Dear Harold,
It's the time of year again when I start nagging people about the highest
point in the English political calendar. I refer, of course, to the annual
conference of the Libertarian Alliance. This will take place over the
weekend of the 30th and 31st October, and, as ever, will be in the
National Liberal Club in London. Our speakers involve representatives of
all three parties. There will Be Steve Baker, the most outspokenly
libertarian of the new Tory MPs. You may recall that he has recently
introduced a Bill into Parliament that would strip banks of their right to
create money. There will be Jock Coats, a prominent Liberal Democrat and
geo-mutualist libertarian. There will be Peter Tatchell. Yes - I know he
isn't nowadays a member of the Labour Party. But he's a brave and
interesting leftie. And there will be so many more.
Go here to see the brochure and electronic booking form:
Do bear in mind that we usually run out of places in the last week before
the conference. If you want to be sure of a place, do book soon. Do also
tell us of any dietary requirements. The usual joke I make on these
occasions is to promise a main course of shellfish wrapped in bacon and
cooked in port, and served with a helping of pure gluten. If you book, or
have booked, and you don't tell me you want the veggie alternative, you
will get something decidedly non
kosher/halal/Mormon-friendly/gluten-free/low calory. You have now been
warned.
My next point it to remind you of our £1,000 essay prize. Look here for
the details, and do feel free - indeed, beseeched - to blog them:
One amendment I would make to the rules is that you don't need to send me
a hard copy. I have been told that this would be an unfair restriction on
entrants from outside England. Therefore, entrants from anywhere in the
universe are welcome to send me hard copies as well, but electronic
submission will do.
Finally, I can tell you that my dear friend, Richard Blake, the
critically-acclaimed and internationally best-selling novelist, has now
been translated into Italian, Greek, Spanish, Hungarian, Slovak and
Chinese. His "Sword of Damascus", which is all about Islam and weapons of
mass-destruction, will come out in 2011. His "Churchill Memorandum", which
is a thriller set in a 1959 where the Second World War hadn't happened,
will come out just as soon as he can find a publisher. Mr Blake may put in
appearance at the conference, and will be happy to sign copies of his
novels.
Best regards,
Sean
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