What an evening! And what a theme – ‘Politics – Whatever Next?’! We sat down to dinner at 7.30 and then John Horam, Baron Horam of Grimsargh, who has been at the centre of politics for over 40 years as an MP in all three major parties, as a Minister, and now in the Lords, opened as a starter (as we were being served our starter) with some observations of the state of play at the moment. Confusing? Yes. Multifaceted? Yes. Uncertain? Yes. Stimulating? Extremely! We then kicked off the discussion, and the evening took off! It couldn’t have been better timing, two days after the Commons had so roundly rejected the Withdrawal Agreement. John’s insights into the personalities, the agendas, the options (the possible and the highly improbable yet impossible to rule out) prompted more and more lively debate, excitement, humour, puzzlement, exasperation, more humour and so on but, above all, sheer pleasure at being at a high quality event for just 14 of us, in an informed and uniquely stimulating discussion, with an excellent dinner and wine served in a private room in the Oxford and Cambridge Club. Gently moderated by our Chairman threatening to call “Order! Order!” – but fortunately not needed – the evening flew past, and having started with pre-dinner fizz at 7pm we were reluctant to leave at 11pm. We’re most grateful to John for his huge contribution, and we’re thinking of organising more such Discussion Dinners in future.
Organised by David Peace