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| Guardian Unlimited: Who Are Westminster's Top 10 Groovers? |
| Tuesday, 24 April 2001 |
Ben Stafford
Think of DJs, environmental protestors and pot smokers and the House of Commons is probably not the setting that springs to mind. Nor would one expect members to concern themselves with Mixmag, the dance music and clubbing magazine, which has just published a top ten list of Westminster's leading movers and groovers.
Mo Mowlam, Tony Banks and Conservative party chief executive, David Rizla Prior are included in the list, which also recognises politicians for their interest in issues relating to the club scene such as soft-drug use, environmental issues, or simply for being a bit of a live wire.
While clubs such as Fabric or Cream are more naturally the venue for younger professionals, former club-scene regulars such as Labour backbencher and erstwhile DJ Oona King have, unusually, been rewarded for their outside interests. Miss King was also involved in promoting a Brussels club during her time as assistant to MEP Glenys Kinnock in the early 1990s.
Shaun Collins, Green party candidate for Vauxhall, runs in at number three following his involvement in the Clapham Common cannabis carnival. Collins became something of a dance culture martyr after a court appearance in December 1999, when he was charged with permitting dancing and amplified music during the May Day carnival.
Further down the list, Tony Banks is included for his repeated calls for the decriminalisation of cannabis and campaigns for animal welfare. Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy is the youngest entrant at 28 and appears to have done his yoof credibility no harm with an appearance on Tim Westwood s Radio 1 show.
Fox hunting opponent and Liberal Democrat environmentalist Simon Hughes is also included, though his activities during the 1970s when he followed rock band Iron Maiden around the UK were no doubt appreciated rather less. Labour s Dr Phyllis Starkey, whose Door Supervisors Bill required nightclub bouncers to enter into a national register, comes in at number six.
Mo Mowlam is congratulated as the first senior politician to come clean about her use of cannabis in the past, as did Conservative Party Chief Executive David Prior who, according to Mixmag, never lets his party s politics get in the way of a good time. Mr Prior, MP for North Norfolk gained cult fame for his remark that: you can wear a pinstripe suit and be utterly conventional and still roll a joint and yes I did inhale.
Despite his low profile, 60 year-old Dr Brian Iddon (Labour, Bolton South East) won the nomination for his contribution to the campaign to legalise cannabis and attacks on the practice of nightclubs which turn off tap water in toilets, forcing clubbers to buy bottled water instead.
I don't suppose it will swing any votes in Bolton South East but I am honoured, he said.
Brian Iddon (Lab, Bolton SE)
Oona King (Lab, Bethnal Green and Bow)
Shane Collins (Green candidate, Vauxhall)
David Lammy (Lab, Tottenham)
Mo Mowlam (Lab, Redcar)
Phyllis Starkey (Lab, Milton Keynes SW)
Tony Banks (Lab, West Ham)
David Prior (C, Norfolk N)
Jeremy Corbyn (Lab, Islington N)
Simon Hughes (Lib Dem, Southwark North and Bermondsey)
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