Sunday, July 15, 2007

As Support for Harriet Harman Increases-Respected journalist praises her!

As Support for Harriet Harman Increases
..
Respected Independent Columnist backs the ‘Friend of Africa’.

By Alhagie Mbye, London Bureau Chief
The Freedom Newspaper is not alone in its support for Harriet Harman, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party as a result of her acknowledgment, respect and appreciation of hard-working and law abiding Africans, Caribbean’s and other black people in the country. Her positive stand in favour of everyone in her constituency regardless of gender or status is an open secret. As a matter of fact, over the years she has earned enormous and unreserved admiration by such groups of people.
Such affection is in fact increasing day by day following her support by an unprecedented number of Members of Parliament as well as present and former Cabinet Ministers. Now Johann Hari, a well-known and respected columnist and commentator of the well-regarded Independent Newspaper based in London wrote that there are very good reasons why the Peckham and Camberwell MP should be supported.
Johann Hari said that Harman's policies aren't only good feminist practice but they are also immensely popular in the suburbs of Middle England and as a result deserve support. The commentator and columnist further quoted a recent YouGov poll, which revealed a remarkable 22 per cent more likely to vote Labour in future with Harriet Harman.
The poll indicated was miles ahead of the nearest contender, Hilary Benn. Therefore Johann added that ‘if you're serious about inequality, you have to be serious about feminism’ and the Deputy Leader is a shinning example in that regard.
He recalled that in 1981, Tony Benn and Denis Healey stalked each other across the country, smashing together at pitched-battle debates that always seemed ‘‘inches away from a riot’’.
The Independent columnist recalled that when Harriet was first elected in 1982 as one of only 10 female Labour MPs, she outlined an agenda that was mocked as preposterous by old-style macho politicians on all sides. She wanted, in the new world of two-income households, to give working women control over their own lives - and make sure they had time to spend with their kids.
Harman the commentator added also stood up in the Commons and offered a stream of examples of why change was needed: "One [couple] explained to him how they exchange the baby in the factory car park as he goes in to work and she finishes her shift. Another said they communicate by leaving messages for each other on the kitchen table, as she's asleep when he comes in and she's out before he gets the baby up."
To make these women's lives bearable, Harman had a detailed, practical policy list, involving substantial maternity pay, paternity pay, decent nursery and after-school clubs, and a right to flexible working for parents.
Johann also indicated that Harman had pointed out that feminist advances aren't a flimsy add-on to the Labour agenda of reducing inequality. They are at its red beating heart. One of the biggest determinants of a child's health, wealth and life chances is the time it has with its parents. Most kids of the working poor he said fall behind in language skills before their third birthday because their stressed-out mums don't have as much time.
The achievements of the Deputy Leader through perspiration and persistence, has accomplished some of her agenda but she wants to push it much further and as a result merit all the support needed. For example Harriet wants to make the right mandatory - a massive advance for mothers.
The Deputy Leader also has a slew of smaller policies that will make life easier for working mums. For one, she wants to extend the laws covering sick pay, so you are entitled to time off if your child is ill too, explaining, "You've got a child with a raging temperature, vomiting all over the place - what do you do? This child is six, you can't say, 'Goodbye, I'm off to work', he added.
Therefore he said: ‘‘Harriet Harman is not offering an intergalactic revolution. It is unlikely space-aliens will bring socialism the day after she is elected. But she is offering a combination of real feminism and electoral popularity. As Labour faces its toughest election and its most demoralised members since 1992, can it afford to say no?’’.
Since she assumed the position of Deputy Leader, Harriet Harman’s support and popularity is increasing from all quarters and hundreds of Africans and other black people living or working in her constituency also continue to wish her well.
END

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