My date with Jon Gaunt

This evening I shall be in St Albans for An Audience with Jon Gaunt. Sacked by TalkSPORT in November, Jon writes: "I can't wait to get back on stage and tell you what I think about the state of the country and of course TalkSQUAWK!"

He adds: "Lawyers and I are launching a campaign to stop the Tin Pot Hitlers who run social services up and down the country from making up stupid rules on who can foster or adopt - you know, like banning smokers or people who are too fat etc."

No doubt we'll hear more about the campaign tonight. In the meantime I have been warned: "Please be advised the show may contain strong language. Not suitable for under 16s."

An Audience with Ann Widdecombe it's not.

See: Jon Gaunt sacked by TalkSPORT.

Update on Saturday, January 31, 2009 by Simon Clark

"C'mon Gaunty! C'mon Gaunty, my son!" Er, no, that wasn't me. That was the bald bloke three rows back. Then there was Bonny who wouldn't shut up. At first I thought she'd mistaken the event for a hen night. But no, she was a genuine fan. She even recognised one of Gaunty's routines, having heard it before.

Last but not least there was the man himself. "Are you with me?" he roared as I sank deeper into my seat, hoping he wouldn't single me out as he did other members of the audience. I bet he's not like this on Countdown.

Live blogging from Brussels

Dick Puddlecote is writing a rather good live blog of the TICAP/UKIP conference HERE. At its best this is what distinguishes blogging from most - possibly all - other media. It can provide an instant record of current events, including conferences like this which are unlikely to be reported by the mainstream media. Anyone with a laptop or mobile phone can do it, so it's very democratic. It's also strangely addictive ... help!

London calling

I am in London for a Reform Club Media Dinner. Tonight's topic: New Media versus Old Media. Speaker is Iain Dale (left). Afterwards I hope to attend a US election party in Leicester Square. Could be a long night. PS. If you are following the election, Iain is running a US Election Live Webchat on his blog HERE.

Say no to 'no platform'

I look forward to seeing some of you at the Battle of Ideas this weekend. Just to remind you, the End of Festival 'FREE SOCIETY' party is on Sunday at Ognisko (The Polish Club), 55 Exhibition Road, South Kensington. Entry to the party is free, and there will be canapes, complimentary drinks and live jazz. From 7.00pm to late.

One of many subjects to be debated over the weekend is 'Free speech on campus'. This is increasingly under attack but, thankfully, some students and academics are beginning to fight back. See THIS feature on The Free Society website.

Food for thought

In eight days I am taking part in a discussion (at the Battle of Ideas in London) called 'Food & identity: are we what we eat?’ I have now been sent some of the questions we are going to address. They include:

What do our food choices say about us, if anything? Are we defined by what we eat – morally, ethically, culturally, physically? Do we treat food (and other) consumption as a personal/political statement? Are today’s food debates more central to society than they were perhaps in the past? If so, how and why? What’s changed, if anything, in society that means food has such an importance today beyond merely providing us with essential nutrition? What does the future of food look like?

Full details of the session HERE. Any thoughts?

Battle of Ideas/Free Society party

The Battle of Ideas is an annual festival of debate produced by the Institute of Ideas. Launched in 2005, it attracts high-profile speakers discussing topical issues plus subjects that are frequently ignored by the mainstream media.

I was recently asked to describe the event and I came up with the following quote:

“The Battle of Ideas is a breath of fresh air. Freedom of speech is actively encouraged, which is hugely liberating. Audience and speakers are refreshingly candid. Apart from speaking their minds, many of them enjoy a drink. Others like to smoke. This is the real world, not the grey, bland, sanitized world our political masters would like us to inhabit.”

The fourth Battle of Ideas will take place on 1 & 2 November at London's Royal College of Art, and I am delighted to announce that on Sunday 2 November the festival will end with a party hosted by The Free Society with the support of SAB Miller.

Venue for the End of Festival 'Free Society' Party is Ognisko, the famous Polish Club in Exhibition Road, Kensington. The party starts at 7.00pm and there will be canapes, complimentary drinks and live jazz.

We expect 200+ guests so it should be a great evening. Entry is by invitation only but if you drop me a note we'll add you to the guest list.

PS. If you're a smoker The Polish Club is as a good a venue as any. I'll say no more.

The Freedom Zone - Day 2

Tuesday ... Although I didn't get to bed until 4.00am I still managed to crawl into The Freedom Zone shortly after nine. Our first task - following several cups of coffee and a bacon butty - was to hand out more promotional leaflets to conference delegates. Needless to say the Forest/Free Society team of Brian Monteith, Sarah Bland, Neil Rafferty and yours truly had just taken up our positions outside the main conference area when it started to rain. I didn't mind at all. Nor, for the first hour, did Brian or Sarah. Neil, on the other hand, looked a picture of misery. Not a pretty sight.

Shortly before midday we returned to The Freedom Zone for the lunchtime meeting - "Libertarian Paternalism and the Nanny State" organised by The Free Society and Progressive Vision. Chaired by Claire Fox (Institute of Ideas), it featured rather a good panel - Tim Montgomerie (editor, Conservative Home and an influential figure in Conservative circles), Dr Eamonn Butler (director, Adam Smith Institute), Brian Monteith (The Free Society) and Shane Frith (director, Progressive Vision).

Tim was the lone voice in defence of libertarian paternalism (aka "nudging") and without him the meeting would not have worked half as well as it did. Eamonn expressed sympathy for the concept, but doubted that politicians could implement it without going too far. Brian talked of the "bully state" and Shane criticised the extent to which government intrudes into people's lives. A lively discussion, well chaired, in front of an appreciative audience.

With the afternoon session in the hands of The Freedom Association (Chris Monckton, I was told, delivered a withering rebuttal of the "evidence" on climate change), I wandered over to the International Convention Centre where I was being interviewed by CNN. I was very impressed. It's a fantastic venue with superb facilities including Symphony Hall where the main conference was taking place. The ICC is a far cry from the Winter Gardens, Blackpool. It's light, modern, compact. There are meeting rooms galore, plus coffee and other catering outlets. In competition with this, I marvelled that we had managed to entice anyone - let alone hundreds of delegates - to brave the rain and visit The Freedom Zone at Austin Court.

And the best was yet to come because at 5.30 I was back in The Zone for the Forest reception (aka Cigarettes and Civil Liberties) featuring - all the way from London - the Boisdale Blue Rhythm Band. Sadly the rain prevented the band from playing outside, alongside the smokers, but the weather didn't deter 200 or more guests from turning up. At one stage the lounge bar was seriously crowded. Fortunately the rain did stop and the smokers took up residence in the sheltered courtyard (where the 'No Smoking' signs had been covered up for the evening).

Last but not least it was time for Tories Got Talent which I conceived as a political rival to Britain's Got Talent. Contestants were invited to speak for up to three minutes on a topical political issue. (Believe me, three minutes is quite a long time. Next year it's going to be two!) Their contributions were then commented upon by a panel of judges including compere Iain Dale, Nadine Dorries MP and Jonathan Isaby, soon to be co-editor of Conservative Home but currently working for the Daily Telegraph.

To be honest, some people (yes, you, Iain Dale) had their doubts about this event. They thought it wouldn't work. I felt that if we got the right compere, the right judges and enough contestants everything would be fine!! We did and it was. The only problem was that, unexpectedly, too many people (15) wanted to take part with the result that the event over-ran and we had to drop three speakers as the clock ticked on ... and on.

Tories Got Talent was exactly what I hoped it would be - good entertainment allied to some serious political messages. There were two deliberately funny speeches and one inadvertently funny speech as speakers tackled Europe, the Post Office, the smoking ban and so on. Some were better than others (as you would expect) but the judges hit just the right note, offering constructive criticism without being too harsh.

The winner - chosen by the audience from a shortlist of five selected by the judges - was Rupert Matthew, a prospective European parliamentary candidate for the East Midlands, who enacted a brilliant piece of satire on the subject of, what else, Europe.

And that, as they, was that. There were lots of things I would have done differently (and some things I wouldn't have done at all!), but for a first attempt The Freedom Zone was a success. Thanks to those who worked hard to make it happen - notably Simon Richards and Vicky Stephens of The Freedom Association.

Thanks too to everyone who helped out in Birmingham, whether it was handing out flyers, manning stands, meeting and greeting, or crisis management! A long list includes Sarah Bland, Brian Monteith, Kenny Irvine, Josie Appleton, Dolan Cummings, James Panton, Suzy Dean and many more.

Finally, thanks to the staff at Austin Court who were very helpful and extremely professional. I exclude the over zealous member of staff who (allegedly) escorted a couple of smokers from the open courtyard to the car park; stared at them, arms folded, while they smoked their cigarettes; and then produced a broom which he used to brush the ground around them.

The Freedom Zone? We did our best.

Update on Thursday, October 2, 2008 by Simon Clark

Iain Dale writes about Tories Got Talent HERE. Likewise Nadine Dorries HERE (scroll down).

The Freedom Zone - Day 1

Monday ... The Freedom Zone got off to a good start with healthy audiences for "Freedom Beyond the EU" and "An Audience with David Davis". Neither session was full however and the reasons were fairly obvious.

This was the first time the Conservative conference had come to Birmingham and we were all feeling our way around. Although Austin Court is only a few minutes from the International Convention Centre, it takes a little finding first time. Nevertheless, having got there, people seemed to like the facilities (which are first class) and the coffee lounge was a hive of activity for much of the day.

For me, David Davis was a disappointment. Questioned by Iain Dale about his reasons for resigning as shadow home secretary to fight a by-election and whether he now regretted it, Davis maintained that he hadn't lost a moment's sleep over it and he accepted his fate without complaint. Frankly, I didn't believe him. And if you think someone is being economic with the truth, you start to question everything he says. It was a slick performance - but not an engaging one. DD's answers lacked passion. He didn't sound as if he really cared.

To be fair, he gave a good answer as to why he supported an increase from 14 to 28-day detention, for which he has been criticised by some civil rights campaigners. Basically, said Davis, it boiled down to real politik. In order to defeat the government's 90-day proposal, he had to accept a compromise - in this case 28 days - although he now believes that 28 days, like 42 or 90 days, is wrong.

The most entertaining event of the day was "Freedom and the Internet" with Iain Dale, Guido Fawkes, Dizzy Thinks, Devil's Kitchen and Nadine Dorries, Tory MP for Mid Bedfordshire.

It wasn't the day's best attended event - that accolade went (I think) to "Heffer's Half Hour" with the Daily Telegraph's Simon Heffer - but I enjoyed it because it was the one event that attracted plenty of laughs from both audience and panel. The chemistry was good, the session passed very quickly, and the audience was left wanting more (always a good sign).

"Freedom and the Internet" was followed by the second of four Free Society events, this one in association with the Manifesto Club. "You Can't Do That! The Anti-Social Regulation of Public Space" featured James Panton and Suzy Dean of the Manifesto Club, Cllr Brian Coleman of the London Assembly, and me.

There wasn't a large audience but the meeting went well, I thought. It was certainly lively. Credit to Brian Coleman for entering the libertarian lion's den, but I wasn't going to be nice to him just because he had the balls to turn up.

Frankly, his views on smoking ("disgusting habit") were quite offensive. So I suggested he probably has one or two disgusting habits himself. I also made the point that if his views are now representative of the Conservative party, they can kiss my vote goodbye. (And I write as someone who has never voted for anyone other than the Tory party.)

I was a bit shocked, however, by one or two smokers in the audience who said they oppose the smoking ban but support booze bans. They don't get it, do they? A ban on drinking in outdoor public spaces is just as bad as the smoking ban. If people are drunk and disorderly, legislation already exists to deal with it.

As long as it doesn't get out of hand, why shouldn't I be allowed to drink alcohol in the park, with family and friends (or on my own), without committing a criminal offence? Smokers, drinkers, smokers who drink, drinkers who smoke - we all have to stick together and defend one another's interests. You can't pick and choose according to your likes and dislikes.

Heffer's Half Hour with Telegraph columnist Simon Heffer did what it said on the tin. This was followed by two more Freedom Association meetings and the last event of the day, a "political chat show" featuring Claire Fox (Institute of Ideas), Michael White (assistant editor, the Guardian), Mark Littlewood (Progressive Vision), freedom of information campaigner Heather Brooke, Brian Monteith (The Free Society) and Neil Rafferty (The Daily Mash).

There was plenty of good discussion but the format didn't work as well as I'd hoped. My fault. I'd intended to have some live music to add a touch of light entertainment (think Parky or Jonathan Ross), but that didn't happen. (The stage wasn't big enough for a band as well as guests, and it would have been impossible to organise a sound check etc. Another time, perhaps.) A bigger audience would have helped but hindsight tells me that come 8.00pm at party conference most people want to be in a bar or consuming free drinks at one of the many receptions that are taking place.

And so, shortly after 9.00pm, we staggered across the finishing line, decamped to the pub, and on to a very nice Thai restaurant. Six hours later my head finally hit the pillow.

Update on Thursday, October 2, 2008 by Simon Clark

Dizzy writes about the David Davis meeting HERE. As does Devil's Kitchen HERE.

Open for business

6.00am The Freedom Zone opens in a couple of hours with the first event at 10.00pm. Before that I have to do a couple of interviews on BBC local radio about graphic images. I don't have access to a landline in my hotel room, my mobile has run out of juice, so I shall have to do the interviews in my car (which is half a mile from the hotel in a public car park) with the mobile plugged into the cigarette lighter. Glamorous, eh?

I got up early to write a (short) speech for this afternoon's Manifesto Club/Free Society meeting, "You Can't Do That! The Anti-Social Regulation of Public Space". Needless to say I'll be talking about the smoking ban and proposals to extend the ban to public parks and town centres. I'll talk about the social and economic impact of these regulations and the pettiness of what passes for public policy these days.

PS. Iain Dale writes on his blog: "Anyone in Birmingham, don't forget the Freedom Zone fringe at 12.30pm where I'll be interviewing David Davis, followed at 2.30 by the blogging fringe with Guido, Nadine, Dizzy and the Devil. I don't drink, but if you see me in a bar later on tomorrow afternoon you'll understand why I might need a double vodka ..."

Taking Liberties - Live!

Taking Liberties Live! is one of four Free Society events taking place at The Freedom Zone.

Presented by Claire Fox, director of the Institute of Ideas and a regular panellist on Radio 4's The Moral Maze, guests currently include Michael White, assistant editor of the Guardian, freedom of information campaigner Heather Brooke and author of Your Right To Know, and Mark Littlewood, chairman of Progressive Vision and Lib Dem head of media, 2004-1007. More guests will be announced shortly.

I am, ahem, the producer of the "show" so I may give myself a walk on part. Watch this space.

On with the show

Manchester is gone, forgotten. Next stop Birmingham and the Conservative party conference. Between now and Monday, when The Freedom Zone opens its doors, it's all hands to the pump.

We still need speakers for one or two meetings and there's a long list of other things that need doing. Not least, we need what Margaret Thatcher famously called the "oxygen of publicity". Come Monday we want as many people as possible to know about The Freedom Zone, the programme of events, and the 40+ speakers. So here's what we're going to do:

• On Sunday 2500 flyers will be distributed to party conference delegates in the official delegate pack.

• On Monday and Tuesday a further 2500 programmes will be distributed to delegates inside and outside the secure area.

• The Freedom Zone will be advertised in the conference issue of Total Politics magazine - and banner ads are already appearing on leading blogs such as Guido Fawkes and Iain Dale's Diary.

• Last but not least, we're publicising the event on various social networks.
  
  I can't promise that The Freedom Zone will be a success - but we're giving it our best shot. Final programme of events HERE. Anything you can do to help would be greatly appreciated.

How to win back the smokers' vote

I have just arrived in Manchester, having set off for the Labour conference at 6.00 this morning. Fortunately my pass arrived on Saturday. My colleague Brian Monteith has not been so lucky, so he will no doubt spend a couple of hours in a queue at the Premier Travel Inn (!) waiting for a replacement.

Tomorrow's Forest/Free Society meeting promises to be an intimate affair. In previous years, even with the likes of David Hockney, Joe Jackson and Mirror columnist Sue Carroll as guest speakers, we have always struggled to attract large numbers of Labour delegates. Last year we pulled in about a hundred (including some building workers from across the road), but that was only by offering gallons of free champagne. (In my experience, champagne socialists live up to their name.)

This year's meeting is going to be a model of sobriety. It's called "Labour: how to win back the smokers' vote". I have my own ideas, but if you have any suggestions I'll see if I can include some of them in my speech.

More songs for swinging smokers

The Boisdale Blue Rhythm Band will provide the live music for the Forest/Free Spirits reception Cigarettes and Civil Liberties on Tuesday 30th September. Weather permitting, the band will join the smokers outside and play in the attractive open air courtyard.

This is not the first time the band has supported Forest at party conference. They played at Politics and Prohibition, a themed reception at the Conservative conference in Bournemouth in 2006. Since then they have played at a number of Forest events, including Revolt In Style at the Savoy Hotel in London in June 2007.

Last year the band also recorded a Forest/Boisdale CD, You Can't Do That! Songs For Swinging Smokers.

Volunteers wanted

We need help to promote The Freedom Zone at the Conservative party conference (see below). If you are coming to Birmingham and are available to hand out flyers etc please contact the office on 01223 370091 or email Sarah at contact@forestonline.org.

The Freedom Zone

The Freedom Zone, the two-day mini-conference being organised by Forest, The Free Society and The Freedom Association at the Conservative conference in Birmingham, is just ten days away, and yesterday I met up with Simon Richards, director of The Freedom Association, at Austin Court (the venue, above) to check that everything is going to plan.

The programme has been approved. Speakers and special guests are largely in place, so yesterday was mostly about the detail. Hand-held or lapel mikes? Folding seats or comfortable armchairs? Live or recorded music? Canapes or sandwiches? Champagne or sparkling wine?

The Freedom Zone is a big challenge - 16 meetings in two days. Five of them are Forest/Free Society events, and I'm responsible for two more - An Audience with David Davis MP (presented by Iain Dale), and Tories Got Talent (a political talent show that could be a work of genius or a complete disaster!).

Apart from the former shadow home secretary, the 40+ speakers include a mixture of MPs, MEPs, think tank and other political campaigners, plus leading commentators such as Michael White (assistant editor, the Guardian) and Simon Heffer (Daily Telegraph).

The Freedom Zone is outside the secure area and is open to everyone, regardless of whether you are attending the main conference. We are providing complimentary tea and coffee, all day, and there will be a cash bar from 6.00pm. All this plus complementary newspapers and widescreen TV in the canal-side coffee lounge.

If you are a member of Facebook you can join our Campaign for a Free Society group HERE. This in turn links to our Freedom Zone page HERE.

For the latest news come back here or check The Freedom Zone website which we will update every day next week.