I really enjoyed listening to Tottenham Labour MP David Lammy, who came to the Friern Barnet Library on Tuesday.
David spoke about his new book, out of the Ashes (PLEASE BUY IN A BOOKSTORE) Which is an interesting analysis of what caused the 2011 riots.
He spoke about the role of fathers, and the need for proper paid work. He said the Government's decision to scrap the future jobs fund, the New Deal and the jobs guarantee was fatal. I totally agree with this, so many problems in the poorest parts of our community stem from people not having jobs and standards of living being low.
He also spoke about housing, and how that was a major influence on the immigration debate. He was right to point out that of the £23 Billion housing benefit bill has effectively become a landlords subsidy, and that it is wrong to demonise the claimants.
He also spoke of the disconnect in politics, and why it is important for Politicians to really understand how the poorest live, and what their concerns are. I have always felt the best way of doing this was having regular doorstep conversations, and having those honest conversations on the doorstep.
We capped off the evening by cutting a cake, baked in the shape of, and with an edible photograph of the cover of the book. The cake was simply beautiful, and I had great pleasure polishing off my slice(s).
