** MUSIC & POLITICS **
This is the 28 May 2005 edition of
this page and gives some of my previous, and
CURRENT, writings on other topics not of the 'Travel' category.
MUSIC ARTICLES
For a few years between 1954 and 1964, I wrote articles and
letters to the NME (New Musical Express) specialising in the
multi-year statistics of the then Popular Music. That was
before
it was called 'Pop' and while the majority of it was still
easy-
listening and enjoyable. In SUBSEQUENT DECADES, my
preferences
have changed, first to Traditional Jazz, and then to
Country (&
Western!) Music - and it is in the latter of these fields
that
I wrote in various publications. My help as an Artist-
Manager, artist career-adviser and linkman in artist-promotion
and venue facilities were also sought in Country Music.
Music, especially Country Music and other easy-listening
music,
gets frequent mentions in my writings about travels in
'foreign parts'.
I have included, on this 'web', sections on my
previous visits to COUNTRY MUSIC festivals.
LIBERALISM
I wrote many articles and letters to the Press in the
"60's"
as the Liberal's "Malvern Branch Press
Officer".
I have since rejoined the Liberal Democrats with their many internet
linkages. Some of these are to the national organisation, the regional organisation,
whilst my
local linkage is to the
West Worcestershire LibDems.
Being interested in electoral reform since the 'sixties', in
particular to Proportional
Representation, I was also a member of ERS (Electoral reform
Society) and still am a member of DAGGER (Democrats Action Group for Generating
Electoral Reform). I'm getting very interested now that the
UK,
belatedly, seems to be moving in that direction!! "Can't come
soon enough" I say!!.
One great pity, however, is that we won't be having the
'Preference Voting' of STV but the Jenkins Committee's
recommendation of AV+. This is somewhat better than FPTP
system, (although some people dispute that) but not really what I was hoping for.
My HOPE is that, at least, it will bring STV closer and quicker. But it has
put the ERS into thoughtful and strong debates internally!!
Whilst I was away in Austria in July 99, my voting papers
for the Liberal Democrats Leadership
election (i.e. to vote for
Paddy Ashdown's successor) came through. I immediately voted on my
return - using the expected 'ordered preferences' system.
I had been aware of the qualities of EACH for quite some time, but the
sheer CHARISMA of
Charles Kennedy
shone through (head and shoulders above all!).
It has proved to be a different leadership style from Paddy's, but still produces as many
mail-shots as Paddy did.
[Incidentally, there was a wonderful "PADDY ASHDOWN - THIS IS YOUR LIFE"
on BBC1 TV on Wednesday 31 Oct 01 - when the fabulous multifacetted
life of our ex-leader came through!!]
Charles's leadership during the 2001 General Election brought
admiration from all quarters - but still we suffer from being lumbered with the
ancient FPTP electoral system!!
More E-Mail shots are produced from Liz Lynn's functions (our EURO MP), as she has our
Regional Media Co-ordinator, Ben Jephcott, feeding us info ALL the time.(Incidentally, Ben now has a 'new role'
with the LIBERAL DEMOCRAT CAMPAIGNS DEPARTMENT headed by Lord Rennard!) What a busy and
very ACTIVE lady LIZ is!! Like most Lib-Dems, she has her own Website. The news about
BEN is that he is now the "Campaigns and Key Seats Officer, West Midlands Region".
After receiving (Feb '03) the LIST OF PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES for our LibDem voting, I considered the List of
eleven people (5 female and 6 male) and put them into MY PREFERENCE-ORDER (having done all the
appropriate reading!) for the West Midlands European Region for the LibDem's selection. My personal list only
differentiated them down to the fourth position! I put the same No1 and No2 as I did the previous time (1999).
Until recent weeks, I got many EMails from the 'BRITAIN IN EUROPE' organisation, - including
its various subsets. Being registered with them, enabled me to get updated news - which also
covered the "NO" side's curious postures!! It seems to me as if the Tories (effectively the UKIP)
form the basis of their heretical policies!! (Not wishing to deplete the YES case's funds unduly, I recently
have unregistered with them - as I'm a convinced devotee of our case!)
Return to Roy's home page for full
list
of books, reports, travelogues etc either finished or under preparation.