WHEN Julian Pitts asked me to host an Election Breakfast that Begbies Traynor were holding the morning after the vote, I initially wondered whether we would have much to talk about.
Several weeks out from the election, even several hours from it, all the pollsters and media and even politicians were predicting a hung parliament.
So what would I talk about to the gathered throng in the smart offices of Begbies’ property firm Eddisons in Leeds?
“I’m sure if there isn’t a clear cut decision in the election you can always sing a song or tell a few jokes,” said Julian helpfully, when we met to discuss plans for the event.
Thankfully for me, and definitely for the audience of bankers, funders, lawyers and restructuring experts, the surprise Tory majority predicted by the exit polls was beginning to become a reality.
Which led to a standing room only audience to watch the results coming in before I kicked off proceedings at 8.30am.
I had promised our new events business, COPA, would deliver “remarkable” experiences, we couldn’t take credit for the shock result last Friday.
Whilst the Lefties I appear to have as friends on Facebook have been slashing their wrists and predicting that the end is nigh since the result was confirmed, it appeared the audience at the Begbies Traynor breakfast was just pleased that one party that had delivered stability to the economy had won an outright majority – and now they could all get on with their business.
The funders and bankers in the room gave an audible sigh of relief, hoping the result would deliver the fair wind that British business needs to continue its recovery from a long and deep recession.
Given the performance of the Scottish National Party, Julian joked that Begbies had its own SNP representative present in the form of his fellow partner Bob Maxwell.
Perhaps it was the early start, but I got a bit carried away thinking of a double act involving Bob and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon having a touch of the Krankies to it.
The writing was on the wall for Labour leader Ed Miliband before the majority of results were in.
Outgoing Bradford MP Gerry Sutcliffe, a former Sports Minister, interviewed on national radio around 5am, was quick to suggest he couldn’t continue at the helm.
And what of the other Ed, Balls?
Well a recount was announced at the count at nearby Leeds Arena.
It soon became clear this was going to be this election’s ‘Portillo moment’ when a high profile and not particularly well-liked politician loses his seat.
When the result was announced for the Morley and Outwood constituency there was a cheer at our event.
The audience’s feelings towards Ed Balls reflect my experiences. I’ve never met a business person that likes him.
Perhaps it is his high handed manner, his bluster. Full of hubris, he has always failed to accept any responsibility for some of the economic failings of the last Labour government, despite him having a senior role in the Treasury.
Andrew MacKenzie, a director at Begbies Traynor, told a story about seeing Balls striding down the aisle of a train to London. Andrew told his son to stand back while Ed and his retinue swept past without even acknowledging them, never mind a thank you.
But he did get his come uppance later on the train journey, said Andrew.
“My son went to the toilet and pressed the button and the door opened with Ed Balls in there – he had forgotten to lock the door!”
I observed that clearly Balls had been caught with his trousers down on at least one occasion before last Friday morning.
:::
KEVIN Pietersen has loomed large over English cricket for several years, often because of his match winning performances, but also because of his outspoken personality.
Bashful he ain’t.
The appointment of former Test captain Andrew Strauss as English cricket’s new director of cricket this week was followed by his firm refusal to countenance the recall of Pietersen to the Test team ahead of the upcoming series against New Zealand and then Australia for the Ashes.
Most people I talk to appear to be in favour of a return to the fold for Pietersen, believing that his undenied talents should be utilised in an under-performing team.
It should be Strauss’ job to manage this big personality, but clearly their history has led to what some people might describe as “issues” between the pair.
I remember Andrew Strauss speaking at the Yorkshire International Business Convention in Harrogate a few years ago, when he was the English cricket captain, fresh from an Ashes triumph.
Strauss came over as an intelligent, engaging individual.
YIBC founder Mike Firth always used to host a dinner for sponsors at Harewood House on the evening of the convention. That featured his key speakers from the day’s proceedings as guests.
I was fortunate to be invited by Lee Collinson of Barclays and we had Andrew Strauss on our table.
My experience of many professional sportsmen is that they are either aloof or arrogant or a combination of the two.
Strauss was neither. He was asked many questions, but I remember him asking his host many questions about the world of banking and finance.
Lee Collinson couldn’t have enjoyed his evening more. Well, only if he had been sat next to the Scunthorpe United captain.
Strauss graduated in economics from Durham University and from the way he handled himself that evening, his future clearly appeared to be in some form of management role, whether in sport or business.
He’s not had the best of starts in his new job but if he can use his skills to navigate these choppy waters then let’s hope he can help deliver a bright future for English cricket.
:::
I LOVE the eccentricity of the British when it comes to elections.
In Uxbridge and Ruislip South, the constituency Mayor of London Boris Johnson won, he was standing against Lord Toby Jug from The Eccentric Party of Great Britain.
In Thanet South where UKIP leader Nigel Farage was standing, he was up against a party called the Al-Zebabist Nation of Ooog, with candidate Zebadiah Abu-Obadiah.
Meanwhile Nick Clegg was not only up against namesake Steve Clegg of the English Democrats in his own constituency in Sheffield, but also Independent candidate Jim “Stop the Fiasco” Wild, who got 97 votes.
Nobody was quite sure what the fiasco was, but most were too scared to ask him.
Have a great weekend.