Andrew Rawnsley to discuss 'the End of the Party' at Bath Literature Festival

25 February 2010

Gordon Brown can't hide for a moment from the glare of publicity since the media launch of Andrew Rawnsley's book, 'the end of the Party'. A storm of controversy has been created about his character and temperament, and if indeed this is unacceptable or perhaps evens a pre-requisite of a statesman and leader of the nation, and the book hasn't even gone on sale yet. However Andrew Rawnsley has had the opportunity that most ordinary authors would undoubtedly die for. As chief political commentator for the Guardian, he has had been in the enviable position to promote his writing through a serialisation of the book.

Mr Rawnsley will be appearing next week at the Bath Literature Festival, where he will be joining a panel which includes: Peter Hitchin's, Anne McElvoy, and James Crabtree in a debate to discuss, 'Does the General Election still Matter'? The purpose of the discussion is to try to get to the heart of understanding if it really makes any difference which party, or leader (most vote for people and not policies these days) gets in power after the general election. The scandal of MP's expenses and the Iraq war; the constant battling for the centre ground of politics; and the shift in general attitudes towards consensus building to develop policies, rather than to Punch and Judy performances we have grown accustomed to at Prime Ministers question time, the panellists will be asking the question: does it really make any difference who wins? Perhaps it is time for our politicians to come of age, and look to more modern ways of doing business, as is witnessed in International Politics, where consensus building is essential to doing business.

This is indeed a very important debate. Yesterday, Nigel Farage of UKIP purported to represent Britain at the European Parliament, where he blasted the President, Vom Rompuy, as a 'low grade bank clerk' from a 'non-country'. This ill-deserved, pompously arrogant, unprovoked attack was probably aimed to develop support back home, but it is embarrassing to British citizens because it suggests we are vulgar, confrontational, arrogant louts, without ideas and respect for the views of others. Let us hope for a debate from Bath that looks at the heart of British politics, and asks how we can empower citizenship and re-invigorate democracy and policy, rather than this pit bull approach of democracy we have become accustomed to and almost forces us into becoming an ambivalent, disillusioned and disheartened public. Is it time for a public fight back and a return to democratic government, or does the election really not make any difference any more. Remember 'evil prospers when good men do nothing' (John Philpot-Curran).

Andrew Rawnsley will appear on Tuesday 02 March, 2010, 1pm – 2pm, Guildhall, Bath. Tickets are available from Bath Festival Ticket office, priced £7. Tel:  01225 463362

The End of the Party, by Andrew Rawnsley is available to pre-order. Why not check out the cheapest price, in real time, which today is reduced from £25.00 to £14.99 from Play.com