The last week or so has been enjoyable, not just because we are 1-0 up in the Ashes, but also there has been the 'equally' enjoyable sideline of watching the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (the quango formed in 2007 that took the race relations, 'equal opportunities', and disabled commissions under its wing) disintegrate before our eyes.
To recap, back in April the site reported the resignation of then Chief Executive Nicola Brewer and then this month we have seen three more board resignations, the National Audit Office condemning the Commission for hiring back people as consultants (at public expense in a recession, of course) after it had just made them redundant and Sir Trevor Phillips, its Chief Executive, being reappointed for another three years by every man's favourite Government Minister, Harriet Harman.
It is a real conundrum as to whether this ia good thing or not.
On the one hand, this turmoil may make it easier for a Conservative Government to abolish it (it has promised to abolish quango's and this would fit the £70 million bill it costs) and also may mean it seizes up and grinds to a halt.
On the other hand, the Commission (including when the 'Equal Opportunities Commission' was a separate oprganisation) has done nothing for male equality. In fact it has made matters worse. Firstly, despite all the evidence to the contrary, it slavishly pursues an agenda on issues such as the gender pay gap, all-women shortlists, the Equalities Bill and many others are simply anti-male in their intent. It does not hide this.
In addition, it purposely ignores clear issues where men are being discriminated against and not supported. Clear examples are in the under-achievement of boys at school, the lack of support for male cancers, the lack of support for male victims of domestic violence (it supports the Government's strategy to end violence against women and children - but forgets men!) and so forth. It made no comment on the recent council workers case.
Would this turmoil actually change anything and if Phillips was to resign would it then be taken over by other who are even more rampantly anti-male and ignorant that equality also includes men?
Phillips has touched upon in the past the problems facing white working class and black boys and also former Chief executive Nicola Brewer was heavily criticised (probably led to her going) for calling for more paternity leave for men. There was no follow through in terms of action.
The concern is that it is unlikely to be abolished (a Conservative Government dare not) and that the Commission will be taken over by people even worse than those running it now. He has kept a lid on the worst excesses and once the genie in the bottle goes, men across the country will face the full force of the anti-male politically correct 'equalities' establishment.
The view here is that Phillips should remain and that the hope that a Conservative Government will take issues facing men and boys more seriously allowing the Commission to follow a more balanced agenda. Under the present Government and their intense dislike of men, this is not possible, and if Phillips goes, it may be even more anti-male than it is now.
A real Hobson's choice if ever there was one.
Media Coverage (new Google News is great) - Here
On balance i have to agree. It is certain the commission will not be abolished.
Posted by: Groan | Wednesday, 22 July 2009 at 21:56