ST
R FI
Voices
E SU IS
Where every opinion counts... OCT 2012 Issue1
PARTY CONFERENCE ISSUE
From the editor
from our regular contributors and designers and anyone interested in guest writers too.
being involved, this e-magazine is
This issue provides a chance for just the start of a new beginning us to reflect on what the Party and we’ve got plenty more to give. Conferences show
us
about
the
direction the
As
this e-magazine is just the start of a new beginning
of
main
S
continue to
close
down and s
political parties.
sites
t
o
p
operating we continue to write,
And it isn’t all Politics at Voices share and embrace the opportunity as
Culture
Guru
Laura-Rose to share our opinions and debate
o here it is, just under a year Saunders reviews Writing Britain, a w i t h after we started Voices we B r i t i s h
Library
o t h e r s . . .
e x h i b i t i o n Thanks for your attention and we’d
are now proud to present celebrating the greats of English love to hear your thoughts... tweet
what we hope will be the first of literature and thanks must go to us: @Voices_gvh many
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featuring some of the best articles
As Voices continues to grow, we EDWARD SAINSBURY are
looking
for
new
writers, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Contents CAMPAIGN 3
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Virginia Santini unveils how an anti-abortion
EDWARD SAINSBURY
clinic Belast is fuelling the pro-life/pro-choice debate
GREEN PARTY CONFERENCE 6 The grass seems greener in Brighton according to former Green Councillor Dr Richard Lawson
LIBERAL DEMOCRAT CONFERENCE 8
eksainsbury@voicesofthe7billion.co.uk DEPUTY EDITOR LAURA-ROSE SAUNDERS lrsaunders@voicesofthe7billion.co.uk
After the fun and games of that charity single this year it’s back to business for the Lib Dems
LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE 10 Ed Miliband and co return to familiar territory for conference season in Manchester
CONSERVATIVE PARTY CONFERENCE 12 The Prime Minister reflects on what the coalition have achieved in their mid-term
CULTURE 14
DESIGNER VICKY WONG vwong@voicesofthe7billion.co.uk ONLINE www.voicesofthe7billion.co.uk
Laura-Rose Saunders revisits some of the greats
of English literature at the British Library
@Voices_gvh
Ulster Says YES to the he opening of the Marie
Photograph from Paul Faith/PA
T
Marie Stopes Clinic Stopes Clinic in Belfast has seen for the first time the
establishment of an inclusive and comprehensive sexual health and reproductive
services
facility
in
Northern Ireland. It will also provide non-surgical pregnancy terminations for up to 9 weeks gestation, by administering the abortion pill within the existing legal
framework
in
place
in
Northern Ireland. Marie Stopes will operate within the
law,
which
states
that
in
Northern Ireland a termination can only
be
carried
out
legally
A private abortion clinic has opened in Belfast
to society and the rights of women in Marie Stopes Clinic are already fully
‘preserve the life of the mother’, or Ireland. if continuing a pregnancy will have
accessible on the NHS?’
Marie Stopes represents a positive
serious long-term consequences step
forward-
it
is
just
Technically Marie Stopes will not
the b e
providing
any
further
for the physical and mental health beginning, not the end of the termination services than should of a pregnant woman. The
law
in
regarding
struggle.
Northern
abortion
Ireland
has
already be available on national
Anti-choice protestors state that healthcare.
not there is neither demand nor need
However,
the
reality
here
is
changed since the 1860s- as the for the Marie Stopes Clinic in different. In Northern Ireland there 1967
Act,
which
legalized abortion until 24-weeks gestation in the
UK,
was
never
extended to Northern Ireland. In
the
Republic
has been shameful failure
“The law in Northern Ireland regarding abortion has not changed since the 1860s- as the 1967 Act”
of
by
our
politicians,
particularly
the
and
Health
Department, to enforce the law regarding the limited abortion rights that should be accessible free of charge
Ireland, the law is even more Northern Ireland, and argue that for women in Northern Ireland. stringent—abortion is completely the services provided by the clinic
Since 2009, those responsible in
illegal—even in circumstances of are already available free on the Stormont have failed to issue new severe
fetal
abnormality.
Irish NHS.
women are forced to carry on a
and clear guidelines for health
It is thus necessary to pose the professionals and medical workers
pregnancy even if they will deliver question
to
groups
such
as tabling the requirements that must
Precious Life and the Society for be met in order for a woman to The law is outdated, prejudiced, the Protection of the Unborn Child legally obtain an abortion in
a still-born child. and
does
not
take
i n t o (SPUC) of; ‘Why are you protesting Northern Ireland.
consideration the needs of our if the services provided by the
After over a year in office, the
Health Minister Edwin Poots has perceptions
surrounding
the slashed,
attacking
struggling
failed to re-issue guidance on abortion debate, and to restore families with multiple dependents. abortion.
The
Family
Planning women’s
rights
to
enter
into
Women make up 65% of the
Association has been granted leave motherhood by choice, and not by public sector workforce, which has for judicial review to challenge the chance or through force. failure of the DHSSPS to issue
experienced massive cuts to low-
With the opening of the Marie paid and low-level jobs. Women
guidelines on abortion in Northern Stopes Clinic we are still in the have
been
disproportionately
Ireland, with the Judicial Review early stages of this struggle to affected by recently implemented taking place in January 2013.
bring fundamental women’s rights cuts and planned cuts for the
The opening of the Marie Stopes to Northern Ireland. Clinic has put pressure on the
future, manifested in the recently
The economic situation in both A s s e m b l y - a p p r o v e d
Welfare
Stormont Executive to issue the the Republic of Ireland and in Reform Bill. said
guidelines
and
current abortion law, a
necessary
and
overdue measure. Abortion rights are highly
restricted
in
Northern Ireland, and do
not
reflect
the
to
clarify Northern
Ireland
is
a
pressing
“Forty women a week leave Northern Ireland to seek safe and legal abortions in England. In 2011, 4,149 Irish women had terminations in UK clinics.”
necessities and realities faced by indicator of the need for abortion many women every year. Forty
women
a
Those opposed to abortion rights
rights,
week
and
leave indictment
also of
the
a
abortions
2011,
4,149
in
Irish
England. women
In provide
an
alternative
to
abortion. Yet, there are
thousands
children Ireland
of
across
already
in
care facilities.
The Stormont Health Minister’s
damning ban on gay adoption has also failure
by alienated a section of society that
Northern Ireland to seek safe and politicians across the board to could legal
cite adoption as an
adequate
potentially
contribute
to
childcare taking children out of State care
had strategy and necessary economic homes, and is another example of
terminations in UK clinics. Women support for working class families. in need of terminations, and who
policies that are based on prejudice
In Northern Ireland, child benefit as opposed to the needs and
have not yet reached the nine week is cut to families following the birth demands of the Northern Ireland -period in their pregnancy, also of a fifth child; housing benefit has population. resort to illegally purchasing the been drastically cut to under 35s, abortion pill online.
Stormont has shown that it has
affecting young and single parents no rational, workable strategy for
Official figures for 2010 stated in the most cruel way. that approximately 1,216 abortion
Disability
allowance
helping working class families, and and for
restoring
fundamental
pills were intercepted by the Gardai incapacity benefits have also been reproductive rights to women in in the Republic of Ireland, putting Photograph from Stephen Barnes/Demotix/Corbis
the figure of those who actually purchased the abortion pill much higher.
This
demonstrates
that
abortion is a reality in both the north and south of Ireland, and by restricting
abortion
rights
Governments are failing to provide financial, social and health care for their citizens and instead exporting the problem abroad. We welcome the opening of the Marie Stopes Clinic in Belfast as a positive
step
campaign
to
forward change
in
the
public
Anti-abortion activists protesting outside the Marie Stopes Clinic
Photograph from Photopress
same health services as women in the rest of the UK? Why should unwanted pregnancies be forced on working class and unemployed women just because they do not have the money to travel abroad for a safe and legal abortion? This brutal reality resembles the extent to which inequality is rife in our society, and we continue to fight to change this. As a movement, the pro-choice campaign has been growing for several years. In recent months, several demonstrations, rallies and public
Dawn Purvis, Programme Director of Marie Stopes Belfast Clinic
meetings
took
place
in
Belfast and Dublin. The March for Northern Ireland.
ignoring
We demand abortion rights and a and viable childcare strategy, that
is
based
alleviating
the
unemployed
working
parents
this
has
social
issues, Choice
benefited
in
Dublin
on
the
those 29 September saw 5,000 activists
and and
held
Stormont has refused to have a debate on the abortion issue
on
financial
burden of childcare faced by
pressing
marching
for
reproductive rights. On the 10 November there will be a march through Belfast City Centre to
that
will Parties and political representatives welcome and build support for the
invest positively in the future of who refuse to accept the need for opening of the Marie Stopes Clinic children in Northern Ireland! Stormont
has
shown
change and progress. little
in Belfast- crowds of a couple of
For all these reasons and more we hundred people are expected. We
indication that this will change, and welcome the opening of the Marie will not be silenced, and we will that progress will be made in the Stopes future.
Our
Health
Clinic
in
Belfast,
and carry on making our voices heard
Minister-in continue in our struggle to achieve loud and clear on the streets of
waiting, Jim Wells, stated publicly women’s rights to autonomy and Ireland, north and south! will not be provided with abortion and
lives
through
accessible
services on the NHS, despite that abortion and reproductive rights, four out of five women in Northern but
also
through
Ireland agree that abortion should responsibility
to
the
State’s
socially
and
be made legal in circumstances of financially protect and care for rape or incest.
vulnerable women, children and
Stormont has refused to have a families in our society. debate on the abortion issue, and none
of
the
Parties
One
out
a r e Northern
of
six
Ireland
children
in
experience
representing what is a growing pro poverty and hunger on a regular -choice voice in Northern Ireland.
basis, and we call on Stormont to
It is easy to ignore issues such as implement a viable strategy aimed abortion rights and women’s rights at resolving this issue. in
a
country
governed
sectarian-structured and
electoral
by
a
We ask this of our politicians and
government e l e c t e d
system,
representatives
at
pitching Stormont; why should women in
Green vs. Orange, and frequently Northern Ireland not avail of the
Photograph from Demotix
that rape victims should not and control over their decisions, bodies
Green Party Conference Former Green Party councillor Dr Richard Lawson gives his thoughts on the Green Party Conference, which saw the Party reflect on a successful year at local council elections and also saw the election of a new leader
T
he Green Party conference cleared off, because the Green
This year, the major work was on
in Bristol was upbeat, not Conference is working conference a review of the Disability Chapter least as a result of media replete with substantive motions, of the policies. There were also
attention brought on by Caroline amendments, points of order, and votes Lucas
MP
handing
over
the other
procedures
that
They
have
other
reasons
Life
for anarchy if the chair does not know Nuclear
steady progress in local elections,
Palliative
the
title
“Councillor”
Waste,
m
o
n
g
delegates, instead thing
Care,
Animal
of
a
to
ACTA
(Anti-
Counterfeiting Trade Agreement)
Being excluded from taking part and Libel Law Reform.
now in the political process by an
As if this were not enough, there
commonplace a
Democracy,
cliff edge of the chaotic version of Racing, the Aarhus Convention,
optimism: the party is making what s/he is doing. and
Economic
always International Law on Ecocide, End
leadership of the party to Natalie teeter dangerously close to the of Bennet.
on
are
“The Greens have devoted their 40 year history to creating a large amount of detailed policy”
be
Emergency
Motions (EMs) on topical
subjects
designed
(but
generally
marvelled at, as was the case 26 archaic years ago.
electoral
system,
failing)
and to attract the attention of the
excluded from political debate by media. These are usually voted
It began with a handover speech the whim of editors and producers, through
unanimously,
because
by Caroline, one of the most fluent the Greens have devoted their 40 although internal party matters and confident I have heard from year history to creating a large may attract intense debate, there her.
Practice
does
not
make amount of detailed policy – the is usually good agreement on what
perfect, because nobody is perfect, Policies for a Sustainable Society.
needs to be done in the world
sound credible. Practice will do the same for Natalie Bennet, who is intelligent, articulate and media sa vv y ,
as
an
ex - Gu ar d ian
journalist. Cllr Will Duckworth was voted in as Deputy Leader, and I would rate him
as
leader
the in
po si ti ve ly
most
the
bonhomous
entire
o oz e s
UK.
He
h u man it y,
friendliness, and jollity, which is presumably what catapulted him into Birmingham councillorship a few years after founding the local Green Party. Leadership formalities over, most of the cameras and the journalists Natalie Bennet takes centre stage as the new Green Party Leader
Photograph from Reading and Wokingham Green Party
but it certainly helps a politician to
Photograph from Reading and Wokingham Green Party
outside. For instance, an EM condemning the Coalition’s recent
criminalisation
of
squatting drew on existing policy on Land Value Tax and
Empty
Orders
to
ridiculous
Property
Use
redress
the
problem
of
homeless people coexisting with empty houses. Aside from the policy work, Conference is a place where old friendships are renewed. Break times are deafening with
discussion
and
argument, as theories and hobby
horses
get
expounded and challenged. There
is
a
general
atmosphere of openness and
Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas hands over to Natalie Bennet
friendliness. Evening entertainment discussions of economic growth, of being locked in the cupboard tends to be of the open mic variety, one with Neal Lawson of Compass, under the stairs of Westminster as you might expect, with some and another set piece with Molly politics) for a Green new Deal that musicians of quite a high standard, Scott Cato, the party’s economics would create a million new jobs in usually in the blues/folkish end of speaker, Andrew Simms of the New e n e r g y th e
s p ec t ru m .
T h er e
w e re Economics
intriguing little side shows, such as Vaccaro
-
Foundation, Head
of
conservation
and
James renewables. However, at the same
Investment ti m e
it
has
p rov ed
i ts elf
a fringe on Dragon Sexing from a Banking in the ethical bank Triodos inexplicably reluctant to engage historian who noticed t
h
a
t
dragons,
at
with
Still, nothing’s perfect, least of all a political party
least in their
immediate, practical
reforms
to
the
benefit
system that would enable a further million people to find jobs
in
the
wider
green
Western manifestation, tend to be (who began with the memorable sector of the economy. of the female persuasion.
line, “I am proud to say that I am a
Still, nothing’s perfect, least of all
Relaxation also takes the form of banker”), and Michael Clinton of a listening to experts.
There was a the
Schumacher
Institute.
political
party.
The
struggle
The continues, and hopefully Caroline
panel on energy with Jonathon impression that came from these Lucas MP will be able to push the Porrit putting the boot into nuclear meetings was that while the vision Green power (total waste of money) along of
a
decent,
rational
solution
to
recession
economy forward eventually, but at least the
with Paul Steedman from Friends of working for the interests of the Green party is in good shape after the Earth and the CEO of Good common people and a sustainable its successful trip to Bristol. Energy. There were panels on Right healthy environment was much in to Die, and a well attended seminar evidence,
that
vision
hovered Dr Richard Lawson is a former
on Population. And before anyone tantalisingly about a meter from Green councillor for Woodspring says it, yes, over-consumption is the ground. It was all vision and no District Council in 1986 and retired very important, but that does not protective goggles. mean
that
the
mathematics
doubling series can be set aside. Th er e
w er e
a
c o u pl e
of
after six years of service. He is a
This is not quite fair, because the past National Co-Speaker for the Green Party has been calling as party
and
he
also
blogs
of loudly as it can (from its position www.greenerblog.blogspot.com
at
Photograph from Reuters
Nick Clegg speaking at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference 2012
T
he
Liberal
kicked
off
Democrats the
conference
autumn
season
in
Brighton this year. Despite poll ratings low,
remaining
hopes
were
Liberal Democrat Conference
substantially high
at
the
conference about the change still left to bring about. Pride was on display
at
all
corners
for
the
progress the party and the country has made since the 2010 general elections. Among a number of policy areas discussed
was
the
need
to
Aviation, Lords reform and food were just some of the many things discussed in Brighton. Overview by Osmi Annanya
generate growth and jobs in a time of
austerity,
STEM
and
pedestrian
more
research,
for
sector
for prosperity,
medically
assisted homes.
tackling dying, the government’s initiative
The
most
and
road safety, fair pay
support
public workers,
inequality,
and
p r o m o t i n g
lik es
of of
put
“Pride was on display at all corners for the progress the party and the country has made since the 2010 general elections.”
employee
forward
which
reflect
b r e a d t h
all and the o f
transformation brought the
the equ al
of
proposals that were
controversial issues
beneficial
about
by
Liberal
D e m o c r a t s ’ c itiz en ship, to allow ministers to seek civil controversial decision to form a
ownership
a n d hearings and trials to take place in coalition
the
workplace democracy, sustainable secret, and building more decent elections were:
Tories,
after
the
GOOD FOOD SHOULDN’T
SUSTAINABLE AVIATION
COST THE EARTH
The aviation industry in Britain is undergoing rapid expansion
The conference also demonstrated its commitment nutritious
to
providing
food,
affordable,
cultivating
healthy
eating, alleviating knowledge about food which
would
informed
help
choices,
consumption,
to
make
more
sustainable
food
reducing
negative
environmental impacts, and emphasising animal welfare. There were numerous speeches at the conference and the three I found to be the most engaging were of Nick Clegg, Vince Cable and Danny Alexander’s.
and one of the concerns surrounding the industrialisation is the impact it could have on the environment. The conference welcomed the government’s decision to oppose the third runway at Heathrow and new runways at Gatwick and Stansted and also its continuous support for the European Emissions Trading Scheme. The conference applauded both a stringent number of checks the
Coalition
Government
has
been
putting
to
practice
to maintain effective policy reinforcing, and its proposals on the subject, including support for the European Energy Efficiency Directive, an agreement to a roadmap to negotiate a Legal Binding Agreement at COP 17 in Durban, an agreement at Rio+20 to develop Sustainable Development Goals, and a £2.9bn funding to 2015 for an international climate fund to support adaptation and low carbon development and effective forest management in developing countries.
EARLY YEARS Liberal Democrat ministers increased
HOUSE OF LORDS REFORM
the availability of early education for 3
Lords received much attention this year because all
to 4 year olds, extended early years
three major parties had put forward their own reform
provision to disadvantaged 2 year olds,
plans in their 2010 general elections manifestos, in
and increased the flexibility for all
order to modernise and bring it out of the shadows
parents to claim this free provision at
of the 19th century.
times
which
the
It is maintained in Parliament that the fact that the
widely
public has no electoral control over a chamber which
childcare
holds the power to change the course of law is
continues to be too large a financial
wrong; a sentiment which has also been echoed
burden for many, and especially for
amongst the British public.
conference, debated
on
suited this
them.
issue
terms
At
was
that
families who are on low and middle
The Liberal Democrat manifesto stated that they
incomes, and work unsocial hours.
were committed to replacing the House of Lords with Photograph from Christopher Pledger
an elected second chamber with the Conservatives
Vince Cable addresses Conference
reinforcing consensus
their for
a
commitment
to
building
predominantly-elected
a
second
chamber with Labour proposing one third of the House of Lords to be elected by the time the next Parliament ends, with a further one third being elected at the next general election right afterwards. The conference called for the Coalition to deliver by 2015, a second chamber which is either wholly or predominantly elected, and in line with measures outlined in Liberal Democrat policy, about equating a gender balance.
Photograph from PA
Ed Miliband makes his keynote speech to conference in Manchester
Labour Conference Ed Miliband channelled his vision of “One Nation” in Manchester this year pledging to prioritise youth unemployment, improve living standards and create a fairer Britain. Overview by Osmi Annanya
B
efore the conference even olds the vote as he arrived in the
The
Labour
Leader
also
kicked off in Manchester, Ed city, promising to engage young announced plans to abolish the Miliband was staunch in his people
in
projects
to
rebuild government
regulator
for
the
opposition to much of what the Britain, adding that young people electricity and downstream natural Coalition
has
offered
the
gas
“The inequality didn't start with this government, it started before that".
country in its first two-and-a-half y e a r s
i n
government.
should
Miliband highlighted priorities
in
be
more
involved
Ofgem, replacing it with a new energy watc h dog
with
powers
force
to
in energy companies to pass on price
his three politics. He also set out plans to cuts and clamp down on abuses.
government
to
be place a cap on the charges and
battling youth unemployment and fees
of
pension
companies,
Despite
in coalition's
a crisis in living standards, and order to let working people save r e f o r m s ’ creating a fairer Britain.
markets,
having
opposed
controversial passage
the NHS
through
for their retirement with much parliament, Miliband added that
He backed plans to give 16-year more assurance.
Labour would not spend another
In
response
to
the
investment
incorrect u n l e s s
choices made by New Labour in more government
he
divisions
stated:
by
they
interest
Labour
Photograph from Ray Tang/Rex Features
ÂŁ3bn in government reversing it.
showed
in
doing
it
"The themselves, during his appearance
biggest challenge to this country on the BBC One's The Andrew Marr did not start with this government: Show. how to make the economy not just for the top.
The conference opened with a line-up of some very unusual but
The inequality didn't start with nonetheless this government, it started before Mic h ael that".
brilliant
San del,
addresses. a
Harvard
University professor, delivered a
In the lead up to the opening of keynote speech at the conference the conference, Miliband stated in about the moral limits of markets, an interview with The Observer, while Lord Coe, the Tory peer who Harvard professor Michael Sandel that he wanted his speech to the headed the London Olympics gives conference a lecture on morals annual conference this year to committee, and Paul Deighton, the and markets focus on who he was, why he was in
politics,
how
Labour is going to tackle
the
“The conference opened with a line-up of some very unusual but nonetheless brilliant addresses.�
e c o n o m i c
Radio,
that
considering
he
has
standing
been for
election at the next general election. Criticism
was
rife
however
challenges the country faces and chief executive of London 2012, during the conference, from senior what vision does he have for Britain took steps to thank senior Labour trade union leaders over public as Prime Minister. On
the
opening
politicians for helping in bringing sector wages about both Miliband day
of
the the Games to Britain.
conference, Miliband attacked the
Meanwhile,
Alastair
and
Balls'
decision
to
support
Campbell, the government's pay freeze, citing
banks, stating legislative measures Tony Blair's former press chief it to be morally and economically
Photograph from David Thompson/PA
will be taken to separate retail and revealed in an interview with LBC wrong.
Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls makes his speech
Conservative Conference Whilst the arrival of Boris Johnson refuelled speculation over a leadership challenge, it was business as usual at Conservative Party conference with HS2, the EU and gay marriage on the agenda. Overview by Osmi Annanya
T David
he
Conservative
Denouncing
the
L i b e r a l working age welfare cuts on the
conference was held in Democrats' calls for a mansion tax table. Birmingham this year. Cameron
finally
decided to start tweeting just
Party
before
the
annual
conference kicked off, and gave his strongest backing
as part of efforts to tackle the
Adding that he would stand-by
“[David Cameron] gave his strongest backing to a referendum on the European Union�
to a referendum on the
his pre-election promise to protect universal benefits for
pensioners
like free
bus passes and winter fuel payments, and identifying working age welfare as an
European Union, to date, in an deficit, David Cameron stated on area that required reduction, he interview with BBC Radio 4, during BBC One's The Andrew Marr Show, also
that
that
it
was
that he has put the prospect of necessary to cut the top rate of tax Photograph from PA
it.
stated
Prime Minister David Cameron makes his keynote speech at Party Conference
Photograph from Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
Mayor of London Boris Johnson riding on the Olympic wave in Birmingham because an unfair amount was Grant Shapps urging those faithful He stated that allowing gay being
raked
from
the
richest to the party to rally behind their marriage in Britain would create
through measures like putting a leader. new
stamp
duty
on
expensive
a deeply divisive society.
The Transport Secretary, Patrick
houses, and tackling tax avoidance M c L o u g h l i n , and evasion.
O bs e r v er ,
t h e Enfield
Southgate,
government's commitment to the Burrowes,
Meanwhile, interview
affirmed
He was joined by the MP for
in
an
The
with
cabinet
minister and a former multimillionaire
“Criticism, however came from the former Archbishop of Canterbury”
and
former
David MP
Ann
Widdecombe, at a Coalition for Marriage rally outside the Conservative
conference,
protesting that neither the Lib
businessman, HS2 high-speed rail project and Dems nor the Tory 2010 general
Philip Hammond, stated there will more investment in infrastructure, election manifesto included a plan be prospects for proper economic in re c o v er y
by
2014,
if
his
first
speech
to
the to
legalise
gay
marriage,
with
th e Conservative party conference for Burrowes urging ministers to stage
Eurozone stabilised and there were 28 years since he was a miner, by a referendum on the issue. no economic downturns in the US announcing a £170m package of spending
on
roads
to
fix
Photograph from PA
or the Middle East.
He added that businesses were bottlenecks on Britain's key routes not yet investing huge amounts of by 2015. cash they had stocked up because
Among other upgrades, it will
confidence in the government had consist of a £8m renovation of still not returned, and once the parts
of
the
A14,
which
runs
Coalition's fiscal objectives were through the Corby constituency. being
achieved,
the
consumer
Criticism, however came from the
confidence will begin to recover former Archbishop of Canterbury, and business investment
would Lord Carey, who accused the Prime
increase. The
conference
Minister of spoiling the institution opened
in of heterosexual marriage in order
Birmingham with party co-chair to promote same-sex marriages.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin talks about HS2
CULTURE Writing Britain: Wastelands to Wonderlands Photograph from The British Library Board
Event Review by Laura-Rose Saunders
Manuscript of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales
‘N
ot all those who wander Dreams, Dark Satanic Mills, Wild the exhibition had original copies are lost’ these words by Places, Beyond the City, Cockney of manuscripts and artwork. For J.R.R. Tolkien are one of Visions, and Waterlands. Each area any true lover of literature this was
the taglines to the British Library’s contained
examples
of
literary a rare and precious opportunity.
exhibition on writers and writing in Britain;
an
exhibition
celebrating the talents of writers from all over Great Britain from world famous authors
such
as
One thing the exhibition
For any true lover of literature this was a rare and precious opportunity.
J.K.
authors
such
as
that
could
be
said
Henry epitomise these six genres.
Williamson and Philip Hensher. six
main
sections;
the
clear
influence that the British landscape has had upon the literature written by
to simply be impossible to picture Heathcliffe
roaming
anywhere
Apart from being an excellent other than the Yorkshire moors, or
The exhibition was divided up chance to learn interesting nuggets the into
was
British authors. It would
Rowling and Jane Austen to lesser works known
showed
villains
of
Oliver
Twist
Rural of information about each author conducting their unlawful practises
outside of London.
artwork aside, was the interactive is that puts the Great in Great
It has also shown the diversity map of the UK which displayed Britain. However, while most of the present in each of these areas of each location that had inspired a focus has been on our history or Britain.
work of literature. Visitors had the our
sport
‘Writing
Britain’
has
While writers of classic literature chance to visually see which areas offered the world an opportunity to where present at ‘Writing Britain’ in particular were best for literary see what it is that puts English the exhibition also managed to inspiration or discover works that literature in such high regard the cover works from other genres. had been created in their local world over. The inclusion of different genres area. Interestingly it was Northern
Apart from exhibiting a history of
meant that there was to
something capture
the
interest of every goer and showed
‘Writing Britain’ has offered the world an opportunity to see what it is that puts English literature in such high regard the world over.
too that it is not
great
literature
this
exhibition
also
promotes
writing
and
the
joys of literature.
just work of classical literature that England and the West Country that At a time when there are reports have been inspire by Britain but seemed to be the most conducive that many children admit that they genres such as Science Fiction, areas for literary inspiration. would be embarrassed if their Fantasy and Satire. Further, it This summer the UK has been friends caught them reading a offered the chance to see how very much in the showcase for all book exhibitions that celebrate literature has evolved over the of the world’s media to see. Firstly writing are important. ‘Writing centuries; what has changed and with the Queen’s Jubilee, then what has remained the same. Wimbledon, and finally the Britain’ very firmly shows that a Perhaps my favourite part of the Olympics.
It
would
be
fair
to love of literature is something to
Photograph from The British Library Board
exhibition, hand written copies of surmise that this year we have truly be proud of rather than something Dickens and original Tolkien shown different aspects of what it of which to be ashamed.
Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures Underground
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