Tony Benn- come back all is forgiven

Given the widespread cynicism about our current crop of politicians and the scandal over MP’s expenses, what an honour it was to attend an audience with a proper old school politician at the Gulbenkian Theatre in Canterbury.

At 84 years of age, Tony Benn has lost none of his idealism and none of his passion or deep convictions for democracy and for socialism.

His political beliefs were forged from his own experiences in the Second World War rather than Student Union debates and left wing newspapers.

He remains what he would call a “signpost” politician explaining his beliefs and persuading voters in the hope they will follow his lead.

What a contrast from the current crop of what he calls “weather-cock” politicians who will frantically study opinion polls and focus groups in the hope of being able to tell us what we want to hear.

Tony Benn, like most the electorate can see very little point in that political exercise.

His integrity and ethics shine through almost everything he says and he seems genuinely devoid of ego. He urges a young student demonstrator never to protest against policies but always to demand what is just.

When asked by a local teacher how she could persuade her students to become interested in politics Tony eyes flashed and his hands started their characteristic gesticulating

“You must tell them to get involved in politics before politics gets involved with them” he replied.

There was no point in young people disengaging from politics and then complaining about being sent to war or being taxed or persecuted when it was too late.

I share very few of Tony’s classic socialist beliefs but few would dare challenge this passionate advocate of representative democracy and allowing people to protest and determine their own futures.

As he shuffled to the shadows at the back of the stage to thunderous applause, I found myself very moved by this warm engaging old man and his genuine wish to take his message to the people.

On balance I think I would prefer to offer my support to an honest man like Tony Benn whose views were sincerely held but not those of my own than I would any of the shabby imitations who seek my favour with endless spin, policy initiatives and shallow trivia.

Come back Tony, all is forgiven.

Gesture Politics Gone Mad

Writing about politics is usually the kiss of death for any writer or journalist unless they are part of the Westminster Village elite but I just can't help myself.

I received a letter from Canterbury City Council last week, advising me of the new government scheme to offset any future business rate increases over two years. There were 4 sides of A4 to explain the radical new initiative to help small business beat the recession. The bottom line was that no-one would know how this was going to work until July, when they would write to me again.

With a thinly veiled sigh of exasperation, the notes pointed out that with negative inflation forecast for the next year, any pressure on business rates would be downward rather than upward anyway.

"Hang on.." I thought, "this fabulous government initiative that requires four pages to explain it actually means that a potential increase in business rates, that probably will not happen anyway, can be offset over two years?".

This is clearly another example of those clapped out government apparatchik announcing any new initiative that might sound vaguely constructive or positive when announced with a weary fanfare on the TV and Radio news.

They should have a special New Labour Good Ideas Competition whch would be a variation on those Blue Peter Competitions we remember so fondly from saner times -just think of any policy or initiative that stupid people will think is designed to help them but in fact only makes the government look good.

Answers on a postcard to Mr G Brown, 10 Downing Street, etc etc. We could even invite Valerie Singleton or John Noakes to draw the winning entry.

I can hear John's distinctive tone now "And the winner is Ed Balls from London again Val..get down Shep"

After a few seconds, even stupid people will realise that the latest idea is another pointless policy announcement designed to make the government look good. But by then they will have another competition winning idea to announce.

Appearance is the new reality and generations of future taxpayers will pay for the current governments vanity and short term poll ratings.

I am eagerly waiting the new government initiative to reduce rainfall in the summer to help those depressed due to the (global and nothing to with G Brown and friends) recession.

Actually that's not such a bad idea.

Responsible Tourism Day

Wednesday marked Responsible Tourism Day at the World Travel Market at Excel, just in case you missed it.

This massive orgy of international tourism is divided into regions of the world, where irritated travel executives bump together while shouting into their mobile phones, trying desperately to locate each other, in the over-heated crowds.

“For God’s sake Barry, I was in Africa, having coffee, five minutes ago, but Sheila told me to go to Asia...” and “we’re meeting Maureen by Mexico when she’s been to the loo”.

There are thousands of pictures of palm trees and golden beaches on thousands of glossy brochures that no-one will bother reading because they all say much the same thing.

In a small lecture room, far away from the stampede, a presentation on responsible tourism introduces the industry to a new type of tourism offering “better places for people to live in and visit” with “local and authentic attractions” that provide an opportunity to “experience things rather than be a voyeur”.

Responsible Tourism is already a growing niche market that threatens to become main-stream as more consumers bore of the standard package holiday fare, prefer to organise their own leisure time and have concerns for their environment. But it seems that some travel companies are cashing in on the trend without necessarily producing the goods.

Dr Xavier Font says “those executives that talk about going to heaven all the time rarely get there and the same applies to responsible tourism. Those that talk about it all the time usually only see it as a press release opportunity”.

Then a nice man called Richard kindly talked us all through a programme called “biodiversity, my hotel in action” and everyone started to eye the exit signs longingly.

Back in the crush of the main exhibition hall, most of the travel executives were struggling to find Maureen, Mexico or the loo and had probably never even considered the possibility of reaching heaven.

007 Review

Finally, thousands of middle aged men can be liberated from the secret aspiration to be James Bond that has dominated their life since Ursula Andress emerged from the Caribbean in Dr No, in that swimsuit.

After the matinee performance at the Odeon Leicester Square on Sunday, there seemed to be universal approval for the Quantum of Solace, starring Daniel Craig.

The latest 007 production is an excellent action movie delivered at a breathtaking pace but something very subtle had been lost from the famous lead character.

Daniel Craig is probably a superior actor than any of his recent predecessors but his version of Ian Fleming's hero is just a little too cold and brutal to fit the true Bond model.

He is highly credible as a Special Forces squaddie, who was never loved much by his Mum.
But where is the savoir faire, the love of pate de fois-gras, the deft quips in the face of acute danger, the elegance combined with the casual brutality?

In a valid attempt to give the lead role some depth, Mr Bond has become a bit of a bore.While one might expect an evening with Messers Connery, Moore or Brosnan to include fine restaurants, beautiful women, fast cars and a subtle assassination or two- one would fear that an evening out with Mr Craig would more likely result in a bloody fight in the nearest pub car park.