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Friday Diary: Boris' Coup, Bill Clinton and My Love For Netflix

Scott Colvin explains why you should read self-help books and is upset about Crystal Palace's loss.

By Scott Colvin

27 Jan 2012, 07:43

The War Room

* If we are to believe a rogue article in the Guardian (not a paper I tend to trust on Tory stories), London Mayor Boris Johnson is being lined up as Reigate's next MP in 2015. Of course, there is one tiny, slight hitch. There is already a Conservative MP representing Reigate, with a huge majority, and the determination to remain in post. I have a particular interest in all this. I used to be a councillor for the centre of the town, so I know Crispin Blunt very well. I didn't guess that he was gay, but who cares anyway. It is not my business, nor yours, and certainly not relevant to whether he is a good MP or not. But there was always a nasty streak amongst some of the older members in the local party. One character in particular displayed every type of prejudice going - whether on race, gender or sexuality. In the end, I gave up local politics because of people like him and I haven't been actively involved since. So, I hope Crispin survives because he is a decent man who has worked hard for the people he represents. Of course, Boris is exciting. Which Tory association wouldn’t want him. He might even be Prime Minister one day. But let's not ruin another man's life and career in the process.

* I’m delighted to see that the Oscar-winning political documentary The War Room is soon to be available for UK DVD release (on 30 January). For those who haven’t seen it, shame on you. It follows Bill Clinton's election campaign of 1992, focusing on the mastermind of his eventual success, James Carville.  You can learn more about the art of political campaign strategy in the film’s 90 minutes than from reading a hundred books on the same subject. The documentary was directed by D.A. Pennebaker, perhaps best known for his movie of Woodstock which helped to seal the legend of that particular epoch. It is perhaps fitting that the same man filmed both events. Clinton was part of the generation which objected to the war in Vietnam (and was, of course, famously positioned as a draft dodger by his Republican opponents) and rocked out to Hendrix et al. He was the first post-war President of the United States not to have fought in the Second World War. He also, of course, demonstrated that the mantra of free love extended all the way to high office. At least he didn’t touch the brown acid.

* This week I joined up with the much-trailed on demand movie service, Netflix. I will admit to being quite excited by the idea of it. In fact I tweeted that, having discovered it, I now probably no longer need family or friends. The instantaneous availability of all forms of music, movies and books is still head-spinning for someone of my generation. I am only 35 years old but I remember the time when going on the internet (which I only first did when I was 19 years old) was a time-consuming, haphazard and expensive affair. I also remember being poised on Christmas Day with a blank VHS tape ready to record a James Bond movie (which would have been 3 or 4 years old by the time it came to terrestrial TV) and recording favourite songs from the Radio 1 chart show. Now, I listen to anything I want, whenever I want. But I am not sure I actually feel happier. The thrill of searching for an obsolete record or movie was as exciting as the pleasure of listening to the track or film itself.

* Here is something I should be embarrassed about, but am not. I read self-help books from time to time. 'Change your life', 'better your career', 'save time', 'find happiness', 'the success principles', are just some of the types of titles I have leafed through over the past few years. In some ways, it is as difficult to pull out one of these books on a busy commuter train than the latest edition of Nuts magazine (not that I read it, honest). People judge you. But I see human beings as similar to the latest Microsoft package. Constructed fairly well, but with significant flaws and snags which can be improved over time by sending updates to the hard-drive. Reading self-help books can provide the same function for us, beginning to fill in the gaps of our numerous imperfections. Critics say that they sell false hope, trying to tell people at the bottom that they can reach the top solely by changing their outlook and approach. But at the very least they are hugely helpful at giving your life greater focus. Many of us drift along vaguely hoping for more money, happiness, contentment but you are unlikely to achieve them without having a plan. Give these books a try, they might just change your life. 

* Heartache for Crystal Palace in the semi-final of the League Cup on Tuesday. After their heroic win at the home of Manchester United in the previous round, the Eagles took a narrow 1-0 lead to Cardiff. After a 7th minute own goal, all they could do was grimly try to hang on for dear life. Somehow they managed to take it to penalties. But then they lost their nerve, as Englishmen often do, once they placed the ball on the spot, missing three out of four chances. As my nearest club, it would have been great to see Palace in a major cup final for the first time since the epic 3-3 game against the team from Old Trafford in 1990. United won the replay, in the process saving the job of a Scottish manager called Alex Ferguson. Anyone know what happened to him?