Press columns 2000
The 'View from Westminster' columns originally appeared in the Stevenage Mercury, and are listed in reverse order – most recent first.
All that glitters is not good
July 2000
My mother used to say that “May you live in interesting times” was an old Chinese curse. Had she been alive these last two weeks she would have certainly said it again – and again.
Remembering our heroes
June 2000
This year saw the last of the official Dunkirk anniversary celebrations. Only a handful of the many men and women who took part in the evacuation of those beaches are still alive and most are now too old to make the trip to France. But their bravery lives on in a myriad of films, books and sound recordings. It is a pity that so many other acts of courage during the Second World War have gone unrecorded.
About time ...
April 2000
Big Ben was striking two a.m. somewhere above my head. In the Tea Room, another Member of the world's oldest parliament came staggering up to me, drunk as a skunk. He put his arm around me and said: "Come and have a drink with me, darling."
Local matters
March 2000
It is that time of year again. The trees are in leaf, the daffodils are in bloom and the politicians are out. Local elections are here. Every year, regular as clockwork, MPs and councillors appear on the streets of Britain on the last weekend in March. As the clocks go forward out come the rosettes, clipboards and canvassing shoes and we begin the long walk for votes.
Endings and beginnings
February 2000
It is strange but I shall remember the beginning of the new millennium principally for its endings.
The first ending was the death of Stan Munden. Though well into his eighties Stan was an active Borough and County Councillor to the last. I will miss him.
New millennium, new bug
January 2000
As midnight struck we were standing around a bonfire outside Knebworth House. The church bells started ringing, the first fireworks fizzed upwards and the makeshift band broke into
Auld Lang Syne. Ken played his huge double bass as we I felt really happy.
Also see ...
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