This is Northumberland Calling 5.5.23

The Bunting is up but Freedom of the Press is under threat edition

This is Northumberland Calling 5.5.23

The Buntings up but freedom of the press is under threat edition

Before I get to the Coronation news – the major union for journalists voted not to defend its members who cover the Gender Critical issues. In other words, the union has turned its back on freedom of the press, the right to investigate no matter where it might lead and has shown itself to be significantly down the road towards totalitarianism. “Union members rejected calls to publicly defend those covering the trans debate, as some branded it “transphobic”, according to insiders.

This has raised concerns among insiders that freedom of the press is only afforded to one side in the gender debate, and some have suggested that it may undermine the union’s own code of conduct ledge to “uphold and defend the principle of media freedom”.” https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/05/04/free-speech-fears-nuj-reporters-gender-critical-trans/ or https://archive.ph/2023.05.04-185339/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/05/04/free-speech-fears-nuj-reporters-gender-critical-trans/

It means journalists who are NUJ  who cover stories in a blanced way but get targeted by extremists cannot expect their union to help them. For example this story in the Economist about the changes that should be happening to the schools guidance. https://www.economist.com/britain/2023/05/04/britain-plans-new-guidance-on-sex-and-gender-in-schools or  https://archive.is/VZsM8

Free speech also came under threat this week when the Edinburgh comedy club The Stand cancelled a conversation with Joanna Cherry KC , a Scottish MP who opposes self-id because the  staff refused to work  the shift on account of her views.  The Dean of the Faculty of Advocates and many other lawyers have pointed out that this is unlawful discrimination. Some people do not get this. Glasgow City Council lost a recent court when it tried the same trick with a Christian preacher. Cherry has not decided yet whether or not to sue. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jk-rowling-mp-joanna-cherry-edinburgh-fringe-comedy-club-2023-jc5jgppsc  or https://archive.is/Ew3bt

Defeated for the SNP leadership Katie Forbes did make the case for free speech and Joanna Cherry’s right to speak and others to listen. https://www.thenational.scot/politics/23496161.monarchy-debate-shows-necessity-freedom-speech/

Not content with disrupting the planned showing of Adult Human Female at Edinburgh University, and emboldened by the Stand’s decision, the so-called Cabaret Against Hate decided to attack a performance of 2 feminist poets Magi Gibson and Jenny Lindsay as well the comedian Elaine Miller. The pub in Glasgow has held firm (for now) and the performance is all sold out.

A parent has taken a school and the sex education provider to court of their refusal to let her see the lessons. Given that the provider encouraged children to discuss sex over snapchat and tik tok and denied that virginity was a thing, one begins to understand why they might not want parental oversight. The provider has apologized for its website linking to hard core sex sites. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sex-lesson-provider-urges-children-to-become-activists-rll5gz2jp or https://archive.is/uVe2H

The counting in the local elections is on-going but it is clear the Conservatives have not done well. Many voters are fed up with the cost of living crisis and the strikes. They feel poorer and blame the Tories for riding rough shod over their concerns. And while the Conservatives may now know what a woman is, they caused the mess in the first place.

And now to the Coronation as Nick Cave said – it is something which does not happen very often and its roots go back deep into the Middle Ages (926 – the crowning of Athelstan but mainly based on Edgar the Peaceable 943) https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nick-cave-coronation-invite-attend-king-charles-royal-family-2023-n6db8jfzv or https://archive.is/GwYT7

 – the timings (all BST) are: guests arrive 9am, King’s procession 10:20, arrival approximately 10:53, Coronation service starts 11 am  (the liturgy can be found here – easier to follow along if you know what is happening!) 12 pm the Crowning, 1 pm the coronation procession with the Gold state coach and 4000 members of the King’s arm forces in dress uniform (all made by Kashket – tailors for 5 generations – there is a fascinating BBC programme on them Coronation Tailors –Fit for a King which details how the uniforms are made. The hours of work which has gone on) 1:45 pm the royal salute on the balcony, 2:15 pm the fly past.

On Sunday there the Big Lunches – my village is having one and at 7 pm the Winsor Castle concert with Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Sir Bryn Terfel and many others. Apparently there will be a laser and drone display.

The Chief Rabbi will be at the service. He is walking there and special arrangements have been made so that he will not break Sabbat but can participate. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/shabbat-coronation-means-chief-rabbi-must-walk-to-abbey-dv3zw59hv or https://archive.is/E6aMv