As a token of appreciation to website and email followers of TheAidanProject.org, this bonus edition of The Aidan Project is being made available only via the web site. In this exclusive audio, Aidan is speaking to author, podcast extraordinaire and social media fanatic, Tim Lewis, who hosts the Begin Self-Publishing Podcast. The theme of this conversation is all things London. Tim, a London native, talks about the differences between the ‘City of London’ and ‘London’, before explaining what makes London such an interesting place to live. Tim also gives his verdict on why London’s EU Referendum ‘Remain’ victory was less resounding than may have been expected of such a cosmopolitan city.
In this edition of The Aidan Project, Aidan is joined by Christopher Hale, a distinguished freelance executive producer, producer/director and writer, to discuss the less distinguished elements of the career of Winston Churchill. Yet another Churchill film, Darkest Hour, was released on 12 January 2018 in the United Kingdom. The film begins in May 1940, with Churchill about to take on the role of Prime Minister. Indeed, Churchill’s charismatic resilience has defined the popular interpretation of Britain’s experience of the Second World War. However, there is far more to Churchill than his wartime leadership. Indeed, several chapters of the real Churchill story are deeply unpleasant. The Bengal famine of 1943-44, when two million people died, is such an example. What was Churchill’s attitude towards the people of British India? What type of person was Churchill? Was he a racist even by the standards of his time? These questions, and more, including a discussion on remembering the British Empire, are examined on this episode. We must understand our history, all of it, not just the patriotic triumphs, to become a modern democratic nation. ‘Become a modern democratic nation’, you say? Christopher has numerous documentary credits to his name, for the BBC, Channel 4, Discovery, and National Geographic, amongst other broadcasters. His programs include Why Reading Matters’ for BBC4, ‘The Year the Earth Went Wild for Channel 4, Naked Science: Universe for National Geographic, Oasis of the Golden Mummies for Discovery, Accidents in Space for BBC/Travel Channel, and many more. Christopher’s 2013 book, Massacre in Malaya: Exposing Britain’s My Lai, covers the Malayan Emergency of 1948–1960, which was the longest war waged by British and Commonwealth forces in the twentieth century. Christopher has also written a number of books on wartime Nazi Germany, including Hitler’s Foreign Executioners: Europe’s Dirty Secret.
In this edition of the Aidan Project, Aidan talks about the infamous Gunpowder Plot, Guy Fawkes in popular culture, and the definition of terrorism. In 1605, Catholic dissidents in England attempted to mount an insurrection by first murdering King James I of England and Scotland, along with other notables, in a planned explosion of the Houses of Parliament. Robert Catesby led the audacious scheme to topple the Protestant hierarchy, but it is Fawkes who is most associated with the events of that dramatic 5 November near-miss. Moreover, the subsequent adoption of an abstract idea of Guy Fawkes as somehow playfully representing anarchism and anti-fascism is deeply ironic. The Fawkes mask is a feature of modern popular culture that is far removed from the intention Parliament had when it sought to commemorate the uncovering of the plot with an officially sanctioned annual observance. Parliament desired to remember 5 November as a deliverance from evil, but this message has since been diluted, if not quite altogether lost. In the modern age, ‘Bonfire Night’, ‘Guy Fawkes Night’ or ‘Fireworks Night’ is more notable for theatrical pyrotechnic displays and sickly candy-floss than as a reminder of what would have been an appalling atrocity. Aidan also comments on the definition of ‘terrorism’ in the wake of the Islamist terrorist attack in Lower Manhattan on 31 October.
Remember, remember The Fifth of November The Gunpowder Treason and Plot I know of no reason Why Gunpowder Treason Should ever be forgot Traditional 17th century rhyme
Related tweets
NYC terrorist was happy as he asked to hang ISIS flag in his hospital room. He killed 8 people, badly injured 12. SHOULD GET DEATH PENALTY!
Lewis Call, ‘A is for Anarchy, V is for Vendetta: Images of Guy Fawkes and the Creation of Postmodern Anarchism’, Anarchist Studies, 16, 2, 2008, pp.154-172. Antonia Fraser, Faith and Treason, (New York: Random House, 1997).
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In this edition of the Aidan Project, Aidan is joined by John Ashmore, chief reporter for PoliticsHome, to discuss the latest developments in British politics. Is Theresa May on borrowed time? How relevant is Tony Blair? Plus a look at Grenfell, Brexit, terrorism, Donald Trump potentially visiting the UK, and much more. PoliticsHome describes itself as the most viewed and valued specialist online news source in Parliament. You can find the web site at www.politicshome.com. You can find John on Twitter @smashmorePH.
You can tweet Aidan with your thoughts @theaidanproject. As noted in the podcast, ‘Notes on Mrs. May‘ serves as something of a prequel to this episode.
In this edition of the Aidan Project Podcast, enjoy exclusive, previously unreleased, audio from A.C. Grayling’s Q&A session, following his ‘Fighting for Europe’ speech, held at the University of Suffolk, England, on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. In this podcast, Grayling comments on how good a deal the United Kingdom currently has with Brussels, ‘pusillanimous MP’s’, the lack of knowledge within the UK about the European Union, and more. You can catch the entire A.C. Grayling speech on the episode ‘A.C. Grayling: Brexit Can Be Stopped’.
Strong and stable leadership, indeed. Theresa May can surely not long survive this debacle. The votes have been cast and the results are in. In this edition of the Aidan Project Podcast, Aidan offers his thoughts on the 2017 UK General Election. What does this result mean for the United Kingdom? What happens next? Will Nigel Farage answer the hard-line Brexit distress call and return to frontline politics? Tweet Aidan with your thoughts @theaidanproject.
In this edition of the Aidan Project Podcast, enjoy an exclusive recording from A.C. Grayling’s impassioned ‘Fighting for Europe’ speech, held at the University of Suffolk, England, on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. A.C. Grayling says that Brexit is not a done deal and that it can be stopped, or at the very least, reversed. Grayling also offers his thoughts on the UK General Election, the British press, David Cameron, Theresa May, and much more. Anthony Grayling MA, DPhil (Oxon) FRSL, FRSA is Master of the New College of the Humanities, and a Supernumerary Fellow of St Anne’s College, Oxford. Grayling had previously written that, “When the lies and self-interest and manipulations of the Brexiters have been defeated, the future of the UK will be as in a full partner with its European friends and allies in the EU.” Grayling expands on his case for resistance in this thought-provoking talk. Aidan would like to thank A.C. Grayling (http://acgrayling.com/), the Suffolk EU Alliance (https://www.suffolkeualliance.co.uk/) and the University of Suffolk (https://www.uos.ac.uk/) for allowing this event to be recorded.
