Ted Cantle CBE

Almost 25 years since community cohesion developed in response to 2001 riots. But no consistent or coherent strategy, just a new flurry of activity after each new conflict. So 2024 riots provoked more interest, but will a strategy finally emerge?

This is so true. These community groups, charities and voluntary associations, need regular funding and to be a valued part of a local partnership to inform strategies and help with interventions @BelongNetwork @britishfuture

This is the bad news - but the good news is that we can always choose to invest in community cohesion, a modest cost compared with more tensions and riots @BelongNetwork @britishfuture

This is a good point, we must try to control social media, but we also have to support alternative news and information sources. Local trusted media, based in local communities, is essential @BelongNetwork @britishfuture

Another report after another riot - surely this time we will institute a long term strategy and programme to deliver community cohesion? @BelongNetwork

Good article in @FEWeek showing the dilemmas - and potentialities- that colleges face in tackling divisions. But FE colleges need to be more assertive and make sure cohesion work starts in the schools that feed into them @BelongNetwork

I find it hard to understand that some people are apparently willing to parade their lack of basic science on social media. And at the same time to have the temerity to call someone with clearly a much better understanding a ‘buffoon’.

🚪What I saw today behind this door might seriously reduce violence in our country. Read this 🧵for a burst of hope …👇 (1/)

“It’s important to have a network of people that you can quickly connect with to understand what is going on in the community - from interfaith organisations, faith leaders, school heads & community leaders.” Neil Consterdine, Director of Communities at @OldhamCouncil

Looking forward to reading this paper, I imagine research would show similar results in the UK. Algorithms drive like minded views into stronger groupthink. Anger means more intolerance and less considered views and compromise

Local government reorganisation is dominated by vested political interests. Needs independent proposals based on socio-economic boundaries and organisational capacity. It’s a patchwork now, this reform won’t improve local democratic purpose bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

I've wanted a succinct statement that describes the divisive nature of faith schools for ages. You've just done it Ted. Thank you!

If this can be done, why can’t just one social media site offer identity verification on all users, so that abusers of all types, can be tracked down and prosecuted. It would attract those interested in safety and tolerant, respectful exchanges bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

This is exactly right - at present there is no monitoring of changes within communities, where real grievances and misunderstandings are at play, and why tensions are rising. Easy and cost effective win to be had @MrBrendanCox @BelongNetwork

I think this will be the fifth review of cohesion since my original report in 2001. All of said pretty much the same thing - we need a permanent infrastructure for oversight and support. Maybe this time … @sajidjavid @JonCruddas_1 @BelongNetwork

Faith school have become recruiting sergeants for the church, mosque, synagogue, temple etc, and self-interest has trumped community interest. First step must be to impose 50% limit on single faith, as previously agreed

The proliferation of faith schools is not only denying choice, it is adding to the separation and segregation of our children who are effectively being told that they are so different that they cannot even sit next to a child of different faith or none. Christian, Muslim, Jewish,…

🧵Cohesion/community relations should never have been a rationale to prevent proper investigation of grooming gangs. But we also I think now have clear evidence that community cohesion will always be better served by pursuing truths, how ever uncomfortable, without fear or favour