Westcountryman

Proms not inclusive, says Hodge

The Proms attract too narrow a section of society, culture minister Margaret Hodge has suggested in a speech.

She praised "icons of a common culture" from Coronation Street to the Angel of the North and said culture could "enhance a sense of shared identity".

But the Proms was one of several major cultural events many people did not feel comfortable attending, she said.

Tory leader David Cameron said she did not "get it" and said the Proms were a "great symbol of our Britishness".

He also stressed the numbers of other Proms during the concert season - such as Proms in the Park and the Electric Proms.

'Feel at ease'

In a speech to the IPPR think tank on Britishness, Heritage and the Arts, Mrs Hodge said a "shared sense of common cultural identity" was a key part of social integration and cohesion.

She said she wanted to "challenge our sectors square on".

"The audiences for some of many of our greatest cultural events - I'm thinking particularly of the Proms - is still a long way from demonstrating that people from different backgrounds feel at ease in being part of this," she added.

Just as culture pushes the boundaries it can make some people proud to belong, it can make others feel isolated and deeply offended
Margaret Hodge
Culture minister

"I know this is not about making every audience completely representative, but if we claim great things for our sectors in terms of their power to bring people together, then we have a right to expect they will do that wherever they can."

In her speech, Mrs Hodge praised other institutions for "creating the icons of a common culture that everybody can feel a part of" - such as the Angel of the North, the British Museum and the Eden project as well as TV and radio shows "from Coronation Street to the Archers" and shared public holidays.

National motto

But she acknowledged that culture could also be divisive - citing the examples of Jerry Springer: The Opera, which Christians said was blasphemous and Behtzi, a play which depicted sex abuse in a Sikh temple and was cancelled after protests.

"Just as culture pushes the boundaries it can make some people proud to belong, it can make others feel isolated and deeply offended," she said.

She also suggested that British citizenship ceremonies be held in historic British buildings like castles, theatres and museums to help people "associate their new citizenship with key cultural icons".

And Mrs Hodge added that talk of national mottos and shared values had to be backed up with "equal economic and educational life chances" if they were to mean anything to ordinary people.

A key part of the classical calendar for more than 100 years, the Proms aims to make music more accessible, but critics say the size of the programme makes it daunting and the traditional Last Night has been overwhelmed by jingoistic flag-waving.

A Downing Street spokesman has said Mrs Hodge's comments were not intended as an attack and that she supported the Proms as a "wonderful, democratic and a quintessentially British institution".

Mr Cameron said: "I think Margaret Hodge is wrong. I think we want more things where people come together to celebrate Britishness and more occasions when people think the Union Jack is a great symbol of our Britishness, rather than sniping at it.

"It is a classic example of a Labour politician just not getting something."

Story from BBC NEWS:
BBC NEWS | Politics | Proms not inclusive, says Hodge

__________________________________________________ ________

I'm glad the Conservatives were quick to defend the proms from this rather unwarranted attack.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBC News A key part of the classical calendar for more than 100 years, the Proms aims to make music more accessible, but critics say the size of the programme makes it daunting and the traditional Last Night has been overwhelmed by jingoistic flag-waving.

Isn't that the point? I very much enjoy the last night of the proms, and I'm not about to let the fecking Liebour government ruin it for me.

__________________
Manus haec inimica tyrannis ense petit placidam sub libertate quietam - "This hand of mine, which is hostile to tyrants, seeks by the sword quiet peace under liberty."

Roland

I could just about deal with tony blairs labour party but now he's not there to keep it under control the true face of labour can now be seen.

An out and out bunch of communist scum hell bent on the destruction and reeducation of Britain both as a nation and as a culture.

I like attacks like this they hit at the heart of Britain I think every one likes the proms and this kind of attack will broaden the distrust towards labour and open maybe more closed eyes.

So comrade Margret hodge keep up the good work.

g hall

When you look at the attendees of the proms I cannot think of a more varied representation of human beings , still what can we expect from such a sour old bag

__________________
"That government is best which governs least."
"This is a sharp Medicine, but it is a Physician for all diseases and miseries".
"To be "matter of fact" about the world is to blunder into fantasy --and dull fantasy at that, as the real world is strange and wonderful."
TANSTAAFL TANJ

steve fowler

the Proms seem's to be the only place where the people love to wave their flag's about no matter what country they are from.

If Hodge doesnt like it then dont get involved you communist *****!.

Roland

But there is a hell of a lot of the upper middle class who attend and cherish such events. who seem now to have been labour supporters. When labour attacks they're heart land that is when the real change in political climate will begin.

Kevin Adamson

What a complete good for nothing guardianista commie this woman is. Its about time these social engineering tossers went back under their rocks. Why O why do we put up with them?

Hartlepool

They become more brave each day with their attacks on the people and their country.

They now believe that they have won,and,no further need for a subtile front on all things they do.

Be alert,they are lining up for the killer blows on us all.

Britannist

Hodge started out as a councillor and then (I believe) council leader of the leftist Labour group in the north London Borough of Islington.

As for the IPPR - it is a pro-Labour organisation which has many daft policies.

Britannist

A quality posting which says it all from Hartlepool (above).

Britannist

I have often wondered how many Labour Party members attend an event such as the Proms in The Royal Albert Hall - hardly any I would have thought.