David Porter » Archive
Referendal Politics Could Be (Re)birth of Contemporary Democracy
Voters pass judgments in elections and referenda. Not always convenient to rulers, but they’re here to stay in modern democracy as people express opinions. This article first published on Suite 101, 9 November 2011. Matthew D’Ancona used the phrase ‘referendal politics’ in the Daily Telegraph, November 2011, in relation to the fightback and rebirth of (new) democracy in the face of bureaucratic, outdated elites now running Europe. However, as so often in history, politics and news, it’s an old term brought back in a different context. A book by Corinne Comstock Weston (1995) about The House of Lords and ideological Politics, analysed what was called ‘Lord Salisbury’s Referendal Theory’ in relation to the Conservative Party 1846-1922. While Britain then was gradually embracing democracy, the House of Lords was seen ‘as the last bastion … Read entire article »
Filed under: Articles at Suite 101
Stress Could Be the Next Key Factor in British Politics
Work patterns changed beyond recognition in a decade, occupational stress the norm, few benefit from technology’s ease: can Britain ever take it easy again? This article first published on Suite 101, 8 November 2011. With the pressure of few shopping days till Christmas, financial worries and frantic lifestyles of expectation, social-media and the ‘now’, all ages feel under stress. In-Deed, an online conveyancing company published a November 2011 survey saying that selling or buying a house ages people by two years. They didn’t find how much stress people suffer who can’t sell their homes. How much is healthy, creative stress and how much is destructive? More of the latter has far-reaching consequences for our legislation, legal/educational/welfare/employment/transport systems. In short, for our whole way of life. Most employed accept some occupational stress. When a … Read entire article »
Filed under: Articles at Suite 101
Whistle Down the Wind
Norfolk Youth Music Theatre at Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich Reviewed published in the Eastern Daily Press, 3 November 2012 From the opening with the full cast on stage, this show both moves and gladdens the heart, stirs emotions and leaves room for plenty to think about. There is an escaped convict on the loose just before Christmas. Village children think the stranger in the barn is Jesus. On that story hangs a variation of the Nativity and parables and events from the Bible, including a Judas character in the boy (George Hunt) who betrays the Man, sympathetically played by John Chitty. Rough, rural family life is captured perfectly with props and effects handled well. The acting and singing in the children’s chorus/disciples’ commentary is priceless; their parents wonderfully odd. The church nativity scene is hilarious. The orchestra … Read entire article »
Filed under: Reviews
Advertising, Television, Web and Film Are the Entertainment Now
As social media, the web and television become interlinked, advertising/shopping/retailing looks set to be the cement that holds it all together. This first published on Suite 101, 31 October 2011 Research studies, commentators and various net and commercial pundits are busy jumping on bandwagons as the advertising industry ensures its prosperity in all media. Advertising, love it or hate it, is going to get ever more intrusive as technology evolves. Brand Loyalty Since 2010 in the UK, it’s been legal to place products within both television shows and films. This goes way beyond mere sponsorship and focusses on simple messages: this hero drinks this particular beverage; that attractive girl is into those named shoes. Now, with simple technology and high motivation, media and advertising are teaming up to retro-fit products into programmes and movies … Read entire article »
Filed under: Articles at Suite 101
The Concept of International Justice On Trial
Gaddafi’s non-judicial ‘execution’ polarised world opinion, from those appalled at the circumstances to those just delighted by the dictator’s demise. This article first published on Suite 101, 27th October 2011. In the wake of the death of Libya’s Muammar al-Gaddafi, the airwaves were thick with calls for ‘justice’ for his killers. They received short shrift from the National Transition Council and Libyans sickened by four decades of brutality at the hands of the Gaddafi regime. British Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said Gaddafi was ‘subjected to summary justice’. US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton demanded an investigation saying: ‘The new Libya needs to start with accountability, the rule of law, a sense of unity and reconciliation in order to build an inclusive democracy’. Some commentators were quick to point out that the US showed … Read entire article »
Filed under: Articles at Suite 101
Latitude Poetry Club
Norwich Arts Centre Review written for Eastern Daily Press, not used Performance poetry is a neglected art form that is staging something of a comeback. It draws heavily on stand-up comedy, making this stand-up poetry. Three ‘now’ poets performed observational verse, rhyming and blank, as commentary on life, love, the universe and, well, everything, really. Luke Wright hosted another installment of his Latitude Poetry Club with keenly observed pieces on touring gigs as holidays, the Essex phantom lion, his paunch and his dream woman. Andy Bennett changed tempo with pieces on the consequences of alcohol, Guy Fawkes, Parliament, the ‘mask of apathy’ and the lost, early morning young man going home. His style was more political, finger-wagging, folk poetry. Byron Vincent claimed ‘not to be clever enough to be a poet, not funny enough to be … Read entire article »
Filed under: Reviews
Ministerial Resignations Are Often Political Theatre At Its Best
This article was first published on Suite 101, 21 October 2011. Now, a year on, in the wake of the resignation of the Government Chief Whip, Andrew Mitchell, over an issue that raises all sorts of questions about integrity, the arrogance of office, police records, hidden police agendas and the judgement of senior politicians… it is timely to republish it. Shakespeare wrote: ‘Nothing in his life became him like the leaving of it’. (Macbeth). If only the same could be said of many who leave ministerial life. The Ministerial Code is issued at the start of each administration by the new Prime Minister. It’s not formalised in the constitution, but has evolved through precedence and guidance. By convention, Ministers inform and explain, apologise, take remedial action and resign in ministerial responsibility. Each … Read entire article »
Filed under: Articles at Suite 101
Whips Mean Business in Parliamentary Proceedings
This article was first published on Suite 101, 20 October 2011. Now, a year on, in the wake of the resignation of the Government Chief Whip, Andrew Mitchell, over an issue that raises all sorts of questions about integrity, the arrogance of office, police records, hidden police agendas and the judgement of senior politicians… it is timely to republish it. Periodically, Government whips hit the news and people ask, who are they? What do they do? Why do they have such power? The Parliamentary website gives a succinct definition: ‘whips are MPs or Lords appointed by each party in Parliament to help organise their party’s contribution to parliamentary business’. They ensure that most party members vote, and vote according to party wishes. It’s thought ‘whip’ stems from 18th century hunting, where a ‘whipper-in’ … Read entire article »
Filed under: Articles at Suite 101
Westminster and Public Services Suffer Crime Waves
Everything ‘owned’ by government is really owned by the taxpayers. However, some take it quite literally and think they can walk away with public assets. People have long stolen from work places. They take stationery, use computers and phones free, and steal time too. Many regard it as harmless, ‘victimless’ crime. Have we crossed a line into a belief that public theft is somehow acceptable? The 2011 English riots saw organised gangs of criminals stealing and damaging. Schools, hospitals, council offices and depots regularly suffer pilfering from a minority of staff and visitors. When the 2008 recession began there were reports of school students recharging their mobiles in classroom sockets, at taxpayers’ expense. It’s not a new phenomenon. By the end of the last world war, thousands of troops took souvenirs from places … Read entire article »
Filed under: Articles at Suite 101
Impressionists Have Had Their Day in the Spotlight of UK Stand-Up
Satirising politicians has lost its appeal as they are so bland and because political reality parodies itself. You can no longer make it up. Long-time stalwart of the British comedy impressionist circuits, Rory Bremner, confessed to the Daily Telegraph (October 2011) that he was experiencing difficulty finding work. Channel 4 (who had employed him for 20 years) had no need of his particular services because ‘people no longer recognise the voices’ of top political players. He told Bryony Gordon in her interview that a brilliant impression now ‘would be like showing a dog a card trick’. In the next day‘s edition of the Telegraph, Matthew Norman wrote a personal opinion on Bremner being forced to do a turn on Strictly Come Dancing to earn a crust, believing it was because public interest … Read entire article »
Filed under: Articles at Suite 101