Just How Ignorant Is Margaret Hodge?
In her speech to the IPPR this morning, Margaret Hodge said this:
Next year will also see the anniversary of Henry VIII’s accession to the throne. Given some of the less savoury parts of his reign, it’s not an obviously straightforward event to commemorate. But understanding his reign is essential to understanding England. He is an iconic figure, a well-known personality in our history. And whether in separating state and religion, or in instituting English as the common language, or in being the first to clearly define and map our boundaries, a deeper understanding of his reign may help the important debate on England which is emerging.
Emphasis added. Her last contribution to the important debate on England wasn’t such a good one, either.
The reference to “Sir Charles Darwin” is slightly curious, too. His ODNB entry says that “Many thought it shameful that the British establishment signally failed to honour him” with a K, but no doubt Hodge knows better. Unless she was referring to this chap.
Having heard Hodge’s venomous nonsense when she spoke on the anti-student side in a higher ed. debate at the Oxford Union once I was left with the impression, one that hasn’t subsided, that she is an absolute shit.
↓ Quote | Posted 4 March, 2008, 3:08 pmRe: her discussion of the Proms, can anybody answer these questions?
(a) when referring to the Proms, did she mean the Proms or the Last Night of the Proms?
(b) when referring to the Proms, did David Cameron mean the Proms or the Last Night of the Proms?
I really couldn’t tell.
↓ Quote | Posted 4 March, 2008, 4:13 pmMy view: She probably meant the Last Night, and doesn’t really know what the rest of the Proms are. He definitely meant the Last Night, as he said something stupid about how we should wave the Union Jack more often than we do.
↓ Quote | Posted 4 March, 2008, 6:32 pmQuite. The pedant in me also wants to point out that next year will see the anniversary of everything that has ever happened (I know she meant quincentennial).
↓ Quote | Posted 5 March, 2008, 9:24 pm