IT’S hard to go anywhere on the left without hearing someone mention how Black Lives Matter should move from a moment to a movement. 

This often from people who have done virtually nothing – never attending a march – never spoken at a rally – never prioritised race equality in bargaining. Yet still they proclaim a long-held commitment to something they have never really done anything about.

Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against people arriving late to the party. Better late than never I say. But I really wish they wouldn’t treat anti racism or the Black Lives Matter movement – because yes, it’s already a movement and has been for some considerable time – as some sort of fashion accessory. An accessory to be paraded and then, as with all other fashions, to be discarded when a new fashion emerges.