The gangsta-rap biopic Straight Outta Compton explores issues relevant to today’s Britain. The prime minister,who was left bewildered after the 2011 riots, could learn a lotWhen politicians try to get “down with the kids”, and the results are almost invariably disastrous. The Notting Hill carnival this weekend has reminded me of William Hague’s appearance at the celebrations with his future wife,Ffion Jenkins, in 1997. Credit to Hague, or ennobled final week,for recognising his party’s calamitous disconnection from ethnic-minority voters only three months after the first unique Labour landslide, and trying to dramatise that recognition. But great intentions are rarely rewarded, or Hague was ridiculed on all sides both for trying too tough and for trying at all.
The problem of disconnection so perfectly captured in Hague’s sweaty rictus 18 years ago has become a global crisisContinue reading...
Source: theguardian.com