Around the World in a Day!

Yesterday I was away from Milton Keynes for most of the day, leaving on the overcrowded 06-23 Virgin to Euston; and returning late in the evening.

I attended a meeting hosted by the British Library on campaigning in the 2012 US Presidential Election – then attended a European Citizens’ Dialogue at the Royal Institution – and finally headed to Parliament for a meeting about the First World War! The range of my interests in a day! (US; UK and the EU).

The first meeting allowed for an exchange of views about techniques in US campaigning – which has a real relevance this side of the pond since such ideas often cross the Atlantic. (I spent some of the last US elections campaigning in Virginia – some, but not ideas [some would breach UK electoral law!!! – when the polls closed, to encourage people to stay in the queue to vote – food and drink was given to voters – in Milton Keynes that would involve committing the electoral offence of “treating”!]) One theme was that we should not be blinded by the technology – it merely allows for more effective campaigning of the type that has existed since mass democracy arrived. It is still a matter of contacting voters – particularly those who are sympathetic to your views – and getting them out to vote.

The European Citizens’ Dialogue was an event for the public. Citizens were able to put questions and ideas to and receive answers from a Commissioner, Viviane Reding, and a UK Government Minister, David Lidington, the Minister for Europe. There was a useful exchange of views. A video and further information is due (at the time of writing this post on 11th February 06-13am) to be available here.

The parliamentary meeting was put on by the British Council to launch its report “Remember the World as well as the War” – about the First World War. It was a fascinating meeting, with speakers describing the research around the world about peoples’ knowledge and views of the significance of that conflict. The report is well worth reading, and I learnt a lot. It is available at http://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/britishcouncil.uk2/files/remember-the-world-as-well-as-the-war-report.pdf .

The Elections in the US

Although I live (and work at home for most of the time) in Furzton, Milton Keynes – my interests are spread widely. In geographic terms that includes France – but, especially, the USA. I am currently in the final stages of completing my Ph.D. which focuses on the workings of the British Parliament and the US Congress.

For the last two Presidential Elections I have commentated for BBC Radio Northampton (and occasionally for BBC Three Counties) on the progress of the campaigns. Last week I did a live interview (from my home here in Furzton) with my friend Bob Carr (a former Congressman – who has visited Milton Keynes) who was speaking from his home in Washington DC (it was 03-25am for him!).