Global
Warming (November 6th 2002)
A group of protesters gathered outside the Esso garage on Winchester
Road in Romsey on Saturday (2/11/02). They were taking part in a
national day of protest against the environmentally destructive
conduct of the oil giant Esso and its American counterpart, ExxonMobil.
Upon arrival at the scene, I was greeted by a ghostly figure (see
left) who took time out from his spooking of motorists to pose for
a photo. Environmentalists are staging these protests near Halloween
to expose Esso as the ‘Fossil Fuel Fiends’ that they are
reputed to be.
Further up the pavement, a pair of worthy witches were handing out
flyers to passers by. Across the road, some more objectors were
huddled underneath umbrellas, holding a large ‘DON’T BUY
E$$O’ banner. Most of those braving the weather were members
of the charities Greenpeace and Friends Of The Earth, who, along
with a third charity, People And Planet, are spearheading the ‘Stop
Esso’ campaign.
November ‘02 was chosen as an apt date for these demonstrations,
as it marks the end of the latest round of international talks,
which have been taking place in New Delhi.
The talks have revolved around the implementation of the climate
treaty outlined ten years ago by the World Summit on Sustainable
Development (WSSD). These talks, known as the Conference of Parties,
have been largely focussed on obtaining ratification from Russia
and Canada of their adherence to the Kyoto Protocol.
The Kyoto Protocol, which outlines specific targets for cutting
the climate-changing emissions of countries, is right at the heart
of the whole boycott Esso campaign.
During the US elections of 2000, ExxonMobil donated over 1.3 million
dollars to the republican party (more than any other oil company),
which goes a long way toward explaining why George Bush, upon becoming
president, pulled out of the Protocol (this being the policy promoted
by the company).
This is particularly worrying when we consider that the US, despite
comprising just 4% of the world’s population, contributes a
staggering 25% of all climate-changing emissions.
For a company that refuses even to accept the link between the burning
of fossil fuels and global warming to have such power over the American
government (and, thus, over everyone) is surely of great concern.
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
This denial of their significance in the plight of global warming
sets Esso (and ExxonMobil) apart from all the other players on the
oil field. Ultimately, all oil companies are partially responsible
for global warming, but, while there are no UK petrol stations offering
genuine green alternative fuels, other companies, such as BP, are
at least going some way toward funding research.
Esso, on the other hand, despite being the world’s most profitable
oil company (last year they made $15 billion), did nothing to aid
such developments, and, instead, chose to pump nearly $8 billion
into oil and gas exploration.
The global warming issue has been less present on the political
agenda in recent times. This, perhaps, is not surprising at a time
when international political attention has been focused on the impending
war in the Middle East. Global issues, such as climate change, are
being ignored for fear of creating further political divide between
nations. But the icebergs keep melting, and it will be hard not
to say ‘told you so’ when the country is once again brought
to its knees by more floods this winter.
It is time to stop. It doesn’t require donning your pointed
hat and cloak to register your disapproval of a company that has
spent at least ten years obstructing an international effort to
fight climate change: by boycotting Esso we can all do our bit toward
combating the ever present threat that is global warming.
For more details on the campaign go to www.stopesso.com
By Sam Leyden
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Gender Agenda for Romsey
MP (November 6th 2002)
Liberal Democrat MP for Romsey, Sandra Gidley, has been promoted
in the party. She is now the representative for women in the Liberal
Democrats, and as such has entered their ‘shadow’ cabinet.
The way the Tories are going at the moment, it looks like it really
will be the opposition cabinet, at the very least! Sandra is “very
excited at the prospect and opportunity to help women in my own
party.”
Sandra has been working as chairman of the ‘Gender Balance
Task Force’ for a year now. This group helps women who want
to get into politics and business. They train women in interview
techniques, and help them to enter what is traditionally a male
domain.
Sandra is in Iran, in the Middle East, at the moment. She is using
the same skills that were involved in the Gender Balance Task Force
to help women over there. It is hoped that she will enable women
to take more of a part in the running of the country.
She would also like to highlight the fact that Iran is not the repressive
regime sometimes mentioned in the Western Press.
According to Sandra, women in the Middle East are not simply burkha
clad homemakers, but do play a role in society.
Tony Barron is Sandra Gidley’s Press Officer. “I worked
in Iran for years, and there are a lot of misconceptions about how
women are treated over there. I hope Sandra can do a bit to alleviate
the Western media’s stereotypes.”
So, what with an elevated Sandra and Mark Oaten being the chairman
of the party, it looks as though the area is becoming a bit of a
Liberal heartland. As it is traditionally a Tory stronghold, this
can only be a good thing.
By Max Jones
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Reasonable Doubt
(November 6th 2002)
The four day Public Hearing into Orange’s appeal ran out of
time on Friday evening and was adjourned until the New Year.
Orange is challenging the 5 March 2002 decision by Winchester City
Council to refuse permission for a 40 foot phone mast in a residential
area close to houses and Western Primary School. The application
had originally been approved in January 2001 but WCC were forced
to reconsider after the high court granted leave for a judicial
review.
In addition to Orange and WCC’s legal teams, Action Against
the Byron Avenue Mast (AABAM) is also represented. The hearing began
with the opening submissions of the three parties. The case for
the council was presented by barrister Timothy Comyn. He called
two witnesses, Henry Dolan, a technical consultant and Nicholas
Hayward, a planning consultant. After completing their evidence,
they were cross-examined by Orange barrister, Peter Goatley. The
Orange case then began with the first of four witnesses, Nicola
Davies, community liaison officer. Craig Moore, principal network
planning engineer for Orange followed. Mr Moore admitted during
cross-examination that no complaints about reception had been received
from Orange subscribers in the Fulflood area.
Members of the public who had registered their intention to make
statements were also able to put questions. During Thursday afternoon,
the Inspector allowed statements from individuals who could not
attend the hearing at any other time.
..grave concerns about the potential health risks for those living
near base stations, babies in particular..
These included a strong message of support for protesters by Mark
Oaten MP and a statement from Councillor Neil Baxter, justifying
his decision to vote against the mast application in March. The
hearing also heard from Dr. Paul Weaver, whose wide experience and
knowledge of medical research, led him to express grave concerns
about the potential health risks for those living near base stations,
babies in particular.
Earlier in the week, it became abundantly clear that the hearing
could not possibly be completed in four days and the Inspector asked
the three barristers to agree to a further four day session. Due
to their prior commitments, this would have delayed the second session
until March. At the risk of a further adjournment, a three day hearing
has, therefore, been set for the 15th, 16th and 17th January 2003
and will begin with the fourth and last Orange witness, David Holmes,
well known to protesters since his appearance for the company at
the March re-determination.
On Friday, the final day of the first session, John Collins, an
advisor to BT and consultant to mm02, retained by Orange, gave technical
evidence covering the perception of health risk. Following a lengthy
cross-examination by Mr. Comyn and Mr. Kolinsky, during which he
was repeatedly asked by the Inspector to keep to the point, proceedings
came to an end with a statement from Angela Brett.
Mrs Brett, a Byron Avenue resident, was given leave to speak because
she will be away in January. Mrs Brett spoke movingly of her husband,
who died last year from an asbestos related disease. She said she
feared the same mistakes were being made with the health risks from
mobile phone technology and feared for the future well-being of
her four grandchildren who live next door. Her calm and moving words
contrasted sharply with those of Mr Collins, who preceded her.
Mr. Collins spent an entire day attempting to prove that anyone
who disagreed with his complacent view of no risk from masts was
“irrational.” It took Mrs Brett just five minutes to demonstrate
how wrong he was.
By Karen Barratt
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Rumpus in Chesterfield
(November 6th 2002)
The great and good of Winchester society headed north last weekend
for the final hurrah of the season, the setting was Chesterfield,
the occasion was marriage and the happy couple were Sarah Hotham
and Gary Darst.
Now living in San Francisco, Sarah and Gary first met while attending
King Alfred’s College, their romance blossomed and soon the
couple realised that life without each other held no meaning at
all.
Although the celebration was billed as a marriage, Sarah and Gary
were, in fact, already wed! The original ceremony took place fifteen
months ago in San Francisco, where their nuptial agreement was granted
legality by the power invested by God in the State of California!
Consequently, the assembled throng at the stylish Ringwood Hall
Hotel were gathered to honour and bless this agreement, and quite
a wonderful time was had by all!
The bride was resplendent in an emerald green antique gown, adding
just the right amount of bohemian style to the occasion. Flanked
by a bevvy of gorgeous bridesmaids (led by Irish socialite Sharon
Armstrong-Williams), the bride was led down the aisle by her father
Tony and presented to the waiting groom.
In a further break from tradition, Gary had employed the services
of not one, but two best men; David Bailey and Ted Tuthill, who
executed their many duties with both style and panache.
After the short ceremony, the party decamped to the lawn for photographs,
and then the bar and dining room for drinks, food and speeches.
Sarah and Gary, who now run a successful Bay Area Italian-American
catering business, worked the room like the pro’s they are,
greeting the guests individually and making all the necessary introductions.
Several well known faces were in attendance, including both Sarah
and Louise Smith, Hector Peebles and even the self styled ‘wild-child’
Kate Stables.
Guests had travelled from all over the world (some from as far afield
as Chichester), and no-one was disappointed. The sun shone, the
conversation sparkled and the grape and grain flowed in equal measure!
As the evening closed in, the music began ‘pumping’, and
the young at heart filled the floor with all manner of shapes and
poses. Sarah and Gary happily joined the fray, surprising even themselves
with their radical dance-floor homage to John Travolta and Uma Thurman.
It comes as no surprise to learn that Gary was voted as Kentucky’s
Junior Ballroom Champion three years in a row! Oh, what a joy it
was to behold such a charming couple at the beginning of their new
life together!
But all good things must come to an end.
As the guests drifted away the music came to a close and the bride
and groom were left dancing in near silence, the beat of their loving
hearts the only rhythm needed.
Sarah and Gary, we salute you!
By Richard Williams
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Loudchester
(November 13th 2002)
Loudersounds.co.uk, the definitive on line guide to the Winchester
music scene is launching at the Guildhall on Friday night (15/11/02)
The Loudersounds project has been funded by a Hampshire County
Council ‘Your Shout’ grant. Loudersounds organisers
Nadia Attia and Duncan Wilson received around £7000, which
has payed for the website and launch.
The Loudersounds party kicks off at 7pm and runs till 2am (no
entry after 10pm) tickets £7 in advance from HMV, Caned
Clothing and The Mash Tun (£9 on the door). Three different
arenas within the Guildhall will be presenting a broad range of
Winchester musical talent. The Guildhall will vibrate to the sound
of local bands, electronica, scratch djs, dub, jazz, acoustic
and dance acts. A visual assault is also promised in the form
of projections and an art exhibition.
“Winchester is getting louder!” said Nadia “this
is the showcase that Winchester artists and musicians have been
waiting for. We’re confident that the site has a great future,
loudersounds.co.uk will open up world-wide possibilies for the
Winchester scene.”
By Sam Leyden
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Sophie's
World (November 13th 2002)
Last Monday
King Alfred's College at the was visited by the Earl and Countess
of Wessex.
The West Downs complex was officially opened by Lord Puttnam of
Queensgate in May 2001.
However, the College's £6 million Performing Arts Centre
on the Romsey Road is still new enough that staff and students
alike were only too “proud to show it off to the Earl and
Countess of Wessex.”
Strangely enough, I had the opportunity to get as close as I wished
to the Royal Couple despite the presence of their Personal Protection
Officer. I was carrying my essential Jasper Conran bag with me,
and I noticed that while I blithely snapped away with the camera
- said bag hanging off my wrist - that every now and then ‘Sophie’
would shoot a rather strained smile in my direction.
At first I imagined it was because she had noticed her husband
clock me on his way into the building, but later, it occurred
to me that rather than fretting over ‘Edward’s’
possibly roving eye, she was actually concerned about my innocuous
bag.
Did I mention it is rather large? I would hate to think that the
whole time she was working the rooms that she might have been
wondering if she would live to see supper. On second thoughts,
if I was able to get as close to ‘Sophie’ as I did without
having my bag frisked, it stands to reason that anyone else within
eyelash-batting-distance of their royal persons could have been
in peril from any passing nutter that decided to have a go. Nasty
thought!
Notwithstanding, the presence of my scary bag Sophie and Edward
appeared to enjoy their visit which was conducted at light-speed,
although to their credit they looked completely unhurried, and
gave the impression of strolling around at a leisurely pace.
They also seemed as nice and normal as anyone who lives in a goldfish
bowl and has to speak on a regular basis to random, overawed strangers
could possibly be.
Amusingly, as if sampling the various rungs of the peerage, Winchester
is being honoured in a strict line.
After all, we had the Duke of Edinburgh at Intech two weeks ago,
and in accordance with the laws of heirachy, the next title down
after Duke is that of Earl, which in turn is succeeded by Viscount.
I wonder if there is already some lucky Viscount lined up to grace
our fair city in the next couple of weeks. Watch this space!
By Alinda O’Gley
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Sport
for all (November 13th 2002)
Kickers sports centre in Eastleigh was the venue for the first
ever indoor football tournament for adults with learning disabilities
last week.
I went down to have a look, and meet up with Matt Le Tissier,
latterly of The Saints and now of the mighty Eastleigh FC. Matt
was launching proceedings, as well as giving the players encouragement.
This they did not seem to really need, though, as I have never
seen a bunch of people just so happy to be in one place. Eight
teams came down, but there was no rivalry to speak of. Players
spent the pre match time meeting old mates, high fiving and hugging
one another. For my sins, I have been to Kickers to play for the
legendary Winchester Observer team, and the difference in atmosphere
was noticeable. When the regular teams play, the pre match period
is spent gazing balefully at the other teams or growling tactics
at one another. And I somehow don’t think that the Ocknell
Park Rovers or the Southampton Special Purposes Workshop would
bawl each other out for missing a tackle!
That is not to say the players weren’t intent on winning.
Jason was in goal for Brookside, and thinks that his team will
win the tournament no problems. However, Paul Marsden, who, although
playing for Brockenhurst Rovers, was at great pains to point out
that he was actually from the North, near Wigan, thinks that his
team will win ‘hands down.’ We will have to see, although
from what I saw, all the teams seemed to be of a similar standard,
again in marked contrast to the regular Thursday night tournaments.
Anyone who had seen the Observer versus Botley Bathrooms would
have realised that some teams are ‘more equal than others.’
Although he was besieged by people wanting their shirts signed,
I managed to have a word with Matt Le Tissier, who told me how
good he thought it was for adults with learning disabilities to
have a chance to play some proper football. He also said that
he has been playing a lot of golf, and heading back to Jersey
to see friends and family very often. This ‘hectic schedule,’
as he called with no apparent irony, meant that he has not been
able to play for Eastleigh as often as he liked, but eager fans
can expect to see more of him in the near future.
In amongst all the melee were some men and women in sober black
suits. Not the referees, but the representatives of Coca Cola,
who were sponsoring the event. They had paid the pitch fees for
the tournament, supplied the kits and given each team a bag with
a ball and other goodies in it. Vic Chase, regional director for
the company, took to the stand to give a little speech about how
the soft drinks giant supports football right from the premier
league down to grass roots level. Very noble, and I particularly
liked the way that he broke of from talking to have a swig from
the bottle of coke in his hand. He then grinned gleefully as if
that had refreshed the parts other drinks can’t reach, and
carried on! I know what drink I will be buying in the future!
Julian, the manager of Kickers football centre, also gave a speech,
in which he thanked Coca Cola and Matt Le Tissier for their efforts,
then the teams picked up their kit bags, and battle commenced!
What the players may have lacked in skill, they more than made
up for in enthusiasm, and I think that this could have been the
first of many such tournaments throughout the country. On completion
of the tournament a report will be sent to the Football Association
and the English Federation of Disability in Sport as a proposal
for an ongoing league and for further opportunities.
By Max Jones
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Rowling’s
Tome Gathers More Dosh (November 13th 2002)
Adapting films from books is notoriously difficult and intruding
into the imaginations of millions of Harry Potter fans throughout
the world will always cause some disappointments - but Harry Potter
and the Chamber of Secrets is far from disappointing.
The second in the series of Harry Potter books, Chamber of Secrets
is darker, funnier and more exciting than the Philosophers Stone.
The special effects, and Computer Generated Images were amazing.
Dobby the House Elf blew away my previous expectations and immediately
turned into a convincingly real character; the Quidditch scene
was tighter than before and Aragog, the giant man eating spider
and his children were truly revolting.
While Ron and Harry flying Mr Weasley's car into the angry Whomping
Willow was particularly gripping, it was the spectacular Basilisk
scene with Tom Riddle that had everyone on the edge of their seats.
Many Potter purists may complain that there were large amounts
of the book missing - no degnoming at the Weasley's house or Sir
Nicholas' Deathday party, but nothing that was tantamount to the
plot was missing.
Daniel Radcliffe has matured into the role of Harry, and clearly
had a more confident performance, but it was Ron (Rupert Grint)
who stole the film. Whether he was belching slugs, or facing his
fear of spiders, he was the strength behind Harry, ably assisted
by the perfect Hermione Granger (Emma Watson). Newcomer Kenneth
Branagh was cringingly good as the egocentric Gilderoy Lockheart,
while Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy) oozed evil. Other new faces
include Miriam Margolyes as Professor Sprout; Christian Coulson
as Tom Riddle and Shirley Henderson as Moaning Myrtle, the schoolgirl
ghost that haunts, and floods, the Girls toilets.
Chris Columbus has yet again managed absorb the audience into
the world of wizards and magic with a truly amazing adaptation
of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. However, it was the
adults in the audience who seemed incapable of sitting still for
over 2 hours, and proceeded to squirm throughout the performance!
Finally, there is a secret scene after the credits, watch it to
find out what happened to Gilderoy Lockheart.
By Nicola Welch
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Head
For Hat Fair (20th November 2002)
The Winchester Hat Fair, Britain’s best festival of street
theatre has appointed Sian Thomas as their new ‘Director
of Celebrations’.
Sian replaces Caterina Loriggio who was appointed Festivals and
Events Officer for Tower Hamlets, London. Sian is determined to
keep Hat Fair’s wonderful atmosphere and let it grow without
losing any of its special qualities. “I am delighted to have
started working for the Winchester Hat Fair and I am really looking
forward to next year’s festival. Internationally acclaimed
and dynamic female acrobatic trio ‘Mimbre’ have been
commissioned and another spectacular firework performance is in
the pipeline. I want to continue to develop Hat Fair and encourage
further community involvement.”
Sian worked previously as a performer and freelance event co-ordinator
in street and community arts and organised workshops for the ‘Big
Green Gathering’.
Sian wants Hat Fair to develop stronger links with Europe and
have more artistic exchanges. Sian will work with the festival’s
steering group and artistic director, Jonathan Kay, to bring about
next year’s Hat Fair, which will run from the 3rd to the
6th of July 2003.
The Hat Fair are recruiting volunteers now! Telephone 01962 849841
where Sian or Katie can give you more information.
By Katie Smith
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Fire
Strike (20th November 2002)
Fire fighters in Hampshire joined their colleagues around the
country in a 48 hour strike last week.
The industrial action kicked off at 6pm on Wednesday until the
same time on Friday. The strikers want a 40% pay rise, to take
them up to a take home wage of 8.50 an hour.
To me, this does not seem unreasonable. A fireman, or woman, takes
incredible risks in their day to day jobs. Apart from the obvious
danger posed by having to rescue people from an inferno, there
is also smoke inhalation, and, particularly at the moment, the
ever present danger of terrorist attack. To be told by a government
that has just voted itself an enormous pay rise that they should
accept a derisory offer of what would amount to less than 10 extra
a week is nothing short of insulting.
As you may be able to tell, I am behind the firefighters all the
way. I have been covering the debate between the service and the
government for long enough to see that strike action has been
a long time in coming, and certainly not something that any fireman,
or woman, would want.
I took a walk down to the fire station on a rainy Thursday evening
to see the picket line. In scenes reminiscent of TV footage of
the miners’ strikes in the 1980s, tired looking men stood
around burning braziers, sipping tea and chatting. Passing cars
tooted to show their support, and even a bus hurtling down North
Walls honked its horn while the passengers waved and cheered.
One man appeared to have a go at the firemen, but the feeling
did seem to be predominately one of support.
Dave Graham is one of the chief firemen at the station. He reaffirmed
that none of the men wanted to go on strike, but felt that they
had no choice. Vince, one of his colleagues, joined in, saying
that if they heard that someone was trapped then of course they
would go and help. “We would not just let someone die,”
he said. His mates murmured assent. The way the rain was coming
down as we stood around, I think any outdoor fire would have been
struggling to get going. The spirits of the men were not dampened
though. “We have been brought tea, pizzas, and all sorts
of messages of goodwill from people around here,” said Dave.
Whilst Dave and his cronies retained an air of gravitas, on the
other side of the station more men were there with flags and banners.
They all intended on staying until morning.
Tragically, down the road in Devizes, Wiltshire, four people died
in a house fire on Friday morning. However, true to their word,
retained firefighters and those who crossed the picket line helped
soldiers battle the blaze. “Our hearts go out to the friends
and relatives of those who died, but it does not look like the
situation would have been different if we had not been striking.
People do die in fires every day, and if we were not on strike
then no one would have heard of these tragic events,” said
a spokesman for the fire service.
All firemen in Winchester have to live within five minutes of
the station. This is because what they do is work in the day and
then have to be on call all night. Anyone who knows the city will
realise that puts the workers in an area where you are not going
to get much in the way of housing for tuppence ha’penny or
what ever they get paid at the moment.
Dave admitted that, as a senior firefighter, he is on a fairly
good wage, but was out to show support for his compatriots. It
is obvious that he feels very strongly about his work. “I
am a manager. That means that when we get to a burning house,
say, I have to decide who goes in. This means that I could potentially
be sending someone to their death. Does a manager in an office
in town have that kind of responsibility?”
By Max Jones
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The
Mark Oaten Interview (20th November 2002)
It’s sometime after ten on a wet Wednesday morning and the
Liberal Democrat MP for Winchester has already been at it for
hours. More than anything he now needs two things. The toilet
and some sugar.
Since the 1997 election, Mark Oaten has gone from potential near-miss
to potential Prime Minister, a young buck with a big pile of ideas
and an even bigger pile of charm. He seems sincere and open, someone
you’d go down the pub with. Someone for the quiz team.
It’s the day after the Gibralter referendum and the subject
of the Rock comes up, “I can’t get hung-up about the
issue”, says Oaten, ‘but the official line is that the
problem has to be solved with the full support of the local people.”
So five minutes in and he’s already gone ‘off-message’,
he checks his pager and explains;
“I’m party chairman so I have to be careful at times.
If, as party chairman, you say anything, it’s assumed that
it’s an official party line. Equally, it defies logic that
politicians have to go round ‘on message’ all the time.
I’ve said it several times; ‘this is my own view - it’s
not actually the party view’, so what? Is that a hanging
offence? I think the public would prefer and respect their politicians
a lot more if they turned round and said ‘look, I’m
not actually comfortable with this’, I’m still a Liberal
Democrat and I’m still passionate about that but just because
I think slightly different on an issue doesn’t mean I think
my party’s mad or bonkers. All politicians in all parties
should do a lot more of that to be true to ourselves. The electorate
aren’t stupid; they don’t believe that we believe every
single thing that ‘the party’ believes in, in the same
way that they don’t. You’ll hear me saying that a lot
more and you’ll hear me getting into trouble... but so what?”
European Influence
In some political quarters, one guaranteed way of getting into
trouble is mentioning a single European currency. The perceived
wisdom is that the Tories say ‘no’, Labour and says
‘maybe’ and the Lib Dems say ‘yes’. But is
it all that cut and dried?
“We believe it’s in the national interest to be part
of the Euro.” explains Oaten. “We believe there should
be a referendum, so that everybody in the country has a say and
we don’t see any reason for delaying this. We think there’s
been a long period of dithering. I don’t think everything
in Europe is ideal, I get slightly irritated that the French and
Germans run Europe, but I know one thing for sure; if we’re
not part of the Euro, we’ll not be able to have any influence
at all, so the way for us to get in and reform Europe and make
it work for us is to be part of the Euro.”
But if we’re talking trade, surely America’s where the
real money is?
“If we get this right we can have the best of both worlds,
we can be part of Europe with influence, but also keep the arrangement
with America. America see us as a gateway to Europe, we’ll
get investment coming from America, and the rest of Europe will
have to still use us because we share the same tongue as America.
We can be part of both, it’s not an either/or.”
What about Gordon Brown’s set of criteria, do the Lib Dems
subscribe to the opinion that a certain economic situation must
exist before entry?
“If I’m perfectly honest about it, I suspect there’s
only one criteria that matters to the government and that’s
whether they think they can win the referendum or not. If they
thought they could, Gordon Brown would walk into the house of
commons and say ‘I’m delighted to tell you that all
the five economic criteria have been met’. Markets adjust,
and the criteria will never happen until they say ‘we’re
going to do it’, so actually, from the point at which you
make the announcement, the economic conditions materialise. You
then have the argument and then the referendum.”
And could that happen next year?
“I personally think we’ll be going to war in January,
it’s not my personal belief that we should, but that’s
my assessment of the situation, and in those circumstances I do
think it would be difficult for Blair to move towards a referendum
on the Euro just now. There’s just too much happening, too
many uncertainties, too many difficult decisions to take the country
through at the same time.”
The Route to Number 10
He may not admit to it, but the word on the street is that Mark
Oaten is the next leader of the Liberal Democrats. If the party
continue onwards and upwards then that puts him close to Number
10. I wonder if he’s ready for the Big Job.
“If the Liberal Democrats are to make massive gains at the
next election, which I believe we are, if we’re going to
overtake the Conservatives, which I believe we are, it will be
largely due to Charles Kennedy running a fantastic campaign and
being a well-liked, affable and popular leader. So in those circumstances
the last thing the party wants is for him to say ‘I’m
not carrying on’.
In reality, 0.000001% of the population outside of Winchester
don’t have a clue who I am. They may know who Menzies Campbell
is, they probably know who Simon Hughes is, but they all know
who Charles Kennedy is.”
But the party can only be as ambitious as the people in it. You
do want to be Prime Minister, don’t you?
“I want to get into government. I didn’t join the party
to spend time on the backbenches, I joined to get the policies
I want into operation... and so I’d love to be home seceratary,
I’d love to be foreign seceratary, of course I would.”
But if you say ‘I’d love to be home secretary, I’d
love to be foreign secretary’, isn’t the next statement
‘I’d love to be Prime Minister’.
“I’m not sure that I would. That is just such a phenomenally
intense job that it’s almost beyond any human being to be
able to do that.”
But if you were called upon?
“It’s not a realistic option. I honestly don’t
think that’s an option at all. I’m absolutely convinced
that Charles Kennedy can do the job by the 2009 election. But
would I want one of the top jobs? Of course I would.”
Iain Duncan Who?
Some would say that the only good leader the Lib Dems need is
a bad Tory leader. So who’s best for the cause? Iain Duncan
Smith, Ken Clarke or Michael Portillo?
“It doesn’t matter. IDS is a disastrous leader, he has
no direction and he’s out of touch. Ken Clarke would divide
the Tories in a way that would make recent events look like a
tea party. If you thought that having eight people rebelling over
same-sex couples was something, wait until Europe comes on the
agenda. It would be absolute chaos. Portillo? Is this guy a real
social liberal? Has he really changed his views that much? Even
if he is a real moderniser, the fact that they have to put a three
line whip on allowing gay couples to adopt demonstrates that the
party is not able to modernise. Portillo would not be able to
do it, he cannot take those individuals with him.”
Rumours of War
So the Lib Dems are in power, what are you saying to George Dubya?
“I would be tapping him on the shoulder and saying ‘look,
don’t go alone’ - we’ve kept peace in this world
because of the international community of the United Nations.
You’ve got to work within the framework of all these international
institutions, you cannot go alone on this.
There needs to be a vote in the House of Commons on this. I was
appaled that during the recess I could have detailed chats to
people about this in the Black Boy or the Wyckham yet we weren’t
allowed to sit in Westminster and talk about it. Everybody else
was talking about it and we weren’t talking about it in Westminster.
Potty.
I wouldn’t describe myself as being a natural dove, I’m
not afraid of military action, I don’t like it but I’m
not afraid of it. But I find people who are quite gung-ho being
cautious on this one.”
The Spin Cycle
With such a strong emphasis on spin and media control, has modern
politics become a shining example of the medium being the message?
“Increasingly it is. As the media dumbs down it’s increasingly
hard to get your message across in a way that people can understand
without it being just a soundbite.”
So how does your PR background help?
“Charles Kennedy, some colleagues and I went away last weekend
to look at this whole question of messages, rhetoric and language.
We have a new policy on the Health Service which is to take control
away from Whitehall and decentralise services down to a local
level. Now, you may understand that, I understand that, but if
I’m knocking on somebody’s door and they’re saying
‘I haven’t had my hip operation for eight months’
and I turn round to them and say ‘that’s not a problem,
we’re going to take control away from Whitehall and decentralise
services down to a local level’, what does that mean? So
coming up with a form of language which explains what you want
to do in a way which somebody can understand is difficult, it’s
hard work. Labour started with the language, and then put the
policies to match the language. They opinion-polled, they focus-grouped
and they said ‘if you say tough on crime and tough on the
causes of crime’ that will work, and they worked backwards
from that point saying ‘okay, what policies do we have to
come with to make that slogan work?’ What we’ve done
is come up with the policies and then putting it in a language
that people understand. And that is quite hard.
How then do you think will Labour be judged, as a great political
idea or a great PR idea?”
“When we look back on ten years of Labour people will have
to ask themselves ‘was it all spin and no delivery?’
Their hearts may be in the right place but I think the jury’s
still out on that one.”
Literal Democrat
In most people’s minds, the Mark Oaten story begins with
the ‘97 election. Richard Hugget, a maverick politico, stood
against him as ‘Top Choice Liberal Democrat’ - he polled
around 640 votes. It looked like Mark Oaten had won by two, the
Conservatives disagreed and after much fear and loathing a by-election
was called. Mark won by 21,000. So how does he feel about Richard
Huggett now?
“I’m as bitter today about Richard Huggett as I was
six or seven years ago. That whole thing put my family and I through
an enormous amount of stress for six months and I still feel angry
about it. It brings out my nervous twitch.”
I suggest that when all’s said and done, it could, perhaps,
be argued that Richard Huggett was the making of Mark Oaten. The
man who helped turn a two vote majority into a 21,000 vote majority.
“But it would have meant a lot less stress. I was very unhappy
when I first got elected, the first year was very difficult, very
tough. Instead of being able to get on with the job we were thrown
into the limelight. Everybody had a story, everybody had a view
on the court case, everybody had an anecdote. It was a tremendously
tough time.”
These days, Mark just gets on with the job, and his future looks
brighter every day. The madness that surrounded his Parliamentary
birth no longer defines him. He’s now his own man. All that
other stuff happened a long time ago... even if it does have a
habit of cropping-up on the odd TV quiz show.
Mark smiles; “So if nothing else”, he says, “ I’ll
go down in history as a question on University Challenge.”
By Richard Williams and Sam Leyden
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As
featured on Radio 4... (27th November 2002)
Recently, Jeremy Hardy read out the following on Radio 4's News
Quiz. The letter from Mr Duncan was in reply to an article by
Max Jones detailing the Bishop of Winchester's opposition to same-sex
adoption. Our reply (with a little help from The West Wing) has
caused quite a stir...
Dear Editor,
I wanted to respond to the article in your October 23 edition
by Max Jones. As a committed Christian since 1954 and the father
of five children, I totally support the Bishop of Winchester in
his opposition to couples other than heterosexual being allowed
to adopt children. Perhaps this should also include "common-law"
relationships proven to be stable. After all, in God's eyes, if
one has a sexual relationship with a person of the opposite sex,
then you are "bound" to that person. Sadly, our society
these days treats sex as entertainment and a commodity, as opposed
to the cementing of a special relationship as intended by our
Creator.
What you have to consider, is that our God's laws do not change
with the passing of time. Throughout the pages of the Bible -
the Christian Handbook - homosexuality is condemned. It was the
main reason why Sodom (sodomy) and Gomorra were destroyed. Jesus
Christ pronounced that it has always been God's design for a relationship
to be between one man and one woman, for life. Allowing for the
failures in our own lives, divorce and, under certain circumstances,
remarriage is permitted. I have been through that situation myself.
Whether or not you voted the Bishop in is not relevant here. The
Church must stand for goodness and right-ness. Jesus Christ demanded
of his followers - of which the Bishop is one - that we are to
be the "salt" and "light" in this world. Salt
prevents decay and light shows the way. So don 't knock the man,
he is following orders from a much higher authority than any government
of this world.
Yours sincerely,
Stuart D. Duncan
Good point well made, Mr Duncan. As you say, 'God's laws do not
change with the passing of time', and it clearly states in Leviticus
18:22 that homosexuality is an 'abomination'.
Which reminds me, there's a couple of things I need a little guidance
on... firstly, if I wanted to sell my daughter into slavery as
sanctioned in Exodus 21:7, how much could I expect to make from
such a deal?
Also, the newspaper business being what it is, my colleague Pete
sometimes insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly
says he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill
him myself? Or is it okay to get some outside help?
Lastly, does the whole city really have to be together to stone
my brother John for planting different crops side by side? And
when, as it instructs in the ‘Christian Handbook’, I
burn my mother for wearing garments made from two different threads.
Do I torch her whole or just a bit?
It's a moral minefield and no mistake.
- J. Bartlett
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Rumpus
Goes to Loudersounds (27th November 2002)
Society duties took me out, once again, in Winchester’s historic
city last week. Some chaps calling themselves ‘Louder Sounds’
were having a launch party at no less an auspicious venue than
The Winchester Guildhall.
Of course, they must have said to themselves, “no launch
can really without happen without the louche figure of Maximillian
Upton-Jones around.”
So, sense of civic duty intact, I headed down to the bottom of
town on a rainy Friday night. I must admit, having read in this
august publication that Louder Sounds had £7000 to spend,
I was tempted by the thought of dwarves with trays of caviar on
their heads and at least Tara Palmer Tomkinson. However, for some
reason this was not to be, but by the time I got there I was really
not bothered.
In Thomas Hughes’ classic novel Tom Browns’ Schooldays,
Flashman, the bully, gets himself expelled by getting, in the
words of the author, ‘beastly drunk.’ I must confess
that I was in a similar state of advanced refreshment by the time
I arrived at ‘Louder Sounds.’ However, undaunted I went
on a foray into the dance room, where I came across Matthew Sergison
Main and his girlfriend Ange. They were having fun, I think, but
not as much as Paul Key.
He was in his element, doing all the visuals for the event, which
the assembled seemed to enjoy. Paul was accompanied by the ever
dapper Chey and Mark, ‘the Boots set.’ Society mainstay
Paul Coggins was there, looking as fresh as ever. Never has his
nickname of ‘Junior Bond’ seemed more deserved. Scott
James had taken time off selling booze to the city in Oddbins
to have a dance, accompanied by the delightful Charlotte and Kelly.
The bands all seemed good. I bumped into Jason Pike and his ‘friend’
listening to Steenies’ band, but unfortunately their name
eludes me, which is a shame, as they were excellent. The name
of the DJs playing ‘Nu Techno’ also escapes me. This
is not such a bad thing, though, as it sounded terrible. From
what I can work out, this new genre of music seems to be angle
grinders and chainsaws over a techno beat. Not in the Upton-Jones
house I’m afraid.
Taking time out from their busy media schedules, Henry Neild and
Faye Pain had seemed to find time somewhere for a glass or two,
although any alcohol consumed did not seem to diminish Miss Pain’s
breakdancing ability. Your correspondent must confess that he
too was tempted by a backspin or two, done with his usual elan.
The final word must go to Stewart Morris. So proud of his new
parka, Stewart managed to not remove it for the entire concert,
which made it rather difficult for him to retain his usual ‘sang
froid.’ After the gig it was a very tired select few who
made the trip back to Upton Jones Towers in ‘Old Bishy’
where heads were being knocked off bottles until the early hours.
Hurrah.
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Stables
added to Bruntnell bill (27th November 2002)
Winchester based singer-songwriter Kate Stables has been confirmed
as the suprise guest at this weekends Peter Bruntnell show at
The Railway.
Kate was reported to be ‘delighted’ at being added to
the bill at the last moment. “I’m a big fan of Peter
Bruntnell”, she said, “and it’s a great honour
to share the stage with such a mighty talent.”
Kate has long been admired as one of the the leading lights in
the Winchester Acoustic Movement, making her appearance on Saturday
no suprise to those who have been watching the scene.
“It was all a matter of timing”, said her manager Colonel
Hector Peebles, “a few dates we had lined up in Prague fell
through, so it made sense to jump on the bill.”
Peter Bruntnell, The Automatics and Kate Stables play The Railway
Inn, Saturday 30th from 8pm. Tickets available from The Railway
in advance or on the night.
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Man
Coshed (27th November 2002)
Stopping off at the quaint village stores in Twyford last Tuesday
night to buy some milk, I walked straight into a crime scene.
Cordoned off and swarming with police, the shop was certainly
not open for business!
A trio of robbers had been in and demanded cash, cigarettes and
drink. However, they got more than they bargained for when they
were tackled by an off duty member of staff.
The man, who did not wish to be named, was browsing in the shop
when the three bandits, all aged between 20 and 25, burst into
the shop.Our hero took on all three of the villains until he was
hit over the head with a cosh. His efforts were not in vain, however,
as the would be robbers fled empty handed.They jumped into a small
red car, and police think they may have sped off to Colden Common.
There, some lads answering the description of the three desperados
hung around outside Spring Lane Stores, waiting for it to shut.
Once the owner had gone, they kicked and damaged the door, before
once again scarpering with no swag.
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