Queen’s Speech
Well, there is only one thing that matters today - the Queen’s Speech. You can read my comment on it on The Guardian’s website HERE, as well as the even more amusing comments posted by Grauniad readers.
As well as being a fantastic occasion, there is something mildly surreal about the opening of Parliament. As I came down from my office, I found myself among assorted Life Guards and beefeaters waiting for the ceremony to begin. It felt very like the set of Extras.
I was on a panel with Shirley Williams, who duffed up Peter Hain pretty well. Afterwards, she told me a great story about Tony Crosland. Apparently, he held a salon every Sunday at his house, when people would go round and intense and heated arguments were had on education. On the stroke of ten, Crosland would end the discussion, pour himself a beer, put on his beret (he was a para who parachuted into France during D-Day) and watch Match of the Day. Then discussion would resume.
I was in the Chamber for the debate. Traditionally, the opening speeches, from two backbenchers, are witty and light. New Labour has abandoned this tradition. Last year with vera Baird, and this year with Alun Michael, the speeches have been highly partisan, very tedious, and consequently completely ineffective. That is very sad. Alun Michael claimed credit for all sorts of things started by the Tories and carried on in a similar vein. In the circumstances, David Cameron was incredibly charitable towards him, I thought.
Manjit said on November 15th, 2006 at 8:01 pm:
I caught the start of speech debate before I had to go into University, and thank god the BBC did not put it live on BBC 2. The opening two speeches by Labour backbenchers were simply awful and cringe worthy and no wonder the House was talking amongst themselves. Cameron had some good lines i.e the one where he reused Kinnock’s famous ‘grotesque chaos’ speech. Not sure the personal attacks on Gordon Brown are really called for thou, what happened to the end of ‘punch and judy’ politics? Thou having said that I thought the PM did give a impressive performance when he got up to speek. But does anybody care anymore?
UK Daily Pundit said on November 15th, 2006 at 9:15 pm:
I think you got off lightly on comment is free. They’re usually much nastier. You’re winning them over Ed.
John said on November 20th, 2006 at 1:03 pm:
Shirley is awesome!