I am writing the commendation for the late Margaret Simey as one of the names shortlisted in the ECHO's Spirit of Liverpool survey to identify the greatest-ever Scousers. The ultimate tribute must be that her involvement in politics was soley for the benefit of others; unlike many of today's rowdy little pretenders who are there for self-aggrandizement.
Margaret Simey was smart, clever and eloquent. All things lost on a now less wholesome breed of burghers, to whom making a speech is reading from a list or gawping at a cue-card.
And the process of gaining a seat on any local authority is a dubious process by default.
Record low turn-outs by the electorate can result in some very mediocre individuals assuming all sorts of responsibility in the name of democracy.
But, take heart: there is a sort of natural justice. Often today's powers in the land are not even tomorrow's lines in the sand.
- Post to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Nowpublic
Reddit
« Previous | Home | Next »
Elliott wrote...
In terms of the individual work, & influence on others, of anyone native to Liverpool, my preference would be for either Frank Hornby or William Gladstone. One being the continued inspiration for invention, the other for his influence in British politics at the height of empire.
In my mind, close contenders would be Robert Brown Elliott (African-American civil rights politician), Charles Booth (philanthropist) or James Larkin (Irish politician). I'm not so sure about Margaret Simey, even though she was a campaigner for the poor, as she was a Glaswegian by birth.
Though they may not be on my own shortlist - artisans? John Lennon, of course, though Beatlemania may, still, be influencing me, somewhat! Another would be the artist William Rimmer.
Namedrops keep falling...
Posted by: Elliott | February 9, 2007 6:32 PM