Shilpaaaah
Another day, another royal visit. Shilpa Shetty (and her mother) came to the House of Commons, among scenes of controlled pandemonium. The visit was organised by Labour MP Keith Vaz. Later today, Keith is taking Shilpa to visit his constituency in Leicester. As I write, apparently 5,000 people are already waiting for her arrival there.
Shilpa watched Prime Minister’s Questions, and afterwards met the Prime Minister, who told her she had behaved with “great dignity” during her time in the Big Brother House. Then on to a lunch where she met Tessa Jowell, Peter Hain, Hazel Blears, Rob Wilson, David Amess and others. Oh, and I was there as well.
When Shilpa went into the Big Brother House, I said on this blog that I thought it would be a great boost for Anglo-Indian relations. Despite the roller coaster ride and the criticism levelled at the show, I think that has proved to be the case. As one of my Indian friends said to me, Britain has won, by showing to Indian eyes that we believe in fair play. India has won, by reminding us (if we needed it) that India is a civilised and cultured country.
Given that result, I am not sure Channel 4 deserves the opporbrium heaped upon it. The show provoked an important debate, and opened eyes to the good and the bad in the UK. IT may be approaching its sell-by date, but it still has a way of breaking new ground that very few television programmes are capable of.
Ralph said on February 10th, 2007 at 7:24 pm:
‘Given that result, I am not sure Channel 4 deserves the opporbrium heaped upon it’
Bad things that have good outcomes still deserve our criticism.
Bill Skidmore said on February 14th, 2007 at 10:42 pm:
Had to look up this site following comments in the Daily Mail. I have voted Conservative all my life - never did I expect to see such drivel written by a Tory Shadow Minister. Has the world of politics gone mad ? Or is it a question of jumping on the bandwagon no matter how ridiculous ?
Comments like the above made by Mr Vaizey make me want to throw up and, at the same time yearn for the days of responsible MP’s. Is it any wonder people are losing faith in their representatives when they spout rubbish like this ?