While I think you have very valid criticism Pete, I think you are taking a shit on Rupert Lowe's efforts here - as in, not being constructive but being a bit well, how can I put it? Cunty?
Forgive the language. But while the enquiry may lack Reform's razzmatazz, the razzmatazz isn't the point. It may lack the clout but even that isn't the point. It is the best platform these victims are going to get. Is it better than nothing? Obviously it is. They have all been failed, hideously, by multiple people, organs of state and institutions, for decades. This enquiry, in all it's imperfection, does not signal impotence to me, it signals that we live in an utterly broken, malformed and misaligned political-media ecosystem.
Lowe strikes me as a very active campaigner. His lack of discipline reads to me more like someone doing his damnedest. I could look at it differently if it chose I suppose, look at it like it's a big larp to him. That would be my choice to look at it that way and maybe that would be saying more about me?
I do concur that if he decides to create an alternative to Reform and Advance, it would whiff of egotism somewhat. But perhaps he has a valid reason for not working with them previously? I have no idea and don't see the point in speculating. I have heard rumour that after the enquiry is finished he will join with Advance. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that scenario to unfold, I am sceptical about Reform for all sorts of reasons.
Right I'm going to read your article about Reform next. Perhaps it says something about me, but I doubt your criticism of them will get my back up quite as much.
We can't all be clapping seals. If our people are underperforming, we are obliged to say so. As to being "cunty", it's because I've offered Lowe constructive criticism many times only to be met with hostility or silence, after which he goes on to make the very errors I warn against. I'm not minded to be deferential.
Ah look Pete, I wouldn't change you. You have your role to play. Just like 'fellow sperg' (his words) Connor Tomlinson, you ruffle feathers with your sheer honesty. I know part of what makes your commentary so interesting is that you don't mind tucking into anyone who is falling short, and at least here you've been big enough to point out that being ignored by Restore stung. That says a lot about you imho.
And you're fundamentally right about your criticisms, but I just wanted to defend the motives with the enquiry. The platform it gives those poor women. If that makes me a clapping seal then what can I say but arp arp arp 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Sorry, but whatever the political dynamic is, at least he is allowing the victims (however poorly) to be heard. And that’s, while strategically naff, important because no one else is. Waiting to 2029…. Right…
If the labour statutory inquiry was compared with the report from the Lowe inquiry,, then there could be some accountibility in cross referencing.
As you say, this is lowe key, so if a statiutory inquiry does not yeild more results from compelled people, this small inquiry will show up the statutory one.
Labour, wpuld not be able to avoid scrutiny of grooming gangs if they do not produce a far more comprehensive inquiry.
There will be comparisons, so that will be a good think
I read your article with some discomfort Pete. As a Crowd funder for this 'Enquiry', it's vitally important to hear the voices and trauma of the victims. No-one else has bothered, Reform hasn't either. You are being 'honest', in your opinion, so is Rupert. I applaud his efforts. He says it like it is.
Funders like myself are willing to support private prosecutions as clearly no other political party is willing. The rot needs to be exposed - Rupert is doing stirling work.
I admire the sincerity of Lowe, and hope a more or less good faith critique lands well. The mistake seems to be in presenting this effort as an inquiry, in the absence of an official one with statutory powers. What is needed is a fact gathering exercise, recording testimony as accurately as possible to present a detailed and compelling picture of the scale of the issue and the plight of the victims affected. This will be made available to the official inquiry as and when it starts in 2030. The body of testimony will grow and grow for as long as it continues.
Another vile attack on one of the few principled MPs in Westminster. I resigned my Reform UK membership on the day he was thrown out of the party on fabricated charges
I share some your concerns but i do think Rupert Lowe and Ben Habib wiil be seen as forerunners of what will hopefully materialize to correct the last 30 years of Blair's Third Way style centre left politics.
Interesting piece Pete. I think Rupert's heart is in the right place but as you say, that's no use if you aren't professional, disciplined and media-savvy.
While I think you have very valid criticism Pete, I think you are taking a shit on Rupert Lowe's efforts here - as in, not being constructive but being a bit well, how can I put it? Cunty?
Forgive the language. But while the enquiry may lack Reform's razzmatazz, the razzmatazz isn't the point. It may lack the clout but even that isn't the point. It is the best platform these victims are going to get. Is it better than nothing? Obviously it is. They have all been failed, hideously, by multiple people, organs of state and institutions, for decades. This enquiry, in all it's imperfection, does not signal impotence to me, it signals that we live in an utterly broken, malformed and misaligned political-media ecosystem.
Lowe strikes me as a very active campaigner. His lack of discipline reads to me more like someone doing his damnedest. I could look at it differently if it chose I suppose, look at it like it's a big larp to him. That would be my choice to look at it that way and maybe that would be saying more about me?
I do concur that if he decides to create an alternative to Reform and Advance, it would whiff of egotism somewhat. But perhaps he has a valid reason for not working with them previously? I have no idea and don't see the point in speculating. I have heard rumour that after the enquiry is finished he will join with Advance. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that scenario to unfold, I am sceptical about Reform for all sorts of reasons.
Right I'm going to read your article about Reform next. Perhaps it says something about me, but I doubt your criticism of them will get my back up quite as much.
We can't all be clapping seals. If our people are underperforming, we are obliged to say so. As to being "cunty", it's because I've offered Lowe constructive criticism many times only to be met with hostility or silence, after which he goes on to make the very errors I warn against. I'm not minded to be deferential.
Ah look Pete, I wouldn't change you. You have your role to play. Just like 'fellow sperg' (his words) Connor Tomlinson, you ruffle feathers with your sheer honesty. I know part of what makes your commentary so interesting is that you don't mind tucking into anyone who is falling short, and at least here you've been big enough to point out that being ignored by Restore stung. That says a lot about you imho.
And you're fundamentally right about your criticisms, but I just wanted to defend the motives with the enquiry. The platform it gives those poor women. If that makes me a clapping seal then what can I say but arp arp arp 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
He hasn't replied or even acknowledged six letters I've sent him but is still a step in the right direction.
Sorry, but whatever the political dynamic is, at least he is allowing the victims (however poorly) to be heard. And that’s, while strategically naff, important because no one else is. Waiting to 2029…. Right…
The party line is to give the ethno-right *a hard swerve and maintain a cordon sanitaire between Reform and Tommy Robinson. Lowe ignored this*
As he absolutely should have. At least Lowe has some understanding of the gravity of the problems facing our country
If the labour statutory inquiry was compared with the report from the Lowe inquiry,, then there could be some accountibility in cross referencing.
As you say, this is lowe key, so if a statiutory inquiry does not yeild more results from compelled people, this small inquiry will show up the statutory one.
Labour, wpuld not be able to avoid scrutiny of grooming gangs if they do not produce a far more comprehensive inquiry.
There will be comparisons, so that will be a good think
They all want it covered up as they're all complicit
I read your article with some discomfort Pete. As a Crowd funder for this 'Enquiry', it's vitally important to hear the voices and trauma of the victims. No-one else has bothered, Reform hasn't either. You are being 'honest', in your opinion, so is Rupert. I applaud his efforts. He says it like it is.
Funders like myself are willing to support private prosecutions as clearly no other political party is willing. The rot needs to be exposed - Rupert is doing stirling work.
I admire the sincerity of Lowe, and hope a more or less good faith critique lands well. The mistake seems to be in presenting this effort as an inquiry, in the absence of an official one with statutory powers. What is needed is a fact gathering exercise, recording testimony as accurately as possible to present a detailed and compelling picture of the scale of the issue and the plight of the victims affected. This will be made available to the official inquiry as and when it starts in 2030. The body of testimony will grow and grow for as long as it continues.
Why don’t you do something about it then instead of writing crap depressed articles complaining about other people.
" The media certainly would attend a real inquiry with the power to call hostile witnesses and hold them to account "
No, they wouldn't, or they might just possibly report it so as to invalidate it.
There's any amount of sensational social and political news that the legacy media simply ignores because it doesn't fit their agenda.
Another vile attack on one of the few principled MPs in Westminster. I resigned my Reform UK membership on the day he was thrown out of the party on fabricated charges
Harsh, but fair. Why on earth can’t the right swallow their egos and work together?
I share some your concerns but i do think Rupert Lowe and Ben Habib wiil be seen as forerunners of what will hopefully materialize to correct the last 30 years of Blair's Third Way style centre left politics.
Interesting piece Pete. I think Rupert's heart is in the right place but as you say, that's no use if you aren't professional, disciplined and media-savvy.