He went to both Oxford and Harvard, which some among the grassroots might see as a privileged background.

BBC: Rhodri Morgan: From scholarship to leadership?

It is a symbol among the grassroots of the ruling Workers and Peronist Parties in Brazil and Argentina respectively, and the Movement of Popular Participation (MPP), one of the largest sectors in Uruguay's ruling party, the Broad Front.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Some Reflections Over Speculations on Venezuela's Future

The Bolivarian Revolution is popular among the indigenous grassroots, including CONAIE, the largest indigenous movement in Ecuador.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Some Reflections Over Speculations on Venezuela's Future

The tragic death of Tunisian street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi, by self-immolation, brought about a grassroots political movement among Tunisians that effectively overthrew the country's authoritarian ruler, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali.

CNN: Africa's rocky road to democracy

But in political terms, the new stridency among senior British Muslims is probably the bare minimum of assertiveness they could show while keeping any credibility with their grassroots.

ECONOMIST: British Muslims