I was at the launch of the Coalition Government's response to the All-Party Inquiry into Antisemitism (http://www.antisemitism.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Cm-7991-web1.pdf), at which Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks spoke eloquently about campus extremism (http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/42585/chief-rabbi-speaks-campus-extrem...). Among those launching the report (http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/39928) was Communities Minister Andrew Stunell, who is a Liberal Democrat (http://www.libdems.org.uk/latest_news_detail.aspx?title=Andrew_Stunell%3...). Now, a disturbing rumour has reached me that some people reading this blog are not very well-disposed towards the Liberal Democrats. I know, I know, I was as shocked as you are when I heard this. So, to those people, I would say: various doom-mongers warned of dire communal consquences if the Liberal Democrats entered a Coalition Government, with some deliberate misinformation being spread before the election. I always said (http://jta.org/news/article/2010/05/12/2394776/unusual-coalition-govmt-l...) that the community was in for a pleasant surprise from this government, and from the Liberal Democrats in particular. And what has been the reality?

Strong speeches by Messrs Clegg and Cameron (http://www.robinshepherdonline.com/british-government-junior-partners-in...) to lunches organised by their parties' respective Friends of Israel groupings. Faith schools continuing to flourish, with £2m for Jewish school security. A renewal of the last government's commitment to send sixth-formers on educational visits to Auschwitz. A solid response this year to the All-Party Inquiry into Antisemitism, building on the last Government's responses. Legislation to clarify the law on universal jurisdiction. The labelling-threat to shechitah seen off (for now) by the Council of Ministers, including a minister from our government. William Hague's successful visit to Israel as Foreign Secretary. What exactly is it that this government is doing wrong on these issues of communal concern? The proof of the pudding is in the eating...