Ken Clarke, John Humphrys
People
The Past, Walter Langley (1852-1922) Photo Credit: Penlee House Gallery & Museum [CC BY-ND] |
We neglected that bulk of the
population left behind and living in post-industrial towns where their living
standards were static or falling. And the new globalised economy, the
rules-based order, the digital revolution meant nothing to them.
…Now I blame the political class to
which I belong – the establishment, of which I was undoubtedly a member – for
failing to see this coming.”
So, he does include himself in this
failure? “Yes, he says, “I did not see it coming.” He represents “the
prosperous part” of Nottinghamshire, where the schools were good and the house
prices were high. But in the old mining towns, the signs were there. He admits
he should have seen them earlier.
…Clarke was widowed in 2015, losing
Gillian, his wife of more than 50 years, with whom he had two children. Does
that help explain his decision not to retire from parliament, fighting for
re-election in 2017 despite making some earlier noises about standing down.
“I normally avoid getting too personal
in interviews, but my advice to all my friends who find themselves bereaved is:
the best way of coping with bereavement is to keep yourself busy. Do not become
a recluse, feeling sorry for yourself. Try to get busier than you usually are.
That’s not the reason I’ve stayed in politics – I’m just an addict – but I
think it helps.
I’m so laid back that I’m almost horizontal, is how I would describe myself. I’m a naturally cheery and gregarious guy.”
He collects his things: he has dinner
plans. I assume there’s a formal function to attend, maybe black tie, perhaps
with a speech to give. “No, not tonight,” he says. He has a weekly
semi-appointment to keep at the Kennington Tandoori: a table for one, just him
and a copy of the Economist. He’s looking forward to it.
(Jonathan Freedland interviewing Ken
Clarke, The Guardian, 16.4.2019)
One of
the good guys is the Father of the House.
…The British Film Institute commissioned a survey of more
than 500 television executives, producers, researchers and camera crews to find
out what they thought of the way television is going. Half of those working in
documentaries and current affairs said they felt they had been pressured to
distort the truth and misrepresent the views of those interviewed to create
“exciting, controversial or entertaining programming”.
(John Humphrys, Devil’s Advocate)
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