Politicians can learn from the England football manager’s stance on taking the knee to gain credibility with voters, a leading American pollster has said.
Gareth Southgate’s straightforward and honest take on the symbolic gesture just before a match begins is the best approach in the so-called culture wars, Frank Luntz said.
The influential political consultant, known for creating understandable phrases such as “climate change” instead of “global warming”, also said that Britain could become as polarised as American politics.
In games leading up to tomorrow’s Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark, the England players and their manager were booed by small sections of the crowd when they made the gesture, which is linked to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Before the competition Southgate wrote an open letter in defence of his players’ decision. “It’s their duty to continue to interact with the public on matters such as equality, inclusivity and racial injustice, while using the power of their voices to help put debates on the table, raise awareness and educate.”
The words received high praise from Mr Luntz, 59, who called the article “one of the best editorials I’ve ever read”.
Formerly a Republican who left the party after the Capitol riots in January this year, the pollster wrote a political report on people’s view of politicians.
“He defines leadership,” he wrote in the report. “If a politician comes to me and says, what should I say, I tell them: be more like Gareth Southgate. He endorsed a common approach that people appreciated. That’s the definition of unity.”
He contrasted the approach with the Labour leader Keir Starmer’s release of a picture of himself taking the knee in response to the Black Lives Matters protests. The key to political credibility, Mr Luntz said, was whether people believed the actions were sincere or done for performative reasons.
“He wanted to speak in favour of something and not against it,” Mr Luntz said. “And that is a great way to bring people together. It’s something politicians don’t understand – it’s what you are for, not what you are against.”
His report urges British politicians to prevent the country sliding into the type of divisive culture war being fought in America.
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
RESULTS
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UPI facts
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The biog
Title: General Practitioner with a speciality in cardiology
Previous jobs: Worked in well-known hospitals Jaslok and Breach Candy in Mumbai, India
Education: Medical degree from the Government Medical College in Nagpur
How it all began: opened his first clinic in Ajman in 1993
Family: a 90-year-old mother, wife and two daughters
Remembers a time when medicines from India were purchased per kilo
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
