Going to the Brit Awards or any swanky ceremony is always special and I’m very lucky to be invited. Although as I have got older, there’s the inevitable terror about what to wear. That’s why I won’t hear a word said against Madonna. Good for her. I could barely manage the old spanx. I opted for a kind of sequinned kaftan affair which unfortunately started shedding on the Jubilee line from London Bridge to the O2 like a trail of sparkly breadcrumbs. Thank God I didn’t commit a crime (as far as I can remember) as they could definitely place me at the scene.
Speaking of crimes, the most bizarre moment of the evening came when I was watching Lizzo perform on stage, while standing next to former prime minister Liz Truss. Like Lizzo, Liz ain’t going anywhere, she has enormous self-belief and will shortly be announcing a global tour. I know. Don’t shoot the messenger. Most people who tanked the economy would have had extensive plastic surgery, bought a canoe and moved to South America, not be living it up at the Brits — but to be fair, she wasn’t the only politician there.
There were corporate boxes stuffed full of MPs, peers and advisers from all parties filling their boots. But I’m not going to criticise them for going. Who wouldn’t love to hang out at the Brits or next Sunday’s Baftas? But, here’s the deal — if you love ligging along to these starry events, you should at least listen to what artists, performers and creative industries actually need.
Now you can argue that’s a form of lobbying, but that’s often the only way the arts can make their case — even then, their calls are falling on increasingly deaf ears. While British music, film, fashion, publishing, television and the rest punch above their weight in excellence, commercial success and growth (£111 billion to the economy in 2018), why do they get such a kicking? Government funding for the arts is down by 46 per cent in real terms since 2005. Some 49 per cent of musicians are considering leaving the profession.
The botched Levelling Up agenda has left many successful arts organisations like English National Opera having chunks taken out of their funding. Creative education in state schools has been cut since 2018. Teaching arts to children not only encourages the stars of the future but all pupils enrich their skills and confidence through culture — it’s why private schools offer so much of it. Why have we decided that only well-off kids are allowed that life-changing privilege? The Government is also slashing arts funding in higher education by up to 50 per cent to redirect money to science and medicine.
All of this is on top of the enormous damage done to the creative sector as a result of Brexit. And let’s not forget the nasty anti-arts rhetoric from many politicians and the fact that Nadine Dorries tried to sell off Channel Four.
So go forth and enjoy the Baftas this weekend. Quaff all the fizz. Get as many selfies as you can. But please think about standing up for the livelihoods of the people entertaining you.
Give diamond back to India
The Koh-i-Noor diamond will not be used at the coronation by the Queen Consort, Camilla. Queen Mary’s crown will be used instead. This is sensible. The history of the world’s largest diamond is steeped in bloodshed and controversy as historians Anita Anand and William Dalrymple explain in their excellent podcast, Empire.
It originated from India, went to Afghanistan, then came back to India where we Brits fancied it for ourselves, forcing Duleep Singh, the 10-year-old heir to the Indian throne, to sign it over in 1849. What’s that about fair play, old chap? It was then brought here and given to Queen Victoria, becoming part of the crown jewels.
This diamond is a powerful symbol of the ugly side of empire. It wasn’t all a Merchant Ivory film. Besides, it’s said to be cursed and the royal family doesn’t need any more bad luck. It’s time to give it back to India. Especially to help us get a trade deal.
