So by popular demand @colesbooksbicester have reinstated the dedication function … so if you want a signed and/or dedicated copy go to LINK IN BIO. And if you fancy an hour of good chat there is a new Episode @restispolitics wherever you get your podcasts. Braverman and more on the Nat Cons; why Labour need to be better known and understood on policy; deep dive on Japan (@rorystewartuk is there) and a few of my G7 summit memories from a drunk Yeltsin to a Clinton allergy myth that created chaos wherever he went (oh, and did you know President Chirac hated nouvelle cuisine?)
So @disgracecampbell wonders why I am bothering putting schools on the book tour when “none of the kids know who you are and I am way more famous than you with young people” …. A message from 600 State school students gathered at @uni_roehampton with a message for you … “we love your dad Grace!” And well done Daniel Angus who took up my challenge to come on stage and say what Labour economic policy was. Well done too all who asked terrific questions. Especially nice to see so many from John Major’s old school (Rutlish) put their hands up when I asked who might one day go into politics. Fabulous event organised with the Uni and @wimbookfest - it does help when it is a sunny day and the trees are so wonderful
One of the central lessons in book in pic 2 is GGOOB (get good out of bad). BAD = lido closed cos of leak. GOOD = find new swimming venue with a stack of early contenders for Tree of the Day reflected in the water
So the lido being shut because of a leak is obviously bad news. But it meant spotting this beauty as we left the mixed pond this morning. I mean the tree not the lady with the big bag (tho @therealfionamillar has a certain beauty too!) Tree of the Day (the tree)
New episode @restispolitics LEADING in which @rorystewartuk and I talk to Irish PM Leo Varadkar. We cover so much ground - growing up gay and biracial in socially conservative Ireland and how the country has changed. The “entirely predictable damage” of Brexit. How the UK government “doesn’t listen to us but they listen to America who do listen to us.” How Ukraine is making them rethink neutrality. China. Artificial Intelligence. Being a doctor! Ireland’s “deeply problematic” relationship with alcohol. This and much more. Really enjoyed talking to him. LINK IN BIO.
And so the next stage of the journey begins …. Looks like the chaos is set to continue …
Glasgow last night and yes, the acoustics were great so the pipes came out for my Good Friday Agreement lament and Happy Birthday to Dougie in Row K. Thanks @theheraldscotland editor Catherine Salmond for chairing so well. Meanwhile journey back somewhat less pleasant … no trains Glasgow to London today, so over to E’boro for train to KX. Broken rail between Doncaster and York = all off at York. Choice between wait, or bus to Doncaster, or train to Leeds and down from there. As we stood watching a standing room only train going we know not where or when (it said departure 1133 on the side and it was already past 12) an Indian dad with his family said “this is like being at home …” # broken🇬🇧 in which literally nothing which involves the government has actually improved during the 13 year 5 PM omnishambles.
On the weekend that the worst government in history overtakes New Labour in the list of longest terms in office, here is the statue of Donald Dewar in Glasgow this morning. “There shall be a Scottish Parliament” from our first Queen’s Speech written across the base. Donald was one of many New Labour ministers who achieved enduring and historic change. The era of the 13 year 5 PM omnishambles shall be statueless … seriously what has got better in the last decade thanks to the government? If there was a statue built to sum up the wretched Tory era it would have to be designed by a satirist not a sculptor. They have got to go, any which way …
Pic 1 the most important news in today’s @sundaytimes, pic 2 the longest queue so far with thanks to @ayewriteglasgow, pic 3 the first event done partly in Deutsch with thanks to @toppingsstas and pic 4 thanks to @restispolitics playing an extract of the book as a bonus episode it seems to have shot to No 1 in @audible_uk charts too. This is all very good for the world. As is the fact that I have found a new clapline that seems to work everywhere. Just say “we have to get rid of the worst government in our history” … and 👏 👏 👏 BUT though people everywhere feel Labour will win, they still do not know enough about what Labour will do. That must be the focus of the next stage of the Starmer leadership.
This is getting ridiculous … @restispolitics No 1 in podcast charts. New book now No 1 @audible_uk charts and tomorrow No 1 Sunday Times chart. @burnleyofficial No 1 and back in the Prem. nothing to moan about !!
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