A week of politics, television throwbacks and comic capers
As the General Election enters its middle ground and with party manifesto launches out of the way, it’s time for journalism’s big beasts to join the fray, with former
editor Andrew Neil front and centre. First on his list is Tory leader Theresa May, who will be grilled by the no-nonsense political pundit today. Other would-be premiers will submit themselves to cerebral maulings as the week progresses, including Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, who wants to legalise cannabis. Even UKIP’s Paul Nuttall will submit himself to the intellectual equivalent of a boxing match. Sadly, Diane Abbott is not lined up for his rather withering style of interrogation. Flower Show today. This year, the historic horticulture exhibition will feature a garden with something which resembles an active volcano, another inspired by depression and one which features the National Youth Orchestra.
These days, ‘cliffhanger box sets’ with stranger-than-strange storylines are all the rage but turn the clock back 25 years and nary a TV programme dared to venture where did. The original series premiered on April 8, 1990 and was cancelled in June 1991 after falling ratings, although it was later voted one of the most important TV series of all time. Well, it’s back, with the first episode of the new series broadcast today on Sky Atlantic at 2am (so, if you’re reading this now, you’ve missed it but don’t worry, it will be repeated at 9pm tomorrow). Buckle up.
Deliveroo will be in the news (again) as the tribunal that oversees the regulation of UK collective bargaining law determines the employment status of its riders. The tribunal will look at whether Deliveroo riders are ‘workers’ or ‘independent contractors’. It’s a two-day hearing, so expect extended coverage, including a tie-in with the Labour Party’s manifesto pledge to examine the so-called ‘gig economy’.
TV historian Lucy Worsley will mark the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen leaving her Hampshire home prior to her death.
Jane Austen’s House Museum Ambassador Worsley will mark the occasion by laying flowers at the site of the memorial plaque outside the front of the house.
She will pay tribute to Jane Austen by reading the last letter she wrote from Chawton, detailing her ill health and her plans to soon leave Chawton for Winchester.
The memorial plaque, which is a highly popular spot for visitor photos, was originally unveiled on the centenary of Jane Austen’s death on July 18, 1917.
With funding from the Jane Austen Society of North America, the plaque has recently been conserved in time for the bicentenary commemorations.
President Barrack Obama will addresses philanthropy and business leaders on Friday. Hosted by the The Hunter Foundation, all profits from the dinner will be invested in charities supporting young people in Scotland.
On Tuesday Brian May will launch a 3D book about his band Queen, which includes pictures taken using his stereoscopic camera (a camera with two lenses).
On Saturday, the Duke of Cambridge will attend the FA Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea and present the trophy to the winners at Wembley Stadium. Finally, on Sunday, it’s Comic Convention (ComicCon for short) in London, so expect to see lots of pictures of people dressed as their comic book heroes.