On learning from yesterday's Telegraph revelations about parliamentary expenses that our Tory MP, David Heathcote-Amory had claimed £380 for horse manure, I wasn't sure whether to be pleased or annoyed.
Should I be pleased because the news can't do the chances of our Liberal Democrat candidate for the Wells constituency, Tessa Munt, any harm at all?
Or should I be annoyed because I reckon I could have found some local manure at a lower price - which would have would have been a better deal for him, a better deal for the taxpayer and a better deal for me, as it would have let me in on a slice of the action for myself.
A prime minister who openly refused to answer an interviewer’s questions
If you saw the recently posted clips of Clement Attlee and Edward Heath, you might enjoy another gem from my collection of memorable TV interviews from the past.
This time, it’s sunny Jim Callaghan in full combat mode, repeatedly refusing to answer questions about Roy Jenkins.
Although he may have succeeded in putting Robin Day in his place, whether or not it did the then prime minister's reputation any good is quite another matter.
However, compared with the way Gordon Brown behaves in interviews (see yesterday’s post), there’s something vaguely refreshing to see a politician being as open as this about his unwillingness to answer the questions put to him:
This time, it’s sunny Jim Callaghan in full combat mode, repeatedly refusing to answer questions about Roy Jenkins.
Although he may have succeeded in putting Robin Day in his place, whether or not it did the then prime minister's reputation any good is quite another matter.
However, compared with the way Gordon Brown behaves in interviews (see yesterday’s post), there’s something vaguely refreshing to see a politician being as open as this about his unwillingness to answer the questions put to him:
UK Speechwriters' Guild
Just launched today is a new website of the UK Speechwriters’ Guild, which can be visited HERE.
The Guild has been formed to:
• share knowledge on how to operate as a speechwriter in the UK
• establish guidelines for commercial rates for UK speechwriters’ work
• raise standards of public speaking, by providing training courses for speechwriters, giving awards, circulating information about jobs and organising events
• persuade UK business leaders, professional speakers and politicians of the great value which specialist speechwriters can bring to their commercial and public life
• publish a quarterly trade newsletter, with hints, tips and examples of fine speechwriting
To learn more about what it has to offer and how to join, have a look at the website.
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