Kishwar Desai | Women liven up UK poll debates... A lit fest boycott to save the earth?

As we race towards Election Day in the UK, it is the TV debates which are dominating the media. Prime Minister Sunak was the first to demand at least six debates with the leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer — one per week. However, to be honest there was barely any enthusiasm among viewers as neither Mr Sunak nor Mr Starmer are likely to set the Thames on fire. But even though they tried to give us an ill-tempered first debate to add some excitement to the fray, it is unlikely to skew the outcome either way. Honestly, after “boisterous” Boris and “lettuce” Lizzie we are longing for a non-thrilling Prime Minister who just does his work. Mr Sunak could have continued — but then he surprised everyone by calling an early election. So now it is actually the debates with the “others” which are garnering eyeballs — and include some rather interesting women — the finance minister hopeful Rachel Reeves, the hopeful for Deputy PM Angela Rayner and the ever-hopeful replacement for Rishi Sunak, Penny Mordaunt. And then also the hopeful right winger Nigel Farage who is tired of being just a celebrity and wishes to be a politician again. This lot is a motley assortment — it is like watching the Eurovision contest without the tedious singing and dancing.

One of the abiding political topics over the last few years has been Brexit — the UK leaving the European Union. But because so much has happened — it is the little things that really count especially where trade is concerned — for instance, strawberries!

Let us remember that the UK —when trading with neighbouring countries across the channel — has to obey the strict rules imposed in other European countries. British strawberry growers have faced the problem for some years now. So now they have found a way around it. The locals like their strawberries large, red and sweet. But the market now for British strawberries has opened up in Japan miles away, so the British strawberry growers have adapted themselves to Japanese tastes who like small pale strawberries that can be used to adorn cakes. Small strawberries travel more easily — so off to Japan go these sweet small strawberries. Hmmm… that’s the new shape and taste of Brexit.

Meanwhile… Shakespeare goes on providing business to the West End century after century. Of course, producers are free to let their imagination run riot. Thus at the Globe Theatre we have a new look Richard the Third. This story of a cruel king (with a hunchback) is a challenge as Shakespeare has packed a lot of English history into the play. Michelle Terry who is the creator of this latest reincarnation has decided to stage it with an all-female cast .The physical deformity of Richard (we are told) is all in his masculinity — and not necessarily visible. It is attracting a lot of attention, even though the Bard is re-interpreted over and over and over…

What is the connection with Taylor Swift and London? Or maybe the UK ? Her popularity graph keeps rising here and one of the reasons could be that, as per the gossip columns, she has had a line of British boyfriends since 2012. Her love affair with the UK is reflected in the towns she performs in as they link themselves with her — recently “Beatle” Liverpool rebranded itself (albeit temporarily ) as Taylor Town, and when in 2015 she said she has Scottish ancestry — the sponsors of the show changed their tag line from Scottish Gas to Scottish Lass. Later it was revealed that her great-grandfather Lance G. Findlay had Scottish and South African ancestors — though he lived in London. 

And now with her latest sold out show in Edinburgh this weekend she is charging ahead of Madonna without resorting to conical bras and other stunts. Among the richest star performers today — Taylor Swift is also one of the few not afraid of mixing politics with music, especially in the US where she has not kept her priorities hidden — just like she has worn her heart on her sleeve for the very special city of London.

And here we go again with the cancel culture. An organisation called Fossil Free Books is insisting that Baillie Gifford (an investment firm that invests in fossil fuels) pull out of all the festivals it supports. The Hay Festival and the Edinburgh international book festival decided that they would reject its sponsorship. These are all noble intentions — but then oddly enough, we are all, as authors, happy to use paper to publish our books which is made from pulping trees. And when we travel for literature festivals we are constantly adding to our carbon footprint. Everything we do — the food we eat, the clothes we wear — makes the world a poorer place. Yes, we must take a stand and shine a light — but each time we must hold ourselves accountable as well. 

And let’s not forget, that there is a Baillie Gifford literary prize, too!

So to remain sane we all need to visit the upcoming exhibition on Barbie at the Design Museum. As per the publicity, “Highlights include a rare first edition of the very first doll released by Mattel in 1959 (‘Number 1 Barbie’), the groundbreaking Day to Night Barbie from 1985 and the best-selling Barbie of all time, 1992’s Totally Hair Barbie which sold over 10 million across the globe.” For intellectual stimulation during election season, it sounds perfect!