As a known aesthete, Recess Monkey happened to be at the launch last night of Museums and Galleries Month, hosted by Loyd Grossman at Apsley House, the home of the Duke of Wellington.
Secretary of State Tessa Jowell delivered a speech carefully crafted to be as unexciting and un-newsworthy as possible - though she managed to wake up the audience of eminent Museum and Gallery directors and curators when congratulating the Bristol Galleries for their celebration of the bicentenary of the Islambad Kindgom.
There was an almost choreographed, collective sharp intake of breath, silence and titter as it dawned upon the throng that she meant Isembard Kingdom Brunel. Mutterings overheard by Recess Monkey included, “She really ought to read her speech in the car on the way over”, and “Sleaze, incompetence and now dyslexia in the Cabinet”.
Tory wag Hugo Swire told Recess Monkey, “As a West Country MP I was amazed to hear of this hitherto undiscovered Kingdom. History text books shall have to be trashed”. Swire added charitably, “We all suffer from these occasional slips - Tessa’s mind was obviously on something else” - though his tone didn’t sound that charitable on reflection.
It is not known why Tessa was befuddled. It could have been the somewhat tense Cabinet Meeting that would have taken up half the day - or else it could have been the imminent loss of her Special Adviser Roger Sharp who’s boarding the gravy train to O2, where he will be Director of Public Affairs.
editor[at]recessmonkey.com
Loading ...
Apsley House the home of the Duke of Wellington…Well if hes in he may be a bit mouldy
Also it is Islambad Kindom’s bi centernery That little knone Mid 19th century Pursian slug juggler that Tessa was talking about
Howler Monkey said this on April 28th, 2006 at 11:29 am
Tends to suggest that New Labour’s obsession with the Muslim vote has even managed to penetrate Tessa, which I guess is better than being penetrated by Prezza.
matt said this on April 28th, 2006 at 12:42 pm
I can think of worse ..JM and EC For a start
Howler Monkey said this on April 28th, 2006 at 1:07 pm
Is there going to be Chishtiwatch 2 soon
Martinez said this on April 29th, 2006 at 8:40 am