At the Business of Greater Manchester conference I hosted our guests were treated to a powerful eulogy to the late great Sir Howard Bernstein, whose family had built a life in Manchester after escaping pogroms in Russia.
It was delivered by Mike Emmerich, who is writing a book about the life and times of Howard, as the incredibly humble former chief executive of Manchester city council always preferred to be called.
His legacy was felt in the energetic discussions that coursed through our conference.
Everyone spoke proudly of an inclusive, dynamic and welcoming city. One that opened its arms to businesses looking to locate here, and to attract the talent to come and work for them.
They are the “dreamers and schemers” evoked by the poet Tony Walsh in his epic tome, This Is The Place, who have been “drawn here” collaborating with those who are “born here”.
It’s a verse that touched my heart when I stood in Albert Square in May 2017, the day after a previous monstrous attack on our city, our place and who we are. Or who we like to think we are.
But a dark side pervades. That Jewish friends of mine now feel they have to wear flat caps to hide their yarmulkes in the city centre is shameful. It is also appalling that places of worship, supposedly a peaceful sanctuary for prayer, have to have private security. But yesterday, thank God they did.
I’m also calling out the tatty flags and racist graffiti which seek to intimidate communities made up of people who don’t look like me. We have to be better than this.
Our first responders, especially the armed police, deserve our thanks for what they had to do, but also members of the public we reacted bravely and quickly in the face of terror.
Manchester has defied those who have sought to divide the city with hate and terror before. In 1996, in 2017 and now, tragically, we will have to do so again in 2025.
