Democracy Down the Drain?
With Martin Bell & Stuart Wilks-Heeg
Date: 27th January 2010 at the Bluecoat
The ‘Rebel Rants’ kick off with Martin Bell, famed war correspondent, anti sleaze campaigner and former independent MP, talking about his latest book – A very British Revolution: the Expenses Scandal and how to save our democracy. With the coming general election, after four years in which MPs of all parties have been stuck in the mire of sleaze and corruption, this Rebel Rant asks the question – Will there ever be a Parliament for the people?
Martin Bell’s 30 years reporting from 80 countries and covering 11 conflicts made him one of the most respected journalists of his generation. His uncompromising style won him the Royal Television Society’s Reporter of the Year award in 1977 and 1993. In anger at the state of politics he stood as an independent and stole the show in the 2001 election campaign with his anti-sleaze battle against Conservative MP Neil Hamilton. He is currently an ambassador for UNICEF and is an outspoken critic of the state of journalism and politics today.
Martin will be joined by Stuart Wilks-Heeg, lecturer at the School of Social Policy at University of Liverpool. Stuart has conducted extensive research into the state of local democracy and is a recognised specialist in local government studies. His 2007 study ‘Purity of Elections in the UK’ revealed significant deficiencies in the UK’s electoral system. We are delighted to be presenting this event in partnership with News from Nowhere.
The event will be BSL signed and the venue is fully accessible.
Democracy Down the Drain?
With Martin Bell & Stuart Wilks-Heeg
The Bluecoat
Date: 27th January 2010
Time: 7pm
Cost £8/£5 concessions.
Tickets available from the Bluecoat box-office:
Tel: 0151 702 5324. Online: visit www.writingonthewall.org.uk