Letwin apologises over 1985 Broadwater Farm riot memo

[LeftishBrit]

David Cameron's policy chief has apologised "unreservedly" for any offence caused by remarks he made about black communities days after the 1985 Broadwater Farm riot in north London.

In a newly-released memo, Oliver Letwin - then adviser to Margaret Thatcher - blamed unrest on "bad moral attitudes".

He also dismissed plans to encourage black entrepreneurs, saying they would set up in the "disco and drug trade".

Mr Letwin said parts of the private memo were "badly worded and wrong"....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35192265

[Bad Dog]

1. Burlington boy

I read that. It's another reminder of how ersatz former Burlington boy Cameron's anti racist anti homophobic Tory party is. I don't think much will come of it, someone recently remarked that Cameron seems to come off these things unscathed regardless. Andy Coulson's appointment, dismissal and jailing didn't touch him, and not even porkygate was able to leave a mark. Contrast this with Brown calling a xenophobic old woman a bigot.

I think the only people who will take notice of this aren't going to vote Tory anyway. Letwin will probably keep his position or at worst be sidelined until the next reshuffle.

[LeftishBrit]

2. Actually I don't think Cameron is personally homophobic or racist...

He is one big snob, and he is even more lacking in core principles of any sort than most politicians. So long as his ministers allow him to strut around, look important, and spend as much of his time as possible in Ibiza, he doesn't really care what they do.

And some of the people around him are incredibly nasty (bullygate, apart from what it shows about the negligence of the leaders, just shows what some of the people who seek a political career among the Tories are like).

And the media are inclined to give Labour leaders a much harder time than Tory ones, as you say.

[LeftishBrit]

3. Just to add that I am not at all surprised at this about Letwin

For some reason, Letwin is regarded by some people as a moderate in the party. Even judging him by the standards of Tories as a whole, I can't understand this. He is the one who summed up the nastier aspects of Tory philosophy a few years ago, when he said that "innovation and excellence" depend on public sector workers experiencing fear. He also was one of the main people encouraging Thatcher to use the Scots as lab rats for the poll tax, and more recently was instrumental in helping to develop and push the infamous Health and Social Care bill. His basic competence is also questionable: he was found to be throwing documents into park bins instead of disposing of them safely (even a private citizen would normally have the sense not to toss their bank statements and similar documents into a park bin!)

[Bad Dog]

4. Agreed

On both Letwin and Cameron. There's a different type of homosexuality prominent in the Tories. Recently I was shown around the Houses of Parliament by a prominent left wing Labour MP. Afterwards we were having a cup of tea out on the balcony when he pointed out a gay Tory MP. This Tory had surrounded himself with young attractive male advisers, exploitative only begins to scratch the surface of what's going on. I would not want to be a good looking young Tory activist of any gender.

And the Liberals aren't much different. Look at Lord Rennard.

[LeftishBrit]

7. Or sadly, it seems, some Labourites!

[Myrddin]

5. I will always be grateful to Letwin..

.. he, along with the likes of Tebbit and Soames, has made so easy for me to utterly despise tories for the last 36 years.

I'm a newbie, first post. Good evening to all DUers, and a Happy New Year.

[LeftishBrit]

6. Welcome to DU, and Happy New Year!