Lumley's Law

I thought it was really good to see a government back down from their original stance of not allowing Gurkha’s who had fought for Britain before 1997 UK residency. What I did pick up from all this was that you need a celebrity in order to do (or at the very least significantly contribute) to a campaign, otherwise the campaign only seems to get so far before it just loses a motion or is suffocated by other things happening. In the case for the Gurhka’s, they had a beautiful woman who was able to speak with a resonance that compelled even the politicians themselves.

It seems sad but in order for the government to hear you, you need a celebrity to attract attention. So, does this mean that those who wish to have speed cameras taken down should contact, The Hoff? I mean, what better ambassador? He could drive down the street in the sleek black car, whilst Kit blared out that all speed cameras should be taken down. When backed into a corner during a fierce debate with some dodgy politician, he could just whisper something into his black digital Casio and all of a sudden – in extremely slow motion and with a bionic sound effect – Kit could come crashing through the window and pull up in front of The Hoff before the both sped off down the M1.

Or, what about those that campaign against Airport expansion or construction, they could get Mr T. He hated flying, so surely he has no interest in airports being constructed. For every speech he did they could have an opening sequence of the various ways the rest of the A-Team managed to get him on a plane. Ranging from the spiking of his smoothie to the time he was somehow tricked into actually getting on a plane without him noticing. Also, all his speeches would be concise and to the point. And if any one disagreed I’m sure they’d face a knuckle sandwich. There could be special appearances from Murdoc or Face (I found out his full name was Templeton Peck the other day and cracked up laughing) to reaffirm the message.


I’m not trying to trivialise those that campaign because it’s something I feel strongly about (Although my last two paragraphs have suceeded in doing so). Yet, it seems that in order to be heard, the importance of a celebrity is weighty. Joanna Lumley also happens to show humility in defeat (when they originally lost the decision), never gave up hope and dealt with everything with aplomb. However, if she wasn’t there still attracting people after the original defeat, would it have been overturned?

In other news, Coldbrain sent me a link to a sighting of Mr Paddington himself (click on Street View). I’m now hopping onto a train to see if he wants to go for a pint.