Comments
Making Hay while the sun shines
2010-06-05 11:12:03
I was slightly dreading my session at the Hay Festival last night. Such a long way to go (Wales, and the part of Wales that is motorwayphobic). Plus I was expecting the massed ranks of anti-war, anti-'spin' Guardianistas, like a Lib Dem conference in the days before they realised politics is about the pursuit of power not merely the art of protest.
The scenery made up for the distance. As a country, we don't make nearly enough of our natural beauty. So did my overnight lodgings, Moccas Court, a stunning Georgian house ten miles out of Hay, with a lovely view from my bedroom over the river Wye.
And whilst there were plenty of Guardianistas around, both those who work for it and those you can spot as Guardian readers even before you see the paper protruding from their recycled cloth bag, the 'real people' mixed in among the hacks and the over earnest (not that Guardianistas aren't real people of course) made it a rather good audience.
I was taken aback by the scale of the whole thing. It's a small town, but a big event.
The audience was overwhelmingly middle-aged, middle-class, almost totally white, and the questions ranged widely over the political and the personal, the serious and the trivial, past, present, future, the supportive and the critical.
I get asked a fair bit about the media and its role in politics. I do think that one of the reasons these book festivals seem to get bigger and bigger is that people really are tired of the rata-tat-tat nature of the modern media, the sense that it can only deal with one big story at a time, can only allow the same voice (unless a journalist's) to be speaking for a few seconds without interruption, and operates on the assumption that we all have the attention span of a gnat.
There are exceptions of course, but the trend is all in the direction I describe above.
What I think large audiences at events like last night's show is the desire for deeper engagement, and an interest in real conversation as opposed to the manufactured nil-nil draws that most political interviews have become. The audience seemed amused and bemused by the fact that the interview which worried TB more than any other in the period covered by Prelude to Power was the one he did with Des O'Connor. How could anyone be scared of Des, when they have had so much experience of the Paxmans, Dimblebys and Humphrys of the world? But that is the point. Politicians - the good ones - have so much experience of the so-called tough interview that they become almost routine. Of course you prepare for them, think about them. But by and large you can always work out where the question is coming from and where the next one is going. The interviewer wants to make an impact, either by getting you to say something unexpected or getting you to cock up. It becomes a bit of a game, often a tedious one at that, and most do indeed end in a draw.
So Des O'Connor, or Frank Skinner (the other one TB moaned about for ages before doing it) take you out of the comfort zone. What I find about most of the extended sessions I do at book festivals is that the public, in the main, want a proper conversation, neither Paxo nor Des, just a conversation where one question leads to an answer which leads to another question, and then bring the audience in and let's see what they have to say.
So it was all very enjoyable, including the critical bits, and thanks to Francine Stock for kicking it off and chairing it so well.
I did not have a clapometer on me but I reckon the loudest applause came for a defence of Labour's record, and the observation that once the coalition gets going, 'you'll miss it' (Labour in power) and the loudest laughter (mixed with panto-style 'oooohs') possibly for my tweaking of the tail of The Guardian in pointing out its role in supporting the party that helped deliver David Cameron as our PM.
Alas, I had to get up at the crack of dawn to get back in time to talk to Ken Livingstone on his LBC show this morning.
But despite the mild sleep deprivation, I feel moderately energised by my visit to rural Guardiana, which I was not expecting when I set off yesterday.
So thanks to my agent Ed Victor for bullying me into going.
*** Buy The Blair Years and raise cash for Labourhttp://www.alastaircampbell.org/bookshop.php. *** Buy Prelude to Power here at Amazon.
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School speech the latest source of right-wing frothing at ObamaPublish date: 2009-09-05 08:23:02
More horse's mouth, less Beeb blah pleasePublish date: 2009-09-04 22:49:20
Real respect for sport can be Olympic legacyPublish date: 2009-09-04 09:27:34
First ladies watch out for Japanese bombshellPublish date: 2009-09-03 10:47:19
TV debate - good idea in theory, but ...Publish date: 2009-09-02 15:37:43
'No worries' - the new response to thanksPublish date: 2009-09-01 12:25:19
Tremors of Japanese political earthquake will be felt far and widePublish date: 2009-08-30 15:50:54
Pressure on Ed Miliband can help get a climate change dealPublish date: 2009-08-28 13:39:08
Why Tories and media cannot stomach GCSE success storyPublish date: 2009-08-27 16:03:34
Exposing the absurdity of Chris GraylingPublish date: 2009-08-26 13:20:19
Joy and beauty and a night of magicPublish date: 2009-08-20 10:55:11
Twitter NHS backlash good for ObamaPublish date: 2009-08-14 15:44:49
A lifetime's ambition fulfilledPublish date: 2009-08-08 16:59:02
Breaking the blog-a-day spell as warm up to holidayPublish date: 2009-07-20 17:44:49
No hiding place from Twitter, me on the bike, JP in DCPublish date: 2009-07-17 18:17:09
At last - something Obama cannot do wellPublish date: 2009-07-16 10:05:47
Will MPs take the lead in the debate on euthanasia?Publish date: 2009-07-15 12:30:01
Berlin brothel leads the way to a greener worldPublish date: 2009-07-14 10:57:25
A time for GB to explain the whole picturePublish date: 2009-07-13 12:37:54
All hail Monty, Jimmy and Collie!Publish date: 2009-07-12 20:06:36
First triathlon of the summer for me, education award for FionaPublish date: 2009-07-12 09:43:06
Of Burnley's friendly and Obama's wandering eyePublish date: 2009-07-11 12:38:52
Two great early morning momentsPublish date: 2009-07-10 10:27:07
Cameron had better be sure he's rightPublish date: 2009-07-09 11:06:22
Guardian scoop has big questions for press, cops and CameronPublish date: 2009-07-08 20:40:54
Divisive legend: Lance ArmstrongPublish date: 2009-07-07 10:38:23
First hug a hoodie, now grab a gayPublish date: 2009-07-06 12:57:09
Mail on Scumday's wonderful account of Lansley's kipperdomPublish date: 2009-07-05 13:14:51
Ecclestone undermines his own success with alarming views on HitlerPublish date: 2009-07-04 14:04:04
When the conmen move more quickly than the councilPublish date: 2009-07-03 10:19:52
Andrew Lansley done up like a kipperPublish date: 2009-07-02 10:10:52
A day spent interviewing footballers, then being interviewed by a transvestite comedianPublish date: 2009-07-01 14:47:40
When the power of black eyes fadesPublish date: 2009-06-30 09:24:59
Farewell to Henry HodgePublish date: 2009-06-29 20:41:12
Honouring the power of sport to do goodPublish date: 2009-06-29 14:49:42
Andy Murray is a winner. Is that why some Brits don't like him?Publish date: 2009-06-28 09:19:20
New Parliament will look very different. The younger the betterPublish date: 2009-06-27 17:34:26
Two nice surprises, sad end to dayPublish date: 2009-06-26 09:16:33
Apology from the Spectator on Iraq boosts Henry Hodge fundPublish date: 2009-06-25 19:57:26
Thanks to Mr Harper on mental health, rebuttal of Mr Hague on IraqPublish date: 2009-06-24 23:47:54
Glad to find Eric Cantona in a quiet cinema ...Publish date: 2009-06-24 00:46:23
By Dave's friends shall we know him?Publish date: 2009-06-23 11:30:20
The Speaker has to balance tradition and change - but defend ParliamentPublish date: 2009-06-22 11:58:44
Less a blog than an apology for not having done onePublish date: 2009-06-21 20:07:43
The day Lions skipper Paul O'Connell took my trousers downPublish date: 2009-06-20 11:48:28
On the Iraq inquiry, Independent article wrongPublish date: 2009-06-19 20:28:24
Thank you to three readers, now please get involvedPublish date: 2009-06-19 09:13:35
A tribute to a lovely manPublish date: 2009-06-18 17:19:40
Bad times in Belfast, great day for Burnley, odd statement from Ed BallsPublish date: 2009-06-18 10:04:47
A plea for five-figure cyber-donationsPublish date: 2009-06-17 07:40:42
On two inquiriesPublish date: 2009-06-16 08:57:39
From India to Iran to Labour witPublish date: 2009-06-15 10:13:17
Memories of Princess DianaPublish date: 2009-06-14 09:54:55
A House Divided?Publish date: 2009-06-13 02:53:47
A humbling NHS experience, a media row and a good GB speechPublish date: 2009-06-12 10:48:46
Psychiatrists heading for relegation in 'disease prestige' league tablePublish date: 2009-06-11 10:25:35
The shrinks awaitPublish date: 2009-06-10 09:44:16
As Obama fights for healthcare, let's celebrate the record herePublish date: 2009-06-09 12:52:55
Anger at BNP seats must be turned into activismPublish date: 2009-06-08 14:11:10
Can today be as frenzied as Friday?Publish date: 2009-06-07 10:31:04
Take heart from a win in LambethPublish date: 2009-06-06 18:46:40
JP is right there was no proper campaign but Tories still weakPublish date: 2009-06-05 13:47:20
Do we care more about the NHS or moats?Publish date: 2009-06-04 00:21:23
Guardian of social justice or attention-seeker?Publish date: 2009-06-03 10:19:33
Who says Britain can't deliver the best?Publish date: 2009-06-02 08:08:38
Mainstream has a duty to vote against BNPPublish date: 2009-06-01 11:03:29
Let Diversity inspire a vote against the hate-filled BNPPublish date: 2009-05-31 12:24:20
White House whack at UK media well-timed but sure to be ignoredPublish date: 2009-05-30 13:41:00
Elvis has a plan to make MPs King againPublish date: 2009-05-29 12:09:44
At least there's a campaign on in ItalyPublish date: 2009-05-28 09:04:32
A blow to gay rights and a boost for Cameron's short-termismPublish date: 2009-05-27 11:27:41
It's my blog and I'll be a big kid if I want toPublish date: 2009-05-26 23:25:58
Highs feel better after so many lowsPublish date: 2009-05-26 10:13:12
Only one present countsPublish date: 2009-05-25 11:05:46
Contrast Cheney and BushPublish date: 2009-05-24 12:11:45
Sex (or at least the female form) obsessed BritainPublish date: 2009-05-23 20:49:57
Sport at both ends of the financial spectrumPublish date: 2009-05-23 09:57:23
Stronger together - whether Scotland or expensesPublish date: 2009-05-22 10:22:36
Back to Number 10, familiar faces, familiar argumentsPublish date: 2009-05-21 10:14:34
Speaking up for ParliamentPublish date: 2009-05-20 11:44:17
Peace in the Middle East - yes he canPublish date: 2009-05-19 09:37:35
Breaking news - one frenzy at a timePublish date: 2009-05-18 10:34:30
Getting a good look at Vince CablePublish date: 2009-05-17 09:36:55
How do you solve a problem like Silvio?Publish date: 2009-05-16 09:32:21
It was the internet wot won itPublish date: 2009-05-15 10:04:57
There now follows ... a good whack at CameronPublish date: 2009-05-14 17:21:28
They got their kit off - so you get your cash outPublish date: 2009-05-14 07:41:11
Expenses row must not obscure Tory intentions on minimum wagePublish date: 2009-05-13 16:12:08
We love you Burnley, we do ... what a nightPublish date: 2009-05-13 02:37:17
A tweet cannot express the wonders of TGVPublish date: 2009-05-12 08:48:31
It's Mind week - Get it off your Chest with me and Stephen FryPublish date: 2009-05-11 06:29:15
Hate the Mail, love ObamaPublish date: 2009-05-10 10:04:00
Burnley 1 Reading 0 - a biased reportPublish date: 2009-05-09 21:26:32
MPs expenses - time for party leaders to meet againPublish date: 2009-05-09 09:50:19
Should happiness replace prosperity as national goal?Publish date: 2009-05-08 08:43:23
Musings from a sleepless nightPublish date: 2009-05-07 07:33:49
Darren Fletcher - an injustice that has to be rightedPublish date: 2009-05-06 09:52:29
Maggie's legacy not as great as she thinksPublish date: 2009-05-05 08:33:02
Here's hoping Cardiff is metaphor for CameronPublish date: 2009-05-04 09:38:30
More Mr Benn and Co pleasePublish date: 2009-05-03 10:03:00
Going Fourth with JPPublish date: 2009-05-02 18:25:41
Journalism - print first, think laterPublish date: 2009-05-02 09:10:01
In praise of two poetsPublish date: 2009-05-01 10:26:36
JP hits the road againPublish date: 2009-04-29 18:52:11
My night with Eddie IzzardPublish date: 2009-04-29 10:53:25
Explaining the 50p top tax ratePublish date: 2009-04-28 09:22:53
George Best and Martin McGuinnessPublish date: 2009-04-27 09:02:35
Cameron confused over indepdendence and impartialityPublish date: 2009-04-26 12:20:56
Guide ro Marathon running part 2Publish date: 2009-04-25 11:01:34
Good signals on coal and the OlympicsPublish date: 2009-04-24 10:45:28
Tips for the London MarathonPublish date: 2009-04-23 17:29:27
Missed the Budget, saw why it matteredPublish date: 2009-04-22 23:09:31
Football good, politics bad. AllegedlyPublish date: 2009-04-22 00:00:24
The Great Wall gets greaterPublish date: 2009-04-21 09:55:22
Two sides to police storyPublish date: 2009-04-20 11:39:54
Budgets, Balls, billionaires and Susan BoylePublish date: 2009-04-19 12:31:45
Do muscles have memories?Publish date: 2009-04-18 09:44:44
Bring back standing at footballPublish date: 2009-04-17 14:50:22
When Facebook friends fall outPublish date: 2009-04-16 12:29:16
Guardian sightings and the email and bath plug agendaPublish date: 2009-04-15 11:32:16
The spin is all in the prismPublish date: 2009-04-14 09:22:41
A setback, not a crisisPublish date: 2009-04-13 12:55:19
The real lessons from Damian McBridePublish date: 2009-04-12 10:49:47
Will English always be the dominant language?Publish date: 2009-04-11 10:02:02
On the pipes and what makes a ScotPublish date: 2009-04-10 11:06:20
John Prescott lazy? NO WAYPublish date: 2009-04-09 09:11:31
David Frost is seventyPublish date: 2009-04-08 08:48:38
The Speaker, BBC2, tonight and tomorrow 8pmPublish date: 2009-04-07 14:25:31
Obama, colds and being woken by Korean missilesPublish date: 2009-04-06 11:59:24
When a call matters more than protocolPublish date: 2009-04-05 11:33:42
Green Cities Champions LeaguePublish date: 2009-04-04 10:19:53
Could Cameron have delivered the G20 deal?Publish date: 2009-04-03 10:11:59
Of Benn and BonoPublish date: 2009-04-02 08:21:16
Memo to Sarko - allez vite a LondresPublish date: 2009-04-01 08:46:17
Happy April Fool's DayPublish date: 2009-04-01 01:44:05
Eurostar, Le Monde and a thought for the G20 sherpasPublish date: 2009-03-31 09:17:22
Why Kevin Rudd made an impactPublish date: 2009-03-30 10:24:41
Pre-G20 hype matters less than post-G20 processPublish date: 2009-03-29 13:17:28
The Damned UnitedPublish date: 2009-03-28 10:37:04
A hobby horse, a plug and a bit of sportPublish date: 2009-03-27 10:22:23
Cloughie - he had a lot to be big-headed aboutPublish date: 2009-03-26 09:38:36
A sad sight of the old fearing the youngPublish date: 2009-03-25 17:03:07
Post-modern, post-structural, or bullshit?Publish date: 2009-03-25 08:18:02
Learning the right lessons from ObamaPublish date: 2009-03-24 08:53:15
Lazy Dave needs to keep an eye on lazy KenPublish date: 2009-03-23 11:16:14
Farewell favourite restaurant, hello hometownPublish date: 2009-03-22 08:18:09
Dave, Danny and have the Tories really changed?Publish date: 2009-03-21 08:55:13
Life beyond Dover ...Publish date: 2009-03-20 10:11:21
My friends in The New Statesman - Fergie, Fiona, Tony, Sarah, Kevin, 'Dacre,' and a great GB idea for the G20Publish date: 2009-03-18 10:38:22
Iraq, Iran, GB, Obama and diplomatic chessPublish date: 2009-03-17 10:07:13
The Age of StupidPublish date: 2009-03-16 08:27:13
Is all change good?Publish date: 2009-03-15 10:00:06
The pressure of being a post-modern sex godPublish date: 2009-03-14 10:00:55
Cameron still hasn't sealed the deal with businessPublish date: 2009-03-13 09:21:49
Stand up for social workersPublish date: 2009-03-12 08:31:17
Surely Malcolm Tucker could have told Armando Ianucci ... You can't spin a spinnerPublish date: 2009-03-11 10:58:25
Start of a new approach from Labour?Publish date: 2009-03-10 09:54:12
A peace process still strongPublish date: 2009-03-09 08:21:05
Day of destiny for the real footballer of the yearPublish date: 2009-03-08 09:21:06
Private advice to Peggy Mitchell - the leaked note in fullPublish date: 2009-03-07 08:17:21
Boris, the Tories and the tummy-tickling poodle pressPublish date: 2009-03-06 09:49:37
A day in the life of the self-obsessed TV reporterPublish date: 2009-03-05 07:55:47
GB - good speech, well deliveredPublish date: 2009-03-04 19:31:05
Notes on the environment, a role in EastEndersPublish date: 2009-03-04 10:58:56
She may be my 'wife' but it is time to rebut!Publish date: 2009-03-03 10:52:59
Some speeches matter more than othersPublish date: 2009-03-02 12:04:45
Mental health and the Carling Cup FinalPublish date: 2009-03-01 09:08:17
Inside the chocolate factoryPublish date: 2009-02-28 10:23:59
GB on the G20, JP on Jeremy KylePublish date: 2009-02-27 09:14:36
Charity and the credit crunch, please give generously!Publish date: 2009-02-26 08:55:12
Why oh why are the Tories not home and dry?Publish date: 2009-02-24 09:44:59
Me, Dermot and ten top songsPublish date: 2009-02-23 10:02:19
Names round-upPublish date: 2009-02-22 08:43:39
What's in a name?Publish date: 2009-02-21 09:58:14
Editing the New StatesmanPublish date: 2009-02-20 11:42:36
Salute Peter M’s proper use of the F wordPublish date: 2009-02-19 09:58:58
Labour's communications challenge for the NHSPublish date: 2009-02-18 10:34:39
In praise of KeighleyPublish date: 2009-02-17 14:33:57
A night at the EmiratesPublish date: 2009-02-17 00:06:51
When marriage is testedPublish date: 2009-02-16 13:36:35
Spare me the myths and the whiningPublish date: 2009-02-15 13:29:50
Dave Cameron - is that all there is?Publish date: 2009-02-14 11:11:55
Boris Johnson: F is for ...Publish date: 2009-02-13 07:55:10
The Cameron vacuumPublish date: 2009-02-12 14:48:33
Lincoln, Obama, Blair and the 24 hour media culturePublish date: 2009-02-11 10:28:47
Eighteen interviews later ...Publish date: 2009-02-10 19:24:45
Time to talk about Time to Change on NewsnightPublish date: 2009-02-09 22:47:49
So that’s what they mean by online community?Publish date: 2009-02-08 12:12:51
First blogPublish date: 2009-02-05 15:23:57
Jane
2010-06-07 12:14:27I go to the Hay Festival most years. I love book festivals and books!! Yes we are all very courteous as we like to listen even if we do not share similar views. I wholeheartedly agree with you about nasty interviewers when the audience is interested in the opinion of those being interviewed. Also the many interruptions. I blame MPs for interruptions as they rarely answer the question and spout out nasty comment about the opposition courtesy of the briefing sheets handed out by No 10.
I look forward to reading the Guardian's view of how you got on. Oh forgot - I am a Guardian reader but much too old and experienced to be swayed by which political party they support.
Ben Taylor
2010-06-06 11:19:16I am having a silly amount of difficulty getting hold of your book. I live in middlesbrough and have looked in each book shop, i also asked in Harrogate and was told that they have not been sent from the publishers and they in fact don't know when they are arriving. i think you ought to be aware of this as the publishers seem somewhat lazy!!
DJL
2010-06-06 02:27:44"NO BOTTLE - NEW BOND VILLAIN"
:-D
Clare Jenkins
2010-06-05 20:11:39Thanks for coming and discovering rural Wales. Interesting to hear your perspective on how it want. Hope you come back next year for Volume II or III or perhaps to promote a new novel?
Jacqui Rafferty
2010-06-05 18:32:29I was there, and it was indeed enjoyable. I don't believe that the audience was 100% on your side, but there was engagement, and the conversation went on after the event. So, thanks for an enjoyable hour, am now looking forward to reading the diaries.
Em
2010-06-05 14:37:36I've never seen book festival crowds to be hostile. I'm sure they were more than willing to be charmed by you. I'm glad you enjoyed it. That being said...
In a sense, the lack of hostility is what's wrong with book festivals. I remember you mentioning the whiteness, the middle-classness of another book festival you attended last year. I'll save you the trouble: they're all like that. White wine, totebags, autographed copies and benign conversations with the douchoisie. I used to work at a book festival and sometimes wished the Hells Angels would breeze in and smash everything to pieces.
Part of me is grateful that I live in a society where people have the time and disposable income to indulge in this. There's nothing wrong with nice, pleasant events. But part of me thinks the novel as art form has no business inspiring events like Hay which promote a social status quo and the invisibility of the non-white and non-middle-class. And, no, a handful of post-colonial novels don't make up for it.
The only time we've had trouble at my festival was with Bret Easton Ellis on account of American Psycho, more than a decade after its publication. Interesting that white, middle-class so-called feminists who protested his presence never took time to read a book which is probably the most scathing criticism of consumerism and misogyny ever published. The middle-class doesn't read American Psycho because it's not pretty. It's fucking awful. A bit like awfulness of misogyny and the awfulness of consumerism which these days comes with photographs, hardcore pornography of dying pelicans in the Gulf. Future generations are going to mock us for not understanding the very blatant message of this book. But I digress.
Your benevolent willingness to see a grand desire for people to connect... well, maybe. When you think about it though, book events are just acceptable and refined versions of teenage groupies waiting outside hotels to meet rock stars. I know that what festival attendees find the most satisfying about book events is access. In this celebrity world, no celebrity is more accessible, more intimately accessible than the author at a book festival. In other words, you're a Mick Jagger substitute for the Aga woman, a title which I'm sure you can bear to live with.
;-)
Colin
2010-06-05 14:17:47For a "washed up", "has been" and "yesterdays man", you seem awfully busy.
Heath Grant
2010-06-05 13:54:30People are tired of the current news formula. Wham bam fact, whoosh, over excited report, over excited analysis, blame game interview. Booooooring
Colin Hope
2010-06-05 13:53:03Was on waiting list for your event and got in last minute just by walking past steward! Enjoyed it. Agreed that people like to see people who are high profile in the flesh. Man behind me in queue for booksigning afterwards said 'he is much nicer in the flesh than on the TV'. So what it is about the TV that changes the perception? answer, in my view, what the papers say. Thanks for coming to Hay (I live not far away in Brecon)
olli issakainen
2010-06-05 11:44:03John Gray talked about extremely important questions at the Hay festival.
He said that it is illusory to think that we could return to the type of growth we had pre-crash. Politicians in Britain do not understand this at all. Or they are too afraid to tell the truth.
Mr Gray also predicted resource wars. The Iraq war was, of course, part of USA´s wider strategy of controlling resources in the Middle East and Asia. There will be wars about oil in the future.
John Gray also saw widespread economic collapse. This will surely happen if we do not make changes into the pre-crash model.
We simply cannot go on producing, consuming and borrowing the usual way.
But the Con-Lib government is in denial about all this!
New Labour leader must also come up with convincing economic answers.
Ps. A good show by you on the Daily Politics.
Shibley
2010-06-05 11:34:36Hope they bought your book though! I did last week, and, as for the Hay, I agree with Ed.
Laura Park
2010-06-05 11:23:25Lovely post. I have always wanted to go to the Hay Festival since reading a Sandi Toksvig article on it in Good Housekeeping a few years ago, it seemed like such fun, but perhaps a bit too much rah-rah for a Northerner like me.
Re: Des, I can understand the apprehension. One only has to look at his "interviews" with Freddie Starr to see why it could be a daunting experience. As much as I like Des, I am slightly frightened by someone who finds humour in Freddie Starr pouring orange juice onto a table. Still, enough of my political observations for one day...
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