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Saturday, September 10, 2005

Racism

I agree with Andrewmb that you need idealism to help change the social or political climate. The balance between idealism and pragmatic policy making is a constant tension in politics.

In the 1950's I was on the doorstep in Dagenham using all my idealistic energy to convince the workers at Fords that we ought to welcome immigrants. I was fighting a losing battle which was driven home with brutal reality when the dockers came out in support of Enoch Powell.

I have no difficulty asserting my belief in the immense political, economic and social value of ethnic diversity. But I don't make the mistake of assuming I can convince everyone however idealistic I am.