[Maude with number one liability Sir Keith Joseph…]
Socialist Press1980 1980-10-15Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 4 →
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Maude with number one liability Sir Keith Joseph After the Lord Mayor's show-the dustcart of the Tory Party conference.
Half arrogant, half frightened, the representatives of the bourgeoisie gathered behind the army of police at Brighton to drive away their doubts and fears with rallying speeches and jingoistic songs.
The press had wiped the froth and blood of Blackpool from their typewriters and sat down to interpret the bland facade of agreement that was served up at Brighton.
Their difficulties were considerable. The conference is more difficult to interpret than developments within the Politburo. Who sits next to whom? Who joined in the applause? How long did the standing ovation last? These are the kind of questions which the political commentators needed to ask.
A stopwatch, a clapometer and a sharp eye for facial expressions are the vital tools of this trade-rather like a glorified version of a television talent show.
Thatcher's impact on the conference was measured by the length of the standing ovation (6½ minutes-a marked decline on last year when Thatcher was unveiled with the same pomp and ceremony as the Metro is getting this year).
Controversy is measured only by the size of majorities.
The Tories immigration policy for example was approved 'only by a 75% majority-a marked decline on the routine 95% majorities on other issues.
Even the most loyal and servile hacks find it hard to convert such warmed over sycophancy into stirring copy.
One delegate calling for the sacking of Joseph and the return of Heath; two Right to Work demonstrators challenging the conference-such were the incidents around which they had to build.
Despite the fulsome praise heaped This Sady, 5x press and Mail turning' is not after all much of a joke) there were distinct signs of nervousness therefore in the coverage of the conference, which itself was a reflection of the nervousness of the Tories themselves.
Television
Of course it is possible to try to take the Tory conterence neat, by watching it on television.
This is not advisable for those of a nervous disposition and on no account should be attempted without careful trainA special by John List reserve.