London : The Pain and the Glory

My love affair with London is long-standing and passionate, far stronger than any relationship I've had with the opposite sex, much as I've adored women throughout my life. It has survived highs and lows, both personal and general; it has recently been sorely tested again by events rocking the capital one way or the other. Terrorists have tried - and failed miserably - to spread alarm and unhappiness to the populace of our great city, cowardly killing and maiming in the name, ostensibly, of some religious belief. Now a massive fire has devastated a tower block, killing many (we are not sure of the number yet) and traumatising all of Britain, such was the severity of the blaze. London under attack from the gods, man or both?

Yet these events have had the opposite effect on Londoners than people would have predicted. Yes, there is fury that terrorists can strike in the city we love, maiming and killing. Yes, there is anger that a simple fire can consume a building in such a short period of time, making escape for residents next to impossible. Londoners of course want answers, and their city to be safer.

But we have not succumbed to despair and negativity. Even the politicians, lowest of the low in many peoples' books - have refrained from making much political capital out of the tragedies. And it is ordinary Londoners who have shown the true glory of this city, one which disregards all distinctions, rushing in to help in any way possible. Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time, the latest tragedies bring London together and make all Londoners sadder yet prouder, more determined to improve their city and, hopefully, eliminate tragedies in the future.

To talk of the heroism of the emergency services is to say things that have been said many times before, but these must be repeated time and again so these amazing people receive the recognition and protection that they deserve. They have shown that they are always there in our hour of need and it is society's duty to cherish and reward them adequately so that they can continue to do so. I have always been in awe of the selflessness of the emergency services and feel that now is the time to draw a line on financial cutbacks where they are concerned. London's finest must not have their life made any harder.

It is very difficult, almost impossible actually, to restrict the movement of potential criminals with terrorist intentions in a truly free country, and this freedom is cherished nowhere more so than in London. We know of the problem posed by these rogues (who pretend to be ideologues) but continue to go about our daily business as usual, wary but unfazed and fully cognisant of the risks of our open, accepting society. This is our city, our freedom, not to be diminished or compromised by any Tom, Dick or Harry.

That we love London does not mean that we think it's perfect; the tragedy of the Grenfell Tower fire is indeed proof that it is not. All of us must work to put things right so things like that cannot happen again, nor other horrible things. Let us pressure government, local and central and of whatever colour. Let us try and make our city as close to perfect as possible for all Londoners, so others can fall in love with it also. Much as I did over all those years

ago.

London is beautiful and welcoming but can have an ugly and brutal side - it is, after all a mega-city, home to disparate millions. It also has a big heart, though, a very big heart that events, throughout history, have been unable to crush. And while I cannot vouch for Londoners of the distant past, most of the people I have met over the many years of living here have been decent, caring and considerate, ready to help those in need.

The world will have seen this too after the latest tragedies, as we have had to cope with events in the full glare of the media. I hope that they will understand that we feel the pain, deep inside, because we love our city and those we share it with. I hope that they have also noticed the pride in the community, in humanity, in our city.

Is it any wonder that the most successful beer brewed in London is called London Pride? Or that it is one of my all-time favourites?