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With live entertainment being allowed to die by the government (and everything that benefits from it eg TV. tourism), it's worth remembering that the greatest contribution to stand-up was made by Margaret Thatcher. 1/5
With live entertainment being allowed to die by the government (and everything that benefits from it eg TV. tourism), it's worth remembering that the greatest contribution to stand-up was made by Margaret Thatcher. 1/5
In the 1980s, determined to break the power of trade unions, she killed off many towns and communities by closing their mines and factories. She didn't replace the jobs, but instead spent zillions on unemployment benefit. This was an early version of Universal Basic Income. 2/5
I was lucky to be starting out in comedy then, allowed to work 11 hours a week without declaring it, only had to sign on once a fortnight (then once every 6 weeks). This was a great time to be creative. Effectively I was paid by the govt to become a comedian. 3/5
It was the only time I can remember in 40 years when our business was so open to black and working-class performers. 4/5
It proved what everyone has always known: the single biggest barrier to progress is poverty, and the single best way out is to pay people to find the kind of work they want to do.
Thatcher understood that.
5/5
Thatcher understood that.
5/5
