Comments on: Gareth Epps reviews manifesto conference

By: sanbikinoraion

sanbikinoraion — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:22:15 +0000

Let’s avoid comparisons with Doctor Who: the actors may be good, but it’s awfully written.

By: Richard Church

Richard Church — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 23:38:46 +0000

The power cuts were in 1972-73. I remember helping my father run his shop by candlelight (health and safety now and we would have just shut), it was Christmas and you just had to trade.

I don’t know where Jeremy got the bread shortage from, and I wasn’t sure what its relevance to the agenda was.

He said nothing that I disagreed with, but perhaps what he didn’t say I might have disagreed with, but we will never know.

It’s no wonder that we Liberals are interested in Dr Who. Here we have a role model who travels through time and space campaigning against oppression, exploitation and freedom from conformity. An individualist who repeatedly celebrates the ingenuity and creativity of humanity.

Contrast Socialism and conservatism, cybermen and daleks.

By: Anders

Anders — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 22:51:52 +0000

Well I’m 32 and I remember power cuts. But then I grew up in Yorkshire

By: James Graham

James Graham — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 22:12:16 +0000

Just to avoid any semblance of doubt, I should point out that I wasn't saying there were no power cuts or even food shortages during the 70s. I'm not even suggesting that Jeremy Browne has no memory of them. I am suggesting that he wasn't one of those to suffer particularly from the experience, and perhaps I'm suggesting that the memory of them has become crafted over time to suit a specific policy agenda, Monty Python Yorkshiremen sketch-like.

By: Alex Foster

Alex Foster — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 21:55:52 +0000

as I was very into firemen at the time

*bites tongue*

By: Hywel Morgan

Hywel Morgan — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 21:00:09 +0000

I (born 1970) remember power cuts but not the 74 ones. I do have fairly good memories of the winter of discontent and the back end of the Callaghan government – particularly the firemens strike as I was very into firemen at the time

By: David Morton

David Morton — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:10:07 +0000

I remember power cuts despite being 35. its was because my dad was really pleased and celebrating – being a Miner.

By: tony hill

tony hill — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:01:24 +0000

There were no food shortages as such, but there were periodic shortages of certain commodities like sugar and bread. There were reasonably well-founded rumours that the government had prepared ration books.

By: Ruth Bright

Ruth Bright — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:22:39 +0000

James has posted brilliantly on this already but I thought it was a little tedious that the public services’ debate was sometimes couched in “bash an activist” rhetoric. Jeremy Browne said something to the effect that it would be a shame if the conservatism of our activists held us back on public service reform. Why the determination to have a Clause IV moment? We don’t need one.

It was odd that Nick Clegg spoke disparagingly of three state monopolies – health, education and welfare but only fleshed out ideas about how to tackle the first two.

Overall though,a useful conference, good summary Gareth. Shame about the lack of a creche.

By: Martin Tod

Martin Tod — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:16:12 +0000

Agree about the food shortages. I don’t remember any and was going to make a comment along the same lines.

I have clearer recollection of inflation (e.g. when it stopped being possible to buy a sweet for 1p).

By: Gareth Epps

Gareth Epps — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:12:37 +0000

I can remember power cuts but thought the food shortages bit was a bit odd.

By: Martin Tod

Martin Tod — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:12:28 +0000

I thought the power cuts were between about 1973 and 1974? I was about 9 at the time and thought it was great! Sitting round the kitchen table by candlelight with my parents – very exciting!

Having experienced power cuts as an adult while working in Central & Eastern Europe, I suspect I would now be somewhat less amused…

By: Terry Gilbert

Terry Gilbert — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 17:13:05 +0000

PS Just like to add my thanks to Gareth for keeping us in touch!

By: Terry Gilbert

Terry Gilbert — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 17:11:09 +0000

Perhaps they had power cuts in Iran, Zimbabwe and Belgium, too? But I was 16 in 1980, and don’t recall food shortages while i sat my ‘o’levels. Perhaps we did not eat as well as the Brownes…

By: James Graham

James Graham — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:00:29 +0000

“Jeremy Browne focused on his childhood memories of power cuts and food shortages in ‘70s Britain”

Really? An interesting perspective from a diplomat’s son who apparently spent a lot of his early years in, according to the party website, “many different countries … including Iran, Zimbabwe and Belgium.” Given his 10th birthday was in 1980, is he really best placed to tell us about the first-hand 70s Britain experience?

By: MatGB

MatGB — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:42:33 +0000

Thanks for writing this up Gareth, couldn’t be there but a decent report is always useful. Interesting to see a diversity of views that essentially remains united in objective if not method.