Comment With Barry Speker

As Christmas approached, there was total confusion about what would be a welcome Christmas present. Perhaps some semblance of confidence about the future of the nation was an unrealistic expectation. The possibilities were almost endless - acceptance of Mrs May's deal of a lifetime, rejection of it as the worst of all deals, a 'people's vote' with a variety of options, a pleading return to the EU to tinker with the terms, a Norway Plus, a general election, a TV debate if the broadcasting channel could be agreed, a Tory leadership contest, withdrawal of our Article 50 to leave the EU, a delayed vote and extension of the leaving date to give us more time and uncertainty - for further national flagellation as a path to salvation

With all this heightened debate, we may have feared that the country would be stricken by violent protests in the streets, leavers against remainers, demanding that our elected representatives concentrate on the national interest and progress from party posturing or the pursuit of personal political ambitions. Fortunately there has been no imitation of the French Revolution going on in and around France, with tens of thousands of riot police striving to control hordes of demonstrators.

And what had brought these thousands of protestors onto the streets in the style of 1789, 1830 and 1848? Rising fuel prices plus some amorphous assault on the ruling class. Looking across the Channel at this, the main comment in Britain was about the ‘gilets jaunes’, the luminous yellow vests which have become the uniform as the symbol of rejection of the established order.

Since 2008, all French motorists have been required by law to carry such a high vis vest in their vehicles in case of an accident. Like our old clunk-click campaign, the French Government had Karl Lagerfeld modelling the yellow vest saying ‘It’s yellow, it’s ugly, it doesn’t go with anything, but it might save your life’. At a stroke the angry mob was provided with a uniform to face the water-cannons and tear gas.

It seems this was one law, not(yet) imposed on us by the EU. In the UK the gilet only announces who is the fire alarm monitor in the office.

But then the French have always been ahead of us, even in terms of revolutionary outfits, from sansculottes to bonnets rouges, note the famous Delacroix painting of Marianne, symbol of the French Revolution wearing the red Pharygean or liberty cap.

The gilet shows that it is not just about being revolutionary but about being seen to be revolutionary. In this, the gilet has enabled them to be truly high visibility. And very economical. But not so chic!

The serious risks to health from smoking and drinking as well as the adverse social consequences of alcohol excess, have produced strict legal limitations and dubious warnings such as ‘drink responsibly’. At last there is now to be some effort to control the ills from excessive betting. As President of NECA (North East Council on Addictions), I am well aware of the widespread misery resulting from addiction to gambling.

The reliance of sport upon gambling is not confined to commercial TV channels. With nine out of 20 Premier League Clubs and 17 of 24 in the Championship carrying adverts for betting companies on their shirts, even the BBC becomes an advocate by the visibility of betting advertising. The betting industry through the Remote Gambling Association suggests there are 430,000 ‘problem gamblers’ in Britain (55,000 aged 11 to 16) and a further two million at risk of becoming one.

It is refreshing, and a relief, that the RGA has agreed a voluntary ban on advertising during live sports broadcasts. This may be an end to the gravelly and growling East End voice of Ray Winstone during televised matches urging on line betting – ’10 to 1 on Hazard to score next’ – ‘but bet responsibly!’.

This may be a tactical move by the bookmakers in the knowledge of mounting political pressure against them and their vast profits – the real focus is on uncontrolled social media advertising of betting, and the conduct of it online. Controlling that will be a greater challenge.

The announcement of Fiona Bruce (54) as the replacement for David Dimbleby (80) as the new host of BBC’s Question Time from January was said to be from her impressing the interviewers with her ‘authority, warmth and ability to connect with the audience’. Impressive that the other candidates she beat to the job were Nick Robinson, Kirsty Walk and Victoria Derbyshire.

There may be a Beeb financial saving. Her salary is expected to rise to £550,000 (still rather less than Gary Lineker’s £1.75m) but to the relief of her adoring fans she will continue to present the Antiques Roadshow and Fake or Fortune.

Will those gentle shows prepare her to control the inflated egos and verbosity of the Panel of 5, 6 , 7 politicians, keeping them to the point and making them answer the question, while engaging with many haranguing audience members?

Happy 2019 to all!