Last night I went to the Paddy Power Political Book Awards conceived and organised by @IainDale. Fun, busy, noisy, pacy, business-like and deliciously described here by Andrew Kennedy in a post appropriately titled “Are you important?”, it was a fun evening and a great success.
Inevitably, at an event when the world of books and publishing and the world of politics collided, the aura of “Are you important and worth my attention” hang over the event like early mist over London. I was lucky to have a few good friends (and Kennedy) there and focused on enjoying the evening, the awards and the champagne with only (honest!) a very moderate level of networking! Despite the widespread perceptions there are some real and good people in politics, media and public affairs – once you sidestep the jackals.
Few people move easily between politics and show biz and the members of the two worlds seemed to keep mainly to themselves. The risk of big egos being asked in all innocence “And what do you do?” by members of other worlds possibly turns normally confident people shy and cliquey. There are of course exceptions – Iain Dale and “super-networker” Grant Tucker are equally at home in both worlds and the indiscrete and funny Gyles Brandreth has dual membership.
But all of the above is just to set the scene. So I can brag.
I have worked with grown-ups in politics and business for over 20 years and am generally pretty hard to impress. But last night I was like a kid. Because there was a man there who wasn’t just at home in both worlds but a star in both. I met him and he chatted with me as if I was actually important for 5 minutes – and I am of absolutely no use to him whatsoever.
Introducing Lord Michael Dobbs – author of House of Cards who also worked for Margret Thatcher. A wonderful writer. Who doesn’t take himself too seriously.
Thanks to Grant for taking the photo.
