Cunard’s insight into the world of politics

Cunard Line - 01.08.2011

For anyone with more than a passing interest in politics the chance to hear – and grill- eminent politicians arises across the Cunard fleet this year as part of the line’s award-winning Insights’ lecture programme. And in the interests of balance, representatives of all three main parties – and of none – are featured.

The embarking of political eminence begins on Queen Mary 2’s 20 July sailing from Southampton to New York, with Lord Howe – who as Margaret Thatcher’s Chancellor of the Exchequer. Geoffrey Howe, is credited with revitalizing the British economy. His resignation speech is also credited with precipitating the downfall of the Prime Minister.

He is followed on Queen Mary 2 by Lord Steel, formerly MP David Steel and erstwhile Leader of the Liberal Democrats. The successful promoter of abortion law reform, but also of the failed Lib / Lab pact, was the youngest MP in the House of Commons when elected in 1962. Lord Steel will be travelling on the 20 September westbound crossing.

Queen Elizabeth features appearances by Lord Archer, both a politician and successful author, and David Blunkett, MP, former Labour Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Education. They will be travelling on the 14 August 14-night Baltic voyage and 6 October Mediterranean voyages respectively.

On Queen Victoria, meanwhile, passengers on the 18 August Mediterranean sailing will encounter Lembit Opik, formerly a Liberal Democrat MP but even better known for his romantic association with weather-girl Sian Lloyd and one of the Cheeky Girls (though we’re not sure which). He also pops up on Queen Mary 2’s 27 September westbound transatlantic crossing, and Queen Elizabeth’s Baltic voyage departing 1 July.

And from the non-aligned corner comes former journalist and MP, Martin Bell – the ‘man in the white suit’ – who took on and beat Tory MP Neil Hamilton (and his formidable wife, Christine) on an anti-sleaze ticket. He will be travelling on Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossings on 22 and 29 August, as well as Queen Victoria’s Mediterranean voyage on 1 August.

Another non-party politician lecturing on Queen Victoria is Lord Digby Jones, formerly of the CBI and latterly Minister for Trade in the last Labour Government. He will be on the 8 July voyage.

And those who are accustomed to grilling politicians are also prominent in this year’s lecturer offering. Panorama’s feisty interviewer Jane Corbin will be on Queen Mary 2 on 3 June, followed by the BBC’s Nicholas Owen on 6 July. And probably the most infamous inquisitor of them all, Lynn Barber – known to celebrities she has interviewed as the ‘Demon Barber’ – will be giving an insight into those she has grilled on board Queen Elizabeth on 18 June. Barber is also a noted author whose autobiography, ‘An Education’, was made into one of last year’s most successful films.

For those who think politics is a mystery, and prefer mysteries of the fictional sort, Queen Mary 2 offers one crime Queen Ruth Rendell on 5 September, while Queen Victoria boasts the other current queen of crime fiction, P D James, on the 19 June sailing.

And, more escapism is supplied by two musicians - Chris Difford of The Squeeze, who will be on board Queen Mary 2 several times during this year, and Roger McGuin – musician with the legendary Byrds – will be on board in October and November.

Cunard’s simulating lecture programme - and more of 2011’s programme will be announced shortly – is just one facet of the company’s voyages which enables passengers to be as relaxed or as challenged as they want to be!

For more information please contact:

Ask Mr Cruise

Møllergaten 4
0179 Oslo, Norway

tlf. (+47) 23 62 82 00

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