The new culture secretary

[MAB]

The new Culture Secretary is Lisa Nandy.  Ms Nandy appears not to have worked at any profession other than politics.  Previously she has had a number of Shadow Government posts.  Despite an extensive Google search I was unable to find any evidence linking her to the arts or indeed any evidence that she has any interest in them at all.

 

The previous shadow arts minister was Thangam Debbonaire, a professional cellist with plans to reform ACE.  Tragically she lost her seat in the election.  Of course the new minister might prove to be a champion for the arts but I won't be holding my breath.

[MJW]

9 hours ago, MAB said:

The new Culture Secretary is Lisa Nandy.  Ms Nandy appears not to have worked at any profession other than politics.  Previously she has had a number of Shadow Government posts.  Despite an extensive Google search I was unable to find any evidence linking her to the arts or indeed any evidence that she has any interest in them at all.

 

The previous shadow arts minister was Thangam Debbonaire, a professional cellist with plans to reform ACE.  Tragically she lost her seat in the election.  Of course the new minister might prove to be a champion for the arts but I won't be holding my breath.

 

Was Chris Smith the last Culture Secretary who showed any interest in the arts?

[MAB]

58 minutes ago, MJW said:

Was Chris Smith the last Culture Secretary who showed any interest in the arts?

 

Not sure, but Ed Vaizy used to be spotted at Covent Garden.

 

I imagine few of you know this, but Michael Portillo has a first rate arts and politics show on GB News every Sunday at 11 a.m.  Portillo is a genuine arts fanatic and I'm hoping he may comment on Ms Nandy's suitability or otherwise.  If he does, I'll post what he says.

[MAB]

Oops....... seems Michael Portillo is on holiday this week.  I'll tune in next week.

[Balletfanp]

I guess you don’t necessarily have to be an ‘expert’ in the field. I would have thought an enthusiasm for the arts would be just as valid a qualification for the job. I know nothing about Lisa Nandy but for all we know she may have a genuine love for the arts. I hope so, anyway. There must be some reason she was appointed.

[LinMM]

Lisa Nandy has said “From Rugby to Royal Opera our cultural and sporting heritage runs through our towns villages and cities and is our greatest asset” 

She is apparently “thrilled” to take on this role. 
In the past she has expressed interest in promoting local arts and more accessibilty for local people ( taking money from Social Media Companies to achieve this)

She is a supporter of the BBC licence and local services. 
 

Personally and from other things she has said at the time of the Labour leadership election I am hoping this will mean more access to music in schools and that she might be pleased to support smaller orchestras etc. 

 

But not expecting anything overnight. 
Have no idea what her relationship with ACE might be. 
Her mother was aTV producer so has media experience but will have to wait and see as to what actually happens  I suppose

[MAB]

How could I have forgotten Tessa Jowell?!  Still recovering  the effects from my all night session watching the results I suppose.  She was a lovely lady and a friend and I exchanged a few words with her at the Barbican once and she seemed to like talking to her admirers.  Her early death was a blow to politics.  As Ms Nandy was her PPS, perhaps there is a glimmer of hope.

 

https://slippedisc.com/2024/07/tessa-jowells-pps-is-new-culture-secretary/

 

28 minutes ago, LinMM said:

I am hoping this will mean more access to music in schools

 

Currently the educational places where music is treated seriously are private schools, about to get clobbered by the new government.  In my perfect world there would be after school centres teaching kids music, dance and arts appreciation.

[LinMM]

Under the old ILEA children got free music tuition and dance lessons mostly Laban orientated were on the timetable weekly as well as weekly singing sessions. Loads of schools had junior choirs back then. 
A state school I worked in in the late 70’s in North London had its own JUNIOR orchestra!! 

There was much more Art in the general curriculum. 

London even had a designated state school in Pimlico which specialised in music. I know this because a girl in my class went there at 11 after gaining a place playing the flute. This was all STATE provision. 
It should not be that music is only taken seriously in Private schools! 
 

Most of this provision had come as a result of the Plowden Report …still one of the best on Education in my view. 
The Arts in schools have been slowly more sidelined till virtually non existent since the 1990’s 

 

Where there’s a will theres a way! 

Edited July 7 by LinMM

[RMM1]

2 hours ago, MAB said:

 

Not sure, but Ed Vaizy used to be spotted at Covent Garden.

 

I imagine few of you know this, but Michael Portillo has a first rate arts and politics show on GB News every Sunday at 11 a.m.  Portillo is a genuine arts fanatic and I'm hoping he may comment on Ms Nandy's suitability or otherwise.  If he does, I'll post what he says.

 

Ed Vaizey was not the Culture Secretary, he was what is commonly called the Arts Minister. We don't know who the new Arts Minister is to be yet. I'm sure Lisa Nandy is delighted to be appointed Culture Secretary as it is an unexpected promotion.

[MAB]

22 minutes ago, RMM1 said:

Ed Vaizey was not the Culture Secretary, he was what is commonly called the Arts Minister.

 

I thought its Arts. media & Sport

[LinMM]

Just in case anyone is interested in how wonderful education could be in ordinary state schools do read up about Kathleen Mitchell who ran the Pimlico school in the 1970’s 

She did wonderful work in Camden before that too. 

If only there were more visionaries like her in Politics how different things could be! 

[alison]

Yes, doesn't the "culture secretary" actually cover the arts, media and sport?

 

I too was very disappointed to find out that Ms Debbonaire hadn't got elected.  Perhaps there's still some way she can have input?

[Mary]

The preparations made by the shadow ministers won't be lost,  even as here where the Minister turns out to be different. So I think there is deifnitely some hope, and let's see what Ms Nandy does.

It was nice to hear the new PM say he enjoys listening to classical music, particularly Beethoven (shock) - as so often politicians seem to feel they can only mention pop, football and the most obvious films and shows.....and he has some musical training.

 

So we will see.

[RMM1]

On 07/07/2024 at 13:48, MAB said:

 

I thought its Arts. media & Sport

 

My point was that Ed Vaizey was the Minister in the Department not the higher ranked Secretary of State. The Official titles of both the Secretary and Minister have changed many times. 

 

It looks like Chris Bryant will be the Arts Minister. Too early to be totally certain as other Ministers may still be appointed to that Department and take on the Arts portfolio.

[LinMM]

Yes looks like Lisa Nandy is the Culture Secretary and Chris Bryant will be the Minister for Arts Media and Sport and also Science and technology development role. 

[oncnp]

Opinion from the Guardian Nandy wasn’t supposed to head up culture, but could her level-headed approach be just the ticket? | Charlotte Higgins | The Guardian

[Kerfuffle]

Keir Starmer was a member of Guildhall Junior Department throughout his secondary school years - he played the flute as well as the violin. 
 

My kids’ school was a private school turned state (ex cathedral school) and maintained its excellent music speciality ever since. I think it’s a great example of what could happen if more private schools joined the state sector - my son and several of his friends are at top London conservatoires . I hope Lisa Nandy encourages all the arts at grass roots level.