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Sir Peter Blake : London Stands Together

He has created a special rainbow for the Evening Standard as “ as a symbol of hope” for Londoners during the coronovirus pandemic. The picture bears the slogan “ London stands together”, a tribute to the capitals sense of solidarity at a time when we kept apart physically.It can be downloaded and printed to put in our windows.The 87 year old has been self isolating for more than a week.He was not paid for the image but has asked for the Standard to make a donation in his name to the Graeae Theatre Company which works with deaf and disabled actors.standard.co.uk

Rima Jones ● 2413d11 Comments

Download from https://assets.standard.co.uk/editorial/rainbow-peter-blake.pdf

Richard Jennings ● 2413d

The irony of the Standard promoting this under the editorship of Osborne who  started the deliberately pursued underfunding of the NHS should not be forgotten. Yes, we should be supporting the NHS at this time.But we can’t pick and choose when we support it.

Stewart Jones ● 2413d

Thanks Rina I’ve passed the details on to our roads WhatsApp group.

Judi Roche ● 2413d

Good point Stewart. Amazing how many people have selective memories! In an ideal world Osborne and many in this government would be pelted in the streets with rotten (hoarded) vegetables.

Basil Finnis ● 2413d

Great Image Sir Peter

John Martin ● 2412d

Stewart the irony is rather that George Osborne did ring-fence spending on the NHS and Social Care and ensure that it continued to receive additional funding. Yes - he could have authorised even more expenditure on the NHS but that was THEN and this is NOW. I will remind you that Liam Byrn, the last last Labour Chief Secretary, left a note to his successor David Laws saying "Dear Chief Secretary, I’m afraid there is no money. Kind regards – and good luck! Liam."Yes this was a joke by Liam but like many jokes it contained a great deal of truth. At the time one in every four pounds that the Government spent was being borrowed - this could not continue.The real question is whether or not any British Government has the courage (when covid19 has been put back in the box) to raise taxes across the board in order to fund the rising demand for services of NHS and Social Services? The Corbyn/McDonnell soak the rich plans were clearly rejected at the last election. What we now desparately need is a new national concensus on the NHS and Social Services that can survive changes in administration and PMs. I do not claim to have the answer.If this post is overtly party political I apologise but your attack on Osborne is what I am responding to.

Cllr Sam Hearn ● 2412d

A case of cause and effect.Whilst frantically trying to find a cure for the effect we must also address the cause.Since the planet is entire nothing is unrelated.The destruction of the natural world. Greed and the killing of wildlife. The lack of biodiversity bringing about climate change which is already killing millions of people worldwide.At present we can thank George Osborne ( whatever his views on  the necessity of R3 and HS2 ) and Sir Peter for helping to bringing us all together when we are self isolating and struggling to cope.

Rima Jones ● 2412d

I think my point of it being ironic stands. And you seem very sensitive around the point of NHS funding. Speak to any doctor, nurse or NHS administrator. I applaud the Peter Blake rainbow - it’s a great idea and will be happy to place one in my window.

Stewart Jones ● 2412d

The problem with the political blame game is that the real rot in weakening the NHS started under Blair and Brown (and continued under subsequent Tory governments). Brown's love of PFI to help manage his self imposed budgetary rules created an unnecessary financial burden on the NHS (plus other areas of public finance). Not a single Parliamentary Committee over many years has yet I believe to find PFI has delivered any savings and benefits versus other forms of financing.

Joe Conneely ● 2412d

Could the poster be put on the front page for more people to see and display?Sir Peter is after all our long-standing local hero and it would be good for us to show our appreciation particularly as he has refused to accept payment and instead for the ES to donate to a little known charity.

Rima Jones ● 2412d

I'm more critical of Osborne for his arbitrary cuts to Universal Credit, the introduction of the Benefits cap and the two child rule. These are all going to have a major impact on the many people who are losing their jobs at the moment. Let's hope when the present crisis is over we'll realise how eroded our society's support systems have become and how much we rely on people who are poorly paid and exploited, and that we'll demand major changes to how the country is run and for whose benefit.

Peter Evans ● 2412d