Exclusive: Andrew Neil to speak out
Tuesday, May 22, 2007 
I am delighted to report that broadcaster and publisher Andrew Neil (above) has been confirmed as the principal guest speaker at a special event to mark the introduction of the public smoking ban. ‘Revolt In Style: A Freedom Dinner’, is being organised by Forest in association with Boisdale.
An "enthusiastic" cigar smoker, Andrew Neil has been UK editor of the Economist, editor of the Sunday Times, executive chairman of Sky Television and executive editor of Fox Television News of America. He is currently chief executive of the Spectator and presents both The Daily Politics on BBC Two and This Week on BBC One.
This historic occasion – possibly the last opportunity for you to eat, drink and smoke at a major indoor public event anywhere in the UK – takes place at The Savoy Hotel in London on Monday 25th June. Full details, including how to book tickets, will be published on the Forest website later this week. For advance information (exclusive to readers of this blog!) email revolt@forestonline.org.
Events
Reader Comments (7)
Nice one! Hope you can get him some good publicity.
What a pity he doesn't make a decent programme on the subject too!
I wish you well, but I think The Savoy might be a bit too pricey for an FLT driver! and I might lower the tone with a few choice swear words.
the goverment will soon be trying to give us a liecence to breathe.down with the ban on smoking i wont be giving up
its time that everbody revolted against the goverment on the ban on smoking, i have no intentions of giving up,why do we have to be like america or scotland or Ireland
Anne, I think that Scotland, Wales and Ireland are used as 'test beds' before a controversial law or policy is launched in England. Reason being... England has so many more people who might revolt.
Populations figs from 2001 census):
Northern Ireland 1.68 million
Wales 2.9 million
Scotland: 5.06 million
England: 49.1 million
Let's hope a good portion of that 49.1 million *does* see sense and revolt.
Revisiting that point - does anyone know if England's population is the largest so far to be hit by a ban in one fell swoop?
Actually Poppy, I think you are absolutely correct re: test beds and that is what I have thought for a very long period of time. You mention that in the 2001 census England had approx. 49.1 million inhabitants. That was about 6 years ago. England is now one of the most densely populated countries in Europe (I believe the Netherlands is more densely populated per square kilometer). Unlike other more densely-populated countries, we have specially trained enforcement officers and stringent fines in place and millions of lovely red and white stickers appearing everywhere to remind us that we should behave ourselves. I don't think that I need to elaborate - I believe you are all intelligent enough to work out the consequences for yourselves!