VIP nights are based on an idea originally cooked up by our beloved McHales at The Painters' Arms (1) whereby those in the hospitality trade were invited to look at a united response to their predicament. Initial focus was on dealing with the effects of the smoking ban.
Smoking is highly symbolic as perhaps how wasteful we are - looked at in instrumental fashion it serves no 'real' purpose, has mostly negative effects and thus indicative of habits the govt wants to curtail. These days though - primarily at the level of ideas and, indeed, policy - most of our activities, if not existence, could be viewed this way.
Distanced politicians think they can take the public for granted having long given up faith in any principled politicking and it's unlikely that current events - particularly economic turmoil - is likely to see that altered and an unleashing of potential. In fact, and disastrously, we're likely to see much more of the same as Gordon and crowd aim to shackle us to their nightmare vision. (2)
We've seen where his interests lie with the further mortgaging our futures to the tune of a £500 billion propping up of the Banks and going cap in hand to Saudi Princes. Of course, he insists they play by the rules but that seems to amount to cash bungs in arms deals whilst he promises to help families through the hard times ahead. Given that current economic woes are largely the result of their mishandling and no change of direction on the horizon then that is an ominous statement.
The aim of VIP nights is to address that and reposition the key component and target in this - the public; us, also known as the electorate. In that matter we're all VIPs.
As yet there is a small group operating under the banner of FORCES North of England with other contacts 'waiting' to set up VIP nights. This Monday 10th November we petitioned Manchester pubs and it was a good, if tentative, start. City centre pubs could rely on just being where they were and pick up enough casual trade to be not too bothered. All had a much compromised smoking area and the bulk of customers signed the petition - smokers and non-smokers.
All the bars said their biggest problem was the public drinking ban when punters go outside - now mostly smokers. One with a niche music venue said he was having 'noise pollution' problems due to the building of city centre appartments opposite and though sympathetic daren't rock the boat.
This exposes the dual nature of regeneration schemes in that we're all expected to live couped up in some govt/council/consultant vision of the polite society - well, not so much expected as do as we're told.
Manchester was a forerunner of today's regeneration schemes and its appeal as a cultural capital, 'Madchester' - a happening and vital place to rival London, now runs aground. What was once spontaneous workings of the likes of factory records' boss Tony Wilson rapidly became govt policy and like much else they do they just didn't get it (3). These were the heady days of 'Cool Britannia' that have since given way to a much enforced gentrification.
As much as Govt handling of affairs is shambolic there is still deliberate intent - they're certainly not interested in our appeals. We can see as much with the knock on effect with noise pollution as mentioned above but then also more general as per beer garden banter (4) and no let up for us wicked when we age - as a group of London pensioners found (5). Perhaps the latter is more over-zealous officialdom but it does show the lengths jumped up authorities feel they can get away with if we let them.
If we let them. We still have the remnants of democracy and perhaps now while our representatives are in panic - and risk taking us with them - is the time to influence the process.
'VIP nights' seeks to mount a direct challenge using methods and tactics developed over the past year - Challenge petitions stating the return of fines and compensation - this may seem outlandish but necessary if we're to take the fight seriously and small-ish beer compared to the £500 billion paid out to Banks (it would also be a much needed fillip to public morale) - and "You're barred!" posters, etc if they don't.
Key aims are to get pubgoers in particular to back licensees and negotiate our own public space - put the public back into 'public house' and, with the nature of this challenge, back into politics. Of course, and as per usual, none of this provides a guarantee but it really is easy to get things going in pubs - many punters say they'd love to have the ban, etc overturned but 'don't see it happening' and wish us well. We should call time on that sentiment and convince them our politicians need reminding who they should be serving.
Or have their last orders rang.
If anyone needs to know more or GET INVOLVED then please do. With effort this could be well on it's way by Christmas . . .
*Hamish Howitt +*
Hamish Howitt is due in court 2nd December - and other lesser known cases around the same time. With this initiative on the go there is potential to build some solid support for our maverick heroes.
Petitions and posters will be on hand at "Free the streets" tonight, Thursday 13th Nov.
1)In a simple show of solidarity please 'join'Painters' Arms on facebook. They've had their necks stuck out some time now and could do with a boost.
2)The mission of our times: the fair society
3)Tony Wilson
4)Beer garden noise
5)We’ll fight them on the benches, say ‘noisy’ pensioners
