I shall miss Jeremy. However big the shambles others created around him, he remained cheery and optimistic. This is just what NHS patients need to lift their spirits when their operations are cancelled or the ambulance can’t come for four hours.
Last week I went to the party to celebrate the success of the Cultural Olympiad with Maria Miller, the new culture secretary. It was held at the arts council’s new HQ, the decommissioned HMS Ark Royal, on the Thames near Westminster.
Its bows have been decorated by the government’s favourite artists, Grayson Perry and Tracey Emin, with illustrations of their unusual sexual exploits.
Alan Davey announced that the Olympics has inspired him to make gunboat cultural diplomacy the arts council’s new priority. The Ark Royal will remain seaworthy, and is ready to sail to Newcastle, Bristol or Liverpool to fire warning shots at jumped-up local culture panjandrums if they ever step out of line. “No more Mr Nice Guy,” he said.
I couldn’t wait to hear Maria’s first speech as culture secretary. “I want to make it clear that, just because I have voted against them in parliament, I don’t entirely hate gays, disabled people or funding for the arts.”
Then Julia Donaldson, the children’s laureate, stepped forward and said: “I stand against cuts to libraries, and discrimination against any minority. I am Spartacus.”
Amazingly, others stepped forward from the crowd saying: “I am Spartacus,” until it became a roar. Disgraceful behaviour. DCMS is now seriously concerned there may be a repeat of these shameful outbursts among the museums. I have assured them that us national museum directors won’t let that happen.
Last week I went to the party to celebrate the success of the Cultural Olympiad with Maria Miller, the new culture secretary. It was held at the arts council’s new HQ, the decommissioned HMS Ark Royal, on the Thames near Westminster.
Its bows have been decorated by the government’s favourite artists, Grayson Perry and Tracey Emin, with illustrations of their unusual sexual exploits.
Alan Davey announced that the Olympics has inspired him to make gunboat cultural diplomacy the arts council’s new priority. The Ark Royal will remain seaworthy, and is ready to sail to Newcastle, Bristol or Liverpool to fire warning shots at jumped-up local culture panjandrums if they ever step out of line. “No more Mr Nice Guy,” he said.
I couldn’t wait to hear Maria’s first speech as culture secretary. “I want to make it clear that, just because I have voted against them in parliament, I don’t entirely hate gays, disabled people or funding for the arts.”
Then Julia Donaldson, the children’s laureate, stepped forward and said: “I stand against cuts to libraries, and discrimination against any minority. I am Spartacus.”
Amazingly, others stepped forward from the crowd saying: “I am Spartacus,” until it became a roar. Disgraceful behaviour. DCMS is now seriously concerned there may be a repeat of these shameful outbursts among the museums. I have assured them that us national museum directors won’t let that happen.
