Voices E-magazine Issue 1

ST

R FI

Voices

E SU IS

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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

TWITTER

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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