Larry's Lunchette

Ken Livingstone (KL) was 74 this week and gave an interview to the Observer – ostensibly about his new book, ‘Livingstone’s London: A Celebration of People and Places’ (gentle and uncontroversial). Being ‘Red Ken’ though, the interview gets his political predictions: Britain will stay in the EU; Labour will win a general election; Corbyn will lead the most reforming Labour Govt since 1945. I hope he’s right, but it’s the ‘person’ KL that’s of interest – because I’ve always liked him: gravitas without pomposity – mischievous sense of humour – ready smiles and laughter. In his late 50s, KL remarried and started a second family; is he content to be a house-husband, or does he hanker for the world of former comrades, Corbyn, McDonnell etc.

Asked if he’d finished with politics, KL replies, “Tom and Mia are 15 and 16 – they don’t need me hanging about any more – so I’m going to get much more involved in environmental campaigning – because I’m pessimistic: we’re destroying the planet and I believe there’s a real possibility of extinction by the end of this century”. His use of ‘extinction’ is a surprise. I’ve always managed to believe that the human species is naturally progressing – not that we might self-destruct. But if I’m honest – the falsehoods of Donald Trump and ‘the populists’ have made me appreciate that this civilisation of ours is very lightly based – very precarious; that our addiction to capitalism renders the whole thing unstable. In the words of Pope Francis this week: “future generations stand to inherit a greatly spoiled world.”

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In the interview (above) – Ken Livingstone says, “When I was campaigning against Boris (to be London Mayor), one of the things that amazed me was that he always said what people wanted to hear – whatever the audience”. Unless something unforeseen happens, the next British Prime Minister will be a self-seeking chancer – whom, we all know, speaks in half truths and empty platitudes. Good article in Bloomberg Business Network (American global newsfeed) which suggests that “Britain’s next PM has probably lost Scotland”. Indications that this is a price English Tories are willing to pay to leave the EU.

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For anyone still attuned to Brexit, Paul Mason says that – given British politics swing to the right – an alliance of the left and centre against Brexit is inevitable. The only question remaining is who will lead that alliance and who will own its success. Mason wants it to be the Labour party.

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I feel grateful for Anand Giridharadas’ book, ‘Winners Take All; The Elite Charade of Changing the World’; he and his book have had much more influence than I dared hope. Even on the Forbes website, frequented by rich, white philanthropists – contributor Jeff Raikes accepts the elite need their cage rattled.

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Today, 21^st June, is the summer solstice – when the sun reaches its highest point of the year – the longest day. From reading Scandic Noir, I’m aware that this weekend is one their most important national holidays. For the sheer exuberance of it – I wish we shared this celebration.

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Although I live alone, I’m shocked at the amount of plastic waste my lifestyle generates; this article says that the US dumps 1m tonnes of plastic waste every year, to poor countries overseas; it’s gradually dawning on us all that lifestyle changes are inevitable. In contrast, this is a story of a town in Sweden (Eskilstuna) which is attracting attention for its world-class recycling practices. Sorting your household rubbish into seven different categories may sound like a step too far – but there are pointers in this article to what may be ahead for all of us.

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Telling lies in public life has been ‘normalised’ – matched by erosion of the ‘bond of our polity’. (mutual trust) The highly influential French philosopher, Michel de Montaigne wrote of this in the sixteenth century:

“Our understanding is conducted solely by means of the word; anyone who falsifies it, betrays public society. It is the only tool by which we communicate our wishes and our thoughts. It is our soul’s interpreter; if we lack that, we can no longer hold together; we can no longer know each other. When words deceive us, it breaks all intercourse and loosens the bond of our polity.”

The Scottish SE support eco-system is rightly held up as an example of good practice – reflecting a level of interaction and connection between Govt and the SE community that is not always as evident in other countries. Community Enterprise’s SE Map sought to capture this eco-system – and has now produced an interactive version – that includes a helpful directory and instructions on how to use it. Community Enterprise deserves congratulations on successfully completing a tricky piece of work.

With more ‘hybrid models’ emerging, as part of a broader movement of socially responsible businesses, there is an ongoing debate as to whether or not they should have access to the SE support structure in the same way that social enterprises have. Folk will have their own views on this – but it is worth noting that Scotland Can Do has recently produced a comprehensive guide – the Scottish Entrepreneurial Ecosystem – on the range of support available to entrepreneurs in Scotland – including some of our traditional SE support agencies. Scotland Can Do deserves credit for highlighting the extent of this support.

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