"I'm All Right Jack" (and John)
Yesterday, on on BBC Radio 4's "Broadcasting House" the male presenter asked a woman journalist from an Asian newspaper, who was a guest on the programme, a question in words to the effect of : "Have Moslems become the new Fox Hunting ?". The woman was rather taken aback - and so was I - but she replied "No, we haven't". This was rather a surreal question I thought - these may be rather surreal times - but the point the presenter was raising is : Why has a "minority issue" like wearing a veil become such a major distraction for politicians and media, when there are many and much more important matters for both to cover ?
One of these impostant issues - which affects a great many people in Britain - is the ongoing relationship between labour and capital, or New Labour and the Trade Unions. Incidentally, I am not a Marxist, but do think that Marx has some interesting and even relevant ideas. However, the relationship between labour and capital seems rather overlooked, or at least not given the attention it deserves, by politicians and the media today, so I'm going to deal with it here.
There is a brilliant "study" of this theme in the 1959 classic British comedy "I'm All Right Jack". In this, the great actor Peter Sellars plays a canny trade unionist, Fred Kite, and is the "hero" of the show. The film has been interpreted as primarily a swipe at the union movement in post-war Britain, but is in fact a much broader satire of the machinations of management, government, the media, trade unions and the class system. On the latter theme, Fred Kite memorably "converts" the engaging "toff" Stanley Windrush to his class war, something which finally leaves Stanley disillusioned, and he retreats to a nudist colony at the end of the film.
Incidentally, I am toying with the idea of re-writing "I'm Alright Jack" as "I'm All Right John".
John Prescott would play the Fred Kite character, and David Cameron, Stanley. Although on reflection, the latter role might be better suited to Jack Straw : no problems with veiled women in a nudist colony after all. If anyone would like to commission this "work", please do get in touch and I'll send them my synopsis (written under the veil of a pseudonym of course !).
Now, to return to New Labour and the modern British trade unions. Some people will have been following the cash for peerages "story". I haven't really, but I vaguely remember that near the beginning of this the Labour Party Treasurer (Jack somebody or other, a Union boss of which one I dont' know, and husband of Ms Harriet Harman MP, Government Minister for something of other) announced that he had only just become aware (? via the media) of certain loans being made to the Party, and of these possibly having links to the granting of peerages. All I can hope is that Gordon Brown's management of the Treasury is a bit better. Time will tell.
Although Mrs Thatcher has been widely blamed for the decline in the role of trade unions, with "live wires" (I'm being ironic) like "Jack", as I'm going to call him, in charge, it comes as no surprise at all that many, if not most, British people now regard the unions as irrelevent, something which is actually a great shame ! For in other European countries, such as Germany, and even in the United States, they continue to play an important role in their country's commerce and industry, influencing government policy on the impact of globalisation, for instance (see my previous blog "Globalisation and Discontent"), and, in the case of Europe, playing an effective role in the continued development of high quality public services.
It has to be said that there are a few trade unionists and unions in Britain who still play a highly effective role their areas of operation. However, these are in a minority, and one of the main reasons for this - aside from people like "Jack" - is that senior politicians and the media are less interested these days in serious issues like the future of manufacturing in this country, than they are in "minority issues" like the wearing of veils. I'm not sure why this is the case. It may have something to do with the obsession of New Labour and wider society with "appearance", and with who controls the media (ie the likes of the Murdoch Dynasty). It may be that one of the few places where these serious issues can be tackled is in the "unsensored" and "dramatic" form available to the satirist.
Alright Jack/John !
Monday, October 09, 2006
Friday, October 06, 2006
On the Importance of Being a Good Punter
I want to continue the theme of instruction and training in this post, but this time with reference to equestrianism.
It's probably fair to say that the horse people of Middle England include individuals whose views, attitudes and behaviours are every bit as daft as some adherents of New Labour. Indeed, when I had a dispute with the owners of an upmarket livery yard a few years ago and recounted the names and other details of the persons involved to a Liberal Democrat friend, and former Labour local councillor, his response was something to the effect of : "This all sounds very New Labour to me".
I have been a horse rider for about forty years, and in that time I've probably ridden in excess of 100 horses. With one or two exceptions, these creatures have caused me very few difficulities and brought me great pleasure and "instruction". The same can not always be said of people who profess to be horsewomen and men , and who call themselves "trainers". There is a tendency to value appearance over substance in present day equitation. No doubt this tendency is ever present but I would suggest that it is stronger today than in the more recent past.
A few weeks ago, I was given a new insight into why this is so. I had just had what can only be described as an excellent jumping lesson. Believe me good jumping instruction for the amateur rider is hard to come by ! The instructor clearly identified my strengths and weaknesses to me, and gave a lesson which was at once challenging and enjoyable, for both rider and horse. Afterwards, he distinguished the "horseman" from the "competitor" : the latter being mainly concerned with "winning", and with finding a horse who can facilitate this; and the "horseman" being someone with a deep understanding of horses, the strengths, weaknesses and aptitudes of different animals, and the ability to get the best from each individual.
However, we live in a very competitive age (in some respects ridiculously so). The U S economist and management guru Michael Porter ("The Competitive Advantage of Nations", "On Competition" etc) has usefully distinguised healthy competition from "mutually destructive rivalry". Understanding the difference between these is very important in horse and other sports, as it is in business and management.
Some years ago, I had the benefit of riding with a talented woman (who was a very good competitor, but perhaps not such a good horsewoman). Nevertheless, from my perspective the relationship was beneficial. I noted some of her techniques, and her competitive spirit re-galvanised the competitive person in me. One outcome of this was that I helped organise 2 teams of horses and riders to attend a "British Riding Clubs" (think adult "Pony Club") competition at the Hickstead All England Show Jumping Ground. Unfortunately, some "mutually destructive rivalry" broke out amongst some potential team members. This made the organisers's job more difficult than anticipated, and our trainer's "values" didn't help matters.
The trainer in question made the mistake of valueing appearance over substance. He singled out the talented lady mentioned above who chose to ride a fine looking horse, the darling of many a lady rider, and quite a few gentleman. This "partnership" could do no wrong in the training sessions. Meanwhile, the horse I had chosen to ride, and particularly myself, could do very little right. Not since primary school had I been singled out for such admonishment. By the end of the sessions, I felt like dismounting and punching the trainer, who incidentally bore some resemblence to James Hewitt (when he was younger), but with a manner more like John Reid's.
Nevertheless, I still felt very much "fit for purpose", and I knew that my horse would be too on the day of the competition. This day duly arrived. The talented lady and her fine looking horse were amongst the first to enter the arena and were promptly eliminated at the second or third fence, after three refusals, causing the rider to have a major tantrum. This and the elimination had some negative impact on other people. However, with the exception of another rider whose pony (smaller than a horse) left the arena midway through the course (I shall come on to him later), everyone else "got round". Barring a small mistake, my round went very well and I thoroughly enjoyed myself, as did most other people who came as competitors and supporters.
The only real downside of the day was the major tantrum. I felt slightly bad about all this. The horse that had caused the outburst had a reputation for being somewhat capricious, not least in his tendency to buck people off, something that had happened on a previous occasion even to the talented lady in the middle of a show ring. "Handsome is as homesome does" as the saying goes, and, personally, I was surprised that she "stuck with him". My feeling was that the trainer had relied too much on his impressions "on the day", paying little regard to what other people told him of the horse's previous form, and re-inforcing the rider's tendency to be "over-confident".
With horses, as with many things in life, it is important to develop the skills of the a good punter. By this I mean, seek out professional advice but don't rely on it overmuch. Develop your own judgement based upon knowledge and experience. Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. Above all, know when to take risks and when to go for a safe bet.
At the "Riding Clubs" competition I had gone for a horse I knew to be a "safe bet". However, on another occasion, I decided to "take a risk". I was a late entrant to something called "Top Score Jumping", meaning that the most difficult fences carry the most points and the winner has the "top score". The only horse available for me to ride was the pony I mentioned earlier. I should say that I am quite tall but not very heavy, and also that I am good at adjusting my riding to different types of horse, or pony. This time, the talented lady rode the "safe bet" horse. As it happened, she and I were joint second on this occasion.
I was therefore rather annoyed when the judge (a colleague of the trainer previously mentioned) disqualified me for being incorrectly attired. Although, as far as could make out the Show Rules did not specify "correct attire" beyond the requirements which I had fulfilled. However, I did not quarrel with the decision, for in my experience, the chance to give a "Harvey Smith" to this kind of "bureaucracy" always comes around.
I want to continue the theme of instruction and training in this post, but this time with reference to equestrianism.
It's probably fair to say that the horse people of Middle England include individuals whose views, attitudes and behaviours are every bit as daft as some adherents of New Labour. Indeed, when I had a dispute with the owners of an upmarket livery yard a few years ago and recounted the names and other details of the persons involved to a Liberal Democrat friend, and former Labour local councillor, his response was something to the effect of : "This all sounds very New Labour to me".
I have been a horse rider for about forty years, and in that time I've probably ridden in excess of 100 horses. With one or two exceptions, these creatures have caused me very few difficulities and brought me great pleasure and "instruction". The same can not always be said of people who profess to be horsewomen and men , and who call themselves "trainers". There is a tendency to value appearance over substance in present day equitation. No doubt this tendency is ever present but I would suggest that it is stronger today than in the more recent past.
A few weeks ago, I was given a new insight into why this is so. I had just had what can only be described as an excellent jumping lesson. Believe me good jumping instruction for the amateur rider is hard to come by ! The instructor clearly identified my strengths and weaknesses to me, and gave a lesson which was at once challenging and enjoyable, for both rider and horse. Afterwards, he distinguished the "horseman" from the "competitor" : the latter being mainly concerned with "winning", and with finding a horse who can facilitate this; and the "horseman" being someone with a deep understanding of horses, the strengths, weaknesses and aptitudes of different animals, and the ability to get the best from each individual.
However, we live in a very competitive age (in some respects ridiculously so). The U S economist and management guru Michael Porter ("The Competitive Advantage of Nations", "On Competition" etc) has usefully distinguised healthy competition from "mutually destructive rivalry". Understanding the difference between these is very important in horse and other sports, as it is in business and management.
Some years ago, I had the benefit of riding with a talented woman (who was a very good competitor, but perhaps not such a good horsewoman). Nevertheless, from my perspective the relationship was beneficial. I noted some of her techniques, and her competitive spirit re-galvanised the competitive person in me. One outcome of this was that I helped organise 2 teams of horses and riders to attend a "British Riding Clubs" (think adult "Pony Club") competition at the Hickstead All England Show Jumping Ground. Unfortunately, some "mutually destructive rivalry" broke out amongst some potential team members. This made the organisers's job more difficult than anticipated, and our trainer's "values" didn't help matters.
The trainer in question made the mistake of valueing appearance over substance. He singled out the talented lady mentioned above who chose to ride a fine looking horse, the darling of many a lady rider, and quite a few gentleman. This "partnership" could do no wrong in the training sessions. Meanwhile, the horse I had chosen to ride, and particularly myself, could do very little right. Not since primary school had I been singled out for such admonishment. By the end of the sessions, I felt like dismounting and punching the trainer, who incidentally bore some resemblence to James Hewitt (when he was younger), but with a manner more like John Reid's.
Nevertheless, I still felt very much "fit for purpose", and I knew that my horse would be too on the day of the competition. This day duly arrived. The talented lady and her fine looking horse were amongst the first to enter the arena and were promptly eliminated at the second or third fence, after three refusals, causing the rider to have a major tantrum. This and the elimination had some negative impact on other people. However, with the exception of another rider whose pony (smaller than a horse) left the arena midway through the course (I shall come on to him later), everyone else "got round". Barring a small mistake, my round went very well and I thoroughly enjoyed myself, as did most other people who came as competitors and supporters.
The only real downside of the day was the major tantrum. I felt slightly bad about all this. The horse that had caused the outburst had a reputation for being somewhat capricious, not least in his tendency to buck people off, something that had happened on a previous occasion even to the talented lady in the middle of a show ring. "Handsome is as homesome does" as the saying goes, and, personally, I was surprised that she "stuck with him". My feeling was that the trainer had relied too much on his impressions "on the day", paying little regard to what other people told him of the horse's previous form, and re-inforcing the rider's tendency to be "over-confident".
With horses, as with many things in life, it is important to develop the skills of the a good punter. By this I mean, seek out professional advice but don't rely on it overmuch. Develop your own judgement based upon knowledge and experience. Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. Above all, know when to take risks and when to go for a safe bet.
At the "Riding Clubs" competition I had gone for a horse I knew to be a "safe bet". However, on another occasion, I decided to "take a risk". I was a late entrant to something called "Top Score Jumping", meaning that the most difficult fences carry the most points and the winner has the "top score". The only horse available for me to ride was the pony I mentioned earlier. I should say that I am quite tall but not very heavy, and also that I am good at adjusting my riding to different types of horse, or pony. This time, the talented lady rode the "safe bet" horse. As it happened, she and I were joint second on this occasion.
I was therefore rather annoyed when the judge (a colleague of the trainer previously mentioned) disqualified me for being incorrectly attired. Although, as far as could make out the Show Rules did not specify "correct attire" beyond the requirements which I had fulfilled. However, I did not quarrel with the decision, for in my experience, the chance to give a "Harvey Smith" to this kind of "bureaucracy" always comes around.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Jungian Psychology, Surrealist Art and Transport Planning
Writing in Christie's (the international auction house) Magazine last Summer, Robert Brown recounts :
"In 1926 the Swiss Psychiatrist Carl Jung had a troubling but ultimately instructive dream about the Great War which awoke in him the realisation that 'the war, which in the outer world had taken place some years before, was not yet over, but was continuing to be fought within the
psyche'".
Brown continues :
"Such a revelation would not have been news to Max Ernst whose art throughout the 1920s is about as clear a manifestation of Jung's psychological discovery as one could wish for. 'La Horde' is one of the finest examples from a small series of strange and powerful paintings made with the newly-discovered grattage technique in which a band of nightmarish and violent struggling creatures emerge, as if in a dream, from a forest-like backgound of painted form and texture".
Jung's dream and Ernst's art may also be very "instructive" to the wars of our present time.
However, I want to focus here on the relevance of Jung's ideas and "La Horde" to the subject of planning, and in particular to transport planning.
I began my professional career in area development and regeneration in the mid-1980s when I was employed to co-ordinate the involvement of a coalition of community-based organisations at a planning inquiry, of nearly 18 months duration, into proposals for what could only be described as a potentially devastating - to built and natural environment - road scheme.
The scheme was never built, although a further planning inquiry took place in the early 1990s. This, and the threat of High Court action by some objectors, eventually led to the suspension of draft compulsory purchase orders for the most destructive stretch of the road proposal. However, the story was not yet over. A "war... was continuing to be fought within the psyche".
For nearly a year between June 2005 and May 2006, a truncated version of the road scheme again went through a planning inquiry. As I submitted evidence and attended this inquiry, I could not fail to be aware of the powerful psychic forces at work, as it were, behind the scenes. For "La Horde" in this case, I would argue, is modern "civilisation's" potentially catastrophic requirement for personal mobility, regardless of cost to the environment and society.
However, there is a further message in all this. Another psyhologist (whose name escapes me just now) spoke of "the dangers of conscious planning without unconscious process". Failure to recognise this is a core shortcoming of many, if not most, planning and planning-related professions. Let me therefore suggest that rather more human psycholgy and "cultural instruction" be included in their training and continuing professional development.
Writing in Christie's (the international auction house) Magazine last Summer, Robert Brown recounts :
"In 1926 the Swiss Psychiatrist Carl Jung had a troubling but ultimately instructive dream about the Great War which awoke in him the realisation that 'the war, which in the outer world had taken place some years before, was not yet over, but was continuing to be fought within the
psyche'".
Brown continues :
"Such a revelation would not have been news to Max Ernst whose art throughout the 1920s is about as clear a manifestation of Jung's psychological discovery as one could wish for. 'La Horde' is one of the finest examples from a small series of strange and powerful paintings made with the newly-discovered grattage technique in which a band of nightmarish and violent struggling creatures emerge, as if in a dream, from a forest-like backgound of painted form and texture".
Jung's dream and Ernst's art may also be very "instructive" to the wars of our present time.
However, I want to focus here on the relevance of Jung's ideas and "La Horde" to the subject of planning, and in particular to transport planning.
I began my professional career in area development and regeneration in the mid-1980s when I was employed to co-ordinate the involvement of a coalition of community-based organisations at a planning inquiry, of nearly 18 months duration, into proposals for what could only be described as a potentially devastating - to built and natural environment - road scheme.
The scheme was never built, although a further planning inquiry took place in the early 1990s. This, and the threat of High Court action by some objectors, eventually led to the suspension of draft compulsory purchase orders for the most destructive stretch of the road proposal. However, the story was not yet over. A "war... was continuing to be fought within the psyche".
For nearly a year between June 2005 and May 2006, a truncated version of the road scheme again went through a planning inquiry. As I submitted evidence and attended this inquiry, I could not fail to be aware of the powerful psychic forces at work, as it were, behind the scenes. For "La Horde" in this case, I would argue, is modern "civilisation's" potentially catastrophic requirement for personal mobility, regardless of cost to the environment and society.
However, there is a further message in all this. Another psyhologist (whose name escapes me just now) spoke of "the dangers of conscious planning without unconscious process". Failure to recognise this is a core shortcoming of many, if not most, planning and planning-related professions. Let me therefore suggest that rather more human psycholgy and "cultural instruction" be included in their training and continuing professional development.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Mrs Satan - Biographical Information
I'm just going to add some biographical details for the "Mrs Satan" I mentioned earlier. As I don't have "that book" to hand, I'm taking the information from a very good guide to Bredon Hill, where the lady lived in later life :
"The beautiful manor (in Bredon's Norton) dates from 1585 and in the first two decades of the 21st century housed a very notable woman called Victoria Biddulph Martin, renowned for being the only woman to have run for president of the United States. She ran a newspaper in which she promoted her suffragette views, which must have taken some courage. Her surprisingly modern philosophies on free love, contraception, vegetarianism, magnetic healing, legalised prostitution, and easier devorce laws won her little popular appeal in the USA and eventually led to her being requested to leave the country, which is why she moved to England. She subsequently married John Biddulph Martin. Although she did lecture in Britain about her beliefs, she generally kept a lower profile while she was married to John and living in London. When he died in 1901 she moved to his country home, here on the slopes of Bredon Hill. It is alleged that she performed seances at the manor, an activity which had won her the interest of Cornelius Vanderbilt when she held them in the USA. Her esoteric spiritual beliefs did not in any way affect her ability to improve conditions for her fellow women - she was able to turn her political beliefs into tangible benefits. It is said that she lent out part of the manor so that young women could learn farming techniques, and it is also said that she turned her tithe barn into a village hall...."
From "Bredon Hill - A Guide to its Archaeology, History, Folklore and Villages" by Brian Hoggard and published by the Logaston Press
I'm just going to add some biographical details for the "Mrs Satan" I mentioned earlier. As I don't have "that book" to hand, I'm taking the information from a very good guide to Bredon Hill, where the lady lived in later life :
"The beautiful manor (in Bredon's Norton) dates from 1585 and in the first two decades of the 21st century housed a very notable woman called Victoria Biddulph Martin, renowned for being the only woman to have run for president of the United States. She ran a newspaper in which she promoted her suffragette views, which must have taken some courage. Her surprisingly modern philosophies on free love, contraception, vegetarianism, magnetic healing, legalised prostitution, and easier devorce laws won her little popular appeal in the USA and eventually led to her being requested to leave the country, which is why she moved to England. She subsequently married John Biddulph Martin. Although she did lecture in Britain about her beliefs, she generally kept a lower profile while she was married to John and living in London. When he died in 1901 she moved to his country home, here on the slopes of Bredon Hill. It is alleged that she performed seances at the manor, an activity which had won her the interest of Cornelius Vanderbilt when she held them in the USA. Her esoteric spiritual beliefs did not in any way affect her ability to improve conditions for her fellow women - she was able to turn her political beliefs into tangible benefits. It is said that she lent out part of the manor so that young women could learn farming techniques, and it is also said that she turned her tithe barn into a village hall...."
From "Bredon Hill - A Guide to its Archaeology, History, Folklore and Villages" by Brian Hoggard and published by the Logaston Press
Monday, October 02, 2006
The Avante Garde Society of Worcester and John Reid
Last week in a local bookshop, I noticed a poster inviting people to a performance by "The Avante Garde Society of Worcester".
For a moment I was phased. The juxtaposition of "Avante Garde" and "Worcester" created the kind of reaction in me that would have accompanied John Reid's announcement to the Labour Party Conference that he was going to stand for the leadership and convert to Islam at the same time. Please note this is intended as a joke ! Incidentally, if Mr Reid is considering the latter spiritual option - and even if he isn't - might I suggest a relaxing turn on the "hubble-bubble" from time to time. He might ask Roy Hattersly to accompany him (given the latter's threat to shoot himself if Mr Reid became Labout Party Leader).
Returning to "The Avante Garde Society of Worcester", this offered an interesting programme, and now that I've overcome my own prejudices, I may go along to the next performance.
Last week in a local bookshop, I noticed a poster inviting people to a performance by "The Avante Garde Society of Worcester".
For a moment I was phased. The juxtaposition of "Avante Garde" and "Worcester" created the kind of reaction in me that would have accompanied John Reid's announcement to the Labour Party Conference that he was going to stand for the leadership and convert to Islam at the same time. Please note this is intended as a joke ! Incidentally, if Mr Reid is considering the latter spiritual option - and even if he isn't - might I suggest a relaxing turn on the "hubble-bubble" from time to time. He might ask Roy Hattersly to accompany him (given the latter's threat to shoot himself if Mr Reid became Labout Party Leader).
Returning to "The Avante Garde Society of Worcester", this offered an interesting programme, and now that I've overcome my own prejudices, I may go along to the next performance.
"Mrs Satans" of the Western World
I'm now going to deal with the global and the local, the historical and the present, and to demonstrate how these are extricably linked.
In my local history centre is a black book which in gold lettering bears the title "Mrs Satan". This is not some antiquarian occult treatise, but the true story of a lady who in her earlier life stood for President of the United States on something of a "free love" platform, and in middle age (when things had also got a bit too "hot" back home"), married, and moved to rural Worcestershire. Here, in the first part of the last century, she led the relatively quiet life of an English country lady, punctuated, by all accounts, with regular seances.
I was reminded of "Mrs Satan" by Hilary Clinton's current campaign to become the Democrat candidate for the next United States Presidency. A member of the US "Christian Right" was on BBC Radio 4 a few days ago, with the message - and I paraphrase - that if Mrs Clinton is succesful in standing for president this would galvanise his colleagues as much as if the devil himself had won the nomination. Although in my earlier blog I expressed some scepticism about the affairs of her husband, on this occasion I wish Mrs Clinton every success.
The subject of Hilary Clinton brings me to another Democrat supporter and "Mrs Satan" who also now enjoys the life of an English Country lady, albeit in Wiltshire. I'm thinking of Madonna, whose most recent concert tour, by all acounts, upset quite a number of Christian clerics, notwithstanding that the pop singer and performance artist has herself taken on quite a spiritual turn in recent years. Could it be that she too was a US presidential candidate in a previous incarnation ? One never knows.
For anyone intrigued by the life of the "original Mrs Satan", fear not I shall return to her, and other "Wicked Witches of the West" in future blogs.
I'm now going to deal with the global and the local, the historical and the present, and to demonstrate how these are extricably linked.
In my local history centre is a black book which in gold lettering bears the title "Mrs Satan". This is not some antiquarian occult treatise, but the true story of a lady who in her earlier life stood for President of the United States on something of a "free love" platform, and in middle age (when things had also got a bit too "hot" back home"), married, and moved to rural Worcestershire. Here, in the first part of the last century, she led the relatively quiet life of an English country lady, punctuated, by all accounts, with regular seances.
I was reminded of "Mrs Satan" by Hilary Clinton's current campaign to become the Democrat candidate for the next United States Presidency. A member of the US "Christian Right" was on BBC Radio 4 a few days ago, with the message - and I paraphrase - that if Mrs Clinton is succesful in standing for president this would galvanise his colleagues as much as if the devil himself had won the nomination. Although in my earlier blog I expressed some scepticism about the affairs of her husband, on this occasion I wish Mrs Clinton every success.
The subject of Hilary Clinton brings me to another Democrat supporter and "Mrs Satan" who also now enjoys the life of an English Country lady, albeit in Wiltshire. I'm thinking of Madonna, whose most recent concert tour, by all acounts, upset quite a number of Christian clerics, notwithstanding that the pop singer and performance artist has herself taken on quite a spiritual turn in recent years. Could it be that she too was a US presidential candidate in a previous incarnation ? One never knows.
For anyone intrigued by the life of the "original Mrs Satan", fear not I shall return to her, and other "Wicked Witches of the West" in future blogs.
A Modest Proposal to Re-organise Government Departments
It has struck me for some time that one of the obtacles to government is the structure of the present administration, so I am going to propose some changes in those areas I feel I have some knowledge and experience to offer. Incidentally, if anyone wishes to pay me alot of money to expand upon my "modest proposal", I'd be be delighted. However, I do advise any male politician who likes to surround himself with a harim of yeswoman, that I wouldn't fit in at all.
My proposal covers 3 departments : the Department of (or for) the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) ; the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG); and,
the Home Office (HO). In their stead, I recommend :
DEFRA - A Department for the Environment, Sustainability and Planning : (DESP)
DCLG - A Department for Regional, Urban and Rural Development : (DeRURD)
HO - A Department for Community and Homeland Affairs/Security, or, even Wellbeing (DCHA)
Briefly, the rational for this re-organisation is as follows :
DESP : Experience shows what issues like environmental sustainability tend to be compromised by governments (of all persuasions) because these often involve long-term planning. As a major - if not the major- mechanism of environmental protection, the planning system itself can also be compromised by policy-making which does not respect its full importance. These responsibilities therefore need to come under one Secretary of State who can champion them.
DeRURD : The message here is again : "Tough on Qangos, Tough on the Causes of Qangos." Regeneration of local democracy is what is what is required. Also this Government's habit of saying one thing when it means precisely the opposite (as in the case of Communities) needs to be tackled. Many "real" community-based organisations have lost financial support from local authorities in recent years, in favour of "loads of money" qangos (national, regional and local).
DCHA : There has been alot of attention on the Home Office in recent years and it seems widely accepted that some fundamental re-organisation is in order. Personally, I like the idea of a Department for Community (as in Society) and Homeland Wellbeing (which if achieved could be "exported" to other countries"). However, this is probably a bit too "David Cameron" just now. "Security", on the other hand, sounds too "George Bush". So "Affairs" will have to do.
At least no one can accuse me of not putting forward positive proposals. Incidentally, I'm not proposing that any minister should be re-shuffled (or excluded to the back benches)
It has struck me for some time that one of the obtacles to government is the structure of the present administration, so I am going to propose some changes in those areas I feel I have some knowledge and experience to offer. Incidentally, if anyone wishes to pay me alot of money to expand upon my "modest proposal", I'd be be delighted. However, I do advise any male politician who likes to surround himself with a harim of yeswoman, that I wouldn't fit in at all.
My proposal covers 3 departments : the Department of (or for) the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) ; the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG); and,
the Home Office (HO). In their stead, I recommend :
DEFRA - A Department for the Environment, Sustainability and Planning : (DESP)
DCLG - A Department for Regional, Urban and Rural Development : (DeRURD)
HO - A Department for Community and Homeland Affairs/Security, or, even Wellbeing (DCHA)
Briefly, the rational for this re-organisation is as follows :
DESP : Experience shows what issues like environmental sustainability tend to be compromised by governments (of all persuasions) because these often involve long-term planning. As a major - if not the major- mechanism of environmental protection, the planning system itself can also be compromised by policy-making which does not respect its full importance. These responsibilities therefore need to come under one Secretary of State who can champion them.
DeRURD : The message here is again : "Tough on Qangos, Tough on the Causes of Qangos." Regeneration of local democracy is what is what is required. Also this Government's habit of saying one thing when it means precisely the opposite (as in the case of Communities) needs to be tackled. Many "real" community-based organisations have lost financial support from local authorities in recent years, in favour of "loads of money" qangos (national, regional and local).
DCHA : There has been alot of attention on the Home Office in recent years and it seems widely accepted that some fundamental re-organisation is in order. Personally, I like the idea of a Department for Community (as in Society) and Homeland Wellbeing (which if achieved could be "exported" to other countries"). However, this is probably a bit too "David Cameron" just now. "Security", on the other hand, sounds too "George Bush". So "Affairs" will have to do.
At least no one can accuse me of not putting forward positive proposals. Incidentally, I'm not proposing that any minister should be re-shuffled (or excluded to the back benches)
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Globalisation and Discontent
I've been wanting to do a blog called "Globalisation and Discontent" for some time, and some overnight doubts about whether I'd been totally fair to the Deputy Prime Minister in my previous post have helped crystalise my thoughts on this theme.
It seems to me that a fundamental problem of the "New Labour Project" is an overenthusiastic and undiscriminating embrace of the "New" (or what it perceives to be "new"). Ill-advised government IT projects are a good example of this; and so is the Government's response to globalisation.
A "positive" attitude to globalisation is at the heart of Tony Blair's premiership; and this is one area where he and the Chancellor seem to be in step (although I may well be wrong here, but I'll pass that by). This is because, or so it seems to me, "New Labour" isn't really a "labour" party at all, but rather modelled more on the "Democrats" of Ex US President Bill Clinton.
I'm not such a great fan of Bill Clinton, and so could not help enjoying the irony when his appearance at the Labour Party Conference took second place in the media (tabloid and "quality") to the triangular personal affairs of two British immigration judges and their Brazilian cleaning lady, an illegal immigrant. So much for The Clinton Global Initiative !
I seem to remember that a senior figure in the Clinton administration - who too may have been some kind of judge - was also "undone" by her employment of a domestic worker who was an illegal immigrant. This case led to something of a furore in the US media, as I recall, on the grounds that rich americans were beneficiaries of the labour of poorly paid migrant workers.
Many people have argued passionately that one of the main dynamics of the most recent wave of globalisation (which isn't so new in itself) is the exploitation of poorer people and nations by richer people and nations. Not only are migrant workers - illegal or legal - open to exploitation, but their willingness to accept lower wages than local people may undermine the labour market.
For many of its citizens Britain is now a low wage country. Moreover the "wage" disparity between those on high incomes and those on low is growing. Immigration is widely credited with keeping wages down, which is precisely why employers organisations like the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) are enthusiastic about it, and why people in poorer areas often less so.
There are also other pressures linked to mass immigration, including those associated with housing provision and public services. These issues take me back to Mr Prescott, the former Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR), Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), and present Department for Communities and Local Government.
Government policy on planning and regional development underwent a major transformation between 1997 and the early part of the new millennium. Planning has increasingly been held up as an impediment to economic growth; and regional regeneration to tackle the North-South Divide" has taken second place to planning for development in the South of England.
In all this the Deputy Prime Minister and his various offices have undoubtedly been victims of forces greater than themselves : the Prime Minister and No 10 Policy Unit, and the Chancellor and his Treasury, with their globalisation-related agenda (not to to say ideology). Attached to this "agenda" one can also find various (?) "interns" of the former Bill Clinton administration.
One of these is Ed Balls, a former advisor to the Chancellor and how a junior minster (?) at the Treasury. Mr Balls is widely credited with being one of the authors of New Labour's economic policy and has gone by the title of "The Chancellor's Representative on Earth." The other is Yvette Cooper (Mr Ball's wife), and Minister for Housing and Planning.
The couple hold neighbouring parliamentary constituencies in the North of England, although, as I understand one of these (?Mr Ball's ) will disappear when boundary changes are introduced in a few year's time.
Ms Cooper is responsible for some of the daft planning and regeneration policies inherited by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). These are now subject to a departmental "Housing and Regeneration Review" (which began under the ODPM), and a separate economic review of local and regional policy which is being conducted by the Treasury.
The challenge for these reviews, I would propose, is the adoption of policies which suport the positive aspects of globalisation (of which I acknowledge there are some) and the growth of labour markets linked, for instance, to expansion of the European Union, and which are in their turn compatible with sustainable economic regeneration and environental conservation.
We are some way from this situation at the present time, and if I have attributed undue responsibility for this state of affairs to the Deputy Prime Minister, I offer him my most sincere apologies.
I've been wanting to do a blog called "Globalisation and Discontent" for some time, and some overnight doubts about whether I'd been totally fair to the Deputy Prime Minister in my previous post have helped crystalise my thoughts on this theme.
It seems to me that a fundamental problem of the "New Labour Project" is an overenthusiastic and undiscriminating embrace of the "New" (or what it perceives to be "new"). Ill-advised government IT projects are a good example of this; and so is the Government's response to globalisation.
A "positive" attitude to globalisation is at the heart of Tony Blair's premiership; and this is one area where he and the Chancellor seem to be in step (although I may well be wrong here, but I'll pass that by). This is because, or so it seems to me, "New Labour" isn't really a "labour" party at all, but rather modelled more on the "Democrats" of Ex US President Bill Clinton.
I'm not such a great fan of Bill Clinton, and so could not help enjoying the irony when his appearance at the Labour Party Conference took second place in the media (tabloid and "quality") to the triangular personal affairs of two British immigration judges and their Brazilian cleaning lady, an illegal immigrant. So much for The Clinton Global Initiative !
I seem to remember that a senior figure in the Clinton administration - who too may have been some kind of judge - was also "undone" by her employment of a domestic worker who was an illegal immigrant. This case led to something of a furore in the US media, as I recall, on the grounds that rich americans were beneficiaries of the labour of poorly paid migrant workers.
Many people have argued passionately that one of the main dynamics of the most recent wave of globalisation (which isn't so new in itself) is the exploitation of poorer people and nations by richer people and nations. Not only are migrant workers - illegal or legal - open to exploitation, but their willingness to accept lower wages than local people may undermine the labour market.
For many of its citizens Britain is now a low wage country. Moreover the "wage" disparity between those on high incomes and those on low is growing. Immigration is widely credited with keeping wages down, which is precisely why employers organisations like the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) are enthusiastic about it, and why people in poorer areas often less so.
There are also other pressures linked to mass immigration, including those associated with housing provision and public services. These issues take me back to Mr Prescott, the former Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR), Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), and present Department for Communities and Local Government.
Government policy on planning and regional development underwent a major transformation between 1997 and the early part of the new millennium. Planning has increasingly been held up as an impediment to economic growth; and regional regeneration to tackle the North-South Divide" has taken second place to planning for development in the South of England.
In all this the Deputy Prime Minister and his various offices have undoubtedly been victims of forces greater than themselves : the Prime Minister and No 10 Policy Unit, and the Chancellor and his Treasury, with their globalisation-related agenda (not to to say ideology). Attached to this "agenda" one can also find various (?) "interns" of the former Bill Clinton administration.
One of these is Ed Balls, a former advisor to the Chancellor and how a junior minster (?) at the Treasury. Mr Balls is widely credited with being one of the authors of New Labour's economic policy and has gone by the title of "The Chancellor's Representative on Earth." The other is Yvette Cooper (Mr Ball's wife), and Minister for Housing and Planning.
The couple hold neighbouring parliamentary constituencies in the North of England, although, as I understand one of these (?Mr Ball's ) will disappear when boundary changes are introduced in a few year's time.
Ms Cooper is responsible for some of the daft planning and regeneration policies inherited by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). These are now subject to a departmental "Housing and Regeneration Review" (which began under the ODPM), and a separate economic review of local and regional policy which is being conducted by the Treasury.
The challenge for these reviews, I would propose, is the adoption of policies which suport the positive aspects of globalisation (of which I acknowledge there are some) and the growth of labour markets linked, for instance, to expansion of the European Union, and which are in their turn compatible with sustainable economic regeneration and environental conservation.
We are some way from this situation at the present time, and if I have attributed undue responsibility for this state of affairs to the Deputy Prime Minister, I offer him my most sincere apologies.
Friday, September 29, 2006
On the Buses with the (Ex) Deputy Prime Minister
Before moving on to the North of England, I would like to mention the (the soon to be ex) Deputy Prime Minister's performance at the conclusion of the Labour Party Conference.
It occured to me yesterday (although I may have had a subliminal awareness of this for some time), and I'm sure others have noted the likeness, that Mr Prescott bears more than a passing resemblence to the late Les Dawson. Apparently, the Prime Minister's (rather flat, in my view) joke about not having to worry about his wife running off with the man next door was based on a Dawson gag, and came from a recently published anthology (can't the Government come up with its own jokes ?), recommended by Alastair Campbell (all this according to Channel 4 News).
At the beginning of his speech, Mr Prescott apologised to the conference for personal misbehaviour (which I won't go into). However, I would suggest to the Deputy Prime Minister that the real apology was due to the millions of ordinary people affected by the daft area planning and regeneration policies to emerge from the former office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and now "housed" in the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). (See my previous blogs : Government Regeneration isn't Working; and The Demise of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister).
Whilst some urban areas in London, the Midlands and the North of England are threatened with wholescale demolition (notwithstanding that many people like living in them) , other areas of countryside (mainly, but not exclusively in the South East/Midlands) are threatened with massive housebuilding programmes. The failing of Mr Prescott and his ministerial colleagues has been to let the qango called English Partnerships (itself strongly associated with the mass housebuilding sector) to trample over local government and communities, and even other qangos, like the regional development agencies.
Perhaps when Mr Prescott has relinquished his ministerial jag, and is employing his senior citizens bus pass, he will see the error of his ways. As for his performace at conference, I would remind him (now that the festive season is but a few months away), that the late Les Dawson also did a very good pantomime dame. A future blog is already stirring in me !
I would also like to add that as a person I warm to the character of the Deputy Prime Minister, it's his policies I've had a problem with.
"Things Can Only Get Better....."
Before moving on to the North of England, I would like to mention the (the soon to be ex) Deputy Prime Minister's performance at the conclusion of the Labour Party Conference.
It occured to me yesterday (although I may have had a subliminal awareness of this for some time), and I'm sure others have noted the likeness, that Mr Prescott bears more than a passing resemblence to the late Les Dawson. Apparently, the Prime Minister's (rather flat, in my view) joke about not having to worry about his wife running off with the man next door was based on a Dawson gag, and came from a recently published anthology (can't the Government come up with its own jokes ?), recommended by Alastair Campbell (all this according to Channel 4 News).
At the beginning of his speech, Mr Prescott apologised to the conference for personal misbehaviour (which I won't go into). However, I would suggest to the Deputy Prime Minister that the real apology was due to the millions of ordinary people affected by the daft area planning and regeneration policies to emerge from the former office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and now "housed" in the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). (See my previous blogs : Government Regeneration isn't Working; and The Demise of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister).
Whilst some urban areas in London, the Midlands and the North of England are threatened with wholescale demolition (notwithstanding that many people like living in them) , other areas of countryside (mainly, but not exclusively in the South East/Midlands) are threatened with massive housebuilding programmes. The failing of Mr Prescott and his ministerial colleagues has been to let the qango called English Partnerships (itself strongly associated with the mass housebuilding sector) to trample over local government and communities, and even other qangos, like the regional development agencies.
Perhaps when Mr Prescott has relinquished his ministerial jag, and is employing his senior citizens bus pass, he will see the error of his ways. As for his performace at conference, I would remind him (now that the festive season is but a few months away), that the late Les Dawson also did a very good pantomime dame. A future blog is already stirring in me !
I would also like to add that as a person I warm to the character of the Deputy Prime Minister, it's his policies I've had a problem with.
"Things Can Only Get Better....."
Government Regeneration isn’t Working for Communities and Individuals
A High Court judge earlier this week ruled that a compulsory purchase order issued by Ministers to English Partnerships, the Government’s National Regeneration Agency, breached the human rights of Elizabeth Pascoe, who faced being moved out of her home in Liverpool’s Edge Lane West area so that new housing and roads leading to the city centre could be constructed. Mrs Pascoe had set up a campaign group called “Better Environmental Vision for Edge Lane”, and this week’s ruling puts on hold the demolition of 500 homes. The demolition programme forms part of the Government’s controversial Pathfinder house building initiative, and regeneration schemes affecting 30 towns and cities, and covering 700 000 homes and 2.5 million people, may be affected by the outcome of yesterday’s judgement. According to human rights lawyers, the ruling could freeze plans to bulldoze thousands of homes across the Midlands and the North of England under the Pathfinder Scheme.
Elizabeth Pascoe said she and her neighbours wanted to keep their homes, but also see the Edge Lane area of Liverpool “truly regenerated”. However, whilst there is now “great relief” amongst residents of the area, Mrs Pascoe said she was “nervous about the longer term effects (of the High Court judgement). They (regeneration agencies) could just leave us to rot”. This concern may also be shared by communities in the other Pathfinder areas.
(Above information obtained from Metro newspaper 28.9.2006)
In a separate development, a report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation published last week found that the Pathfinder Scheme undercompensated homeowners whose properties were due to be demolished, making it difficult for them to purchase another house.
A High Court judge earlier this week ruled that a compulsory purchase order issued by Ministers to English Partnerships, the Government’s National Regeneration Agency, breached the human rights of Elizabeth Pascoe, who faced being moved out of her home in Liverpool’s Edge Lane West area so that new housing and roads leading to the city centre could be constructed. Mrs Pascoe had set up a campaign group called “Better Environmental Vision for Edge Lane”, and this week’s ruling puts on hold the demolition of 500 homes. The demolition programme forms part of the Government’s controversial Pathfinder house building initiative, and regeneration schemes affecting 30 towns and cities, and covering 700 000 homes and 2.5 million people, may be affected by the outcome of yesterday’s judgement. According to human rights lawyers, the ruling could freeze plans to bulldoze thousands of homes across the Midlands and the North of England under the Pathfinder Scheme.
Elizabeth Pascoe said she and her neighbours wanted to keep their homes, but also see the Edge Lane area of Liverpool “truly regenerated”. However, whilst there is now “great relief” amongst residents of the area, Mrs Pascoe said she was “nervous about the longer term effects (of the High Court judgement). They (regeneration agencies) could just leave us to rot”. This concern may also be shared by communities in the other Pathfinder areas.
(Above information obtained from Metro newspaper 28.9.2006)
In a separate development, a report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation published last week found that the Pathfinder Scheme undercompensated homeowners whose properties were due to be demolished, making it difficult for them to purchase another house.
Sleeping Giants of the Thames Gateway (and other places)
Some years ago I was working with an Asian business network in London who were asked by the Mayor of London's Office to organise some consultation meetings on regeneration issues for the Thames Gateway area. The Mayor's Office later withdrew their support.
My client and I duly met in a Woolwich café to discuss these meetings. Our conversation was overheard by a youngish man who obviously had strong feelings about some of the things going on locally under in the name of “regeneration”. He called the situation “a sleeping giant”. By this he meant that when local people understood that regeneration might not be in their best interests, there would be trouble.
Opposition by communities and individuals to compulsory purchase orders to facilitate larges scale demolition programmes (involving homes and businesses) and the construction of road schemes, is now being felt throughout the country. In London, these programmes are substantially linked to the 2012 Olympics, and elsewhere to initiatives like the Pathfinder Scheme.
More effective public consultation by the likes of the London Development Agency and English Partnerships (of whom I shall have a lot more to say), may well have alerted politicians and officials to the problems inherent in a “comprehensive re-development” approach to area regeneration.
Once again, and as my next blog shows, it seems Liverpool is a city that has dared to fight nationally imposed policy, albeit at the community rather than local government level. Moreover, on this occasion the community has won, and set a precedent for other areas.
Some years ago I was working with an Asian business network in London who were asked by the Mayor of London's Office to organise some consultation meetings on regeneration issues for the Thames Gateway area. The Mayor's Office later withdrew their support.
My client and I duly met in a Woolwich café to discuss these meetings. Our conversation was overheard by a youngish man who obviously had strong feelings about some of the things going on locally under in the name of “regeneration”. He called the situation “a sleeping giant”. By this he meant that when local people understood that regeneration might not be in their best interests, there would be trouble.
Opposition by communities and individuals to compulsory purchase orders to facilitate larges scale demolition programmes (involving homes and businesses) and the construction of road schemes, is now being felt throughout the country. In London, these programmes are substantially linked to the 2012 Olympics, and elsewhere to initiatives like the Pathfinder Scheme.
More effective public consultation by the likes of the London Development Agency and English Partnerships (of whom I shall have a lot more to say), may well have alerted politicians and officials to the problems inherent in a “comprehensive re-development” approach to area regeneration.
Once again, and as my next blog shows, it seems Liverpool is a city that has dared to fight nationally imposed policy, albeit at the community rather than local government level. Moreover, on this occasion the community has won, and set a precedent for other areas.
What (and Who) Not to Wear
Not so long ago the Conservative MP Anne Widdicombe was interviewed on Radio 4 concerning a poll amongst young people which had rated her as a more influential figure than Madonna.
Yesteday a new series of BBC1's "What not to Wear" (with new presenters) brought together a group of women, some similar in appearance to Ms Widdicombe, who had much younger male partners or husbands (as does Madonna).
Two of these women were duly selected for a "makeover". One emerged with what could only be described as "the New Labour look" for middle aged women, and might have progressed to "Faking It" (? Channel 4 Series) as a female cabinet minister.
It seems to me that life is as much about "who" as "what not to "wear". If partners, friends and colleagues make you feel uncomfortable about yourself , or your values, then it may well be time to say "Good Bye".
For this I admire Clare Short, who recently announced her decision to stand down as a Labour MP. Amongst the reasons for this were not only major policy differences with colleagues, but the "inefficiency" of the present administration.
This is a government which, after all, likes "dressing up". The prime minister's wife is now famous for her interest in (and expenditure on) "Fashion and Beauty". However, it is for a multitude of "policy makeovers" that New Labour will be remembered.
Not so long ago the Conservative MP Anne Widdicombe was interviewed on Radio 4 concerning a poll amongst young people which had rated her as a more influential figure than Madonna.
Yesteday a new series of BBC1's "What not to Wear" (with new presenters) brought together a group of women, some similar in appearance to Ms Widdicombe, who had much younger male partners or husbands (as does Madonna).
Two of these women were duly selected for a "makeover". One emerged with what could only be described as "the New Labour look" for middle aged women, and might have progressed to "Faking It" (? Channel 4 Series) as a female cabinet minister.
It seems to me that life is as much about "who" as "what not to "wear". If partners, friends and colleagues make you feel uncomfortable about yourself , or your values, then it may well be time to say "Good Bye".
For this I admire Clare Short, who recently announced her decision to stand down as a Labour MP. Amongst the reasons for this were not only major policy differences with colleagues, but the "inefficiency" of the present administration.
This is a government which, after all, likes "dressing up". The prime minister's wife is now famous for her interest in (and expenditure on) "Fashion and Beauty". However, it is for a multitude of "policy makeovers" that New Labour will be remembered.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Ground Hog Days for Pedestrians and Cyclists - Email to British Waterways Board
I refer to previous email correspondence on the matter of the Diglis Development. To my surprise, the situation did seem to improve for a while ! However, it has now worsened again.
The problem is almost certainly the joint responsibility of BWB and Worcester City Council as it concerns the repeated (we seem to have a "Gound Hog Day" situation here) digging up and reconstruction of the road and pavement on Diglis Road adjoining the Canal Basin, and the junction with Diglis Lane. There is also the added problem of a 10 week closure of the riverside walk between the Diglis Hotel and the Basin area.
However, I draw the Diglis Road/Lane issues to your particular attention because some of the more elderly/less physically able people who need to pass through the area to access local services are really struggling just now !
I refer to previous email correspondence on the matter of the Diglis Development. To my surprise, the situation did seem to improve for a while ! However, it has now worsened again.
The problem is almost certainly the joint responsibility of BWB and Worcester City Council as it concerns the repeated (we seem to have a "Gound Hog Day" situation here) digging up and reconstruction of the road and pavement on Diglis Road adjoining the Canal Basin, and the junction with Diglis Lane. There is also the added problem of a 10 week closure of the riverside walk between the Diglis Hotel and the Basin area.
However, I draw the Diglis Road/Lane issues to your particular attention because some of the more elderly/less physically able people who need to pass through the area to access local services are really struggling just now !
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Politics is not Strictly Come Dancing
I am a great fan of "Bremmer, Bird and Fortune", and particularly enjoyed a sketch in which the Labour leadership issue is transformed into a "Strictly Come Dancing" contest. Tony and Cherie, together with Gordon and Sarah, are, of course, the finalists. Gordon manages some particularly fancy foot work, tripping Tony up, and leaving Cherie to wonder whether "Peter" (Mandelson)might make a better dancing partner.
Cherie Blair certainly tripped up Gordon Brown's flow yesterday at the Labour Party Conference, whether she said "Can I pass" (her own version of events), or "That's a lie", her words in response to Gordon's expression of admiration for her husband, according to a female journalist.
One message to be drawn from the above episodes is that partners can be liabilities as well as assets, and this lesson is particularly pertinent to New Labour.
Several years ago when I had occasion to do quite alot of work around the London local (then mainly Labour) government "scene", it sometimes occured to me that virtually everyone was
someone else's partner. Indeed, I also wondered whether being thus partnered was an unwritten condition for certain consultancy contracts.
The fact is that in the politics of "New Labour" who your partner is really is really matters. After all, we wouldn't even be thinking about the prospect of Gordon Brown becoming leader of the Labour Party and the next prime minister if he wasn't married to Sarah.
Personally, I don't think this state of affairs is particularly good. The last single person to be leader of a major UK political party (the Greens are more progressive in this respect) was Edward Heath in the 1970s. Sir Edward's premiership may not have been spectacular. However, on the international scene his major achievement was membership of the E C, in my view a more positive contribution to British Foreign policy than the legacy of the Blair government.
Moreover, Heath's contemporary, the trade unionist Jack Jones described him as a greater friend of British working people (including those "hard working families" invoked by New Labour), than the Labour prime ministers who preceded and followed him : Harold Wilson (married but childless) and Jim Callaghan (a "family man").
As far as I can make out, the later Sir Edward was a cultured man who knew how to enjoy to enjoy himself. During the years of the Thatcher Government, he was also widely regarded as the most effective member of her majesty's opposition (whilst the Labour Party fought amongst itself). In more recent times, Sir Edward too seems to have enjoyed a dance : for instance, at the opening of an exhibition by the painters Gilbert and George.
The fact is that you don't have to be a family person, married or have a partner to be a good politician. Even if I have to wait a long time, I look forward to the kind of British politics which will again allow a single person - be they straight, gay or, for that matter, bisexual - to be prime minister.
Now, where's my pogo stick....
I am a great fan of "Bremmer, Bird and Fortune", and particularly enjoyed a sketch in which the Labour leadership issue is transformed into a "Strictly Come Dancing" contest. Tony and Cherie, together with Gordon and Sarah, are, of course, the finalists. Gordon manages some particularly fancy foot work, tripping Tony up, and leaving Cherie to wonder whether "Peter" (Mandelson)might make a better dancing partner.
Cherie Blair certainly tripped up Gordon Brown's flow yesterday at the Labour Party Conference, whether she said "Can I pass" (her own version of events), or "That's a lie", her words in response to Gordon's expression of admiration for her husband, according to a female journalist.
One message to be drawn from the above episodes is that partners can be liabilities as well as assets, and this lesson is particularly pertinent to New Labour.
Several years ago when I had occasion to do quite alot of work around the London local (then mainly Labour) government "scene", it sometimes occured to me that virtually everyone was
someone else's partner. Indeed, I also wondered whether being thus partnered was an unwritten condition for certain consultancy contracts.
The fact is that in the politics of "New Labour" who your partner is really is really matters. After all, we wouldn't even be thinking about the prospect of Gordon Brown becoming leader of the Labour Party and the next prime minister if he wasn't married to Sarah.
Personally, I don't think this state of affairs is particularly good. The last single person to be leader of a major UK political party (the Greens are more progressive in this respect) was Edward Heath in the 1970s. Sir Edward's premiership may not have been spectacular. However, on the international scene his major achievement was membership of the E C, in my view a more positive contribution to British Foreign policy than the legacy of the Blair government.
Moreover, Heath's contemporary, the trade unionist Jack Jones described him as a greater friend of British working people (including those "hard working families" invoked by New Labour), than the Labour prime ministers who preceded and followed him : Harold Wilson (married but childless) and Jim Callaghan (a "family man").
As far as I can make out, the later Sir Edward was a cultured man who knew how to enjoy to enjoy himself. During the years of the Thatcher Government, he was also widely regarded as the most effective member of her majesty's opposition (whilst the Labour Party fought amongst itself). In more recent times, Sir Edward too seems to have enjoyed a dance : for instance, at the opening of an exhibition by the painters Gilbert and George.
The fact is that you don't have to be a family person, married or have a partner to be a good politician. Even if I have to wait a long time, I look forward to the kind of British politics which will again allow a single person - be they straight, gay or, for that matter, bisexual - to be prime minister.
Now, where's my pogo stick....
Saturday, September 23, 2006
The Downbeat Britain Blogs (1) - Not Going to Extremes
As a personal antidote to the upbeat marketing excesses of governments and corporations, on the one hand, and the "Bad News" culture of some journalists and broadcasters, on the other, I've decided to develop a series of blogs on the theme of "Downbeat Britain", or "Not Going to Extremes". For me Downbeat Britain is a place both physical and cultural.
Indeed I would argue that some of the nation's best culture over the last 5o years or so has come from precisely this downbeat place. I'm thinking of the tradition of comedy stretching from the likes of the "Carry On" films, to "Fawlty Towers" and "Only Fools and Horses". Funnily enough, as they are exported around the world , these kind of shows still conjure up the spirit of Britain for many foreign people who have yet to visit the country.
With regard to the actual location of Downbeat Britain, I would say that this can be found pretty much everywhere, so I've decided to explore its presence in my fairly immediate locality. Therefore a personally regenerating visit last summer (during the heatwave) to the Droitwich Brine Baths, and regular travel on the 382 Worcester to Pershore bus (an excellent service) will be the kind of experiences I shall recount in my forthcoming series.
As a personal antidote to the upbeat marketing excesses of governments and corporations, on the one hand, and the "Bad News" culture of some journalists and broadcasters, on the other, I've decided to develop a series of blogs on the theme of "Downbeat Britain", or "Not Going to Extremes". For me Downbeat Britain is a place both physical and cultural.
Indeed I would argue that some of the nation's best culture over the last 5o years or so has come from precisely this downbeat place. I'm thinking of the tradition of comedy stretching from the likes of the "Carry On" films, to "Fawlty Towers" and "Only Fools and Horses". Funnily enough, as they are exported around the world , these kind of shows still conjure up the spirit of Britain for many foreign people who have yet to visit the country.
With regard to the actual location of Downbeat Britain, I would say that this can be found pretty much everywhere, so I've decided to explore its presence in my fairly immediate locality. Therefore a personally regenerating visit last summer (during the heatwave) to the Droitwich Brine Baths, and regular travel on the 382 Worcester to Pershore bus (an excellent service) will be the kind of experiences I shall recount in my forthcoming series.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Letter to FT : More Little Britain than New Britain
In the interests of journalistic balance, I suggest that Philip Stephens (Another Country: with Blair has come confidence in an embrace of the world/FT 22.9.06) read The Birmingham Post published on the same day as his article.
This newspaper has the headline "City Split by Poverty", and carries an editorial entitled "Face the Truth: Birmingham isn't working". The business section leads with "PWC: Car plant closures not over".
Birmingham is Britain's "Second City", yet to read Mr Stephen's article, one would indeed think that he was living in "another country". However, I would suggest that the messsage to be drawn from his rather rosy "New Labour" worldview is this : it is much easier to "accentuate the positive" in economic trends - such as a strong property market - even if these have "negative externalities", than it is to tackle deep rooted problems.
As The Birmingham Post's Chief Reporter Paul Dale points out : "While relatively prosperous suburbs continue to flourish, more than a third of adults in inner city wards where black and Asian populations are in the majority are either unemployed or claiming benefit". However, this situation is not unique to Birmingham, nor to areas with majority ethnic populations. The fact is that we live very much in the best and worst of times, and most cities have two tales to tell.
My guess is that Mr Stephens has been spending too much time in the capuccino and smoothie bars of Canary Wharf and the Tate Britain. As a result his article, as far as I am concerned, is "More Little Britain than New Britain". As for "a country travelling in the right direction", I would suggest he read the articles on transport in The Birmingham Post.
In the interests of journalistic balance, I suggest that Philip Stephens (Another Country: with Blair has come confidence in an embrace of the world/FT 22.9.06) read The Birmingham Post published on the same day as his article.
This newspaper has the headline "City Split by Poverty", and carries an editorial entitled "Face the Truth: Birmingham isn't working". The business section leads with "PWC: Car plant closures not over".
Birmingham is Britain's "Second City", yet to read Mr Stephen's article, one would indeed think that he was living in "another country". However, I would suggest that the messsage to be drawn from his rather rosy "New Labour" worldview is this : it is much easier to "accentuate the positive" in economic trends - such as a strong property market - even if these have "negative externalities", than it is to tackle deep rooted problems.
As The Birmingham Post's Chief Reporter Paul Dale points out : "While relatively prosperous suburbs continue to flourish, more than a third of adults in inner city wards where black and Asian populations are in the majority are either unemployed or claiming benefit". However, this situation is not unique to Birmingham, nor to areas with majority ethnic populations. The fact is that we live very much in the best and worst of times, and most cities have two tales to tell.
My guess is that Mr Stephens has been spending too much time in the capuccino and smoothie bars of Canary Wharf and the Tate Britain. As a result his article, as far as I am concerned, is "More Little Britain than New Britain". As for "a country travelling in the right direction", I would suggest he read the articles on transport in The Birmingham Post.
"The End of Birmingham" and the Beginnings of My Blog
As a consultant, I find that it is good practice to revisit the beginnings of a particular project from time to time, and to remind oneself of the initial catalyst for the enterprise.
In March, I emailed my friend and associate, Patrick Roper, with the following comments :
"Speaking of Dostoyevsky, I travelled up to the National Motorcycle Museum near the Birmingham NEC (National Exhibition Centre) the other day - not so much a museum as an enormous subterranean conference centre with small surface museum. The journey to/from the train station was a real "dark day of the soul", traversing motorways on foot as my "how to get there instructions" said the Museum was 5 mins (by taxi - except this wasn't mentioned) from the station. Birmingham to me is the antithesis of sustainable planning - fine countryside is swallowed up whilst the City remains a wasteland of brownfield sites.....".
On receiving this, Patrick suggested I set up a blog. His suggestion "sunk in" when I chanced upon David Miliband's blog. Mr Miliband was then a minister at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and is now Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Incidentally, whilst Patrick brought up Dostoyevsky, my March visit to the NEC area took place the day after I watched the first installment of Channel 4's "The End of Russia" week of programmes. In this, Louis Theroux evokes a particularly apocalypic picture of modern Russia, with its defunct soviet factories and endless dereliction (human and environmental).
Some may remember that we had a rather cold and grey spell around the Spring Equinox, which I found had an almost "Soviet chill". As I travelled on the slow train from Worcester to Birmingham - which for some reason did not stop at the suburban commuter stations of the West Midlands Conurbation, thereby leaving many people in the cold - it did occur to me that Mr Theroux might also make a programme about "The End of Birmingham".
As a consultant, I find that it is good practice to revisit the beginnings of a particular project from time to time, and to remind oneself of the initial catalyst for the enterprise.
In March, I emailed my friend and associate, Patrick Roper, with the following comments :
"Speaking of Dostoyevsky, I travelled up to the National Motorcycle Museum near the Birmingham NEC (National Exhibition Centre) the other day - not so much a museum as an enormous subterranean conference centre with small surface museum. The journey to/from the train station was a real "dark day of the soul", traversing motorways on foot as my "how to get there instructions" said the Museum was 5 mins (by taxi - except this wasn't mentioned) from the station. Birmingham to me is the antithesis of sustainable planning - fine countryside is swallowed up whilst the City remains a wasteland of brownfield sites.....".
On receiving this, Patrick suggested I set up a blog. His suggestion "sunk in" when I chanced upon David Miliband's blog. Mr Miliband was then a minister at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and is now Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Incidentally, whilst Patrick brought up Dostoyevsky, my March visit to the NEC area took place the day after I watched the first installment of Channel 4's "The End of Russia" week of programmes. In this, Louis Theroux evokes a particularly apocalypic picture of modern Russia, with its defunct soviet factories and endless dereliction (human and environmental).
Some may remember that we had a rather cold and grey spell around the Spring Equinox, which I found had an almost "Soviet chill". As I travelled on the slow train from Worcester to Birmingham - which for some reason did not stop at the suburban commuter stations of the West Midlands Conurbation, thereby leaving many people in the cold - it did occur to me that Mr Theroux might also make a programme about "The End of Birmingham".
Thursday, September 21, 2006
The Symbolism of Hurricane Gordon
With the approach of the Labour Party Conference, and the end of Tony Blair's premiership in sight, those of us with an interest in syncronicity (or meaningful co-incidence) may wonder at the symbolism of Hurricane Gordon, and the onset of unseasonably warm and windy weather.
Hopefully, the hurricane's impact will not be felt too strongly in the UK. The eye of the storm is forecast to be elsewhere. Besides Britain's own Gordon, Chancellor Brown, conjures up damp, overcast weather in my mind, with the prospect of localised air pollution, itself re-inforced by global climatology. The fiscal climate of the globalised Brown economy - still to enter the Green era - is rather grey in outloook, but we have yet to encounter the "great storms" (and their economic manifestations) which presaged the end of the Thatcher government. However, the Scottish Chancellor, like the man who gives his name to "The Scottish Play", should take heed of changes in the weather.
(This theme is taken up in my poem - At Thames Gateway)
With the approach of the Labour Party Conference, and the end of Tony Blair's premiership in sight, those of us with an interest in syncronicity (or meaningful co-incidence) may wonder at the symbolism of Hurricane Gordon, and the onset of unseasonably warm and windy weather.
Hopefully, the hurricane's impact will not be felt too strongly in the UK. The eye of the storm is forecast to be elsewhere. Besides Britain's own Gordon, Chancellor Brown, conjures up damp, overcast weather in my mind, with the prospect of localised air pollution, itself re-inforced by global climatology. The fiscal climate of the globalised Brown economy - still to enter the Green era - is rather grey in outloook, but we have yet to encounter the "great storms" (and their economic manifestations) which presaged the end of the Thatcher government. However, the Scottish Chancellor, like the man who gives his name to "The Scottish Play", should take heed of changes in the weather.
(This theme is taken up in my poem - At Thames Gateway)
POEM - AT THAMES GATEWAY
(Inspired by S T Coleridge’s poem “Kubla Khan”)
At Thames Gateway did Rogers Khan*
A stately pleasure-dome decree,
Where Tamesis, sacred river, ran
Through transport corridor of man,
Down to Southend-on-Sea.
Then Government did command
A conference in London’s Dockland,
And midst this Rogers heard from far
Across the river voices prophesising war !
A montage of the dome of pleasure
Floated midway on the waves….
Government had failed to measure
Environmental impacts on the weather ! **
A planner and developer
In a vision once I saw,
With a traffic engineer,
And on his model he displayed
Complex forecasts overlaid.
What future held these three
For the Gateway Bridge Inquiry ?
At which junction, I awoke
And replied : The SEA, The SEA***
Janet Mackinnon
Notes
*Lord Rogers of Riverside, Chairman of the Urban Task Force
** Appendix 3 of my Proof of Evidence to the TGB Public Inquiry
*** Strategic Environmental Assessment - never provided for the TGB
The TGB planning inquiry inspector is due to submit his report to government this autumn (? October), and, to quote Transport for London's website : "A decision on whether or not the scheme will proceed is expected in spring 2007".
See also my June 2006 blog on the Thames Gateway Bridge.
(Inspired by S T Coleridge’s poem “Kubla Khan”)
At Thames Gateway did Rogers Khan*
A stately pleasure-dome decree,
Where Tamesis, sacred river, ran
Through transport corridor of man,
Down to Southend-on-Sea.
Then Government did command
A conference in London’s Dockland,
And midst this Rogers heard from far
Across the river voices prophesising war !
A montage of the dome of pleasure
Floated midway on the waves….
Government had failed to measure
Environmental impacts on the weather ! **
A planner and developer
In a vision once I saw,
With a traffic engineer,
And on his model he displayed
Complex forecasts overlaid.
What future held these three
For the Gateway Bridge Inquiry ?
At which junction, I awoke
And replied : The SEA, The SEA***
Janet Mackinnon
Notes
*Lord Rogers of Riverside, Chairman of the Urban Task Force
** Appendix 3 of my Proof of Evidence to the TGB Public Inquiry
*** Strategic Environmental Assessment - never provided for the TGB
The TGB planning inquiry inspector is due to submit his report to government this autumn (? October), and, to quote Transport for London's website : "A decision on whether or not the scheme will proceed is expected in spring 2007".
See also my June 2006 blog on the Thames Gateway Bridge.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Summission to British Equestrian Federation
London 2012 – Equestrian Sports & Legacy Proposals[1]
This paper deals with 2 related matters :
the location of Horse Trials in the London 2012 Olympics; and
the equestrian legacy of the Games in South East London
1. Location of equestrian sports in the 2012 Olympics
Although Greenwich Park and Blackheath are identified as the focus for equestrian sports, there has been some debate about whether these sites offer the most appropriate venue. However, it is accepted here they will accommodate the show jumping and dressage components of the Games (? including Para Olympics). The Royal Artillery campus at Woolwich is to host shooting sports and it is proposed that “The Military” (the name formerly given to Horse Trials) also takes place in the vicinity of Woolwich Common/Shooters Hill (the latter area accommodating a good part of the cross country section). The equestrian component (and other parts ?) of the Modern Pentathlon might also take place at Woolwich instead of Greenwich.
The reasons for the above suggestions (in addition to the kind of issues raised in recent correspondence in the equestrian media) are as follows :
environmental/sustainability
regeneration/legacy
Legacy issues are covered below. Although London 2012 has made much much of its “green” and “sustainability” credentials, many people (including myself !) have questioned these. “Cramming” all equestrian sports into the Greenwich World Heritage Site is another example of the capacity of the local environment being overriden. The “Equestrian Establishment”, as represented in the British Equestrian Federation, also needs to properly tackle the imperative of environmental sustainability. There is little evidence of this to date.
(I am happy to expand on this issue !)
2. Equestrian Legacy of the 2012 Games
The discussion here is primarily focussed on South East London, but it is accepted that the legacy should extend beyond this and particularly take in regeneration areas north of the river ie in the Lea Valley, London Docklands and adjoining parts of the Thames Gateway. The legacy should also acknowledge the multi-ethnic nature of local communities, and the fact that non-white groups are not well represented in equestrian sports; as well as the perception (and to some extent reality) that equestrianism (“at the higher levels”) – and particularly dressage and horse trials - is a sport for social elites.
It is therefore proposed that an “Equestrian Centre of Excellence”, with strong links to other local riding establishments, be established in the vicinity of the Royal Artillery campus at Woolwich. This Centre of Excellence should include :
An indoor “Riding House” of great architectural as well as technical merit
A permanent cross-country course based on the Olympic one described above
? Polo Grounds on Woolwich Common
In terms of its “organisation”, this Centre of Excellence would probably involve a partnership between The Army and British Equestrian Federation. It should also involve a partnership between the public, private, non-government and community-based sectors.
[1] From Janet Mackinnon 25.8.2006 (email : janet.mackinnon@tiscali.co.uk web: www.epona-land.co.uk)
London 2012 – Equestrian Sports & Legacy Proposals[1]
This paper deals with 2 related matters :
the location of Horse Trials in the London 2012 Olympics; and
the equestrian legacy of the Games in South East London
1. Location of equestrian sports in the 2012 Olympics
Although Greenwich Park and Blackheath are identified as the focus for equestrian sports, there has been some debate about whether these sites offer the most appropriate venue. However, it is accepted here they will accommodate the show jumping and dressage components of the Games (? including Para Olympics). The Royal Artillery campus at Woolwich is to host shooting sports and it is proposed that “The Military” (the name formerly given to Horse Trials) also takes place in the vicinity of Woolwich Common/Shooters Hill (the latter area accommodating a good part of the cross country section). The equestrian component (and other parts ?) of the Modern Pentathlon might also take place at Woolwich instead of Greenwich.
The reasons for the above suggestions (in addition to the kind of issues raised in recent correspondence in the equestrian media) are as follows :
environmental/sustainability
regeneration/legacy
Legacy issues are covered below. Although London 2012 has made much much of its “green” and “sustainability” credentials, many people (including myself !) have questioned these. “Cramming” all equestrian sports into the Greenwich World Heritage Site is another example of the capacity of the local environment being overriden. The “Equestrian Establishment”, as represented in the British Equestrian Federation, also needs to properly tackle the imperative of environmental sustainability. There is little evidence of this to date.
(I am happy to expand on this issue !)
2. Equestrian Legacy of the 2012 Games
The discussion here is primarily focussed on South East London, but it is accepted that the legacy should extend beyond this and particularly take in regeneration areas north of the river ie in the Lea Valley, London Docklands and adjoining parts of the Thames Gateway. The legacy should also acknowledge the multi-ethnic nature of local communities, and the fact that non-white groups are not well represented in equestrian sports; as well as the perception (and to some extent reality) that equestrianism (“at the higher levels”) – and particularly dressage and horse trials - is a sport for social elites.
It is therefore proposed that an “Equestrian Centre of Excellence”, with strong links to other local riding establishments, be established in the vicinity of the Royal Artillery campus at Woolwich. This Centre of Excellence should include :
An indoor “Riding House” of great architectural as well as technical merit
A permanent cross-country course based on the Olympic one described above
? Polo Grounds on Woolwich Common
In terms of its “organisation”, this Centre of Excellence would probably involve a partnership between The Army and British Equestrian Federation. It should also involve a partnership between the public, private, non-government and community-based sectors.
[1] From Janet Mackinnon 25.8.2006 (email : janet.mackinnon@tiscali.co.uk web: www.epona-land.co.uk)
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