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What is the Metaverse and should you care?

Mike Omoniyi
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What is the Metaverse and should you care?

There is much talk about the Metaverse these days however many don’t know what it is and many more don’t even care.

2021 was the dawn of the Metaverse. Since Mark Zuckenberg first mentioned the notion, the interest in creating metaverses has spiked. The metaverse is the next big tech platform attracting online entrepreneurs, developers, and other technology leaders looking to jump on the bandwagon and capture a slice of the new emerging market. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, the metaverse market could reach $800 billion in value by 2024.

The metaverse is a combination of the digital and physical worlds. It allows users to work, meet, play games, attend live events, throw virtual parties, and socialize in 3D virtual spaces. Despite its ever-growing popularity, the concept of the metaverse isn’t final or shrouded by mystery. Let’s dive into the metaverse to find out how it might change the world as we know it.

What is a metaverse?

I recently spoke at an event hosted by The University of Manchester where I described the Metaverse as ‘like the internet but 3d’. in many ways, I believe this simple definition gets to the heart of what we are talking about.

A metaverse is a form of virtual reality designed with the help of 3D, VR, and AR technologies where people can simulate their real-life experiences and interact with each other. The metaverse connects the financial, virtual, and physical worlds. It’s a hybrid of social media, personal life, work, and entertainment. A few years ago, the idea was pure fiction.

Now it looks like it could become a reality in the near future. The metaverse is driven by AR where every user controls a character or avatar. For example, there are communities inside the metaverse where you can work, play blockchain-based games, and then manage your crypto finances without leaving the metaverse. 

Since the metaverse is still evolving, some of its features are still unavailable. In 2022, there is still no united metaverse. Instead, there are some microverses. It’s a virtual platform created by different communities where its members can socialize and have fun. Each community can start building its own microverse and then get it connected with a decentralized network to build a Metaverse. 

What can you do in the metaverse?

With the high-level definitions out of the way, let’s take a look at some specific actions you can already perform in the metaverse.

1. Network

It seems that Meta’s metaverse is going to be a social platform first and foremost. After all, it wouldn’t be much of a virtual “reality” if users didn’t get the chance to interact in some way or another.

Sure, this applies to crypto exchanges and NFT purchases too, but it also involves socializing in a more classic sense.

A great example of this is Roblox, a digital gaming platform. In 2020, over half of kids under the age of 16 in the United States played it. Roblox is a platform through which users can play through a library of video games – all of which are created by Roblox users. There are currently over 20 million games in its library, many of which can generate revenue for the designers.

Users on Roblox can socialize through gameplay as well as an avatar-based platform similar to the early social media phenomenon Habbo Hotel. What it’s ultimately provided is a network through which aspiring game designers can test their skills, meet other people looking to work in the field.

Roblox is just one example of networking in the metaverse. Social media has long served as a way for professionals to meet peers and clients alike. The metaverse is a natural extension of that, and it often provides new and exciting ways to do it.

2. Invest and do business

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last year, you’ve probably heard the terms “NFT” and “cryptocurrency.” Both are important building blocks in the metaverse and great ways for users and businesses to invest in the platform.

Cryptocurrency is a term encompassing a number of digital currency platforms. The most famous of these are Bitcoin and Ethereum. Cryptocurrency is an unregulated digital currency run through a blockchain system. Its value is in a state of somewhat constant flux but longtime platforms (especially the aforementioned ones) have skyrocketed in value since their inception.

One of the big draws with cryptocurrency is the fact that it is not nationalised. As such, its value is the same in America as it is in Japan, Brazil, and any other nation. The metaverse is a global platform. As such, cryptocurrency is the preferred form of currency for many of its users. Investing in it now looks like it will pay off in the long run as its value continues to increase.

Speaking of investing, NFTs have become a cornerstone of the metaverse. The term stands for non-fungible token. This basically means that an NFT is a unique digital signature used as a sort of deed of ownership on digital goods. An NFT can be a piece of art, a photo, a song, or even a piece of digital real estate.

An NFT authenticates the ownership of whatever it’s attached to and certifies its value (which is unique to the item, hence the “non-fungible” part). It basically allows you to purchase the bricks that make up the world-wide web.

Right now, NFTs are a great investment. Like cryptocurrency, the overall value of NFTs is growing significantly. Some have already sold for millions of dollars. Others, like the famous “Bored Ape” series, have been purchased and shown off by notable celebrities including Justin Bieber (who’s actually built up quite the NFT portfolio recently) and Paris Hilton.

If you’re looking to get into the metaverse for the sake of investing, NFTs are a good place to start. The value of most NFTs right now is likely to keep going up as they grow in popularity.

It’s also a great time to mint some of your own. Almost any piece of digital media can be turned into an NFT. If you or the business you work with has a catalog of music, photography, or art, your potential NFT portfolio may already be bigger than you realise.

What metaverses exist already?

Roblox

A game world where creators can make and share their projects. Although it’s part of the new wave of metaverse tech, it’s been around for almost two decades.

Meta

Sprawling social media site with direct ties to (and impact in) the offline world, and increasing tendrils in fantasy. Meta owns a raft of metaverse technologies, and one of the most established virtual reality headsets that people use to access it.

Minecraft

Sprawling game and simulation world, mostly occupied by kids and teenagers, who create everything out of Lego-like building blocks. Also a long-term player in this space.

Second Life

Second Life
Second Life © Linden Lab

3D virtual sandbox where you can build what you want, go to concerts, visit libraries and even attend a virtual Hajj. Poster child of the previous wave of metaverses, with more than 15 million accounts. “The original premise that I liked about Second Life was that it was this big, messy interaction between people,” says Philip Rosedale, its founder.

Whether or not the metaverse will ever truly emerge remains to be seen. There’s a strong chance that the Metaverse discourse will age just as badly as an episode of Reboot. But equally, it does seem right that something will emerge – though whether it will be an existing tech behemoth that cracks it remains to be seen.

There is one thing we can know for sure though: now that people are talking about the Metaverse, you’re going to continue to hear about it endlessly. Just as ‘artificial intelligence’ and ‘fake news’ lost all meaning as soon as they caught on as buzzwords, you can bet that we’re going to be hearing about anything and everything being a ‘metaverse’ investment, however tenuous.

Should We Still Celebrate Black History Month?

Julien Andre
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<strong>Should We Still Celebrate Black History Month?</strong>

Do recent movements like Black Lives Matter emphasise its present-day importance or is it an outdated tradition that contradicts the progress made in Britain since the 80s?

An outdated tradition?

Since 1987, Britain has celebrated black history month every October. It honours the contributions of black individuals throughout Western history and encourages people to broaden their horizons by learning about the lives of prominent black figures whether in schools or elsewhere. But Britain is very different to what it was in 1987, so should we still celebrate black history month today?

Around the country, people are using their social media accounts to promote books on black history, support black-owned businesses and discuss current issues that affect the black community.

Black history month has its roots in the early twentieth century with the work of Carter Woodson who initiated Negro History Week in the United States in 1926. Later in 1976, February was dedicated to black history month and, in schools, it developed into a tradition which focused on learning about prominent black figures like Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass and Martin Luther King. Having been inspired by the US, “there was a big focus on black American history.” when it first started in Britain. Still, over the years the focus has slowly shifted towards black British history – providing an opportunity to explore the similarities and differences of the black experience in the US and the UK. 

Source (Unsplash.com)

What about everyone else?

Why is it just the black experience that we are recognising? Where is white history month? Or a month dedicated to ethnicities like Hispanics or South Asians? Some argue that having a black history month is insensitive to these ethnic groups since they are also present in Britain and make valuable contributions to society. 

It’s important to remember that there are public holidays and other parts of the year that are dedicated to honouring other races and ethnicities. For example, South Asian heritage month runs from the 18th of July to the 17th of August and even though it isn’t as well known as black history month, it is inaccurate to claim that we only dedicate a time in the year to celebrate black people and not do it for other minority groups. 

Crowd of young and elderly men and women in trendy hipster clothes. Diverse group of stylish people standing together. Society or population, social diversity. Flat cartoon vector illustration.

It is also often assumed that the first black people in the UK arrived in post-war Britain and that the Black British identity started in the 1950s but thanks to works of scholars like David Olusoga and Peter Fryer we know that ‘black’ people have been in Britain since the 2nd century AD and the modern concept of the race even existed. There were Africans that came to England with the Romans in the 16th century; there are Elizabethan marriage records that detail interracial marriages that took place and African people that feature in cultural artefacts like Tudor artwork and Shakespeare’s plays.

Even the mass immigration of Caribbean people during the Windrush generation starting in 1948 highlights the forgotten historical relationship between black people and Britain. In his book, Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire, the British rapper, author, activist and poet Akala says that Caribbean countries like “Jamaica have had a political union, albeit through conquest and slavery, with England since before Britain even existed.”

With such a long and forgotten history between England and black people, there is still a need to celebrate black history month and use it as a month to correct the miseducation that has taken place and recognise the importance of black people shaping modern-day Britain. The sooner we learn about the role of black people in British history, the sooner we can alleviate the squeamishness that surrounds conversations about race and start to be honest about the horrors of The British Empire, the legacy it has left behind and how to do better moving forward.

Ignatius Sancho- British abolitionist, writer and composer (blackhistorymonth.org.uk)

How harmful is a Government U-turn?

Aaron Fenton-Hewitt
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How harmful is a Government U-turn?

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng admitted to Tory members that his economic plan for Britain had ’caused a little turbulence’ despite backing his vision for British economic growth.

Kwarteng was forced to change his speech at the Conservative Party conference last minute, after an embarrassing u-turn by the government.

Just hours earlier before his re-written speech was read Kwarteng announced, ‘with humility and contrition’, that he was ditching plans to remove the 45p interest rate of income tax for the wealthiest 1%, which was unveiled at the mini-budget just ten days prior.

Kwarteng admitted that it ‘had been a tough day’ after being forced to do so.

After his speech, it was also revealed that he planned to bring forward his medium-term financial statement to this month from its original date on 23 November.

Despite this, Kwarteng said the government was dedicated to boosting British economic growth.

“We need to move forward. No more distractions. We have a plan and we need to get on and deliver it. That is what the public expect from the government,” he said to Tory members in Birmingham.

“We’ve done it before and we can do it again.”

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng announces he will scrap the 45p tax rate for the top 1%.

Not a good start for Truss and Kwarteng

Whilst it’s true that Labour needs to rediscover and reinvent itself, it seems as if the Conservatives have some work to do as well.

One could be forgiven for thinking that the UK public has effectively jumped from the frying pan into the toaster, with the government not seeming to be able to read the mood of the country.

The Chancellor’s proposal to scrap the 45p tax rate could not have come at a worse time, at least from a PR standpoint.

With the cost of living crisis in full effect, and energy bills soaring across the country, even the most staunch Conservative voter would question the timing of such a proposal.

To describe the backlash as ‘turbulence’ – as Kwarteng put it – is to describe such an ill-timed policy as an uncomfortable but minor inconvenience.

It shows a sort of callous, almost arrogant attitude towards the topic. It’s as if, had the backlash not been so significant, the Conservatives would have gone ahead with their plans.

A former Treasury Minister writes an open letter about the Truss/Kwarteng economic strategy to the Financial Times.

It begs the question to some, as to whether or not Truss and Kwarteng are fit to lead the country at all; not only from a financial perspective but also from a seemingly weak character.

If a backlash is all it takes to reverse policies, are they really ‘leaders?’ Do they have the strength of character to pursue their goals and ambitions for the UK?

Is the government being led by facts, logic, reason, economic law and common sense, or by faux outrage and sentiment?

Despite the scandals and antics of our previous Prime Minister, Boris Johnson – for the most part – delivered what he and his party set out to do. Some would argue that he was so determined, he could come across as deluded or stubborn at times.

But at least there were clear plans and goals for his Cabinet. Not so much, it seems, for Truss and Co.

What now?

It seems as if Boris’ departure has caused chaos. The Conservative party finds itself in the middle of an actual ‘turbulent’ transition period.

With MPs and former Prime Ministerial candidates blaming each other for certain failings, the Party would do well to get its act together before this situation implodes even further.

Kwarteng even went so far as to attempt to blame the mini-budget failure on the recent death of the Queen. “We had a nation in mourning and then, literally, four days after the funeral we had the mini-budget,” the chancellor said.

There is also still an estimated £43bn in tax cuts on the table, which could see the poorest in Britain return to austerity.

For their own sake, and for the country’s, it is imperative that the Party gets itself in order.

Meet Obi Lawanson – founder of Ojiioma, a black-owned shapewear brand.

Ololade Bamigbade
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Meet Obi Lawanson – founder of Ojiioma, a black-owned shapewear brand.

Black women are often overlooked in mainstream media for their achievements. The mainstream women’s movement has historically lacked real inclusion in celebrating black women. 

Rather than waiting for mainstream media to play catch-up, we want to use our platform to celebrate the diversity and excellence of black women. 

So, keeping in line with our desire to “discover stories from across the political spectrum, local stories, stories that hold power to account, that uncover wrongdoing, that empower the forgotten and the unheard”, The Common Sense Network presents you with 5 phenomenal black women who are excelling in their various industries. 

In our second article, meet Obi Lawanson.

Obi is on a mission to bring quality and luxurious shapewear into the hands of women in the UK through her business Ojiioma. They are “doing the basics brilliantly for women of colour!”

Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself and your business?

Courtesy of Obi Lawanson

My name is Obiamaka Lawanson; I live in the UK, and Ojiioma is a UK-registered company. Our products are manufactured in Italy as is it the best place to get quality.

I’ve always liked shape-wear, and I believe that regardless of your size, shape-wear does something to help smooth out the ripples, as I like to call them. However, I felt there had been a gap in the market concerning skin tone. We have the option of black or beige – the beige is good, but it doesn’t do anything for our tone. And very few big brands cater to people that look like me with our various shapes. So I thought something had to be done. At the moment, Ojiioma has three products with two different skin tones to see how we will be received in the market.

Ojiioma started during the lockdown. Why did you decide to start, then?

Some people may say it wasn’t a good time to start a business, but for me, the lockdown was a time to incubate and start putting things together.

I realise that many people lost their jobs during the lockdown, and I could have quickly become one of those people. I work as a contractor in project management, and just before COVID hit, I started working a perm job because of IR35. There was a real possibility that I could have been one of those people. However, I am Christian, and my faith plays a significant role in my life because I don’t know where I would be without it. One of my prayers during that time was for me to be empowered and also to be able to empower others. I wanted to be able to help my church and others who were going through a lot. I felt that a day job wouldn’t necessarily allow me to do that, and at that time, we were all working from home. So I started my business, everything just worked together, and now I am here.

How has your brand been able to empower others?

I recently saw this quote: “You only fail if you quit.” That quote impacted me because of how true it is.

I don’t think many people understand why starting a shapewear brand is such a big deal. When I began Ojiioma, I started because I felt I was addressing an issue that affected women of colour. As women of colour, we are limited in our choices of shapewear; the primary colours in the market at the moment are black or beige. However, I want to bring more colours and products into Ojiioma, so everyone finds their match. At the moment I have two different colours and three products.

One of the ways I have been able to empower others is by showing that they can start their business with baby steps, with whatever they currently have. Ojiioma is self-funded; I have had no help or investors in starting my business – it is all coming out of my pocket, but the important thing is starting. You don’t have to have it all together first, sure there will be bumps along the way, but if you stay the course, you will reap the fruit.

What challenges have you encountered since you have started?

Starting the business was challenging, finding the right manufacturer for the products and researching the type of colours I wanted. However, my main challenge is marketing, getting the message across to people so they can buy from Ojiioma. Getting people to build trust in the business has proven the biggest stumbling block. In my opinion, we are a better alternative to what is currently in the market, and I would say that my shapewear is the only one that has 120 days guarantee.

Why do you think it’s so important for black women should be able to get into creative entrepreneurship spaces?

I believe that our stories can be best told by us. Whether people agree or not, black people are built and shaped differently. It’s not one shape, one colour or one size fits all. As a person of colour, we are shaped differently. I had many women test my shapewear and they always comment on how different it is compared to what is out in the market and how it accommodates different needs. I believe that black women are in the best position to tell the stories of other black women.

What should we be looking forward to from Ojiioma in the future?

I am hoping for big things, Ojiioma turned 1 year old on July 6th. I am expecting us to become the preferred shapewear brand for women of colour – for women in general. I want to try to not just go with the crowd and do what everyone else is doing. So I don’t get lost. I want to have a niche line and not just do too much. I want to keep things simple classy and luxurious.

To find out more about Ojiioma, please click the link below!

Do U-Turns show the government is in touch with the people?

Mike Omoniyi
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Do U-Turns show the government is in touch with the people?

In another reversal, it has been widely reported that Kwasi Kwarteng will speed up plans for a new fiscal statement, expected to be focused on spending and deregulation. This is the latest in a stream of U-turns by a government that claims it is listening to the people, but what do these U-turns really tell us about the government?

YouGov regularly tracks what the public thinks about those in power changing their plans, asking respondents to choose between the idea that government U-turns are ‘normally a bad sign – showing they are incompetent, weak, or have not thought their policies through properly in advance’ or ‘a good sign – showing they are willing to listen and change their minds when people complain or situations change.’

Not too long ago, they found that while 30% think U-turns are a negative thing, some 42% look upon U-turns as a healthy sign of a government that listens. Older voters are particularly sympathetic: 58% of those over 65 say U-turns are on the whole a sign that politicians are responsive rather than reckless.

This might make sense in theory but the jury is still on whether this current Conservative government has the sympathy of the British public.

Let’s recap on current events

GMB host Martin Lewis revealed he was ‘sad’ that Kwasi Kwarteng had ‘chosen not to appear’ Source: Mirror

The U.K. government on Monday reversed a plan to scrap the top rate of income tax, after a public backlash and major market turbulence.

The new government had announced a swathe of tax cuts just weeks into its tenure, but they were poorly received by financial markets. Taking the top rate of tax paid on incomes over £150,000 ($166,770) from 45% to 40% was seen as particularly politically toxic as we deal with a cost-of-living crisis.

In the days following their announcement, the pound dropped to an all-time low, mortgage deals were pulled from the market and U.K. government bonds began to sell off at a historic rate, causing the Bank of England to begin a temporary purchase program to calm volatility.

With the Conservative Party plunging in opinion polls since its so-called mini-budget, which was also criticised by the International Monetary Fund in a rare move, several of its own politicians have spoken out against the proposals.

Grant Shapps, former transport secretary, said in a BBC interview Monday morning that the reversal in the top rate tax cut was a “sensible response” because tax cuts for “the people who need them least … jarred for people in a way which was unsustainable.”

It represents a major and humiliating U-turn for new Prime Minister Liz Truss, who was insisting as recently as Sunday she was “absolutely committed” to the cut.

She also revealed that the plan was instigated by Kwarteng and had not been announced to her whole Cabinet. It would have delivered an average £10,000 annual benefit to the country’s 660,000 top earners, the Treasury said.

Truss said in a tweet Monday, “The abolition of the 45pc rate had become a distraction from our mission to get Britain moving.”

“Our focus now is on building a high growth economy that funds world-class public services, boosts wages, and creates opportunities across the country.”

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 9-1024x204.png

Do people feel sorry for the Conservative party?

It’s hard to make the case that the set of U-turns we have seen from the Conservative government shows a party in touch with the people.

During the conservative leadership race, the prospective leaders spoke to a very narrow section of the British public and essentially told them what they wanted to hear. The ideological space between the leaders was minute and the media largely exaggerated it. What was red meat for the Conservative base scared the majority of the British public.

Tax cuts for the rich in a time of global uncertainty and a cost of the living crisis were never popular. This is why many were shocked and puzzled when the new chancellor announced his policies. The chancellor’s tax cuts, don’t show a cogent economic plan, they appear to be more red meat to a base already sycophantically in love with its new leader. The U-turns show us there is very little ideological underpinning behind this new government. They seem to be working out just what they can get away with. How much they can push the envelope before everyone else pushes, back forcing them to change.

This has been a terrible start for Liz Truss as PM and the most frequently used word to describe her in public seems to be incompetent.

In Liz we Truss: PM pledges to get country through ‘stormy days’

Mike Omoniyi
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In Liz we Truss: PM pledges to get country through ‘stormy days’

Liz Truss has promised to get the country through “stormy days”, as she vowed to take on the “anti-growth coalition”.

In her speech to the Tory conference, which has been marked by U-turns and internal division, the PM admitted her policies would cause “disruption”. But she said “the status quo is not an option” and “we must stay the course”.

The speech came against a backdrop of financial and political turmoil following the government’s mini-budget. Markets reacted badly to the plans for £45bn in tax cuts funded by borrowing, while the government’s U-turn on its plan to scrap the 45p tax band for the highest earners was fuelled by opposition from Tory MPs.

Liz Truss vowed to “get Britain through the tempest” and insisted “everyone will benefit” from the result of her economic policies in her keynote party conference speech during which she was heckled by climate activists.

Addressing Conservative members at the event in Birmingham, as she battles to save her premiership, the prime minister acknowledged that “these are stormy days”.

“In these tough times, we need to step up,” she continued. “I am determined to get Britain moving, to get us through the tempest and put us on a stronger footing as a nation.”

She continued: “Whenever there is change there is disruption. Not everyone will be in favour but everyone will benefit from the result.”

This is the moment two Greenpeace protesters interrupted Liz Truss’s Conservative Party conference speech, with a banner reading // Source: Twitter

Ms Truss was interrupted by two Greenpeace protesters who shouted: “Who voted for this,” as they held up a banner. They were quickly removed by security in the conference hall. In a tweet after the incident, Greenpeace said activists were there to “denounce the prime minister ‘shredding’ her party’s 2019 manifesto promises”.

The group added: “The PM is U-turning on fracking, strong climate action, and world-leading environmental protections. Who voted for this?”

Continuing on, Ms Truss told the audience she and Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng “will keep closely co-ordinating our monetary and fiscal policy” after the government’s tax-cutting mini-budget saw the pound slump to a record level.

The prime minister mentioned growth 29 times in her speech, recognising that her goal was “difficult but necessary”.

She argued cutting taxes was “the right thing to do morally and economically” as it allowed people to keep more of their own money so they are “inspired to do more of what they do best”.

The context of her speech makes it all the more interesting.

The turmoil and bumpy road, Ms Truss vows to take the country through were in part created by her and announcements from the new chancellor. It’s a microcosm of a wider phenomenon This new conservative government expects the British public to trust the very party that has presided over the economy for over a decade. We are supposed to trust the very party who created the problem to fix it; it’s a tall ask for the British public.

There is no denying that behind the scattered applause at the conservative party conference is a very torn party. The unity appears to the mainly cosmetic.

The only crutch that gives these senior figures reprieve from their gloom is a view that another leadership race would be ridiculous and, for a party languishing so far behind in the opinion polls, an imminent election would amount to a death wish.

How being ‘superficially black’ has caused a race-row within the Labour Party

Aaron Fenton-Hewitt
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How being ‘superficially black’ has caused a race-row within the Labour Party

The Labour Party have suspended MP Rupa Huq, pending investigation, after she described the Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng as ‘superficially black’.

The Ealing Central and Acton MP’s comments were made at a fringe event titled, ‘What’s Next for Labour’s Agenda on Race?’, the audio was released by the Guido Fawkes website minutes before Sir Keir Starmer began his speech to the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool this week.

During a Q&A session, she said: “He’s superficially, he’s, a black man but again he’s got more in common…he went to Eton, he went to a very expensive prep school, all the way through top schools in the country.”

“If you hear him on the Today programme, you wouldn’t know he’s black.”

She has since apologised on Twitter to Kwarteng, but the damage was already done.

Labour MP Rupa Huq has apologised to Chancellor Kwarteng

Several politicians and public figures have reacted to the comments which emerged on Tuesday. Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner said that Huq’s comments were ‘unacceptable’, whilst former Health secretary Sajid Javid said he was ‘appalled and disgusted’ by the audio.

Conservative MP Jake Berry, in an open letter to Sir Keir Starmer, invited him to “join [Berry] in unequivocally condemning these comments as nothing less than racist.” Starmer himself has called her remarks ‘racist’ and said he has taken ‘swift action’.

13/01/2021. London, United Kingdom. The new Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng. Picture by Pippa Fowles / No 10 Downing Street

Kwasi Kwarteng is 47 years of age and is of Ghanaian descent. He became the first black Conservative cabinet minister in 2021 and holds a double first from Cambridge University and a PhD in economic history. He also enjoyed academic stints at Trinity College and Harvard University, as well as being part of the Cambridge team that won the BBC’s notoriously difficult University Challenge programme in 1995.

How does one be ‘black’?

It is unfathomable, unfortunate and regrettable that comments such as these are still being made in 2022. For a party that describes itself as ‘the party of equality’, it seems as if that tagline is only skin deep. Kwarteng is an accomplished individual in his own right, he won University Challenge and holds a PhD from Cambridge. Sure, he was privately educated, but that’s beside the point. Why does his private education, accomplishments or upbringing disqualify him from being black? Is there a sacrosanct, authentic way to ‘be black’ in itself?

Huq’s comments about Kwarteng has landed her in hot water

Labour’s views on race must be challenged

As abhorrent as Huq’s comments were, many will ask themselves if this was an isolated incident. She made the mistake of making such bigoted comments in the public arena, and was rightly scrutinised for it.

However, as a Labour MP, all of whom adhere to a certain political and philosophical narrative regarding race, it’s not unreasonable to question whether or not other MPs have similar perspectives. From a purely PR standpoint, this could potentially be a disaster for Labour who wish to rebuild themselves and rediscover their identity, simply put, there can be no room for error.

To their credit, the Party did well to suspend her, and it is reassuring that Labour MPs and Starmer himself were swift in condemning her words. However, many will wonder if she was suspended due to sincere disappointment and disapproval of the comments, or if it was to put out the PR fire that had been created.

Conservative MP Jake Berry pens an open letter to Labour leader Keir Starmer

The fact that Huq felt comfortable enough to make those comments in the first place, suggests that there could be a pre-existing mentality within a section of the Labour party that deems her remarks acceptable. If Labour wishes to regain power after 12 years of a Conservative government. These kinds of ideas and perspectives must be challenged without mercy, the swiftness of the condemnation could be a reflection of Labour’s attempted rebirth, and if so then it is welcomed.

What now?

Huq has been suspended, pending an investigation, despite her apology, universal disgust and condemnation from all political sides may prove to her undoing, it will be interesting to see how Labour react to this long term.

If Labour wishes to reinvent itself, then ideas such as Huq’s should make MPs question their own perspectives on race. It is clear that her comments were bigoted, so many should ask themselves if they agree with her and why?

Many MPs question should question whether or not their ideologies and/or perspectives align with Labour anymore, and in doing so question their future allegiance to them.

Cost-of-living crisis: how will it impact diversity in the arts?

Kevin Osborne
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Cost-of-living crisis: how will it impact diversity in the arts?

A few weeks ago, I read an article on the crisis facing the arts which prompted me to think about what it might mean for diversity in our sector.

Once again, arts organisations are calling out for bailouts to support them through the ongoing energy crisis. But continuing with previous patterns of bailout will hinder long-term investment in the transition to a more innovative and diverse sector – a necessary transition if we are to weather future crises. 

A bailout which preserves the status quo simply makes the sector more vulnerable to future health, political and economic shocks. As with the Covid emergency funding, limited resources need to stretch to meet the needs of the whole sector and choices have to be made about how finite funds are to be distributed. 

Targeted support

Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission) recently called for help to be given to the most vulnerable people in Europe. The UK has taken a less progressive approach, with plans for blanket bailouts and tax cuts which will leave the richest households with twice as much financial support as the poorest households. 

If this is repeated for companies, including arts organisations, this will leave the best-funded organisations far better off than medium and grassroots arts organisations.

Those with the largest incomes typically spend a smaller proportion of their budgets on energy. Or they are more able to mitigate any impacts of rising energy costs through having better financial reserves and access to alternative sources of funding or having greater organisational capacity.

And the same is true for arts organisations. For example, Glyndebourne invested £1m in a wind turbine that paid for itself in six years. It now generates revenue by selling back the energy to the main grid, reducing its net energy costs. 

The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester received a £4.3m government grant to help it decarbonise, including a water-source heat pump for its buildings and machinery. Hampshire Cultural Trust has used the same grant scheme to put solar panels on four of the museums it runs.

Size matters

Smaller organisations don’t usually have the fundraising capacity to apply for anything other than current necessities, much less think about fundraising to futureproof themselves against unforeseen energy hikes or contributing to reducing climate change. They also don’t usually own their buildings and so are vulnerable to the ripple effects of the energy crisis, like rent increases.

Desola Lanre-Ologun // Unsplash

As with personal households, the richest arts organisations can find the resources to adapt quickly and reap any economic benefits of early adaption. Without redistributive investment – rather than ‘preservative’ bailouts – the transition to a more ecologically friendly sector becomes an extension of the inbuilt biases of the current system. A further deepening of social inequality. 

No one will have it easy; the choices are stark. But the social, environmental and economic crises we face demand long-term solutions, not short-term fixes. We cannot continue to pile pressure on those least able to bear it to preserve a broken system. 

Black- and Brown-led organisations more at risk

What will it mean for the (already unrepresentative) racial diversity of the sector? What if Black- and Brown-led arts organisations, which are statistically underfunded and more at risk of closure, succumb to this new crisis?

In each new crisis, there is a failure to address the question of whether we can afford to keep the same number of large incumbent arts institutions, especially in London. There is a failure to address whether we can continue to bail out the bricks and mortar venues. Particularly at a time when audiences are in decline and the technology revolution means audiences can increasingly find ways to consume arts and culture virtually. 

Given finite funding, any energy or cost of living bailout for large arts institutions would be at the expense of diversity in almost all its aspects; fewer smaller venues, fewer Black- and Brown-led venues, fewer regional venues and less investment in online art platforms.

Growing the diversity of our sector (in all its dimensions), rather than preserving what is already there, we should be looking to what will make our sector thrive and be more resistant to future shocks like Covid, energy hikes and economic downturns. 

If we dare to look hard enough, we see that each crisis highlights underlying inequalities in our system. As such, each could be an opportunity to change the fundamentals, not to simply maintain existing structures, which ultimately are unsustainable. 

Meet Courtney & Renee – Two friends building a global community of women who grow and glow together.

Ololade Bamigbade
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Meet Courtney & Renee – Two friends building a global community of women who grow and glow together.

Black women are often overlooked in mainstream media for their achievements. The mainstream women’s movement has historically lacked real inclusion in celebrating black women.

Rather than waiting for mainstream media to play catch-up, we want to use our platform to celebrate the diversity and excellence of black women.

So, keeping in line with our desire to “discover stories from across the political spectrum, local stories, stories that hold power to account, that uncover wrongdoing, that empower the forgotten and the unheard”, The Common Sense Network presents you with 5 phenomenal black women who are excelling in their various industries.

Let’s start with Courtney and Renee:

Courtney Daniella Boateng and Renee Apuku are the Co-founders of To My Sisters, a fast-growing digital community that supports women across the Globe. They provide Events, retreats, and resources, their podcast promotes wellness, growth, and development and has had over 2 million downloads since first launching in 2020.

In this series, Courtney and Renee speak to us about the importance of sisterhood for black women and how they use their platform to inspire women to grow and glow together.

Tell us about yourselves

Courtney Daniella Boateng | To My Sisters
Renee Kapuku | To My Sisters

We met each other during secondary school whilst both pursuing our applications to university. At the
time, we were the first from our state schools and families to attend Cambridge and Oxford
University. Courtney went on to graduate and become a distinguished content creator, beauty
entrepreneur with her own business, CDB London. Renee went on to complete her master’s degree at
Harvard Graduate school of Education, before returning to the UK to work in the technology industry
and impact investment. We have a friendship spanning over a decade, and as soppy as it is – we are
definitely each other’s keeper.

Courtney & Renee Speaking at To My Sisters Event

What inspired you to start To My Sisters Podcast and Community?

We both were incredibly passionate about creating content and working to build community but weren’t surely exactly what that engagement might look like. We had previously filmed joint youtube videos together, but the timing hadn’t felt right to pursue something consistent. To My Sister’s was
originally a Youtube series Courtney started on her personal Youtube channel, but it wasn’t the right fit or outlet at the time. After graduation and working in our respective industries for a few years, we started featuring in the same panels and conversations around women’s personal development.

It was this experience that inspired us to work together on TMS as a podcast, especially in the heat of the global pandemic when it felt like the world was on pause and we had much more time outside of our various commitments. TMS started as a passion project which would eventually grow to become a community. We were astounded at how quickly we gained traction after launching in November 2020.

What impact do you think TMS has on black women in the UK and globally?

A great impact, both in terms of breadth and depth. We’re currently averaging 170,000 downloads per
month, with 40,000 Youtube subscribers which is insane considering we started this 18 months ago.
But more specifically, for Black women, it feels as though the TMS provides the space to bring their
full selves, as well as provides the vocabulary to articulate their innermost experiences and feelings.
This is far beyond optical representation, but actually emotional and psychological representation too.
For many Black women, it can be challenging to have that holistic representation, and environments
where they can be given care – rather than being the educator, the caregiver, the nurturer. We wanted
TMS is a space where women could take off their responsibilities, reflect, and invest in themselves
using community as a source of strength.

Courtesy of To My Sisters

Why do you think sisterhood is essential for women/black women?

For women, sisterhood is necessary as it is the radical antithesis of a world which sometimes forces
women to buy into competing against other women. The preoccupation with romantic relationships,
and preparation for traditional patriarchal roles such as motherhood and wife-hood, can mean that
women don’t always feel as though they have the capacity to really explore the fullness of human
relationships. For black women in particular, sisterhood and female friendships can be a safe space,
and a source of comfort when dealing with the added pressures of navigating the world as a Black
woman.

How has TMS impacted you, Positively or Negatively?

Largely positively. We’ve been able to share our own journeys of wellbeing, healing and struggle.
We’ve been able to learn more from women across the globe about their experiences, and we’ve been
able to connect with them too – both in person and online/ We’ve had the opportunity to raise money
and resources for women’s issues, and we get to spend significant time working with the people we
love. We also managed to get a book deal from our work, and being able to share our story in such an
accessible format has been incredibly rewarding. It is extremely challenging managing our workload,
considering that we work and handle other responsibilities outside. We also are largely doing this
ourselves, as we haven’t yet started recruiting staff (which we will need too shortly!)
Overall, it’s been transformative!

What can we expect from TMS in the future?


A whole host of things! We’re really focused on being the holistic place for women’s wellness and
growth. Without giving too much away, think programmes, international retreats, merch and more
shows under the TMS umbrella!

To find out more about To My Sister’s digital community, click below!

Media Illiteracy is making young people unsafe

Marcel Brown
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Media Illiteracy is making young people unsafe

Media literacy plays an essential part in helping to reduce polarisation in a divided world through educational programmes. Putting educational initiatives in schools, colleges and universities can help to educate an impressionable Gen Z/X who needs to be media literate to help reduce the threat of polarisation which divides society. 

Real vs Fake news online

The increased consumption of news via social media is making it more difficult for young people to navigate a divided online world. Having knowledge and a critical understanding of the ‘fake vs real online’ debate is crucial for an impressionable generation. The Media use and attitudes report 2022 by Ofcom, states that,

“The majority of 12-17s were confident that they could tell what is real and fake online, but only 11% correctly selected, in an interactive survey question showing a social media post, the components of the post which reflected that it was genuine.”

Why haven’t compulsory educational tools that help guide young people to navigate a polarising online landscape been added to the UK’s national curriculum?

The Centre for Media literacy says that media literacy, “provides a framework to access, analyse, evaluate, create, and participate with messages in a variety of forms—from print to video to the internet. Media literacy builds an understanding of the role of media in society as well as essential skills of inquiry and self-expression necessary for citizens of a democracy.” Basically meaning that it is the ability to apply critical thinking skills to different messages, signs and symbols transmitted through mass media.

Influence of Social Media

Source (Unsplash, 2022)

Young people are using social media more as a way to receive news, an increased demographic using platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Youtube means that Gen-X/Z are more exposed to methods that are used to divide people online. The introduction to Deepfakes, photo and video manipulation are just some tools used to create the image of the truth.

This example of the Deepfake of the Canadian PM Justin Trudeau posted to YouTube this month is an example of how social media creates division. This example shows that if a world leader can be visually altered that resembles his genuine identity, what other tools are being used to manipulate the young people?

The Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2022, states that “the youngest cohort represents a more casual, less loyal news user. Social natives’ reliance on social media and weak connection with brands make it harder for media organisations to attract and engage them.’’

In the last two years, significant worldly events have affected people’s relationships with media outlets. Young people specifically are exposed to second-hand information, the source either being their family or close community or social media, events such as Covid-19 are prime examples of how fake news and division is being created online.

“Both news consumption and trust have dipped over the last year, partly reversing strong gains witnessed by many news brands during the COVID-19 crisis. Exhaustive news coverage of parties in Downing Street, held at a time of lockdown restrictions, heaped pressure on Prime Minister Boris Johnson, but the wall-to-wall attention may have alienated those outside the Westminster bubble. In our survey, almost half our sample (46%) say they avoid the news sometimes or often – almost twice the level seen in 2016.”

Combating polarisation with media literacy

Last week at the One Young World conference in Manchester, The Common Sense Network led a workshop tackling the concept of fake news. 

The Common Sense Network’s CEO M.T Omoniyi leading a workshop tackling fake news at the One young World 2022 conference in Manchester last week. Source (Marcel Brown)

The workshop’s intentions were to inform and educate a group of 30 people about an introduction to fake news, why people post it and how to identify it. The sessions educated people and they learned how recognise different types of biases, there was also a discussion-led activity on echo chambers and filter bubbles, to teach how they can influence how we view the world.

The workshop was an example of how some organisations use their platform to promote media literacy and educate young people but are huge industry-leading media networks using their influence to shape positive change. Media outlets such as the BBC have had a Fake News section on their website since 2017 which looks at stories surrounding the topic. Although this is just one of the tools used to combat this issue, young people need media literacy tools In educational institutes to help them navigate the world.

Five Young Change-Makers at One Young World Manchester Summit

Ololade Bamigbade
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0
Five Young Change-Makers at One Young World Manchester Summit

Last week, the annual One Young World Summit kicked off in Manchester, with many young delegates from around the world joining together to exchange ideas and inspire change.

Meghan Markle the Duchess of Sussex, opened the ceremony with a speech that was aimed to inspire the young people gathered at Bridgewater Hall:

“You are the future; you are also the present. You are the ones driving the positive and necessary change needed across the globe now in this very moment.

Your time is now.

The important work can’t wait for tomorrow. And this week, the world is watching as you cement your place in history by showcasing the good that you are doing today in the present moment.”

Following on from Meghan Markle’s speech, I would like to highlight five young change-makers impacting their communities worldwide. I had the opportunity to listen to their stories as they set to change the world.

Jamira Burley | AFROPUNK

Jamira Burley | Social Justice Advocate & Social Impact Consultant

Director of Social Impact Projects, Adidas | North America

“Every single moment in our history has been led by people just like you. Young people, poor people, everyday people have always been at the fore front of change – leading with your energy and your passion and your creativity. People who are not bound by the party lines of our politicians or the social constraints of our elders.”

Franziska Trautmann | Delegate Speaker for the Oceans Plenary Challenge

Co-founder & CEO, Glass Half Full | Louisiana

“I create sand from recycled glass. Sand is the planets most exploited resource after water. We cannot keep mining and dredging the amount of sediment needed for coastal restoration projects. As a college senior I came up with a solution to divert glass from our landfills and turn it into a resource. It grows plants, reclaim lands and reduce waste.”

Franziska Trautmann | One Young World
Jaiksana Soro | One Young World

Jaiksana Soro | Delegate Speaker for the Conflict Prevention Plenary Challenge

Founder, O Space Innovation Hub | South Sudan

“Global peace seems an increasingly elusive prospect, and part of the problem with disinformation online is that it’s disconnected from reality. It is easy to write and spread disinformation without feeling the consequences, but these consequences are real and they are tragic. We must deal with this urgently. We need disinformation and hate speech on the global agenda and off our screens forever.”

Soraya Fouladi | Delegate Speaker for the Gender Equality Plenary Challenge

Founder & CEO, Jara | San Francisco

“Only 39% of girls in low-income countries get a chance to complete their secondary education. And COVID 19 put 816 million children out of school. why? Because they live in areas with minimal electricity and near to no internet. Jara ensures children and teachers everywhere have access to e-learning and distant learning. The Jara Unit works as an interactive textbook, workbook, and digital personal tutor, many of which are normally inaccessible to these communities, especially at home.”

Soraya Fouladi | One Young World
Guillermo Herrera-Arcos | One Young World

Guillermo Herrera-Arcos | Delegate Speaker for the Health Plenary Challenge

Founder, Prothesia | Mexico

“We have the technology and tools to rehabilitate millions of people with conditions like spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, amputation or stroke. We just have to want it! I have created accessible medical devices by using technology that’s up to 50 times cheaper than what’s available globally. At a fraction of the cost, people are able to stand up and walk again. I couldn’t live in a world where basic health services were not available to everyone.”

The Queen was an example for the world’s next generation of young leaders

Marcel Brown
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The Queen was an example for the world’s next generation of young leaders

Queen Elizabeth left behind a strong example for the next generation of leaders to emulate.

Thursday 8th September 2022 was a pivotal moment for our country. As the world reacted to a defining moment in modern history, I was at the One Young World conference in Manchester: An annual summit celebrating impactful youth leadership globally. 

The 4-day event champions the influence of the next generation working presently within global institutions and businesses. With an emphasis on building intercontinental relationships and networks, it truly symbolises a bastion for change and brings young leaders to come together to tackle the most complicated issues facing our existence.

The Duchess of Sussex has been a One Young World ambassador since 2014. In her first public address in the UK in 2020, she described young people as 

“Driving the positive and necessary change needed across the globe now in this very moment.”

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 05: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex clapping during the Opening Ceremony of the One Young World Summit 2022 at The Bridgewater Hall on September 05, 2022 in Manchester, England. The annual One Young World Summit brings together more than two thousand of the brightest young leaders from every country and sector, working to accelerate social impact both in-person and digitally. Meghan is a counsellor for the organisation, alongside Justin Trudeau, Sir Richard Branson, and Jamie Oliver, among others. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

The news of Queen Elizabeth’s passing came during the closing ceremony of this landmark event. OYW founders Kate Robertson and David Jones took to the stage and announced that Queen Elizabeth had passed. The ceremony came to a swift end as 1800 young leaders were visibly struggling to process the information.

Being one of them, I had goosebumps when I heard the announcement. The journey of one of the most important figureheads in history had ended, however, it also felt like a ‘passing-of-the-torch’ moment pointing in the direction of a younger generation with bright futures’ who will eventually assume authority and responsibility to positively change the world for good.

Source (Twitter)

As a first-time attendee to the conference, I had a degree of scepticism about what the event may entail, I was overwhelmed by the amount of ambition on display and the number of young people stepping out and making a change.

From workshops, panels, keynotes, and interactive events, to being empowered, inspired and motivated by my fellow delegates, the event delivered on what it set out to achieve.

The impact of the Queen’s passing is hard to quantify, the duty she fulfilled and the service she was dedicated to for several decades is a reminder for young people to have pride in assuming responsibility, even if it is not sought out.

Whilst perspectives differ about the monarchy. The Queen is an example of true statesmanship and a reminder of how we can work towards social cohesion in times when the world faces a tide of polarisation.

It shouldn’t take a march to get justice for Chris Kaba

Mike Omoniyi
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It shouldn’t take a march to get justice for Chris Kaba

A Met Police officer who shot dead an unarmed black man has been suspended from duty, the force has confirmed. This decision is welcome, however, there is much more work the police must do.

Chris Kaba, a 24-year-old rapper, died after a single shot was fired in Streatham Hill, south London, on 5 September.

Mr Kaba, who was due to become a father, was stopped by firearms officers when his car was flagged by a number plate recognition camera. The Independent Office for Police Conduct has opened a homicide inquiry.

Met Assistant Commissioner Amanda Pearson said: “Following the death of Chris Kaba, the firearms officer involved has been suspended from duty.

“This decision has been reached following careful consideration of a number of factors, including the significant impact on public confidence, and in light of the IOPC announcing a homicide investigation.

“Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Mr Kaba’s family and friends. We understand how concerned communities are, particularly black communities, and thank those who are working closely with our local officers.”

A protester marching on Whitehall. Photograph: Sophia Evans/The Observer

She added that the decision to suspend the officer “does not determine the outcome of the IOPC investigation”.

“Firearms officers serve to protect the public and know that on the rare occasions when they discharge their weapons, they will face intense scrutiny. I know this development will have a significant impact on the officer and colleagues.”

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said he welcomed the decision and his “thoughts remain with Chris Kaba’s loved ones at this intensely difficult time”.

News of the suspension came as Chris Kaba’s family and friends joined members of the local community in a vigil marking a week since his death.

Whilst the decision to suspend the Met Police officer who shot and killed unarmed Chris Kaba is welcome, it shouldn’t have taken a march and a large social media campaign to get good practice from the London Met. The road to this decision was unnecessarily arduous for the family the Met is there to protect. So much stain was put on a family already dealing with grief a lot of us can only imagine. It’s unacceptable that it took the family parading their grief online to see this decision taken.

New Met Police commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley wants to reshape the image of the police, this is admirable. It is hard not to wonder if the decision to suspend the Met Police officer was taken because it was the right thing to do or whether he was forced to make this decision on his first day in office. It’s no secret that he is keen to rebuild trust between the police and Black communities. This will be an uphill battle because of so many years of scandal and bad behaviour from The Met.

A suspension may be the start but it is far from the end. A full investigation must reveal if this was a rogue police officer or whether this is further evidence of a systemic issue in how the police deal with black men. Trust is the lifeblood of community building so The Met will need to be honest and transparent if it’s serious about building this relationship.

Chris Kaba’s mother: ‘My heart is broken’ Source: BBC

It is also important that Chris Kaba’s grief-stricken family’s demands are met in full. It’s simply what they deserve.

In a statement released before a demonstration, Kaba’s family asked the police watchdog to conclude its investigation within “weeks or months, not years”.

It added that restoring public confidence in the justice system required the IOPC to make decisions on “a timescale that delivers justice to all concerned”.

A statement read: “On being notified of the death of Chris Kaba, the IOPC should have immediately opened a homicide and disciplinary investigation. The family was shocked to learn on Wednesday 7 September that the IOPC had still not done so, and demanded a change of heart without delay.

“The family now await the outcome of that investigation but seek a charging decision in this case in weeks or a few months, not years. Public confidence in the police and our justice system requires the IOPC and CPS to find a way to make decisions in this case on a timescale that delivers justice to all concerned. Avoidable delay is unacceptable.

“In the meantime, the family demands that the commissioner of police of the metropolis immediately suspend the firearms officer, pending the outcome of the investigation.”

As in many cases like this, justice must be done and justice must be seen to be done. This is the only way to build a police service that works for everyone. Eyes will be firmly on the new commissioner.

Mourning and Condolence arrangements at the Royal Residences

Mike Omoniyi
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Mourning and Condolence arrangements at the Royal Residences
  • People are leaving flowers and personal tributes outside palaces and churches as the UK marks the death of Queen Elizabeth II
  • The UK’s longest-reigning monarch died peacefully at Balmoral Castle on Thursday afternoon at the age of 96
  • King Charles III, who became the new monarch immediately, is expected to address the nation today
  • He said his mother’s death was a moment of “greatest sadness for me and all members of my family”
  • The Queen steered the monarchy through turbulent times, as Britain’s Empire ended and its place in the world fundamentally changed
  • She was head of state of the UK and 14 other countries, including Australia, Canada and Jamaica
  • Prime Minister Liz Truss described her as “the rock upon which modern Britain was built”
An October 13, 1940 photo showing Britain’s Princess Elizabeth (right) and Princess Margaret make their first radio broadcast, in London [File: AP Photo]

Royal Mourning

Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, it is His Majesty The King’s wish that a period of Royal Mourning be observed from now until seven days after The Queen’s Funeral. The date of the Funeral will be confirmed in due course.

Royal Mourning will be observed by Members of the Royal Family, Royal Household staff and Representatives of the Royal Household on official duties, together with troops committed to Ceremonial Duties.

Flags at Royal Residences 

Flags at Royal Residences were half masted yesterday, Thursday 8th September, and will remain half-masted until 0800hrs on the morning after the final day of Royal Mourning.

The half-masting of flags at Royal Residences does not apply to the Royal Standard and the Royal Standard in Scotland when The King is in residence, as they are always flown at full mast.

Guidance on flags at other public buildings has been issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Royal Gun Salute

Royal Salutes will be fired in London today at 1300hrs BST in Hyde Park by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and at the Tower of London by the Honourable Artillery Company. One round will be fired for each year of The Queen’s life.

Closure of the Royal Residences

Royal Residences will close until after The Queen’s Funeral. This includes The Queen’s Gallery and the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, and The Queen’s Gallery in Edinburgh. Balmoral Castle and Sandringham House, The Queen’s private estates, will also close for this period. In addition, Hillsborough Castle, The Sovereign’s official residence in Northern Ireland, will be closed.

Floral Tributes at the Royal Residences

Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, the following guidance is given to members of the public who wish to leave floral tributes at Royal Residences:

  • At Buckingham Palace members of the public will be guided to lay floral tributes at dedicated sites in The Green Park or Hyde Park. Flowers left outside the gates of Buckingham Palace will be moved to The Green Park Floral Tribute Garden by The Royal Parks. Further guidance will be issued by The Royal Parks.
  • At Windsor Castle, floral tributes can be left at Cambridge Gate on the Long Walk. These flowers will be brought inside the Castle every evening, and placed on the Castle Chapter grass on the south side of St George’s Chapel and Cambridge Drive.
  • At the Sandringham Estate, members of the public are encouraged to leave floral tributes at the Norwich Gates.
  • At Balmoral Castle, floral tributes can be left at the Main Gate.
  • At the Palace of Holyroodhouse, members of the public are encouraged to give floral tributes to the Wardens at the entrance to The Queen’s Gallery. Those flowers will be laid on the Forecourt grass in front of the North Turret of the Palace.
  • At Hillsborough Castle, floral tributes may be laid on the Castle Forecourt, in front of the main gates.

Information on Floral Tributes at other public buildings and locations will be issued by the Cabinet Office.

Books of Condolence at the Royal Residences

There are no physical Books of Condolence at the Royal Residences.

An online Book of Condolence for those who wish to leave messages is available on the Royal website: https://www.royal.uk/send-message-condolence.

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