The pre-Olympic 'clean up' is well underway in London, with homeless people, sex-workers and other marginal groups being managed and, sometimes violently, concealed. Far from exceptional circumstance, this initiative in the capital is worryingly indicative of a trend of wider authoritarian measure
The Labour leader's attempt to open a conversation on Englishness should be welcomed. But it stops short of real engagement, while its cack-handed clumsiness tell us much about the party and Miliband as a leader.
As Jubilee celebrations die down in the short period of calm before the Olympics, questions arise about what all this means, what Britain and Britishness is, and what the future might be for both.
The claim that the 2012 Games are a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity for the UK is diminished by London-centrism and a shortage of tickets. Mark Perryman outlines how this could have been avoided and alternative preperations made, more condusive to the democratic potential of the Olympics.
As Britain remembers Queen Elizabeth's ascension, how has Scotland changed since 1952? A glance back in time to the archives of The Scotsman newspaper reveals a past with much to say about the nation's present and future.
This piece is part of our debate 'The Great British Summer?'.
Anthony Barnett:
I was in Scotland during the Jubilee for a family celebration of Tom Nairn'
The festivities of the ‘Great British Summer’ are steeped in ideas of monarchism, timeless heritage and monoculturalism. What is forgotten are the continually striking encounters of peoples and histories which have made and continue to make the country today.
As the UK celebrates the Diamond Jubilee, the vast discrepency between its 'community focus' and the unshamed corporatism of London 2012 is glaring. The Olympic Organising Commitee should learn a thing or two from this weekend's celebrations and hand over the Games to the commons.
The Olympic Charter outlines the social and democratic importance of this global event. But the conduct of the vast majority of London 2012's sponsors is in stark opposition to these endeavors. A coalition of athletes speaks out about the blatent disregard of these core values.
The festivities around the London Olympics and Diamond Jubilee will paint a picture of a stable, timeless (simultaneously modern) Great Britain. But the Anglo-Britishness it appeals to is far from the present-day reality of contested identity and authority, in which England is preparing to speak.
As the UK celebrates the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the 'national' rhetoric is that of a royal Britishness. Peter Tatchell examines the moral and social arguments against this conflation, suggesting the space for a new civic identity via republicanism.
How the titular head of the Royal Pageant turns out to be a cold, mean landlord who trades on good will towards the Queen but closes the best Deli in London for a few more shillings
