Swinson Makes Surbiton Happy

 Jo Swinson, MP for East Dunbartonshire, took an unusual tack at the Poppadom and Politics organised by Kingston Liberal Democrats in Surbiton this evening, when she talked about happiness. All too often, she argued, politicians concentrate on GDP rather than people’s sense of well-being. Britain’s GDP has risen three-fold since 1973, but does that mean the British people are happier? All the evidence suggests they are not. The Buddhist mountain kingdom of Bhutan does talk about happiness as a cornerstone of government policy (though Bhutan’s Nepalese minority, many of whom live in refugee camps, might query some aspects of that). Jo asked, ‘How can we measure happiness?’ And ‘What can we do to be happier?’ Wealth or material goods are certainly not the whole answer. The quality of personal relationships is important, but so too our work/life balance. As she said, more and more people spend longer in the office and longer commuting to work than they used to, adding to stress. Depression and other stress-related conditions are increasingly problems of affluent societies. But even if we have learnt better to deal with preventive medicine and healthier living so far as physical health is concerned, mental health only comes onto the agenda when people already have a problem. Jo realises that there is a danger that a politician — particularly a young woman politician — talking about happiness might be considered ‘fluffy’. But from the reaction of the people present this evening, it was clear most of us grasped the point that happiness is more important than most of the things that get debated on the floor of the House of Commons.

Links: www.joswinson.org.uk and www.kingstonlibdems.org

Nick Clegg and Muslim Professionals

Nick Clegg was the guest speaker at a meeting held at Abrar House in central London tonight, organised by the City Circle, a group of predominantly young Muslim professionals, delightfully described by former London Mayoral aspirant candidate Fiyaz Mughal as ‘an open circle for open minds’ — a label Nick threatened to co-opt for the Liberal Democrats, if it is not copyright-protected. Nick gave a short presentation (without notes) about some of his fundamental beliefs and current concerns, with the sort of off-the-cuff sincerity that is fast becoming his trademark. Some of the themes were familiar, such as his justifiable claim that ‘politics is broken and needs to be fixed’. More people didn’t vote than voted Labour in the last two elections. He also articulated well the twin anxieties he has sensed while touring the country over the past six months, doing Town Hall meetings: first, the economic anxiety which is leaving many families worried about their short-term future; and second, an anxiety rooted in a feeling of powerlessness, which is dangerous, because it can lead to anger and apathy — a toxic combination.

More than half the meeting was devoted to a question and answer session, which encouraged Nick to speak up for restorative justice (as practised by community justice councils in LibDem-controlled areas, such as Chard in Somerset), more democratic accountability within a decentralised health service, and his newly enunciated policy of tax cuts for the poor, thereby giving them hope that they can change their lives. I particularly liked the robust answer he gave to an interviewer from Islam Channel TV, who asked on camera whether the LibDems are the party that can appeal to all Muslims. Nick replied, correctly and bravely: no; the party does not seek to co-opt various communities in some sort of sectarian struggle, but rather to appeal to individuals who share common values of fairness, tolerance and mutual respect, which can be religious or secular-based.

Link: www.thecitycircle.com

Dark Deeds in Watford

Today’s ‘Observer’ has the story already highlighted by Mark Pack on Liberal Democrat Voice that the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Watford, Ian Oakley (who is a councillor for Northwood in the London Borough of Hilingdon), has resigned his candidature, following his arrest on Friday in connection with a prolonged campaign of harassment against Liberal Democrats in Watford, including criminal damage. The first-rate LibDem PPC for Watford Sal Brinton has been amongst those who have received poison pen letters and worse, in this marginal seat. In this country, of course, someone is innocent until proved guilty, so I shall say no more about the particular case of Cllr Oakley, who has been released on bail, and I will wait for the outcome of the police enquiries. However, as LibDem activists in various parts of the country are well aware, there are indeed certain individuals and groups within the Conservative Party that haven’t yet embraced David Cameron’s campaign to rid the Tories of their reputation of being the ‘nasty party’ (an astute epithet, for which we have to thank the Conservative MP for Maidenhead, Theresa May). In recent years, there have been useful groups calling themselves things like ‘Militant Watch’ and ‘Fascist Watch’, monitoring and exposing extremist political activists. Perhaps we should establish a ‘Nasty Tory Watch’ group doing the same sort of thing. I am sure David Cameron would be most grateful.

Ming with Zing

Former party leader Menzies Campbell was in fine fettle at the Sutton Liberal Democrats’ annual garden party at Jayanta Chaterjee’s home this afternoon. Ming spilled few beans about the Henley away-day Nick Clegg convened yesterday, but instead urged us all to give loving support for the wives, partners and families of MPs — a point doubtless appreciated by his two local colleagues, Tom Brake and Paul Burstow, who were standing at his side. It is true that politics is a demanding business that puts terrible strains on relationships. Few voters have any idea how much domestic tranquility politicians often sacrifice for their benefit.

Former mayoral candidate Brian Paddick, also in the full flush of health, told a story whose point I didn’t quite grasp, about Puff the Magic Dragon. Something to do with Ken Livingstone, I think. Anyway, as Brian pulled my ticket out from the raffle, netting me a fine bottle of Rioja, who am I to complain?

Link: http://sutton-libdems.org.uk

Were Cyrus and Hadrian Liberal Democrats?

One of the highlights of the live broadcast review of the papers I was on tonight on PressTV, with host Amina Taylor and the Independent’s Amol Rajan, was a story actually from yesterday’s ‘Daily Telegraph’ about the rumpus that has blown up over the founder of the Persian Empire, Cyrus the Great (d. 529BC). A magnificent cylinder inscribed in cuneiform script, held by that amazing treasure-house, the British Museum, has been championed by the United Nations as the ‘first bill of human rights’ — over 2,000 years before Europeans got round to such things. Bunkum (or words to that effect), a learned German professor, Josef Wiesehoefer, has declared: it is nothing more than propaganda. Spin. Any illusions that Cyrus was some sort of premature Liberal Democrat should be abandoned forthwith, we are told. But as I pointed out on the programme tonight, Cyrus got quite a good write-up in the the Bible, as the liberator of Jews from Babylon and a man who believed in multiculturalism. On the other hand, to have built up one of the greatest empires the world has ever seen, he must have been a bit of a thug as well.

Curiously, this debate has coincided with the imminent opening of a remarkable exhibition at the British Museum (where else), about the (Spanish-born) Roman Emperor Hadrian. Known by schoolkids as the builder of that rather sad looking wall in the north country, Hadrian was, like Cyrus, an extraordinary empire-builder, a tactician of brilliance but also a skilled politician who knew how to put out his messages, Focus-style, in inscriptions and on coins (one delightfully trumpets his success in clearing off a large slice of public debt). Moreover, he was a lover who championed gay rights (even if he wouldn’t quite have termed things in that way), turning his deceased young male lover Antinous into a cult. The British Museum’s exhibition (which will open to the public on 24 July) is a revelation, both about the man and his legacy. So was he a first century Liberal Democrat? Let the scholars’ arguments rage.

Link: www.britishmuseum,org

The Agony and the Ecstasy

Walking down Fetter Lane in the City of London earlier today, I thought I was dreaming as I heard a — clearly live — performance of Chopin, brilliantly played. But no, my senses were not deceiving me. Round a corner, in New Street Square, the gifted young Polish-Canadian pianist Berenika Zakrzewski was playing in the open air a grand piano, as part of the City of London Festival. Dozens of City workers, caught as unawares as I had been, stood around and bathed in the ecstasy of it all.

I had to tear myself away, to go to the Summer Party of the Council for the Advancement of Arab-British Understanding (CAABU), on whose governing board I sit. Their headquarters in the Arab-British Centre overlooks Dr Johnson’s house in Gough Square, one of those curious nooks and crannies of 18th century London that have survived unscathed. As a backdrop to the event, slides of CAABU’s work were being projected, and I was jolted by a shot of Palestinian journalist Mohammed Omer, whom I had last seen in that very room but a few weeks ago, and who is still in pain from the obscene and vicious beating he received at the hands of the Israel Defence Force when he crossed back into the West Bank from Jordan on his return from collecting the Martha Gelhorn Prize.

Politicians from all three main political parties are represented on CAABU’s Board, and the organisation’s work has never been as much in need as it is now, when there so much misinformation and fear in Britain about the Arab world and the agony some people on both sides of the Israel/Palestine side are suffering. I have recently been called ‘naive’ and even ‘anti-Semitic’ by some critics for my highlighting the injustices borne by many Palestinians as a result of some Israeli government policies, but that will not silence me. Just as accusations from some Islamic militants that I am a ‘closet Zionist’ because I champion the work of liberal and artistic Israeli Jews will cut no ice with me. I am pro-people and pro-peace (which is why in my student days, shortly after my first visit to the Middle East, I became a Quaker). And I judge people accordingly.

This is also why I am such an enthusiastic supporter of the work done by the Argentinian-born Israeli conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim, who has taken Palestinian citizenship to further his concern for peace and reconciliation in the region. I have only met him once, but was deeply impressed. Similarly, with the legacy of the late Soviet Azerbaijan-born cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, who is the one 20th century figure I never met who I would invite to one of those fantasy dinner parties one is sometimes asked to construct.

Links: www.berenikaonline.com, www.colf.org, www.caabu.org

Water on the Brain

Oil has dominated the geopolitical agenda for the past three decades, not least since George W Bush and Dick Cheney have been in charge in Washington. But water could be the new oil, according to Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesman and MP for Kingston and Surbiton. He was the keynote speaker at the annual general meeting of the Liberal International British Group (LIBG) at the House of Commons this evening, presided over by Malcolm Bruce MP (Chairman of the all-party Select Committee on International Development). Ed underlined how important the issue of water is in relation to peace and security, not only in the Middle East, but in so many regions of the world. The party president, Simon Hughes MP, also put in an appearance at the AGM and underlined his support for LIBG and its internationalist work. Amongst the distinguished gathering was Emil Kirjas, (Macedonian) Secretary General of Liberal International, and the Canadian Liberal MP, Marco Silva.

At the subsequent dinner, at the National Liberal Club, we were able to thank David Griffiths, who has for many years served as either Chairman or Secretary of the group, as well as the outgoing Treasurer Ahmad Mallick. There is likely to be a generational change within LIBG over the next year or so, which is essential for the smooth functioning of any healthy organisation. In the meantime, LIBG will be hosting what promises to be one of the liveliest fringe meetings at the Bournemouth LibDem autumn conference, on the theme ‘Middle East: Is a Two-State Solution Still Viable?’, with speakers including Ran Gidor (Counsellor at the Israeli Embassy), Jeff Halper (from the Israeli Committee against House Demolition), a Palestinian academic (to be confirmed) and Willie Rennie, MP, who was recently on a fact-finding mission to Israel/Palestine.

Link: www.libg.org.uk

Let Loose in Luton

I travel so much abroad with my journalism and lecturing that I am reluctant to stray beyond the M25 when I am in England — or outside the validity of my zone 1-6 Oyster card, to be precise. Party conferences are an exception. However, a short-notice request to talk to the Luton 41 Club this evening about my work led me to that Bedfordshire town, for the first time in my life. Emerging from the station into High Town, I was astonished to hear everyone around me talking Polish. Until I wandered into the Portuguese café that is. And then passed a Pakistani shop, opposite the Indonesian restaurant. It isn’t just London that is multi-cultural these days. However, before I was whisked off to the Bowling Green Pavilion for dinner and my spiel, I had a drink in the sun at a very traditional English pub, where there wasn’t even any blasted piped music. So I was able to make great strides into Andrew Hosken’s gripping recent biography of Ken Livingstone (Arcadia, £15.99) and from that learnt that in June 1977, Ken pipped a certain Vincent Cable by two votes to become the Labour candidate for Hampstead. I chortled over the outraged response from one of Hampstead’s liberal intellectual Labour Party members at this development; he quoted Ovid: ‘Video meliora, proboque; deteriora sequor’ (I see better things, I follow the worst). Oh, Life is such a glorious kaleidoscope!

Remembering the Lib-Lab Pact

The Lib-Lab Pact of 1977-1978 got an almost uniformly bad press at the time and the short-term electoral consequences for the Liberal Party were pretty dire. During the 18 months or so of the pact’s existence, the Liberal vote plummeted in local elections and parliamentary by-elections, as if in protest at David Steel’s baker’s dozen of MPs keeping Jim Callaghan’s government in power. Coalition politics might have been the norm on the continent for a long time, but the British public, it would appear, weren’t ready for it. Some Liberal Party members were pretty peeved too, not least because David failed to win in return the concession from the government to have a PR system for elections to the first directly-elected European Parliament in 1979. Had Jim Callaghan not wobbled, and gone for an election in the autumn of 1978, then things might have been different, of course. But he played cautious and the following May Mrs Thatcher swept into power. The rest, as they say, is history.

Earlier this evening, at a meeting of the Liberal Democrat History Group in the National Liberal Club, the now ennobled David Steel and his colleagues in the House of Lords, Tom McNally (30 years ago, the Head of Callaghan’s Political Office in 10 Downing Street, but now Leader of the LibDems in the House of Lords) and Geoff Tordoff (Chairman of the Liberal Party at the time) joined psephologist (and the other day winner of a council by-election in Canterbury) Michael Steed recalling the Lib-Lab Agreement (as it was more properly termed). With hindsight, the episode can maybe be viewed more sympathetically and it was probably a step in the direction of the ‘reliagnment of British politics’ that David Steel would try a few years later with the SDP’s Gang of Four, Roy Jenkins, David Owen, Shirley Williams and Bill Rodgers. They did not break the mould of British politics then, as they had hoped (partly because of the Falklands War). But the two-party political system that dominated so much of the 20th century was over-turned.

Link: www.liberalhistory.org.uk

Sarkozy’s Mediterranean Union

Gordon Brown went off to Paris today determined to persuade his EU counterparts to tighten the screws on Zimbabwe — quite right too, in view of the disgraceful volte-face by Russia re sanctions and the more predictable veto from China in the UN Security Council. But for the host of the Paris Summit, Nicolas Sarkozy, more important is the launch of his concept of a Mediterranean Union, grouping the entire EU with all the other countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. This idea came under fire when it seemed to be just targetted at southern European countries and their Mediterranean neighbours, but now that it has become the Barcelona Process with knobs on, it is a much more viable proposition. Moreover, President Sarkozy has seized the initiative in trying to coax some advance in the dealings between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Good luck to him.

The only spoilsport is Libya’s leader, Muammar Gaddafi, who has denounced the whole thing as a neo-colonial exercise. This is a shame, as Libya definitely has a potentially positive role to play, but the regime in Tripoli is sadly too blinkered to appreciate this.