Politics and emotion: in praise of the human beings

"It is objectionable in both men and women to cry over a political defeat, but more so in men. Clegg is an embarrassment."

So thinks Louise Mensch apparently. What utter, utter rubbish.

I don't usually 'do' politics on this blog (regular readers fear not, regular service will be resumed shortly) but I'm going to make a very brief exception.

The past few days have been horrible - horrible - for the Lib Dems. Even as someone who's been taking a horribly selfish ('hey guys, you've made me redundant twice now so if you don't want me then I don't want you') sabbatical from active involvement in the party until very recently, I'm hurting right now.

For all the things that annoy me about the party, all the people in it that I don't agree with or straight up don't like (looking in your direction, Matthew Oakshott), it's my party. It's part of who I am, for better or worse. So yes, for all my affected nonchalance, when it takes a kicking I get upset. When it takes a kicking as hard as it has done recently, I get very upset. And maybe there's something weirder about people that don't than there is about me.

It's much more personal than that though. I've made most of the best friends I've got through the Lib Dems; people who've made my life much richer and who I know I'll be friends with for a very long time (not forgetting those who I really wish we're still around - Andrew you're so especially missed at times like this). And a lot of those people have had their lives completely turned upside down by the events of the past few days. Fantastic, hardworking politicians and their, in my admittedly very biased view, even harder working and more fantastic staff woke up on Monday morning wondering what the hell to do now. I've been there, I know how much it hurts, how frightening it is and it's breaking my heart to see people I care about going through it now. Maybe there are people in other parties, even in the Lib Dems, who haven't made these sort of connections or who just don't care about them. I feel really sorry for those people.

That's why I'm in no way embarrassed to admit I've cried over a political defeat in the past few days. I've been hurt and so have the people I care about - why wouldn't I? And if I've shed a tear or several - someone who's delivered maybe three rounds of leaflets, artworked a couple of tabloids and helped out at one count in the past year; who's career and financial security are in no way at stake - then why shouldn't others? Why shouldn't Nick Clegg?

I've only been a Lib Dem member for 10 years. I've never been elected and nor would I want to be. I think anyone who's prepared to be publicly associated with a political party in that way at any level is incredibly brave. To be leader? I think that's frankly a bit insane. To be leader of the Lib Dems at the moment? Well, that's something else.

I think Nick is incredibly brave. I think he's a fantastic leader and a gifted politician. From my experience he's also a genuinely nice guy who cares about this party and what it stands for. Of course he's upset about the last few days and, given how some people seem to think it's entirely his fault (they are of course 100% wrong), he arguably has more reason to be than anyone else. And I know if I was being subjected to the sort of nonsense from people in my own party, let alone the actual opposition, as he has been I think I'd be upset too. He gives a shit, y'know. I like that.

So Louise Mensch can keep her unfeeling automatons. I'm glad we have a leader who actually cares, who hurts along with the rest of us, who isn't so ridiculously backward in outlook that he's afraid to show it.

And, by the way, I hope we have him for a while to come.

So what's to be done now? I'm not much of an expert (you've likely noticed this by now) but for me personally the answer is pretty simple. Put my battered ego back in its box and get back on the horse. I hope a few others will join me. Because if there's one thing that's for damn sure, I have no intention of feeling this bad again come May 2015.

Posted with Blogsy

Things I'm loving this... er... non specific period of time

Stop looking at me like that. I'm aware it's been a while. What can I say? Life's been a bit... life-y recently. By which I mean, if you'll excuse the language, it's been a bit of a cluster fuck. Personally and, moreover, politically things have not been great. I'm not going to dwell on either other than to say, on both counts, keep calm and carry on.

Anyway, enough of that. Here's some stuff that has been providing much needed smiles and fun:

Music

I seem to have discovered a lot of new (to me) music recently. Top top top recommendation goes to Hugh Laurie's new album 'Let Them Talk'. This is genuinely brilliant for anyone who has even a passing interesting in old school proper blues. The musicianship is astonishing. My favourite track from it, I think, is Swanee River for which the superlative has yet to be invented. Buy it. Now.

Also rocking my socks has been Alexis Jordan's eponymous début album (top track: How You Like Me Now), which is much better than it has any right to be given it came from an American Idol reject, and the excellent Bomb Shelter Sessions by Vintage Trouble. You may have seen these beyond fabulous retro rockers on Jools Holland - if not you missed a treat. Here they are doing my favourite song from the album, Blues Hand Me Down:

Books
Not that I've had much time to read, but when I have I've been absorbed by either travel guides for Malta (the destination of my much anticipated October break this year) or the thoroughly excellent 'Behind the Black Door' by Sarah Brown. This book is a completely compelling, very entertaining account of life in Downing Street by the former 'first lady'. I've not quite finished it yet, watch out for a full review when I do.

One political book I have finished recently is the amazing '22 Days in May' by the equally amazing David Laws. If you've not read this book and have the faintest interest in British politics at the moment then you really need to. The epilogue in which he outlines his hopes for the coalition explains what I believe and why I'm a Lib Dem more eloquently than I ever could.


TV
First of all, yes I did watch - and enjoy -  every second of the Royal Wedding. Let's just say that and get it out of the way. Apart from the bits with Fearne Cotton, I thought the BBC coverage was pretty good. (And, if you're wondering, my picks for Best Dressed Guest go to Lady Frederick Windsor - AKA Big Suze off of Peep Show - in deep blue Georgio Armani, Sam Cam in beautiful Burberry and Miriam Gonzalez Durantez and that amazing embellished turban.)

Second of all, yes I did watch - and enjoy - every second of Eurovision, including the two semi finals. My favourite songs were from Switzerland and Iceland. I also adored Lipstick by the ever youthful and energetic Jedward. So shoot me.

Finally, if you have Sky and enjoy trashy shit as much as I do then I implore you to check out Spartacus: Blood and Sand on Sky 1. It is... well, it's awful! It's kind of like what would have happened if a 13 year old boy had written HBO's excellent Rome. There's a lot of (fairly graphic) completely gratuitous sex and all the violence you could ever want, inexplicably shown in slow motion. I'm not really making a good case here am I? But seriously if you have a spare hour and it happens to be on then do have a look. It will make you giggle.

Finally finally, if you have Sky and enjoy properly good drama then look out for In Treatment on Sky Atlantic. Another HBO export, it stars the uber dishy Gabriel Byrne as a therapist - and he is mind blowingly good. It's not always an easy watch (each episode is a simple double hander between Byrne's therapist and one of his patients, or occasionally his own therapist) but it is just supremely good.

Things I'm loving this week: week 4

Yes, I'm starting with politics this week. But don't worry. Frivolity returns very quickly.

This week I'm mostly agreeing with: Nick. You see what I did there?! It's very rare I talk shop on my blog but I thought Nick Clegg's speech to Lib Dem Conference over the weekend was one of the best I've heard him give. Check out the video.



Now for frivolity. And also Anton. Keep reading, I've saved him for the end.

This week I'm painting my nails with: MAC Soiree. It's a great bronze polish with a hint of glitter, and looks really classy. It also goes with pretty much everything I own which is useful. It'll always have good memories for me too - I bought it in the swanky department store in Dublin and wore it to go and see Puttin on the Ritz the first time. Good times.

This week I'm travelling to: Bristol to see a number of friends from Uni. I know very little about Bristol other than that it has a Harvey Nichols. And that'll do for me.

This week I'm mostly listening to: Nicole Scherzinger's new song 'Don't Hold Your Breath'. I'm obsessed with it. The lyrics describe my current 'love life' situation exactly. It's almost uncanny.

This week I'm mostly loving Twitter because: basically, Anton is great. Maybe I should just change the name of this blog to that. But he is great. Check out the following evidence. The first is his response to my complaining that my 2010 tour pen had run out and the second is, well, just funny.

 

See? He's great. The second one is slightly embarrassing given I was somewhat the worse for wear in the conference bar when I sent the original. Note to self: don't tag people in drunk tweets if you don't want them to see said tweets. Muppet. But seeing the reply really made me smile. A lot. Because he's great.

Things I'm loving this week: week 3 (the return of the grump)

I'm not going to lie, this week I'm struggling to find things to love. Currently I have an absolutely streaming cold, the worst I've had in ages. This is compounding the stress of a heavy work week in the run up to Lib Dem Conference this weekend. Even Conference - which I adore - is hardly filling me with joy on the grounds that it involves spending a weekend in the immediate company of the ex. Frankly, it causes me some consternation that we have to be on the same planet, being in the same small collection of hotels and bars in the same city is just a depressing concept. Don't get me wrong, there are loads of people I'm looking forward to seeing at conference, not least some bloke called Nick (with whom I still agree, by the way), but it's not been a month yet and everything is still too raw. At least there'll be wine, I suppose. Lots of wine. Anyway, some cheer:

This week I'm mostly wearing: since it's conference, it's all about dressing it up and breaking out my 'I'm a  real grown up, honest' work wardrobe. I have two training sessions to deliver on Saturday (fingers crossed my voice holds up!) and will be doing so in a Next Peter Pan collar LBD and Kurt Geiger patent purple kitten heels. For the rest of the time, I'm currently thinking* my new ASOS ankle length boyfriend jeans and Sam Edelman sequinned lace up flats.
*normal rules on a woman's prerogative to change her mind apply!

This week I'm mostly eating: PANCAKES!! I love pancake day and am massively excited about over indulging as soon as my flatmate gets home. I'm all about the sweet toppings and went a bit nuts with chocolate, caramel and maple syrups as well as traditional lemon juice and sugar. I've even made some caramelised banana sauce from scratch with no recipe - very proud. I don't know why I don't eat pancakes more often since I love them and they're super easy to make. Probably to the benefit of my general health that I don't though..!

This week I'm mostly planning: lots of exciting things. The best solution to current crappiness is planning future excitingness, as I'm sure someone of note has said much more eloquently. So on that logic I'm currently planning an October getaway to somewhere warm, sunny and luxurious (suggestions welcome). There's also been a week-cheering announcement from Anton: Tour 2012 is on. Needless to say I'll be going. Check out this video for said announcement and other insights that have brought me some cheer:



This week I'm mostly listening to: Kesha. Judge if you must, but I love her album. It's my current post-shower soundtrack and does put a spring in my step.

Things I'm loving this week: week 2

This week I'm mostly wearing: my Wales rugby shirt, since it was St David's Day yesterday. Although I've been living in exile (in a non-dramatic, non-former-despot sort of way) for ages now and am frequently - and correctly - told I don't have a trace of Welsh accent, I'm still really proud of my Celtic roots. Today, I'm working smart casual for a day of London meetings. I'm teaming my Asos dusky pink peg trousers with a plain black top and Dune monochrome brogues. I lose these shoes - the closest I will ever get to being able to dance an Argentine tango!

This week I'm mostly listening to: when the flat is otherwise empty, Pink's Greatest Hits. It's a great singalong album and I have been singing along - loudly - a lot. I'm also loving My Chemical Romance 'Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys'. Not usually my favourite band, but this album is great. Pretty up tempo, not emo, and featuring the truly awesome lead single in Na Na Na. 

This week I'm mostly geeking out over: the Irish election coverage. Specifically, how much better it was than anything I've ever seen over here. The debate was reasoned and civil, the punditry was top class, at no point did anyone dress up as a cowboy (Jeremy Vine I'm looking at you), and it was STV. I'm not going to go into the finer points of why STV is amazing but it just is, and the preference-related punditry it leads to really makes the coverage interesting. This was clearly a game-changing election for Ireland and it was cool in a highly nerdy way to watch that happen. 

This week I'm mostly planning: what to wear to Lib Dem Conference in a couple of weeks time. Specifically, is it purple patent or black glittery on the shoe front? Decisions decisions!