On the grapevine, I hear that within the next few days a major national radio programme will feature the arguments for and against compulsory metrication.

They have already interviewed Gwyneth Dunwoody (Labour - *against* compulsory metrication - and a Patron of BWMA) and Lord Howe (Conservative - *for* compulsory metrication).

A prominent member of BWMA or ARM is due to be interviewed for the programme as well.

More details when I get them

Do you know which radio station?

Being "national" I would have thought it to be R4

Radio 4. Saturday or Sunday

I am told that a piece on metrication, including clips from Geoffrey Howe, Gwyneth Dunwoody and a member of BWMA/ARM is scheduled for 'The Westminster Hour', this Sunday 10pm, Radio 4.

The thrust of the piece is likely to be that it's time we stopped pussyfootying around with metrication and got on with the job of eradicating all mention of customary weights and measures. This will apparently be represented as 'progress', 'moving forward', 'getting into the twenty-first century' etc.

I am told the piece will go out 'unless World War III breaks out in the meantime'

Apologies to anyone who tuned in to the Westminster Hour on 1st June and did not hear an item on metrication - though you *will* have heard a fascinating piece about how veteran campaigner Dick Morris, who was a former Clinton adviser, is now advising the U.K. Indpendence Party.

He pointed out stunnigly clearly the loss of Britain's political independence and said: "As Lafayette came over and helped us gain our independence from Britain, I now want to come over to Britain to return the favour and stop Britain being ruled by the continent of Europe".

He also noted the change of mood in Britain about Europe now that we've found out they're trying to stuff their Constitution down our throats, and said: "If the three main parties are 'zigging' while the British people are 'zagging', then any Party like U.K. Independence Party which is already 'zagging' is going to get a lot of support".

Anyway, back to the topic, I am now informed that the piece on metrication has been scheduled for the Westminster Hour this Sunday (15th June)

I've already set a schedule alarm on my T100.

How posh

Must have missed World War III then!

er?

I don't get it?

(am I about to look very foolish from this?)

What time is it on Tony?

The Westminster Hour, hosted by Andrew Rawnsley, is on every Sunday evening, 10pm to 11pm

I am now informed that BBC Radio 4's 'Westminster Hour' is postponing the debate on metrication for *another* 2 weeks, i.e. until Sunday 29th June. Sorry for the two false starts

And so you should be too!

I had my "reminder" on Sunday and when I checked the SkyDig for R4 there was nothing there!

Bah!

What about World War IV? Was that the Cabinet reshuffle?

Is it tomorrow night (29/6) that the metric/imperial debate is on Radio 4? Could someone just confirm this.

The Westminster Hour contacted ARM last week to say that they intended to transit the item on metrication on 29th June between 10pm and 11pm (The Westminster Hour).

There's no guarantee, though. And I expect the BBC will continue to be all excited about the great Campbell v BBC debate, a story which is running strongly at the moment. Though a bit short of World War III, I admit

Oh Great!

Looks like I missed it

I missed it too; was it featured?

No it wasn't on. Listened in for the whole hour and the first 20 mins was about the "sexed up" Iraq dossier! Not a mention of it.

Are you sure they said "dossier"?

;)

Tch, got it wrong again.

You really will have to have a word with your BBC snout Tony.

"Man you got ta tell im, if he don't get on the ball, you'll bust his arse!"

(Fawlty Towers episode: Waldorf Salad)

With some hesitation, I'm posting this to state that today both the Chairman of ARM, Derek Norman, and I have had a telephone call from the researcher from the Westminster Hour, John Evans, informing us that the feature on compulsory metrication will be aired this Sunday (17 August) on the Westminster Hour (10pm - 11pm)

Let's hope World War VI doesn't disrupt things!

Hearing is believing...

re: WESTMINSTER HOUR

Well, third time lucky!

There was a chap called Geoffrey Howe on, who I must say seemed pretty animated and angry for a dead sheep.

It seems he's kicking himself for not having criminalised the use of traditional units 20 years ago when he had the chance. He said it was all Margaret Thatcher's fault - no doubt why he stabbed her in the back in 1990 when she was refusing to sign the Maastricht Treaty.

He's got a long way to go, though, if he wants to turn round the 90%-plus who believe Steve Thoburn isn't a criminal and the 86% who want road signs to stay in miles and yards

Tony Bennett,

You misrepresent Lord Howe's contribution to the program.

If he is a dead sheep what does that make you?

He is worth ten of you!

You jumped up arrogant arse hole!

Ah good old Meter man.

"The art of losing the debate"

Thank you THANK YOU for being a constant source of ridicule.

Please keep 'em coming.

An ARM supporter who heard the 'Westminster Hour' programme wrote to us and included these words in her letter:

"What a smug and devious little man Howe is".

I expect some people would disgree with that.

P.S. In relation to a somewhat abusive recent posting on this boad, I wonder if the poster was aware that the 'dead sheep' comment was originally made about Geoffrey Howe by Margaret Thatcher? Criticised by him in the Commons, she famously said it was: 'like being savaged by a dead sheep'

An ARM supporter who heard the 'Westminster Hour' programme wrote to us and included these words in her letter:

"What a smug and devious little man Howe is".

I expect some people would disagree with that.

P.S. In relation to a somewhat abusive recent posting on this boad, I wonder if the poster was aware that the 'dead sheep' comment was originally made about [Sir] Geoffrey Howe by [Lady] Margaret Thatcher? Criticised by him in the Commons, she famously said it was: 'like being savaged by a dead sheep'

Dead sheep or not. Just because the man disagrees with ARM doesn't necesarily make him a "smug and devious little man".

You managed to come across as someone quite pleased with himself as well, Tony.

And as for that Gwyneth Dunwoody. Well, don't get me started.

re: "Just because the man disagrees with ARM doesn't necessarily make him a "smug and devious little man".

I agree. There may well be other reasons for this particular lady's opinion

The BBC website has a feature:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/the_westminster_hour/2951372.stm

I would go further and say he was a traitorous little man who was promoted by Thatcher and, although already ridiculed by the public and "spitting image" decided he could take on Mrs T!
His voice could send the most manic insomniac to sleep (probably death)!
His friends would be Heseltine, Patten, K. Clarke, Heath and anyone else who was in opposition during Mrs T's reign.
These few people are the reason why the Tory party is how it is today - unelectable.

That and the influence of those arch Europhiles William Hague and Iain Duncan Smith.

Ken Clarke is widely regarded as popular with the public, as well as Chris Patten.

"Ken Clarke is widely regarded as popular with the public, as well as Chris Patten"

Was Mrs T popular with the public?
For how many years?

"popular" and "brilliant" can be opposites sometimes

Steveh: "popular" and "brilliant" can be opposites sometimes

Very true indeed. Metrication isn't popular, but in the long term it's brilliant.

Once every Briton has got used to the metric system, it will be so much easier to communicate with the rest of the metric world. Moreover, we will almost feel "at home" in France, Spain, Germany,... since the units of measurement will be the same as in good ol' Britain.

But British people live in Britain, not France, Spain or Germany.

1. Holidays
2. If they emigrate it will be one less thing to adjust to

Last time I checked, Brits wouldn't want to feel at home in France (neither would the rest of the world I would expect). Besides, maybe British folk should take their holidays in the U.S. instead and then they would have the same convenience of similar measurement systems.

We'd be happy to have you all here. Just a thought.

Matt,

A large number of Brits have second homes in France or Spain. In fact, a number of rural French villages welcome British families, especially those villages that are becoming de-populated. The local French would rather have young poeple in the village square whospeak English than have no young people at all, especially of their father is the local plumber or builder.

<<
Ah good old Meter man.

"The art of losing the debate"

Thank you THANK YOU for being a constant source of ridicule.

Please keep 'em coming.
>>

Certainly. I like to give you a laugh Steve.

But er does all that sniping at Lord Howe (or Geoffrey if you prefer) constitute good debate?

yes it does - the man was an out-and-out failure.

I really cannot understand why Thatcher employed him.

You are emtitled to your feelings and your opinion of course Steve.

But try to listen a little more to what is said rather than who says it.

Lord Howe's contribution to the Westminster Hour was perfectly sensible and reflected the views of many of us on the pro-metric side of the debate.

What he said did not deserve the venomous response from the opposition that we saw.