At large
New heights of gimmickry have been attained during this most recent conference season. At a time of international crisis, one could ask for nothing more than a figure whose presence can assuage a sceptical and concerned audience, even if unconnected with the party. Labour went for such an American beauty in the form of the esteemed Mr. Spacey, but whose idea was it to have Bill Clinton? As if Blair had not alienated his traditional support enough, he now seems to be openly allying himself with the Democrat party, hardly the socialist political group envisaged by Ramsay MacDonald and those other assorted train drivers and semi-skilled workers that founded the Labour Party. Clement Atlee would be turning in his grave.
The Conservative conference was little better. Iain Duncan Smith's attempt to transform himself from a rodent-like figure to that of a senior statesman was partially successful, but he still ended up looking in the photos like a "cool, steely-eyed" chipmunk. His looks serve one purpose well, however, by making him look far too dim to have taken part in those actions which have apparently made the Tories the "nasty party" in Theresa May's carefully chosen words - Saatchi & Saatchi, anyone? It was Oliver Letwin's u-turn over public spending which was most amazing, however, as the man who promised us up to £20bn of tax cuts at the last election admitted that taxes may have to be raised to help "rehabilitate" prisoners. Quite apart from it being a total waste of money trying to get the council-estate dwellers to change their spots, it is also a somewhat cheeky attempt to try and throw off the party's traditional clothes in the vain hope of renewed support among the masses.
Oh, and apparently the Lib Dem conference also happened recently, which I'm sure was very interesting and full of sound bites and easy panaceas for all the nation's problems. To make matters worse, it was presided over by a dour ginger Scotsman. Allegedly.
Its bad enough originating from the Celtic fringe, as Rowan Williams does. But for the new Archbishop to be forced to make a public statement insisting that he "really does believe the bible" is terrible publicity in anyone's eyes.
UCL and Imperial College are hoping to enter into a merger, it was announced this week, presumably trying to improve them into one unified, second-rate institution.
An important trend, as I hear Pembroke is for sale and Christ Church may be needing a new boat house.
17th Oct 2002