Tuesday 27 September 2011

A return to feudalism

In feudal times, the serf I am told had to work two days on the land of their lord and had the rest of week for their own land.  We have a similar situation now in the UK where some people have to give the proceeds of 2 out of the 5 days they work in housing costs.  At the same time - a new breed of 'Buy too let Barons' - have property empires of tens, and in some cases hundreds and thousands of properties.    I am sure being a responsible landlord involves more than just collecting rent each month, but most of us might think it's hardly the toughest way  to get money.   Of course there are some awful tennants who can make the lives of landlords a misery and trash much love properties - but on the whole I wonder if a property owning democracy would be better is we had a maximum number of properties one person can own? Just a thought.

Tuesday 6 September 2011

Books

Comedy Rules - From the Cambridge Footlights to Yes Prime Minister by Jonathan Lynn. ISBN 978-0-571-27795-7

150 essential rules of comedy.

Probably the best book on writing comedy ever.  It is not a how to do book, not a practical guide,  it is part memoir, part stories and part 150 views on what makes people laugh.

Saturday 3 September 2011

Charles Kennedy

Charles Kennedy - A Tragic Flaw by Greg Hurst ISBN -10:1-84275-176-X

The blurb on the covers says Greg Hurst understands the personalities and working of the Liberal Democrats better than any other political journalist...   a fascinating and often dramatic, insider account of Charles Kennedy's leadership.

The first part of that is undoubted true, the second part rather undersells a book which covers Kennedy's entire life and career as well as providing a clear account of the history and workings of the SDP and the Liberal Democrats.

The tragic flaw is of course alcoholism, which very sadly.  As a friends of Kennedy say - it is hard to tell when heavy drinking turns into alcoholism, even when Kennedy appeared to cut down on his drinking, his body was already less able to cope both with and without alcohol.  That is the cruel dilemma for addicts.

The events in the book often seem like a different age, how quickly politics can move on. Even Kennedy resignation as leader is almost 6 years ago.

Kennedy emerges as a politician of great judgement and rare ability to connect with the public. Rather than
'lazy' as he was sometimes painted, he comes over a thoughtful and unwilling to close down options and seeking to avoid unnecessary conflict.  Clearly he was not someone for detailed policy but that need not be a disadvantage for a party leader.

Little snippets -  the revolting Labour party by-election campaigns - particularly at Birmingham Hodge Hill.
The huge frustration of leading a party which gained over a million more votes and yet won only a handful more seats.   The huge reluctance of the Lib Dem MPs to be ruthless in getting rid of Kennedy,which made the process worse. 

Despite his easy TV manner and chat/game show appearances, Kennedy was a shy person, disliked long formal meetings, sometimes lacking in self-confidence despite his ability to master a brief incredibly quickly.

The book almost argues that Kennedy fatal flaw was being elected an MP at 23, being a gifted politician who would have been a Cabinet Minister in any other party but who instead chose the SDP and Liberal Democrats,  but in the end it concludes that failure to address his drinking until it was too late was the fatal flaw.