The outgoing (hurrah!) PM is busy trying to
ingratiate herself to every bonkers activist group going.
Announcing the plan for the permanent monument on Saturday, Theresa May said it would be a “lasting legacy” to the “tremendous contribution” of the Windrush generation as events were due to take place for the first Windrush Day to mark 71 years since the first arrival.
Are they happy? Reader,
they are not...
However, Arthur Torrington, the chair of the Windrush Foundation, said the government was behaving “arrogantly” and “treating the Caribbean community like children” by not consulting with key groups, while he noted just 13 Windrush victims have so far been granted emergency support by the government.
What's the one got to do with the other?
He said that the community wanted it to be in Brixton, in Windrush Square, and that Waterloo station had “nothing to do” with Windrush.
“Windrush is about 1948,” he said. “We don’t understand why the government can’t consult more. This monument is being imposed to our disgust.”
So there's no link to Waterloo Station? That'll come as a surprise to....wait,
Floella Benjamin?
May established the Windrush Commemoration Committee to consider how best to create a permanent, fitting tribute to the Windrush generation and their descendants.
The committee’s chairwoman, Lady Floella Benjamin, said: “Having a Windrush monument located at Waterloo station where thousands of Windrush pioneers – including children like myself – first arrived in London, will be a symbolic link to our past as we celebrate our future.
“The committee is determined to build a monument of great beauty and emotional impact which will lift the hearts of those who visit when it’s unveiled. I hope it will inspire pride and a sense of belonging to all those associated with the Windrush story.”
Sounds like that's a forlorn ambition.
If we have to have a "permanent monument" to the Windrush immigration why not at Tilbury docks? Or maybe at Kingston, Jamaica.
ReplyDeleteBTW, while we're on the subject of commemorating immigration, where are the permanent monuments to the Huguenot refugees who did rather more for this country at significantly less social and economic cost than the Windrush heros.
I have to say that their attitude seems churlish to say the least. I think that my response would have been well screw you then, you don't get a monument and we'll use the money to commemorate someone more deserving.
ReplyDelete""
ReplyDelete"...why not at Tilbury docks? Or maybe at Kingston, Jamaica."
Both are in a similar state of Third World disrepair.
"..where are the permanent monuments to the Huguenot refugees who did rather more for this country at significantly less social and economic cost than the Windrush heros."
Damn good point!
"I think that my response would have been well screw you then, you don't get a monument and we'll use the money to commemorate someone more deserving."
Mine too. This is why I can't work in government!