The Right Honourable Mr Gordon Brown
The Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
London
SW1A 2AA
Dear Prime Minister
I have today written to Her Majesty The Queen, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, The Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition and a number of other relevant incumbent authorities to ask that they support my petition for a new national holiday;
'Neighbour Day'. Some or all of these people may, I hope, write to you independently about this matter.
I shall, in due course, engage the media and the Downing Street online petition in my campaign but out of courtesy to you feel it only appropriate to allow for your reply.
I ask Sir, that you look kindly upon my advocacy of 'Neighbour Day', indeed I feel that its implementation may very well be a defining moment of governance – a brave step by a brave leader that may well improve our society, indeed the world, for the better.
A legacy indeed, and a model that could inspire and encourage other nations and communities.
We are all aware of the importance of communication; facilitating discourse and integration within modern fractured society can only be a positive step and were the government to set the lead in creating a framework, society would, I am sure leap at the chance to contribute for the greater good.
Modern life provides for little neighbourly interaction and this I feel is the root of many of its ills.
Whilst a cheery disposition might allow for individual navigation of societies hurdles there are precious few opportunities nowadays to interact at any deep level with those who share our neighbourhoods.
Many of life's traditional conduits of communication have disappeared; pubs, post offices, libraries and the like are in decline – not through fault but through evolution - and yet the popularity of 'virtual communities' demonstrates the longing we all have, at some level, to just get along with one and other.
There are tiny neighbourhood day events around and about but precious few people know of them – certainly it is my belief that in declaring a new national holiday 'Neighbour Day' we could breath new life into community spirit and regeneration.
Telethons like 'Children in Need' and 'Red Nose Day' demonstrate ably the willingness of the nation to embrace co-operation and put aside differences. By harnessing and directing that energy, and involving the whole nation, you could enable the paradigm shift entire communities have been longing for.
In my own area the cultures and ethnicity is varied and diverse – I have no great complaints of my neighbours and I hope they none of me; but I do wonder how, willing though I am, I might ever engage with them.
There is a Mosque at the end of my road, and though not terribly religious, I did want a look round, and the people there were so pleased to show me. But going and asking was a huge big deal, I know of no other person who has done the same.
There are people in my road whom I would love the opportunity to chat with - but short of an occasional wave or alarming them there is no opportunity to do so – you might think there are events, there simply aren't. And who would go to a single one-off even if there were? Create it as a norm, something everyone did and one might feel left out if one didn't engage.
Imagine then this public holiday, backed by the media where we create an ethos to rival the great American Thanksgiving; where they cook turkey and invite family, we have a barbecue (or finger buffet!) and invite neighbours.
Where the village fete atmosphere can be again found once again in villages but also in sink estates, where boundary disputes are put aside over a can of beer or a cup of tea.
Where people who might wonder about the lives of others can learn to put their fears aside, and find out that by and large we're all pretty much the same anyway. What happened in Northern Ireland came about from the willingness to engage – I believe there is a willingness but no mechanism and that sure is where good government comes in.
This whole idea needs little more explanation – it can work and it will work but it needs great bravery and leadership to implement; the best ideas are often the simplest; you only have to look at text messaging, no one predicted that!
Mr Brown, I believe the time is right to put the challenge to the public of this country; the challenge to rise up with that once familiar collective sprit which makes Britain really great - to show to others and the world that we are inclusive, that we are one people, one nation and, indeed one world.
It doesn't take the greatest leap of imagination to see how one could further the ideals on an international scale – embracing neighbours, near and far in an inclusive dialogue is the way to effect change.
Instead of dropping bombs, perhaps for just one day a year, America might follow our lead and start dropping laptops.
Seize the nettle Mr Brown; history will, I am certain, reward you.
Yours sincerely
Charles A Webber
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