I’ve spent the weekend and the first part of this week looking out over the English Channel.
“English” it doesn’t look – unless you have the kind of jingoism that makes you appropriate international waters to your self-interest. Clearly my friend Peter Tompkins came up against someone who thought we owned the water that surrounds our island and which RNLI protect people from.
I watched the wind driving the sea against Canford Cliffs and read the local MP and Peter Tompkins. Thankful I am to be fellow citizens of them. It is good that there are people like them, one known through parliament and one through the IFOA.
Hear is what local MP Neil Duncan-Jordan had to say in his post
I am concerned to hear about a protest targeting the RNLI. Living and working in Poole, near its headquarters, I see first-hand how vital the RNLI is, not just for our harbour and town, but for everyone who uses our waters.
I’m proud Poole is home to the RNLI. It is an independent charity, relying on public support, and it saves lives because people are in genuine danger at sea. The RNLI operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, responding to need, not where someone is from or what is in their bank account.Channel crossing rescues made up 1.2% of RNLI rescues in 2024, with volunteers saving 1,371 lives while responding to emergencies.
There is nothing patriotic about denigrating one of our country’s most important and loved charities.
Peter is right and so is Neil, we have to protect people against the destructive power or sea and weather whatever their nationality.
It is very important that we are patriotic, but patriotism for me is being proud that being English and British means being decent to anyone in trouble.
Thanks for this morning message Peter Tompkins, a very old fashioned sentiment from a man who is done a lot to knock down prejudice.
Saving all lives without fear and favour
There is a wish among many in our country that devalue those who were not born here
We have had one of our business leaders speak out against those who have recently arrived in our country
It is only a short journey from Jim Ratcliffe’s views to the racism that upsets Peter Tompkins and Neil Duncan-Jordan and ordinary folk like me.
I am pleased to say that I am someone who is a friend of both Peter and Neil. So I can report that what they share is not their politics, it’s their humanity. Thank you Henry for bringing this to our attention.