At a time when we have a Prime Minister whose parents are from the Punjab, a First Minister and Labour leader in Scotland with parents of Pakistani origin, and a Home Secretary with Indian heritage, one might conclude that Britain is fast becoming a model of diversity. Yet last weekend, campaigners were forced to takeContinue reading Rising Hate Crime
My partner and I had the chance to go to two of our favourite places recently. We went to watch Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast at the Electric Cinema, the oldest working cinema in the country, and also managed to catch the new production of Animal Farm at the Rep. Both are well worth seeing. The venuesContinue reading Hospitality needs help
One thing we won’t be hearing this Christmas is that pantomime favourite, ‘he’s behind you.’ Even Christmas is now in doubt. I recently heard from a constituent who contacted me early in lockdown. He’s a self-employed artist who concentrates on children’s entertainment. The government advised him to take a Bounce Back loan but remain oblivious toContinue reading Creative Sector Needs Recovery Cash Now
I love Birmingham Rep. It’s a beautiful building and has long been one of the cultural jewels as our only producing theatre with something for everyone. Birmingham’s reputation is built on our industrial heritage which means that many people hear Birmingham and think engineering, cars and manufacture. That’s OK until some, who’ve probably never setContinue reading Dish out the £1.5bn arts fund
