John Hemming MP - Statement by the Birmingham Strategic Partnership Post 7/7 Group.

10.45.20pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 26th Aug 2005

Birmingham, in common with all great cities, faces more challenges as a consequence of the atrocities of 7/7 and attempted atrocities of 21/7. These are challenges we need to face together so that we develop a society based upon principles such as security and justice rather than sliding into intolerance and conflict. In the coming years, Birmingham will continue to become a more ethnically diverse city, a fact which we should promote and be pround of. Integration, trust and respect between the various ethnic and religious communities within the city is not only desirable, but essential for Birmingham's economy to prosper. Indeed, the long term success of the city is dependent on it. We must work against polarisation and towards a tolerant, diverse society built on cooperation, trust, security and understanding.

In Birmingham we can all contribute towards the objective of a peaceful, prosperous, secure and just society which everyone feels equally part of and whose members views are listened to and responded to.

We call upon all the organisations in Birmingham to work together towards these ends. At this particular time communication is the key. Whilst the BSP acknowledges the valuable contributions made by many organisations and individuals to community consultation, the BSP must re-double its efforts to hear the views of those who are not normally listened to as part of normal consultation events. Young people, women, those people who go to the gym, snooker hall or public house, need to feel just as involved as elderly male community leaders. The city requires consultation processes which can reach more widely than, but are entirely inclusive of, faith communities.

We call upon all organisations in Birmingham to use their consultation procedures to ask for responses from people as to what they think should happen after 7/7.

We are concerned that the government appears to be concentrating its efforts on only talking to one community. We feel that all the communities in Birmingham can contribute towards taking things forward.

We call for further work on interfaith activities at local level to build upon the work done on a city wide basis by the Faith Leaders Group and Council of Faiths. This is a challenge that can be faced by the members of local churches, mosques, gurdwaras, temples and other religious institutions without any need for central involvement.

We call for all responses from people as to their views to be collated and sent to the BSP at the City Council (c/o John Hemming). The BSP will then collate them further and pass the views of Birmingham to the government and the wider country.

We call for the media to see the situation as an opportunity to work towards greater tolerance and a more trusting society. We recognise that the Birmingham media have done well on this, whilst noting that other media outlets have not done as well.

We will come together in the future to ensure that problems are resolved effectively and in a timely manner through communication.