|
|
 |
| |
| Blair ‘a discredited figure’ |
Economist lashes PM... and our traffic
wardens
William Keegan, right, with former Labour councillor Pat Haynes
|
INFLUENTIAL economist William Keegan described Prime Minister
Tony Blair as a “completely discredited figure” at the
annual Islington Fabian dinner on Wednesday.
Mr Keegan, the Observer economics editor who lives in Barnsbury,
discussed a range of topics from Islington’s parking restrictions
to the state of the economy in an interview with the Tribune.
He made his withering remarks about Mr Blair when asked if he would
like to see Chancellor Gordon Brown as Prime Minister.
Mr Keegan said: “Blair is a completely discredited figure,
principally over Iraq. It is the most disgraceful episode on behalf
of a British Prime Minister in my lifetime, and that includes Suez.
Although Suez was a terrible episode, this is even worse.
“Blair should have resigned long ago and Brown is head and
shoulders the best candidate to succeed him.”
Asked if he believed the country was heading for a recession, he
replied: “Manufacturing has certainly been slowing down, but
it is too early to judge if there is going to be a recession.
“This will be a keen test of Gordon Brown’s monetary policy.
Can he keep the show on the road indefinitely? I think the jury
is still out.”
Closer to home, Mr Keegan was scathing about Islington’s parking
regime.
He said: “The persecution of the motorist seems to have got
out of hand. I’m particularly worried at the way it is affecting
trade and shopping. Traffic wardens are just out to get as many
tickets as they can.
“A lot of tradesmen have told me – and I know this has
been well covered in the Tribune – that they have been badly
hit by the fact that people can no longer simply just stop and buy
something without getting a ticket.”
Also of great concern to Mr Keegan was the lack of social housing,
both in Islington and nationally, and the withering away of the
welfare state, with the result that there were more people begging
on the streets. He said: “People are not being looked after
in the same way as in previous generations. We’re beginning
to lose our sense of community. Thatcherism was responsible for
much of this.
“It was a very cynical period.”
Islington Fabian group, one of the most active in the country, was
established 40 years ago. It has 80 members, and meets monthly at
Islington Town Hall.
Founder member and former Labour councillor Pat Haynes said: “Over
the years guests have included MPs Michael Foot, John Smith, Tony
Benn and Hilary Benn.
“Ten years ago a young, fresh-faced Tony Blair, then just an
MP, was our dinner guest. I’m afraid even then he didn’t
make much of an impression on me.” |
|
Angelino's finest are put to the test
WE came across Angelino Wines, sandwiched between two colourful and
aggressively self-promoting Australian wine sellers, at Islington’s
London Wine Event at the end of October.
Its owner is Farrell Anglin, whose imagination was caught by a lecture
on the history of wine making at Southgate College.
FULL STORY
|
