eadt news west - russell claydon; Graham White who is a teacher at Great Cornard Upper School and is the Secetary of the Suffolk branch of the National Union of Teachers.; Photograph Tudor Morgan-Owen 08/03/10; myphotos24 ref tmo 010 graham white 1; EADT 21.5.10; EADT 16.6.10; EADT 30.8.10; EADT 25.11.10; EADT 5.2.11; ES 2.3.11
Letter sparks a storm of protest
By Paul Geater
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
6:00 AM
SUFFOLK teachers’ union leader Graham White has come under fire from politicians across the board after saying that Saturday’s violence in London would not cause “personal suffering’’ like the cuts in public spending.
Mr White, who is secretary of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) in Suffolk, and a teacher at Great Cornard Upper School, wrote to the EADT (right) after of Saturday’s Trades Union Congress (TUC) march in London which was then followed by violence when a tiny proportion of the marchers attacked shops, banks and hotels in the West End of London.
Mr White, who took part in the peaceful part of the march, wrote: “The media, as expected, focused in on the few who were intent on causing damage to property. They targeted banks and big business – those who their research had shown to be substantial tax avoiders.
“I do not condone the violence but it was damage to property and not to peoples’ livelihoods or personal circumstances. It will not cause intense personal suffering unlike the Con-Dem cuts.”
He later said he regretted the “interpretation” of his comments, and stressed he did not condone the violence.
His comments came under fire from politicians across the spectrum – Suffolk Coastal Conservative MP Dr Therese Coffey described them as “appalling” while former Labour county council leader Bryony Rudkin said they were “unhelpful” as the party gears up for May’s local elections.
Mr White said he was in no way condoning the violence: “I can see why they felt it was necessary but I would not condone it.
“At the end of the day it was damaging property, it was not damaging people’s lives and in that sense I regret putting that bit in the paragraph in the way in which I did.”
Dr Coffey was shocked to hear the comments: “I think it is quite appalling, really,” she said. “As a senior official in a major union he really ought to be much more careful about what he says on things like this.”
Her views were backed up by fellow Conservative MP Dr Daniel Poulter, who represents Central Suffolk and North Ipswich. He said: “I think Mr White has been irresponsible. I know people who took part in the TUC march and they felt they had got their message across.”
Labour politicians were also irritated by Mr White’s comments.
Mrs Rudkin was on the march with members of her family. She said: “This kind of statement is not helpful. There is no justification for violence like this and it has been a distraction from what was a very peaceful march.”
Sandy Martin, who leads the Labour group on the county council, was also on the march. He said: “There is concern among some people at the amount of tax paid by some large companies – and like many others I would like the Government to tighten tax loopholes. But this kind of violence does not help anyone advance that argument.”
Suffolk County Council Liberal Democrat leader Kathy Pollard added: “Everyone has the right to peaceful protest – however there is no excuse for the kind of violence that was caused by a tiny minority on Saturday.’’
A statement from the national General Secretary of the NUT outlined the union’s opposition to violence. Christine Blower said: “The media and the police made it quite clear that the violent protests on Saturday had nothing to do with the TUC-organised March for the Alternative which the NUT, alongside other trade unions, was very proud to take part in.
“It was a tremendous day with 500,000 people peacefully protesting in central London. The NUT did not support the violent protests which took place on Saturday.”
Speaking to the EADT later, Mr White said: “What I meant was the people who were taking part in the violent action, their justification would be that they were damaging property not hurting people’s lives. They would say it was targeted against people who had avoided tax. If my letter is not clear then that is my fault.
“I did not make it clear but it is in terms of the justification from those particular people – from the anarchists.”
He accepted it would have been intimidating for customers and staff of the shops, banks and hotels targeted by the protesters.
He added: “If I haven’t made it clear, I regret if you have interpreted it in a particular way.”
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11 comments
Yes "Suzie" im sure that the non selective school he works at in Great Cornard is "one of the poorest performing schools" and im sure it is all Mr Whites' fault for standing up for teachers rights. In fact it is so poor performing that I was only able to acheive majority 'A' grades at gcse and go on to achieve a degree and a successful career after visiting this school. Oh how his teaching and the school have hindered my progress in life... What angers me is how quickly people are to judge others without knowing what they are actually talking about. Great Cornard Upper School is in my opinion (as someone who has actually studied there, both in the school and 6th form) a good school. I think that unless you attended that school then you are in no position to judge its ability. Anyone with any ounce of intelligence knows that the ability of a schools' children is not measure of the schools' ability to teach. Are you saying then that all schools which take on children with learning difficulties must be poor schools if the grades are lower??? And equally those schools who could select which pupils they take based on exam grades must be better schools because they only allow higher acheieving children??? Please do not be so naive and judgemental when it seems that you dont know what you are talking about...
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PollyTics
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
@ Suzie Suffolk Red, calling for someone's job or union role to be put under pressure, for a letter written to a newspaper expressing a view, seems to be a very intolerant response. Even if you disagree with their views or manner of expressing them. Are people who work in education and representing thousands of local employees to be denied a voice for fear of such serious repercussions? I'm glad that you're considering so carefully the future school for your child, but reacting to one teacher's personal view and one year's combined results isn't the only way to judge a school, especially so publicly. Perhaps a visit to the school or a read of their Ofsted report will give you a fuller picture of their achievements and plans for further improvement? A teacher engaged in politics can be a wonderful example to students, especially if they can also display the humility to show regret for making mistakes in the way they present their views, as Mr White seems to have done.
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EADT Reader
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Is it any wonder that Mr White's school Great Cornard Upper School is one of the poorest performing schools in Suffolk at GCSE with 44% - worst results for oin the last 6 years! Are they too busy playing politics at the school to teach? What sort of example is this to Mr White's students? Its a disgrace, shame on him. I wont be sending my kids to his school.
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Suzie Suffolk Red
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Graham White is the most sexy male on this planet.His views on this subject only serve to make him more amazing to me.Hes right as he all ways is.The violence was totally justifyed and I only wish i could have joined in with it.me and graham together.We could have knocked out tose poshos in those shops.Graham- just to let you know - I'm up for a bit of anarchy any time youfeel like it.Maybe we could have a hammering spree on the streets of ipswich together. I am with you Graham! You have my 100% support!
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Ruby Round
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Mr.White is quite simply making the point that any group of people might try to excuse their actions if they believe that the ends justify the means...are we not doing the very same thing by encouraging anti-Gaddafi Libyans to take up arms - or is it OK because we want their oil?
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Dogberry
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Politicians don't need much before they seize the opportunity to publicly express their outrage, so even though Mr White was careful to preface his remark by clearly stating he "does not condone violence", it was quite an easy one for politicians to get their teeth into. It would have been more reassuring if some of the bandwagon-jumpers had agreed with Mr White and acknowledged that the cuts will be far more damaging than the odd broken window in a branch of a business that dodges tax by registering a string of holding companies in the Cayman Islands. Also, damage to property isn't so much "violence" as criminal damage. "Violence" suggests an action like tipping a protester out of a wheelchair, or slamming a passer-by to the ground, causing a fatal head injury.
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martha farquhar
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Thank goodness someone is highlighting how damaging some of the cuts and "welfare reform" will be to some very vulnerable people who have no other options. I agree that to make these people pay for others' largesse and greed is ideological vandalism; the casualties won't be fixed by a glazier and a street sweeper.
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TF
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
I was more insulted by the silly wannebe Ed Milliband when making his podium speech. He made a spectacle of himself 'pretending' to be one 'the people' when it was his government that turned a blind eye to the banks and the tax avoidance companies. Such a patronising wally to think we all have such short memories.
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sue douglas
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
I hope Mr White doesn't, or didn't, teach English (!) But I supposed he is to be congratulated on bringing about a rare unanimity of opinion among local politicians of all parties.
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Norfolk Born
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Its a bit late now for all this protesting. You all should been out there 5 to 10 years ago when the debt was being built up.......or were we all having such a good time it didn't cross our minds. To protest against the the taste of the medicine for our hangover now, looks a little silly.
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jimmyhearn
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Perhaps a bad choice of words to use? I wonder what subject he teaches- not the English language I hope!
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"Victor Meldrew"
Tuesday, March 29, 2011