It is now an archive for my newspaper and magazine pieces. My blog can now be read at: www.spectator.co.uk/stephenpollard
Politics, economics and culture from the master. Unmissable.
Melanie Phillips home page
Melanie Phillips' peerless blog. Read, and learn.
Daniel Finkelstein's Times Comment Central
A daily must-read.
Tim Worstall
Lots of interesting nibbles - and a ruthless swatter of economic gibberish.
Harry's Place
Must-read left of centre blog from writers who understand the threat to the West.
Clive Davis
Always interesting selection of culture and politics, from an Anglo-American bent.
Samizdata
Libertarian blog, packed every day.
Norm's blog
The thoroughly sensible thoughts of renowned left-wing academic Norman Geras, Professor of Government at Manchester. And cricket, too.
Public Interest
Peter Briffa's inimitable take on The Yazzmonster and other assorted demons.
Reform
The public sector reform group; their website is an invaluable source of data and ideas.
Centre for the New Europe
The leading European public policy think tank.
Developed by:
| October | 11 |
| 2006 |
The Spectator has a piece this week about Ken Dodd. He's appearing in Blackpool, and the author suggests that "one thing every person sound of mind and body can and should do before they die is catch Ken Dodd, the once-and-forever king of comedy, working his magic on stage."
That, of course, involves a journey to the s**t-hole that is Blackpool. Might I suggest that there is a much easier way to amuse oneself, by watching a buffoon in action. Simply click here. Within a matter of seconds you will, as the acronym has it, be ROFL.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I know I promised to give up posting on Clark. It's cruel to mock the intellectualy afflicted. Shooting fish in a barrel and all that. But you know what? In his case, it's fun.
(This comment from the analytical genius of Oxford Tutorial College is simply priceless.)
UPDATE: Oh dear, caught out by Clark himself for a typo. Red faced...
FURTHER UPDATE: Oh dear, maybe my syntax is wrong but it's not Ken Dodd I meant to call a buffoon but our friend Mr Clark!
MessageSpace
"That, of course, involves a journey to the s**t-hole that is Blackpool."
I would have to agree about Blackpool town centre. There are however some remarkably nice neighbourhoods in and around Lytham St Annes and for a person who likes sea breezes and golf there are many worse places he could live. To a person living in a converted flat in some ugly gothic monstrosity in crime-ridden Hampstead or Highgate with noisy neighbours and nowhere to park his car, a six-bedroomed whitewashed villa with extensive grounds, clean air and excellent security might well prove very attractive. My own personal preference in the North-West would be Macclesfield or Wilmslow.
A "shit-hole" though? Such violent language. My guess is it's the residents Lord Pollard objects to and not the place. I suppose this is what happens to a guy who is brought up by modest middle-class parents and then listens to Wagner too much.
"Might I suggest that there is a much easier way to amuse oneself by watching a buffoon in action."
If Stephen and Ken were to pop their clogs tomorrow, how many people do you imagine would turn up at Pollard's funeral and how many at Dodd's?
Absolutely not the people. They are friendly and charming. It's the place. Having been there almost every year since 1990 for various conferences, I consider Blackpool to be one of the most hideous, tacky, unpleasant dumps in Britain. The place itself has no redeeming features.
Ken Dodd a buffoon? Certainly not, he is (was) a master craftsman. His enormous energy, delivering a non-stop 2 hour barrage, ensured that everyone left the theatre feeling real good - even if they couldn't remember more than one or two of the hundreds of jokes he had told.
"Having been there almost every year since 1990 for various conferences, I consider Blackpool to be one of the most hideous, tacky, unpleasant dumps in Britain."
You know Blackpool like most American tourists know Britain (Clancys' laughable descriptions of London in his execrable "Patriot Games" is an excellent example of this). There are some remarkably pretty villages in and around Blackpool, a world-class golf course (and more close by), and a large number of excellent residential properties. If I was forced to live in some terrible place like Hendon or Stanmore, I'd be most jealous of the lucky people living in such places.
In the near future Blackpool could easily become one of Europe's hottest property spots if the casino proposals pan out. Joshie could make much moolah so long as he isn't too distracted by the beautiful Lancashire lasses - and they really are. You never know, I could even get into the spirit of the thing. I used to wear a Western outfit every year for the Calgary Stampede, so I suppose I might even be persuaded to don a kiss-me-quick hat.
Re Doddy: as you have just learned, only a very courageous man places the word "buffoon" and the name "Ken Dodd" in the same sentence. Consider yourself discombobulated. Ken Dodd - not just a great comedian but also one of Britain's most generous men.