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ME ER M M B E R R O S F H S O N U S O E M Order! Order! OF COM The Official Journal of the Association of Former Members of Parliament SUMMER 2019 ALSO IN THIS EDITION... Airey asked me: Have you thought about who we should get to replace Ted Heath, because it’s not working? No AN INVITATION I said: 3 Hear Chris Mullin on He said: Would I support a woman? his new novel And I said: Absolutely ELINOR GOODMAN 6 The crazy early days of Channel Four NICHOLAS BENNETT 12 On the ex-MPs now in local government VERA BAIRD 14 Reviews Home Grown, by Joan Smith John Corrie on the conspiracy to get Margaret Thatcher into 10 Downing Street p. 4 Photo: Trinity Mirror/Alamy Order! Order! Summer 2019 IS it SpeaKers for Schools… NEWS FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY …or IS IT A Geography Lesson? OUTREACH TRUST By Bridget Prentice by John Austin, Chair, Parliamentary Outreach Trust I HAD NO REAL IDEA of what to expect when John Austin persuaded me to sign up for Speakers for Schools at the beginning of the year but on the basis that a) I had been a teacher for 15 years and b) speaking to school students in my constituency was one of my favourite tasks during my 18 years as Member of Parliament, I thought it can’t be that difficult. And it isn’t – apart from the discovery that my knowledge of the geography of England is sadly lacking! I completed the form and very soon Christabel from S4S was in touch asking me to go to Rainham Girls School to speak to 90 year 7 girls. I had said that generally I’d like schools in and around the London area as I’d be using public transport, so that was fine. I emailed the day before explaining John Austin and Nicholas Bennett with students from Louisiana State University when I’d arrive and checking the directions from the station. Fortunately, Ms Mehaffey OUR PARTNERSHIP with Speakers answer session which followed ranged was on the ball and explained in gentle for Schools is progressing well. Several over such topics as climate change, UK/ terms that it appeared I was intending Association Members have already signed US relations, the visit of President Trump, to travel to Rainham in Essex, while they up to work with us on this programme globalisation, industrial decline and would be waiting for me at Rainham in and recently members have participated regeneration, health and social care and Kent. Oops. So back to the trainline and a in a number of visits and talks. Bridget local democracy. change of destination. Prentice (Labour MP Lewisham East The Trust is hoping to develop similar Once there, I was warmly welcomed and 1992–2010) has visited Rainham School links with other US academic institutions the girls were fantastic. I spoke for about 25 minutes about my life and how I ended for Girls, Gillingham; Alan Lee Williams that have study programmes in the UK. up being an MP and a Minister. Then I (Labour MP Hornchurch 1966–70 & We are in discussions with the United opened it up to questions – the best part 1974–79) has spoken at Haberdashers’ States Association of Former Members of in my opinion. They had been attentive Aske’s Academy, Crayford; and Victoria Congress, which has an active Congress throughout and had lots of great questions Borwick (Conservative MP Kensington to Campus programme in America. We of which I think the best has to be ‘what 2015–17) has given a talk at Prendergast are looking to see what we can learn from exactly is the Labour Party?’ Some waited Vale School in Lewisham. this. The US Association is clearly well behind at the end to chat further and I We are currently renewing our links funded and twice a year sends a bipartisan left feeling elated and inspired by these with higher education colleges as several group of former Members of Congress to lovely intelligent young people. They sent of our contacts have moved on. We the UK to meet with British universities fabulous feedback rating it 5/5 and were wonderful to be with. I also offered to have had a number of positive responses throughout the country in partnership answer any follow up questions by email if and are hoping to arrange events with with the British Library. The next former they arose. the School of Politics and Interna- Members team will be in London in More recently I’ve been asked to speak tional Studies at Leeds University and September. Hopefully the Trust will be to another girls’ school, this time in its Centre for Democratic Engagement. able to meet with them to discuss possible Wilmington. I agreed but thought ‘hmm, We are also pursuing possible visits to opportunities for future collaboration. Cheshire is a bit of a hike’ . You know where Exeter University and Brunel University, Sir Hugh Bayley (Labour MP York this is going now. Thankfully S4S put me London. If any members have contacts at 1992–2015) is continuing his involvement right that Wilmington was in Dartford not universities and colleges which might be in the Westminster Foundation for Cheshire before I booked train tickets. Just useful please let us know. Democracy programme in Myanmar down the road really. The Trust has a continuing link with under our working partnership with I’m looking forward to it and hope I get just as many engaging young people Louisiana State University and recently WFD. Hugh wrote about the programme again. They really lift your spirits. I highly participated in its European programme in the last edition of Order! Order! and recommend giving the time to do this – for their students visiting London in June. brings us up to date with a further article and I’ve encouraged colleagues both from Nicholas Bennett (Conservative MP, this month (see page 11). Parliament and other walks of life to join Pembrokeshire 1987–1992) and I gave a up too. brief presentation on the current status of Members can keep track of the Trust’s Meantime I might invest in an atlas! the Brexit process and its political impact. activities on our website at Bridget Prentice was MP for Lewisham East, The lively discussion and a question and www.parlyoutreach.org.uk 1992–2010. 2 Order! Order! Summer 2019 DATE FOR YOUR DIARY John Curtice speaKS to Scottish Branch Tuesday 16th July By Gordon Banks We are delighted that Chris Mullin has agreed to be our guest speaker at our next All Member Meeting, taking place at 4.00pm on Tuesday the 16th July in House of Lords Committee Room 4. Chris will be talking about his terrific new novel, The Friends of Harry Perkins, a human drama woven The Scottish Branch held its first ordinary Executive around a post-Brexit and All Members meetings on 31st of May. Britain, which sees a rise of English vents were scheduled to take speakers is now being drawn up and nationalism and a place in the Scotland Office in any other suggestions should be passed looming confrontation with China. It is a EEdinburgh but due to torrential to Gordon. It was agreed that Gordon sequel to his enormously successful 1982 rain over the previous 3 to 4 days the and John Corrie would speak to John book A Very British Coup. venue was ruled as unsafe on the night Austin regarding how the Outreach Please make every effort to attend what of the 30th. Scotland Office staff once Trust’s work could be developed in will be a fascinating and lively event to again were tremendous with Lauren Scotland. which partners, who are attending our Gelling and Heather Allan securing Our guest speaker was Professor Summer Reception, are also welcome. a new location for us in the Scottish Sir John Curtice who spoke on the If you have not already replied and Government building at Victoria Quay. subjects of the European elections and wish to attend the Summer Reception Decisions relating to exploring Brexit. After a really informative and please complete the form on page 15. opening our bank account with The thoughtful contribution outlining Bank of Scotland were taken and Chair the difficulties facing any new Prime PARLIAMENTARY OUTREACH TRUST Gordon Banks and Treasurer Dame A Minister aiming for Brexit on 31st Notice of General Meeting & AGM 2019 McGuire will report back. Opening our October and the challenges to all Membership of the Parliamentary account will allow the transfer of funds other parties, Sir John was happy to Outreach Trust is open to any member from the Association to take place take upwards of a dozen questions of the Association of Former Members of and enable us to take further funding stimulated by his contribution. Parliament. The Trustees have called a decisions. We were honoured to have Sir John special General Meeting of the Trust to Due to no-one volunteering to take address our gathering and are delighted consider amendments to the Constitution on the role of Secretary, it was agreed that he has agreed in principle to which, if approved, will take effect at the that Gordon would continue to carry address a UK Association All Members AGM which will follow immediately. out these duties until alternative meeting in the future. The special General Meeting will be arrangements were forthcoming. I look forward to seeing all Scottish held at 1.30pm Tuesday 16 July 2019 Anyone wishing to assist the Branch Branch members at our October Committee Room 4, House of Lords.