As regular readers of this blog will know, my wife Mary is chairman of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Addenbrooke's). Once a month she has a Leadership Forum, when she invites people who have proved themselves to be leaders to give a lecture to the surgeons, doctors, nurses and ancilliary staff. Past speakers have included Senator Bill Bradley, Ben Page, and Professor Arnoud De Meyer.
This month's speaker was the former Prime Minister, Sir John Major. John's speech roamed over a wide range of topics, as he told us he now spends 6 months of his life abroad so he has an overall view of world problems. When it came to questions, he handled them with such authority and more important, he was so relaxed, that one felt he was better qualified now to be Prime Minister. It made me wonder how many of our older politicians are put out to grass too early. Do, for example, the Labour Party wish they still had Tony Blair as their leader? Though I must confess that one of John's repeated themes was, "I don't miss politics," and rubbed it home by adding, "Can anyone name a world leader who people think is doing a good job?" Fascinating stuff.
This month's speaker was the former Prime Minister, Sir John Major. John's speech roamed over a wide range of topics, as he told us he now spends 6 months of his life abroad so he has an overall view of world problems. When it came to questions, he handled them with such authority and more important, he was so relaxed, that one felt he was better qualified now to be Prime Minister. It made me wonder how many of our older politicians are put out to grass too early. Do, for example, the Labour Party wish they still had Tony Blair as their leader? Though I must confess that one of John's repeated themes was, "I don't miss politics," and rubbed it home by adding, "Can anyone name a world leader who people think is doing a good job?" Fascinating stuff.
5 Comments:
Dear Lord Archer
Good day. You had written "the prodigal daughter" as a sequel to "kane and abel" and it was great. I was wondering why you dont do more sequels, and would especially like to read a sequel to your first book, "not a penny more, not a penny less" , they say you can never forget your first love, or in your case, you should never forget your first book, especially the book which set you off as a great writer and made so many readers happy...just my two cents....looking forward to reading more of your books...cheers...Sachal Lakhwani (essel1@yahoo.com) Pakistan
On the note of political leaders, do you follow the American election with all its smoke & mirrors political double speak and "we'll do it this way" rhetoric? Here in Canada we are also in full campaign mode trying to decide between the same three dead horses from last election, a new "green" party,(formally focused on the legalization of Marijuana now they're environmentally conscious) and a Quebec Separatist party. Truly: Where have all the great leaders gone?
Kevin
Interview Request
Hello Dear and Respected Mr. Archer,
I hope you are fine and carrying on the great work you have been doing for the Internet surfers. I am Ghazala Khan from The Pakistani Spectator (TPS), We at TPS throw a candid look on everything happening in and for Pakistan in the world. We are trying to contribute our humble share in the webosphere. Our aim is to foster peace, progress and harmony with passion.
We at TPS are carrying out a new series of interviews with the notable passionate bloggers, writers, and webmasters. In that regard, we would like to interview you as a blogger, if you don't mind. Please send us your approval for your interview at my email address "ghazala.khi at gmail.com", so that I could send you the Interview questions. We would be extremely grateful.
regards.
Ghazala Khan
The Pakistani Spectator
http://www.pakspectator.com
John major was given a very hard time when PM, But ask people who they would prefere now.
No, I doubt the Labour Party would want TB back.
I think the thing about big power is that it breaks or makes people.
John Major was the start of a line of UK leaders who couldn't rise to the job. Gordon Brown is a continuation of this. These kind of 'leaders' give all the signs of promise, but can't quite manage the shift or personal development that big power enables. But in other waters their talents can develop. Small fish can do great things in small ponds.
The thing about understanding leadership is that it isn't always a transferable skill, in the sense of a blank cheque. The British Party system has lost its collective skill in choosing good leaders, as much as the system doesn't seem to attract good candidates for political leadership.
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