Ian H
Legendary Member
It was the pursuit of love in a cold climate.
Normal Island
- Thread starter theclaud
- Start date
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It was the pursuit of love in a cold climate.
AuroraSaab
Shaman
I think it was Stephen Fry who told a story of meeting Unity Mitford long after the war - can't remember if it was him who met her or someone else - and she was still enamoured of AH, saying 'You never met him did you? He was very funny and had very striking blue eyes' or something similar. The intellectual and aristocratic classes have always had weak spots about despots and enigmatic leaders; I don't think it's just a British thing.
Rusty Nails
Country Member
She died in 1948 and had been brain damaged for years so it wasn't her. Probably one of the other sisters.
Ian H
Legendary Member
That would be Diana, the fascist one. She married Oswald Mosely.
AuroraSaab
Shaman
Might have been Diana actually. It was on QI. Can't imagine what the question was that would have prompted the anecdote. Maybe it was 'H' week.
matticus
Guru
Looks like it was D for Diana Mosley (born Mitford). I think:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NSNcaw-IEc
matticus
Guru
Farage family in the papers again:
https://archive.ph/20250124171213/h...-nephew-joseph-convicted-upskirting-dzqqx3dqq
https://archive.ph/20250124171213/h...-nephew-joseph-convicted-upskirting-dzqqx3dqq
Ian H
Legendary Member
‘My last encounter with the librarian [Larkin] occurred outside the university at the bus stop waiting for the 24. It began to rain stair-rods. Larkin put up his umbrella. Seeking shelter, and being much smaller, I edged towards him. There were only the two of us there. He looked at me. I smiled and said: “I did enjoy The North Ship.” He stared down at me and said: “If you think you’re sharing my umbrella you’ve got another think coming.” And with that he pressed the catch on his umbrella so that it folded down closer around his head.’
– Neville Smith, in a letter to the LRB
– Neville Smith, in a letter to the LRB
The Crofted Crest
Active Member
What an utter twat.
BoldonLad
Old man on a bike. Not a member of a clique.
- Location
- South Tyneside
True, but, we already knew that 🙂
Beebo
Guru
He’s not wrong about the attitudes towards Trump changing. Just look at all the tech companies suddenly coming in to line.
Sadly there does have to be an element of kissing the ring involved with being a diplomat.
I suspect that Mandelson is more circumspect behind closed doors.
AuroraSaab
Shaman
His appointment is cronyism. Mandelson is 71. He's got the job as a reward or because he knows where the bodies are buried. Hard to believe there weren't more suitable people to appoint.
icowden
Squire
He was a fairly ruthless and savvy spin doctor. He's fairly clever and very oily. I'd have thought he was an ideal diplomat for the USA. He will be well placed to massage Trump's ego in the correct way to get the results that the PM wants.
BoldonLad
Old man on a bike. Not a member of a clique.
- Location
- South Tyneside
Is that a euphemism, and, will he be doing it before or after kissing his ring?
Rusty Nails
Country Member
There are always more suitable people to appoint, but few will have the level of smarm and cunning that is essential to stay in Trump's good books.
A strong moral compass would be a disadvantage in an ambassador while he is President.
British governments depend on cronyism.
He is seven years younger than Trump.
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