality</a></li>
<li>We don't routinely provide this information as part of our complaints process. However, we have made your specific request known to our FOI team who will respond directly to you in due course.</li>
<li>Each programme team put great care into the planning and execution of each episode. Great effort goes into bids for interviews and contributors to ensure a breadth of opinion, taking into account recent guests, their views and arranged guests confirmed for subsequent appearance. When a particular item, like Brexit, is regularly covered, a reasonable period of time is used for including the full spectrum of opinions. That will differ for each programme depending on whether it's a daily or weekly slot, rolling news and hourly radio bulletins will achieve the same over a series of hours as the conversation unfolds in real time.</li>
</ol>
It's not true to say we overlook the Remain argument on the Today programme. Just looking at recent editions alone, it's featured a range of voices about the wider Brexit debate - including Carolyne Fairbairn (CBI), Anna Soubry, Shami Chakrabarti, ex-European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, Ken Clarke, Jo Johnson, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Tony Blair, David Lidington, Justine Greening, Nicky Morgan, and Chuka Umunna.<br />
<br />
We have read and noted your points but don’t consider they suggest evidence of a possible breach of standards. Opinions do vary widely about the BBC and its output, but this does not necessarily imply there has been a breach of standards or of the BBC’s public service obligations. For this reason we regret we don’t have more to add to our previous correspondence, and so will not respond further or address more questions or points. <br />
<br />
If you are dissatisfied with this decision you may ask the BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) to review it. Details of the BBC complaints process are available at <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/handle-complaint/">http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/handle-complaint/</a> where you can read the BBC’s full complaints framework. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">If you wish to ask
the ECU to review this decision, you should contact it </span>directly within 20 working days of receiving this reply. Please explain to the ECU why you believe there may have been a potential breach of standards or other significant issue to investigate. You can email <a href="mailto:ecu@bbc.co.uk">ecu@bbc.co.uk</a>, or write to: Executive Complaints Unit, BBC, Broadcast Centre, London W12 7TQ. Please include the case reference number we have provided in this reply.<br />
<br />
If you have a disability which means you cannot write to the ECU and may need the BBC to provide a reasonable adjustment to access stage 2, you can telephone the ECU on 0303 0806145.<br />
<br />
Thank you again for contacting us.<br />
Kind regards<br />
Donal Rainey<br />
BBC Complaints Team<br />
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints">www.bbc.co.uk/complaints</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;">I do not believe that the response (included
below) provided adequately deals with the complaint as it does not address the
points that I raised. I would have preferred to await the results of the
Freedom of Information request that I made before submitting this response, but
as you have only given me 20 days to respond, and I cannot guarantee that I
would have the time to understand the response to the Freedom of Information
request whenever I receive it and be able to respond within your time limit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may therefore need to add to this once I receive
that response.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;">My complaint in short is that the BBC shows
severe bias in its Brexit interviews by <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="color: black; margin-left: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Giving undue weight to “hard Brexiters”. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="color: black; margin-left: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Giving undue prominence to Conservative party
members.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;">It is rare for a discussion not to include “hard
Brexiters”, but may omit Remainers, and it is common for all, or at least a significant
majority of the people being interviewed to be Conservatives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;">The response only provided anecdotal
information, which does not go to the core of the problem (the plural of anecdote
is NOT data), and does not help to dispel the view that there is bias.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, the failure to provide any sort of
numerical data (despite the request) strongly suggests that the BBC is trying
to hide something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;">In your guidance to impartiality </span><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/guidelines/impartiality/breadth-diversity-opinion"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">https://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/guidelines/impartiality/breadth-diversity-opinion</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;"> you say in section 4.4.2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 10.5pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Impartiality
does not necessarily require the range of perspectives or opinions to be
covered in equal proportions either across our output as a whole, or within a
single programme, web page or item. Instead, we should seek to achieve
'due weight'. For example, minority views should not necessarily be given
equal weight to the prevailing consensus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 10.5pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Nevertheless,
the omission of an important perspective, in a particular context, may
jeopardise perceptions of the BBC's impartiality. Decisions over whether
to include or omit perspectives should be reasonable and carefully reached,
with consistently applied editorial judgement across an appropriate range of
output.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;">But you clearly fail in this. “hard Brexit”
is clearly a view held by only a minority of people see, for instance, </span><a href="https://whatukthinks.org/eu/questions/if-there-was-a-referendum-tomorrow-with-the-option-of-accepting-the-governments-brexit-agreement-or-leaving-the-eu-without-a-deal-which-would-you-support-2-2/"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">https://whatukthinks.org/eu/questions/if-there-was-a-referendum-tomorrow-with-the-option-of-accepting-the-governments-brexit-agreement-or-leaving-the-eu-without-a-deal-which-would-you-support-2-2/</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: -.05pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 804px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 14.4pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td nowrap="" style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 14.4pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 142.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="189">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fieldwork End Date / Pollster<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 14.4pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 94.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="125">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Remaining in the EU<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 14.4pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 181.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="241">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The government's Brexit agreement<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 14.4pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 130.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="173">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Leave the EU without a deal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 14.4pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 56.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Don't know<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.4pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 14.4pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 142.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="189">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">15 November 2018 / Survation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.4pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 94.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="125">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">43%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.4pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 181.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="241">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">16%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.4pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 130.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="173">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">28%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.4pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 56.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">13%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.4pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 14.4pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 142.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="189">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">15 November 2018 / Opinium<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.4pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 94.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="125">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">32%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.4pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 181.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="241">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">21%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.4pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 130.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="173">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">24%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.4pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 56.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="75">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">23%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;">A hard Brexit is clearly only supported by a minority
(a minority that is probably increased by the frequency with which the BBC
pushes the idea) but is perpetually offered as though it is the main alternative
to accepting the negotiated deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
rare to hear a discussion of Brexit on the BBC without the no deal Brexit option
being offered, while frequently we do not hear from a remain spokesperson
(despite this being a much more commonly supported idea).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;">You also omit many perspectives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never, or almost never, cover the idea of
greater integration with the EU than we currently have, though this is a
legitimate idea and part of the perspective and part of the debate that we need
to be having, and which you have a duty to cover.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;">I would therefore like to have the data I
have requested, and to know what action you are taking to ensure that you end
the bias in your coverage of Brexit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_MailAutoSig"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">Best wishes<o:p></o:p></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_MailAutoSig"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">Tom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">email: </span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span></span><a href="mailto:tom@tomf.org.uk"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">tom@tomf.org.uk</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-86552269140618442422018-11-15T13:09:00.002+00:002018-11-15T13:09:38.881+00:00BBC response to my complaint of bias - and my reply<a href="https://tomfranklin.blogspot.com/2018/11/bias-in-bbc-formal-complaint.html" target="_blank">I wrote to the BBC complaining of Bias on 10 November</a><br />
<br />
Here is their response:<br />
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Dear - Franklin<br />
<br />
Reference CAS-5173865-KL2G8M<br />
<br />
Thanks for contacting us regarding the Radio 4 programme ‘Today’ broadcast on 10 November 2018.<br />
<br />
I understand you felt there were a lack of strong remain viewpoints.<br />
<br />
Thanks for rising these concerns. The reports on this edition were focused more on Theresa May’s inner party divisions and to gather viewpoints from party members about those concerns. It wasn’t focused specifically on leave or remain viewpoints from the EU referendum. Due impartiality isn’t necessarily always achieved in one single report or programme, so we would ask that you take account of how we cover a topic over time. This means if Jacob Rees-Mogg appears on a programme, then we wouldn’t necessarily have a counter version of Jacob on the programme to offer immediate view. Balance is more achievable over a more reasonable period and the programme features a wide spectrum of political viewpoints. <br />
<br />
Also note that presenters would play devil’s advocate and put forward counter viewpoints when challenging comments made by interviewees. These interviews can be very robust and aggressive if they feel the interviewee isn’t directly addressing the concerns in the question put forward.<br />
<br />
Impartiality is a core value of the BBC, and one reason why we believe our news coverage is trusted and respected around the world. We apply this principle to our reporting of all issues. BBC News never takes a position on anything that we cover, but we always aim to reflect a broad range of voices on any given subject. The BBC is of course independent of any political or commercial interests, and our news agenda would never be influenced by any outside organisation.<br />
<br />
With regards to Brexit coverage in general, we aim to cover the ongoing Brexit negotiations with due impartiality. This means we carry a wide range of views about the European Union from across the political spectrum on our output.<br />
<br />
We approach the story with the required level of impartiality, with input from various commentators and experts. 'Feedback' on BBC Radio 4 has addressed the issue of complaints about how we cover the story. Our Chief Political Adviser and the controller of the BBC's daily news programming joined Today presenter Nick Robinson, to discuss the common complaints from all sides. You may be interested in the sections at 3mins and 13mins especially: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09z688x">https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09z688x</a><br />
<br />
As with any story we cover, BBC News does not have an opinion on the European Union, or on the UK’s position within it. Instead we try to explain the different and sometimes complex issues affecting our audience during Brexit. Our aim is to give them the information they need in order to follow the process clearly.<br />
<br />
We appreciate your concerns and hope this helps to explain how we approach our reporting of this subject.<br />
<br />
That said, we value your feedback about this issue. All complaints are sent to senior management and programme teams every morning and I included your points in this overnight report.<br />
<br />
These reports are among the most widely read sources of feedback in the BBC and ensures that your complaint has been seen by the right people quickly. This helps inform their decisions about current and future programmes.<br />
<br />
Once again, thank you for contacting us.<br />
<br />
Kind regards<br />
<br />
Philip Young<br />
BBC Complaints Team<br />
www.bbc.co.uk/complaint<br />
<br />
<br />
Thank you for your rapid response to my complaint of bias over Brexit coverage at the BBC. Unfortunately it doesn’t really address the issue. Although you make assertions that there is impartiality there is nothing in your email which actually demonstrates this.<br />
<br />
I would therefore be grateful if you would supply me with information that will enable me to understand how you ensure impartiality. In particular could you send me<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>A copy of your policy on impartiality in relation to Brexit. Given the nature of Brexit. I presume that you do have one.</li>
<li>Data on who you have interviewed on Brexit on national radio and TV, in what programmes and time slots where appropriate (eg the Today Programme), how long they were interviewed for, what their position was deemed to be in relation to Brexit (or why they were chosen).</li>
<li>How you monitor impartiality within and between programmes</li>
</ol>
If it helps, this can be considered to be a Freedom of Information Request as well as a complaint.<br />
<br />
I am sure that you understand that unless you are gathering and monitoring this (or similar) information yourself you cannot know whether or not you are being impartial.<br />
<br />
I look forward to your response.<br />
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-5595986987763568212018-11-10T08:47:00.000+00:002018-11-10T08:47:03.228+00:00Bias in the BBC - a formal complaintOnce again on the Today programme you are only interviewing Tories on Brexit. It is not as if other parties don't have views on the issue, but you had an interview, quite correctly, with Jo Johnson, followed later by one with a minor back bencher who is a particularly extreme brexiter ie Rees-Mogg.<br />
<br />
I have yet to hear from an extreme remainer on Radio 4. And whenever Brexit is discussed you seem to want to have an extreme brexiter. This pushes the whole debate in that direction and is not a neutral act.<br />
<br />
Once again, you are supporting a particular type of brexit by giving it a platform over all other forms of brexit.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-61439121157802698462018-11-07T09:34:00.000+00:002018-11-07T09:34:12.056+00:00Esther McVey and Universal Credit - open letter to Julian Sturdy MP<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Earlier
this week in parliament Esther McVey lied by claiming that Mind, amongst other
charities, welcomed the recent announcement from the government on Universal
Credit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
know you don't use twitter, so I am copying in Mind's response ( I realise this
is not the easiest way to read it, but perhaps it is important that you see
what Mind wrote)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Yesterday
the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions </span><a data-mentioned-user-id="761499948890329088" href="https://twitter.com/EstherMcVey1" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background: white; color: #1da1f2; letter-spacing: .2pt;">@EstherMcVey1</span></a><span style="background: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> mentioned us in a list of organisations who had recognised and welcomed
changes to </span></span><a data-query-source="hashtag_click" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UniversalCredit?src=hash" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background: white; color: #1da1f2; letter-spacing: .2pt;">#UniversalCredit</span></a><span style="background: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. We thought it was important to set the record straight.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #14171a; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Here’s what we said in July when the Government
first published its plans for moving people from older benefits on</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">to </span><a data-query-source="hashtag_click" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UniversalCredit?src=hash" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white; color: #1da1f2; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">#UniversalCredit</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #14171a; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> > </span></span><a data-expanded-url="https://bit.ly/2zzxP2y" href="https://t.co/FY4hWDyWE2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank" title="https://bit.ly/2zzxP2y"><span class="invisible"><span style="background: white; color: #1da1f2; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 1.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">https://</span></span><span class="js-display-url"><span style="background: white; color: #1da1f2; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">bit.ly/2zzxP2y</span></span><span class="invisible"><span style="background: white; color: #1da1f2; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 1.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: #F5F8FA; color: #14171a; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Here’s what we said in response to the budget
last week > </span><a data-expanded-url="https://bit.ly/2AOupLf" href="https://t.co/wHlCxdl9Z9" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank" title="https://bit.ly/2AOupLf"><span class="invisible" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: #F5F8FA; color: #1da1f2; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 1.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">https://</span></span><span class="js-display-url" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: #F5F8FA; color: #1da1f2; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">bit.ly/2AOupLf</span></span><span class="invisible" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: #F5F8FA; color: #1da1f2; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 1.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DrVd0v5XQAEklIy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="800" height="179" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DrVd0v5XQAEklIy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1;">And here's what we said yesterday when the Government published it’s
updated plans for #UniversalCredit > <a href="https://bit.ly/2JN4kPO">https://bit.ly/2JN4kPO</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DrVd3j0WwAE2nl7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="800" height="179" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DrVd3j0WwAE2nl7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1;">We remain clear that new #UniversalCredit regulations don't go far
enough. We won't stop campaigning until we get a benefits system that really
works for people with mental health problems.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1;">We need MPs to vote against these regulations which create a real risk
for people with mental health problems. And we need as many people as possible
to join us. Find out more about the campaign here > <a href="https://bit.ly/2zvDFlB">https://bit.ly/2zvDFlB</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1;">I am therefore writing to you to request that
you<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="color: black; margin-left: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Write
to Esther McVey to ask her to correct the lies she told in parliament (or if
you prefer to correct the way she misinformed parliament)<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="color: black; margin-left: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Write
to Esther McVey to tell her that the current proposals for Universal Credit
are woefully inadequate and the roll out must be stopped as a matter of
urgency.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="color: black; margin-left: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">To
do all in your power to stop the roll our of Universal Credit and work for
its replacement by something that actually helps the most vulnerable
members of society rather than punishing them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">Yours sincerely<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">Tom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">Tom
Franklin<br />
4 Frazer Court<br />
York<br />
YO30 5FH<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">email: </span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"></span><a href="mailto:tom@franklin-consulting.co.uk"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">tom@franklin-consulting.co.uk</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"> <br />
</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">mobile:</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">07989 948 221</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"> <br />
</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">skype: </span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">tomnfranklin</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-71656495647674319782018-11-04T10:52:00.000+00:002018-11-04T10:52:39.151+00:00BBC bias - The responseSo the BBC has sent out the blandest possible non-response...<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dear - Franklin <br />
<br />
Thanks for contacting us regarding the Andrew Marr Show on November 4.<br />
<br />
We've received a wide range of feedback from our audience regarding Arron
Banks’s scheduled interview on the programme. To allow us to reply promptly and
use our resources as efficiently as possible, we’re sending this response to
everyone. We’re sorry we can’t reply individually, but we hope this will
address most of the points raised.<br />
<br />
There is strong public interest in an interview with Arron Banks about
allegations of funding irregularities in relation to Leave.Eu and the 2016 EU
Referendum. The Electoral Commission has laid out concerns about this in public
and it is legitimate and editorially justified for Andrew Marr to question Mr
Banks robustly about them, which he will do on Sunday morning.<br />
<br />
We do appreciate your feedback on this issue and once again thank you for
taking the time to contact us. <br />
<br />
Kind Regards<br />
<br />
BBC Complaints Team<br />
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints">www.bbc.co.uk/complaints</a></span>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-65681214748108590232018-11-03T18:05:00.000+00:002018-11-03T18:05:06.918+00:00BBC bias and platforming of fascistsComplaint to the BBC:<br />
<br />
Tomorrow on the Andrew Marr Show Aaron Banks is due to be interviewed. This is giving voice to a fascist currently being investigated for fraud relating to Brexit. This is grossly irresponsible as it is rewarding criminality which was used to get a platform on the BBC (and other sites) in the first place.<br />
<br />
As Aaron Banks achieved platforming through fraud it is totally inappropriate to reward this by more air time. <br />
<br />
I have seen in your early response that you claim that this is appropriate to interview people being investigated for criminality. If that is so, what are the editorial guidelines that determine which crimes are worthy of giving air time to those under investigation and which are not?<br />
<br />
Also, this is not a new story, but one that has been emerging for months, how come you are willing to give the person under investigation TV time whilst you have given almost none for those raising the allegations in the first place.<br />
<br />
This is evidence of persistent and systematic bias by the BBC in favour of Brexit.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-64378958321937743582018-10-30T19:23:00.000+00:002018-10-30T19:23:02.489+00:00Peoples' vote - open letter to Julian Sturdy<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Dear Julian,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I strongly believe that there should be a vote at the end of the
negotiations so that people can decide what they want. There are several very powerful reasons for this,
and I am sharing some of them with you here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The
original referendum was very close.
It was only 52% to 48% which is very close, and now more people
have dropped off the electoral register than the majority in the referendum.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">At
the time we did not know what leave would mean. We were told many things including such
things as (many of these come from “Vote leave for a fairer Britain” <a href="http://www.voteleavetakecontrol.org/vote_leave_for_a_fairer_britain.html">http://www.voteleavetakecontrol.org/vote_leave_for_a_fairer_britain.html</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We
would be better off with Brexit (all reputable bodies say that we will be
worse off under any deal, especially a “no deal” scenario.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There
will be £350 million a week for the NHS (as the economy is already estimated
to be £250 a week smaller than if we had decided to remain this is
clearly not true).<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We
would have as good or better trade terms under Brexit (absolutely not
true)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="color: #292929; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; letter-spacing: -.25pt;">“Wages will be higher for working
people outside the EU… because pay will no longer be undercut by
uncontrolled migration.”</span> All economic forecasters are saying that
we will be worse off under any Brexit scenario.<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="color: #292929; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; letter-spacing: -.25pt;">After we Vote Leave, there won’t be
a sudden change that disrupts the economy.</span> – This will clearly not
be true if there is no deal, and even with a deal many companies are
talking or relocating part or all of their business to Europe.<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There’ll
be no damage to trade with the EU – something which is clearly untrue
under any scenario, and disastrously so under a no deal Brexit. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Given
that only 52% wanted to leave and 48% to remain, it was also clear that
there was no uniformity of opinion of what people wanted, going from at
one end people who wanted full integration in the “United States of Europe”
through reluctant remainers who thought it would on balance be better to
reluctant leavers who thought on balance it would be better to leave to
hard Brexiters who wanted no deal.
In this situation it is clear that we should be going for the least
possible Brexit (in accordance with only 52% wanting it all). But that is
not going to be offered.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There
are around 1 million new adults now entitled to vote<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In
any sensible deal there is a vote to call for negotiations, and then
another vote to decide whether people accept the result. If you think of negotiations between
businesses and trades unions there is a vote to empower the trade union to
negotiate, and then a vote on whether or not to accept the terms. NB if the terms are not accepted then
the status quo is preserved, not all the workers leave the business.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So, I am asking to press the Prime Minister and Brexit Secretary to
support a vote on the results of their negotiations, and to support such a vote. Anything else would be an abrogation of
democracy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If the Brexit terms agreed are as good as ministers claim then there
should be resounding support, and if people do not want whatever have been
negotiated they should be allowed to say so.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Best wishes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Tom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Tom
Franklin</span>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-61394103366441033882018-10-30T19:04:00.002+00:002018-10-30T19:04:47.759+00:00Solar power tariff - open letter to Julian Sturdy MP<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Dear Julian,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I am <span style="color: black;">one of the many people who support</span> solar power<span style="color: black;">, to the extent that I have installed solar panels on my
roof</span>. <span style="color: black;">Solar energy is supported by the vast
majority of the population (something like 6 in 7 people support it). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">he IPCC <span style="color: black;">recently
warned that </span>we must <span style="color: black;">drastically</span> cut
carbon emissions <span style="color: black;">far more quickly than the government
is currently proposing in order </span>to avoid climate breakdown<span style="color: black;">. </span> I am <span style="color: black;">therefore
shocked and appalled </span>that the government is now preparing to remove the
final support mechanisms for <span style="color: black;">new </span>solar
installations. The export tariff payment currently sits alongside the feed-in
tariff subsidy for small scale solar installations. The export tariff pays
solar owners in exchange for surplus power exported to the grid for use by
others. The export tariff is the supplier buying energy generated by people’s
homes, and is in no sense a subsidy. If it is removed, as proposed,
then people will be giving electricity to their electricity supplier, when they
generate it, while having to buy electricity when they are not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I
am writing to ask you to</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">
urgently write to the minister, Claire Perry, <span style="color: black;">to
express your opposition to this removal of the ability of home owners to sell
their surplus electricity and </span>ask her to guarantee an ‘export tariff’
for rooftop solar installations after March 2019.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Best
wishes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Tom<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Tom
Franklin <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-53067451453026644272018-07-28T11:58:00.000+01:002018-07-28T11:58:05.190+01:00Don't let the government remove democracy over frackingMy letter to York City Council leaders relating to the proposed changes to planning law to make exploratory drilling the same as putting up a garden shed and fracking nationally important. Both remove local control over the process.<br />
<br />
It is based on a <a href="https://takeaction.cpre.org.uk/page/27816/action" target="_blank">letter you can send via CPRE</a><br />
<br />
<hr />
As my local council leader, I am contacting you to express my concern about the government consultations launched recently that aim to speed up the planning process for shale gas extraction in England.<br />
<br />
The consultations seem to have been deliberately timed so that there will be very few full council meetings across the country where they can be discussed. For instance the next meeting of York Council is two days after the end of the consultation.<br />
<br />
Under the proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) the government is intending to treat non-hydraulic exploratory drilling for shale gas as permitted development (PD). This would preclude any democratic oversight as permitted development does not come to the council. As can be seen at exploratory sites fracking is on a different scale to other permitted developments and what other permitted development required approval by several regulatory authorities. This is quite clearly an undermining of local democracy.<br />
<br />
At the other end of the process they want to include shale gas extraction in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects Regime (NSIP).<br />
<br />
There is a clear contradiction here. The first part is said to be too small to be covered by planning permission, the extraction process to large to be addressed locally. It would effectively reduce local input all the way through the planning process for fracking, from exploration to production. For further detail, please find a short briefing below.<br />
<br />
Planning is at the core of local democracy, and is currently one of the only channels through which local people like me can have a say on what happens in our local area. In that spirit, I urge you to raise my concerns with our MPs.<br />
<br />
Further, please submit a local council response to the consultations, specifically calling on the government to drop the PD and NSIP proposals.<br />
<br />
The issue of shale gas extraction has led to local people across the country engaging in the planning process on scales rarely seen before, and so I believe the channels through which they can engage should not be removed.<br />
<br />
I believe that given the risks posed to our countryside, and the strength of opposition, that there should be greater - not less - scrutiny on decisions surrounding fracking. I am campaigning with CPRE to see that these proposals are dropped.<br />
<br />
Yours sincerely<br />
<br />
Tom<br />
Tom FranklinTomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-5627170923713430812018-07-26T10:44:00.001+01:002018-07-26T10:44:27.283+01:00Capital punishment - Joint open letter to Julian Sturdy and Rachel Maskell MPs<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Dear
Julian Sturdy / Rachael Maskell,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">We
are writing to express our deep shock and concern over the actions of Sajid
Javid, the Home Secretary, and Prime Minister Theresa May in relation to El
Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Let
us first make clear that we consider the crimes which El Shafee Elsheikh and
Alexanda Kotey have been accused of are absolutely abhorrent and we totally
condemn what they are alleged to have done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">As
you are no doubt aware Sajid Javid has written to the US attorney general, Jeff
Sessions stating that “I am of the view that there are strong reasons for not
requiring a death penalty assurance in this specific case, so no such
assurances will be sought.”[1] This is a clear departure from existing UK
policy, which had been to require such assurances as the death penalty has been
abolished under UK law, and is outlawed by the European Convention on Human
Rights.[2]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">We
call upon you to:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="color: black; margin-left: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Write
to Sajid Javid condemning this change of policy, and demanding that he
refuses any support for the extradition or trial of El Shafee Elsheikh and
Alexanda Kotey unless, and until, he receives assurances that they will
not be subject to the death penalty<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="color: black; margin-left: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Write
to the Prime Minister demanding that parliament be given a say before
there is any change of policy relating to the death penalty, including
supporting extradition or trials without assurances that accused people
will not be subject to the death penalty<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="color: black; margin-left: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Issue
a statement condemning the government’s support for the death penalty<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Yours sincerely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Tom
Franklin, Dave Taylor, York Green Party<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Ian
Buchanan, Secretary York Amnesty International<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Emilie
Knight, Matt Elliot, Clare Harrison, York for Europe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Janet Beattie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Steve Roskams<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Sally Brooks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Mick Phythian<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Gwen Vardigans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Jonathan Tyler<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Graham Martin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Rosie Baker<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Margot Brown<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Nicola Normandale<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">[1]
</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/22/uk-drops-death-penalty-guantanamo-opposition-opens-door-execution/">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/22/uk-drops-death-penalty-guantanamo-opposition-opens-door-execution/</a></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">[2] European
convention on Human Rights Protocol 6 Article 1 reads “The death penalty shall
be abolished. No one shall be condemned to such penalty or executed.”</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-63926610238017201702018-07-23T21:58:00.002+01:002018-07-23T21:58:44.648+01:00Capital punishment - open letter to Julian Sturdy<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Dear Julian,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I am shocked that Sajid Javid has taken it upon himself, without
consulting parliament, to end the UK’s ban on the use of the death penalty or
supporting the death penalty elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">As I am sure you are aware by now, El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey
are currently being detained with the likelihood that they will be sent to face
trial in the US for their heinous crimes. For many many years the UK government
and the Home Office have refused to be complicit in the use of the death
penalty, and have required assurances that the death penalty will not be
imposed on anyone extradited from the UK even where the crime is a capital crime
in the country they are being extradited to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Sajid Javid seems to have taken it upon himself, without reference to
parliament, to change this policy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I find this appalling not only because the death penalty should never be
used, and has been abolished in this country, but also because it seriously
undermines the role of parliament.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I am therefore writing to ask you to:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Write
to Sajid Javid condemning this change of policy<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Write
to the Prime Minister demanding that parliament be given a say in any such
change in policy<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Issue
a statement condemning the government’s support for the death penalty<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Yours sincerely<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Tom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Tom
Franklin</span>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-10042659100619349852018-07-03T13:45:00.000+01:002018-07-03T13:45:48.418+01:00Complaint of bias in BBC3 July 2018<br />
<br />
On World at One today we only heard from Tory politicians on the issue of Brexit. Most of the time was taken up with one extremely hard brexit backbench MP who represents a small group of MPs.<br />
<br />
We did not hear from any party other than the Tories.<br />
We did not hear from any remain MPs<br />
We did not hear any real challenges of Rees-Mogg's position.<br />
<br />
This is part of a huge trend where we here mostly brexit speakers and increasingly rarely from politicians who are not Tory.<br />
<br />
While it is more extreme in World of One today we are increasingly seeing alternative (to hard right Tory Brexit) squeezed out of the BBC.<br />
<br />
There was absolutely no balance today.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-60771663607012922712018-06-19T20:16:00.001+01:002018-06-19T20:16:26.473+01:00letter to Julian Sturdy MP Please sign the pledge 'MPs not border guards'Please email your MP too.<br />
<br />
I am writing to ask that your surgery remains a place where everyone in our constituency can safely seek guidance and support.<br />
<br />
I am horrified by reports of MPs turning over constituents to the Home Office to face possible detention or deportation. MP surgeries should not be a place where the government’s ‘hostile environment’ approach towards immigrants is allowed to flourish. In a democratic society everyone should have the right to safely meet with their member of parliament and expect representation without fear of being detained or deported.<br />
<br />
The recent Windrush scandal has exposed the dangers of the government’s hostile environment policy and the inadequate and dysfunctional nature of the Home Office's procedures. As my MP, please show leadership in standing up against this vicious attempt to turn us all into border guards reporting on members of our community.<br />
<br />
Please sign the pledge 'MPs not border guards' at http://www.globaljustice.org.uk/pledge to reassure your constituents that you will never hand anyone over for immigration enforcement, and instead maintain the discretion and care we expect from MPs.<br />
<br />
By signing the pledge you will send a message that you reject the idea of making the country a hostile environment for immigrants, and instead guarantee a safe and confidential surgery for anyone in your constituency who needs it.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yours sincerely</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tom</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tom Franklin</div>
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-22670131314771784372018-06-19T20:12:00.001+01:002018-06-19T20:12:21.276+01:00Open letter to Julian Sturdy MP on Inquiry into UK involvement in rendition and torture.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1;">Dear Mr Sturdy,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1;">I am writing to you to ask that you take action to secure an independent
public inquiry into UK complicity in torture and rendition. There is clear
evidence of UK involvement in both torture and rendition since 2001, including
in the aftermath of the Afghan and Iraqi wars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1;">Recently Theresa May’s government apologised for the government’s role
in <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the rendition and torture of Abdul-Hakim
Belhaj and Fatima Boudchar in Ghaddafi’s Libya.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1;">Last year the government stated that it ‘condemns torture in all
circumstances’, and issued a call for ‘governments around the world to
eradicate this abhorrent practice.’ If the Government is to prevent any such
cases arising in the future, and is to speak with moral authority against
torture overseas, a full public reckoning into the UK’s own involvement in
these practices is essential.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1;">In 2010, the UK Government promised such an independent public inquiry
into UK complicity in torture and rendition. However, over eight years later
the Government has failed to deliver on this promise, and has instead allowed
only a narrower, restricted study by the Intelligence and Security Committee.
This investigation was not public and did not have full access to vital
information, including the cases of Abdul-Hakim and Fatima.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1;">Last week, a cross party group of MPs and Peers, led by former Lord
Chancellor, Ken Clarke, wrote the Prime Minister to demand that an independent
judge-led inquiry now be established.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1;">I am therefore asking that you add your voice to this growing
cross-party consensus and write to the Prime Minister, demanding that the
Government deliver on its original promise, and hold an independent judge-led inquiry
with access to any information that it needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1;">Please support this initiative to ensure that the UK is never again
involved in rendition or torture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">Best wishes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">Tom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-42425350693360525052018-06-15T23:00:00.001+01:002018-06-15T23:00:44.255+01:00Open letter to Julian Sturdy MP on CETA (Comprehensive Trade and Economic Agreement)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Mr Sturdy,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m writing to you as one of your constituents, because I
care about the impacts that modern trade deals can have on many areas of life, from
food standards to jobs to the environment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This Monday, 18 June, the Commons will vote on a motion on CETA
(Comprehensive Trade and Economic Agreement), the EU-Canada trade deal. I
believe this deal poses unacceptable risks and I ask you to vote against it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Key areas of concern include:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Job losses and inequality: <o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
The Employment and Social Affairs
Committee of the European Parliament said that CETA is likely to lead to job
losses, long-term unemployment and increased inequality. (See:
https://bit.ly/2JDak0G )<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Undermining standards: <o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
CETA could undermine standards on
health, food safety, the environment and other areas, and similar trade deals
have been used to bully countries into lowering standards including severely
delaying the implementation of plain packaging for cigarettes and safety standards
for oil pipelines.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Public services: <o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
CETA will open up public services
to privatisation and make it harder for them to be taken back into public hands
in future, and making it impossible to ensure that they are delivered for the
benefit of users of the service rather than the profits of corporations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have already seen some of this with the
health service and education and railways.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Corporate courts: <o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
CETA includes provision for
corporate courts, which allow foreign corporations to sue governments outside
of the national legal system. Following public pressure, the provisions in CETA
have been marginally improved to make them more transparent (the Investment
Court System), but without changing their fundamental basis. They have also
been put on hold and face a legal challenge, but would pose a huge risk if
implemented. If you believe that one of the reasons that we are leaving the EU
is to take back control then you should vote against corporate courts as they
are outwith parliamentary control, and will bind future parliaments even more
than being a member of the EU and without any democratic oversight.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe that trade deals like CETA need to be rethought to
support people and planet. I ask you to vote against the motion and work for
trade deals that will help to build shared prosperity in the UK and around the
world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kind regards,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tom Franklin<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4 Frazer Court<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
York<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
YO30 5FH<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-17586167784474992752018-05-23T10:38:00.003+01:002018-05-23T10:38:50.917+01:00Syria: Response from Julian Sturdy MPI wrote to Julian Sturdy about Syria <a href="http://tomfranklin.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/syria-open-letter-to-julian-sturdy-mp.html">http://tomfranklin.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/syria-open-letter-to-julian-sturdy-mp.html</a>.<br />
<br />
Here is his response<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dear
Mr Franklin <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thank
you for contacting me regarding the recent decision by the UK Government,
alongside the US and France, to target three chemical weapons facilities in
Syria following a poison gas attack in the town of Douma. l am very grateful to
hear your concerns over this most important and pressing issue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">l
have carefully considered the correspondence l have recieved in the past few
days and thought I would provide a comprehensive response which responds to the
various points raised with me during this time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I believe the Prime Minister was right to take decisive action following the
horrendous attack in Douma given the consensus in the international community
that the use of chemical weapons on civilians should be met with targeted, but
severe repercussions. The Prime Minister, following detailed military and
secret intelligence briefings, assessed that the UK should join our close
allies to make absolutely clear to President Assad that we will not sit idly by
and allow these atrocities to take place without consequence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I understand the concerns raised about the lack of a specific parliamentary vote
beforehand. However, this is not required for all forms of military action, and
our Government acted in line with legal advice. The Government has ensured that
Parliament can scrutinise this decision; with significant time set aside for
debate. Furthermore, the Prime Minister has said she took this course of action
in the knowledge that Parliament would hold her to account, and she has
received support from across the </span>House. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Western
leaders continue to seek a diplomatic solution to the Syrian Civil War, and an
important part of this was an agreement to eliminate Assad's chemical weapons
programme following the attack on civilians in Ghouta in 2013. Since this time,
the OPCW has not been able to verify whether all manufacturing, storage and
research facilities were in fact destroyed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On
each occasion when chemical weapons have been used in Syria, Russia has blocked
any attempt to hold the perpetrators to account at the UN Security Council,
with six such vetoes since the start of 2017. Just last week, Russia blocked a
UN resolution to establish an independent investigation able to determine responsibility
for the attack in Douma. This is why a response via the UN was sadly not
possible. To say the government should not have acted without this
authorisation is to say that dictators should be free to murder people with
impunity, as long as they have a protector on the Security Council. I do not
believe any of us wish to live in a world where this is the norm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
use of chemical weapons is completely illegal, but these rules are worth
nothing without the willingness to take action against those who use such
weapons. If the international community does </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">not
punish the perpetrators, we are all made less safe, as we send out the message
that there are no consequences for such wicked criminal behaviour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just
as we cannot allow the use of chemical weapons in Syria to be deployed without
consequence,we cannot allow the use of deadly nerve agents here in Britain.
Sergei Skipal could easily have decided to </span>settle
in a larger cathedral city, such as York, and it could have been a North
Yorkshire Police officer admitted to intensive care. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Throughout
this incident, the Kremlin made light of the situation and denied all
involvement. This </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">represents
Russia's total disregard for international cooperation and tendency to employ
misinformation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
unrelenting civil war is now in its seventh year and we still face
repercussions from the immense destruction. Our response to this crisis has
been unprecedented, committing £2.6b since 2012 to meet </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the
immediate needs of vulnerable people in Syria and refugees in the region. This
makes us the second largest bilateral donor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
UK resettled more refugees than any other country in the EU in 2016 and our
approach has </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">thankfully
discouraged people from undertaking perilous journeys that have too often
proven to be fatal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our
country will continue to provide a comprehensive humanitarian package for those
caught up in the conflict, coupled with supporting a united international
consensus around punishing the use of chemical weapons. I firmly believe that
the ordinary citizens of Syria should be our primary concern and this should
drive our approach to this conflict, whilst sewing the UK's national
interest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Once
again I am grateful for your thoughts on this challenging area and fully
appreciate the level of </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">concern
on all sides of this debate. If there are any further points you feel it would
be helpful for me to respond to or address then please do not hesitate to let
me know. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thank
you again for your correspondence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yours sincerely</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Julian Sturdy</span></div>
<br /><br />
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-75435596748114282982018-05-22T19:58:00.000+01:002018-05-22T19:58:05.822+01:00BBC bias the brush offSo, following my complaint about bias in the BBC<br />
<br />
<a href="http://tomfranklin.blogspot.com/2018/04/bbc-bias-failure-to-report-islamophobia.html">http://tomfranklin.blogspot.com/2018/04/bbc-bias-failure-to-report-islamophobia.html</a><br />
<br />
their response and my further complaint <a href="http://tomfranklin.blogspot.com/2018/05/bbc-bias-bbcs-response.html">http://tomfranklin.blogspot.com/2018/05/bbc-bias-bbcs-response.html</a><br />
<br />
They have now given me a total brush off, but I will be responding.<br />
<br />
<br />
Dear - Franklin<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Reference CAS-4917021-G1CZX1<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Thank you for contacting us. We appreciate that you were dissatisfied with
our previous response and felt strongly enough to write to us again.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
We have read and noted your further points but don’t consider they suggest
evidence of a possible breach of standards. Opinions do vary widely about the
BBC and its output, but this does not necessarily imply there has been a breach
of standards or of the BBC’s public service obligations. For this reason we
regret we don’t have more to add to our previous correspondence, and so will
not respond further or address more questions or points. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
If you are dissatisfied with this decision you may ask the BBC’s Executive
Complaints Unit (ECU) to review it. Details of the BBC complaints process are
available at <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/handle-complaint/">http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/handle-complaint/</a>
where you can read the BBC’s full complaints framework. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
If you wish to ask the ECU to review this decision, you should contact it directly
within 20 working days of receiving this reply. Please explain to the ECU why
you believe there may have been a potential breach of standards or other
significant issue to investigate. You can email <a href="mailto:ecu@bbc.co.uk">ecu@bbc.co.uk</a>,
or write to: Executive Complaints Unit, BBC, Broadcast Centre, London W12 7TQ.
Please include the case reference number we have provided in this reply.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Kind regards<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Janine McMeekin<o:p></o:p><br />
BBC Complaints Team<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-50053051015982677802018-05-09T17:22:00.000+01:002018-05-09T17:22:10.388+01:00BBC Bias - The BBC's response<br />
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Dear -
Franklin <br />
<br />
Thanks for contacting us about recent BBC News coverage of UK politics.<br />
<br />
We note you feel there hasn't been enough coverage of alleged incidents of Islamophobia
in the Conservative Party. It's clear you find a difference between this and
the media treatment of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party. This has been shared
with news staff and senior colleagues in BBC News.<br />
<br />
Following Baroness Warsi’s comment, the Muslim Council of Britain’s complaint
about the Conservatives has not been picked up by other organisations or
Westminster politicians - as the anti-Semitism allegations within the Labour
Party have been. The Muslim Council of Britain appears to have made these most
recent comments in a statement to another news organisation. At the time of
writing, the MCB has not issued a press release, or put these comments about
the Conservative Party and Islamophobia on its website.<br />
<br />
However, we have reported on the suspension of specific individuals in the
Conservative party - online examples remain here:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-43959705">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-43959705</a>
<br />
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-43647990">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-43647990</a>
<br />
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-43656434">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-43656434</a>
<br />
<br />
In 2016 we also reported criticisms of the tone of the Conservative Mayoral
campaign in London: <a href="https://bbc.in/1qYgdbd">https://bbc.in/1qYgdbd</a><br />
<br />
We have also reported on attitudes to and the treatment of Muslims more widely
in the UK. For example, earlier this year Panorama recently reported from
Blackburn, a town with a large Muslim Asian population, looking at divisions
along ethnic lines in the town and how they have changed over time.<br />
<br />
We will continue to report impartially and fairly on developments, both at a
Party level and more generally speaking.<br />
<br />
Thanks for taking the time to share your reaction with us. <br />
<br />
Kind Regards<br />
<br />
BBC Complaints Team<br />
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints">www.bbc.co.uk/complaints</a><br />
<br />
</span><br />
<br />
<hr />
I do not think that this in any way addresses the problem that I complained about in my <a href="http://tomfranklin.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/bbc-bias-failure-to-report-islamophobia.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I will therefore be taking this further, addressing what they say and restating the point.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I find it seriously worrying that you only consider something newsworthy if it is "<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">picked up by other organisations or Westminster politicians". The BBC employs a large number of journalists who should be researching these stories themselves, rather than relying on other media or the MPs to do their work for them. When did the BBC stop looking for news stories and only pick them up from other organisations. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I think few would dispute that the vast majority of the main stream media ("other organisations") are conservative supporting, and certainly anti-Corbyn (and anti-Green Party too). This means that you are taking your stories from a very biased source and creating the very echo chamber that is so often decried. This simply reinforces the so called "Westminster bubble" and it is imperative for the survival of democracy in this country that you use a much wider set of sources.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">Secondly, on the specifics of your response. Yes, the three stories that you cite were reported online, but the anti-Semitism story was the lead story for day after day and in the news for weeks. What is more, a quick search of your site finds plenty of stories of Labour councillors being suspended such as</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-43836166">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-43836166</a></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-43825864">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-43825864</a></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-43655793">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-43655793</a></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">And, I could easily find more.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">So, to suggest that a few articles about suspension of individual Tory councillors (when there are a similar number of articles on suspended Labour councillors (and quite possibly from other parties if I could be bothered to look), simply does not balance the endless stories about anti-Semitism in the Labour party.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">Indeed, I find the response so disingenuous that it is quite clear that you are trying to cover up the degree of bias that exists at the BBC.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span></div>
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-7913391332124605272018-04-30T14:46:00.000+01:002018-04-30T14:46:17.037+01:00BBC bias - failure to report Islamophobia in the Tory Party. Complaint to the BBCBaroness Warsi, ex co-leader of the Tories, has recently spoken out about the high level of Islamophobia in the Tory Party. The Muslim Council has called for an enquiry. None of this has been reported on the BBC, in stark contrast to the endless reporting of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party.<br />
<br />
I am a Jew, and member of neither Labour nor Tory parties, and find this totally different way of covering the stories shows clear bias in repeated criticising of one party for racism, and not even mentioning it in other parties.<br />
<br />
Bias isn't just about how stories are covered, but which stories are covered and how much coverage they are given. In the current context I would expect the BBC to report on the levels of racism to be found in all parties.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-48144498891423206562018-04-24T12:14:00.000+01:002018-04-24T12:14:26.586+01:00The Home Office is detaining pregnant women, victims of torture and people with learning difficulties - and they've no idea when they'll be released - letter to Julian Sturdy MP<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dear Julian, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sorry to be writing to you again in
such a short space of time, but I believe all the emails are matters of great
importance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Home Office, as the subject
suggests, are locking up people who are victims of torture, who have learning
difficulties and many other vulnerable people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rather than address the real problem
the home office tries to change definitions so that it can continue with this
barbaric behaviour, while pretending to do better. Something we have seen
happen several times lately. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is clear that the home office
needs to radically change the way it is working, with this and Windrush amongst
other problems. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Please write to the home secretary
demanding that as a matter of urgency the home office starts using an
internationally recognised definition of torture, and that it stops
incarcerating victims of torture, people with learning difficulties and other
vulnerable groups. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Best wishes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tom<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tom Franklin</span>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-30092155652579069932018-04-24T12:13:00.001+01:002018-04-24T12:13:10.915+01:00Immigration - letter to Julian Sturdy MP<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dear Julian, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is almost getting embarrassing,
I find myself writing to you again, this time about government immigration
policy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I don't know if you have read the
articles in Saturday's Guardian such as this one <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/15/why-the-children-of-windrush-demand-an-immigration-amnesty">https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/15/why-the-children-of-windrush-demand-an-immigration-amnesty</a>
which I hope you will agree are shameful and shocking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In view of this I would be grateful
if you would sign Early Day Motion 1182 calling for an independent review of
Home Office policies and practice and the hostile environment. <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/edm/2017-19/1182">https://www.parliament.uk/edm/2017-19/1182</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am aware that in the past you have
said that you do not sign EDMs, but not that you have signed EDM 647.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Best wishes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tom<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tom Franklin</span>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-87032046791309204292018-04-24T11:56:00.000+01:002018-04-24T11:56:15.987+01:00Syria - Open letter to Julian Sturdy MP<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Dear
Julian,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I
am writing to express my concerns over the government’s actions in Syria.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">First,
I do not understand how bombing will lead to peace. We have seen Syria
being bombed for the lest seven years and all it has lead to is more violence
and more bombing. Further, I do not see what the urgency was to bomb
before there had been a time to see what the attack was and who was
responsible. It feels very like before the Gulf war when the WDM inspectors
were not allowed to finish their job – because there were no WDMs to find.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
brings me to my second point, that there does not seem to be any consistency in
the government’s policy. Saudi Arabia has been targeting civilians in the
Yemen for many years now, without any criticism from the government. The
Saudi Arabian forces (which include embedded UK forces) have used white
phosphorous and cluster bombs against civilians (a form of chemical
warfare). Not only has there been no criticism from the UK government it
has sold over £3,500 billion of weapons to the Saudi government since the start
of the war with Yemen. It is therefore difficult to believe that the
government is motivated by human rights concerns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Thirdly,
and perhaps in the long run most seriously, was the extraordinary claim by
Theresa May that we could not wait for the UN as the Russians would probably
veto any resolution calling for action. This is a clear undermining of
the international rule of law. Next time it might be Russia or North
Korea saying that they cannot wait for the UN as one of their enemies might
veto their resolution. We have an international legal framework, but once
we start undermining it others will follow down that path and there is a serious
danger of undermining the whole international settlement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Finally,
there has been the further erosion of parliamentary democracy. Parliament
has been very weak for many years (see for instance Lord Hailsham’s article on
elective dictatorships), but Theresa May appears to have little belief in
parliament. It took a legal case to force her to refer invoking article
50 to parliament and now we have this clear assumption of further dictatorial
powers to the executive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">As
a parliamentarian I am asking you to <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Write
to the Prime Minister asserting that it is Parliament, and only
parliament, that should ever declare war (note that is different to
responding to a declaration of war against the UK by another country).<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Write
to the Secretary of State for International Trade and the Secretary of
State for Defence demanding an end of sales of weapons to Saudi Arabia –
and any other country that is committing war crimes<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Thank
you very much<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Best
wishes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Tom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Tom Franklin</span>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-88367848770051286972018-04-24T11:55:00.001+01:002018-04-24T11:55:07.872+01:00Referendum on the final outcome of the Brexit negotiations - Open letter to Julian Sturdy MP<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Dear
Julian,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">As
a democrat I hope that you will support a referendum on the final outcome of
the Brexit negotiations. I think that there are three key reasons for
this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
original referendum was very close at 52% to 48%, hardly a decisive win
for Brexit.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It
has become clear that Brexit campaign broke campaigning law in many ways,
in particular through the way that Vote Leave passed money to BeLeave and
the abuse of personal data<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
voting in the original referendum we had no idea what Brexit would look
like with the result that many claims were made that are clearly not (or
at least no longer) true. Once the negotiations are completed we
will know what Brexit would mean and therefore be able to give informed
consent.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I
hope that you will see fit to speak at the debate on the topic on 11 June and
call for an informed democratic decision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Best
wishes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Tom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Tom Franklin</span>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25363477.post-53635483868984556842017-09-09T17:50:00.000+01:002017-09-09T17:50:14.424+01:00DSEI arms fair - open letter to Julian Sturdy<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Dear Mr Sturdy,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Once again we have come to the time of the DSEI arms fair in London, which
claims to be the largest arms fair in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We know from previous DSEI arms fairs that illegal activity occurs
within the arms fair including the sale of weapons that it is illegal to sell
or promote. Examples include:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">2005
DSEI: Tar Ideal (Israel) was
advertising sale stun guns, stun batons and leg-irons on its stand. All
these items specifically prohibited under 2004 legislation changes. Another
company, Imperial Armour (South Africa) offered to discuss at this show to
an undercover journalist, their product range of electro shock weapons.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">2007
DSEI: BCB International Ltd (Wales)
advertising a Taser electric dart device. Chinese firm Famous Glory
Holdings were advertising leg-cuffs
and a range of electroshock stun guns and stun batons. Indian company DRDO
was advertising an artillery rocket system that fired a variety of
munitions including anti-personnel landmines.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">2009
DSEI: Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF) in its product catalogue was
displaying a 155 mm cluster bomb artillery shell. The specific munitions
were called the 155mm Base Bleed DP-ICM (Dual Purpose Improved
Conventional Munitions) which was made illegal under 2008 revisions to UK
export control law. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">2011
DSEi: Beechwood Equipment (UK) was
advertising illegal restraint devices including leg irons, belly, body and
gang chains made by US company CTS. It was a full colour brochure
available to pick up on the counter and was extremely prominent on the
display. Pakistan Ordnance Factory: – The same 155mm cluster bomb
artillery shell Defence Export Promotion Organisation (DEPO) of Pakistan
was also displaying the Pakistan Ordnance Factory 155 mm cluster
munitions. Nammo Talley included references to cluster munitions in their
literature.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">DSEi
2013: MyWay International Trading company was promoting the sale of leg irons
and electric stun batons and MagForce International were promoting the
sale of electric stun guns and leg Irons.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">None of these were detected by the police – they were all found by
members of civil society including investigators, journalists and even an MP. Even when the offences were discovered no
action was taken by the police against any of the individuals or companies
involved. As Mr Justice Hamilton put it
in his verdict on 18 April 2016:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“[T]he court has been presented with clear,
credible and largely unchallenged evidence from three experts that criminal
wrongdoing had occurred at past DSEI exhibitions involving the sale of arms to
countries which then used those arms against civilian populations and the sale
of items that were inherently unlawful such as cluster munitions and items
designed for torture and inappropriate restraint. There was, as a result, a
compelling inference that such activities would also take place at the 2015
DSEI exhibition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“The court was also presented with clear,
credible and largely unchallenged evidence that such criminal activities are
not being properly investigated and, where appropriate, prosecuted.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We thus have clear evidence of criminality at DSEI and of police
inaction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">On top of this, the government has invited countries that are committing
war crimes and crimes against humanity to buy new weapons that will be used to
commit further crimes. Amongst countries
that even the government admits have dire human rights records that have been
invited are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_MailAutoSig"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">Bahrain, <o:p></o:p></span></a></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">Colombia, <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">Egypt, <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">Pakistan and <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">Saudi Arabia.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There are plenty of
others that have been invited which have also been using weapons to commit war
crimes and crimes against humanity including:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">India<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">Indonesia<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">Israel<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">Philippines and<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">Turkey<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Instead the
police have been making it hard for protestors, with a record number of arrests
this year for trying to prevent this obscene illegality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I am writing
to urge you to write to the Department for International Trade to stop
supporting the arms fair and instead to promote peaceful industry and to the
home office to require the police to investigate crimes being carried out or
facilitated at DSEI.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Best wishes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Tom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Tom
Franklin<br />
4 Frazer Court<br />
York<br />
YO30 5FH<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12401954736797120470noreply@blogger.com0