Neil Arun didn’t want to miss a rare but risky opportunity to embed with an Iraqi police unit, hunting members of al Qaeda. But his employers -- responsible for Neil’s security -- weren’t happy. This film by Richard Pendry nvestigates how a frontline journalist balances risk and reward.
I suppose if you want to try and engage that tricky demographic of 18-20 year old males, then having a director of hardcore porn films standing in an election is probably the way to go.
That's what the Liberal Democrats in Gravesham have done. Anna Arrowsmith managing director of adult film company, Easy on the Eye will be tasked with taking on current Gravesham MP, Adam Holloway for his parliamentary seat in this year's election.
Working under the name, Anna Span, she has, according to the Gravesend Reporter, produced over 300 movies including, Where's the Rent Boys and the endearingly titled Eat Me/Keep Me. She is also a big fan of Maggie Thatcher.
With a headline like 'Porn Oh..', I wouldn't be suprised if the circulation figures for the Reporter are higher than usual this week.
Where can you see an ex-journalist/ex-British Army soldier battle against a female porn director for a seat in Parliament... Gravesend, that's where!
Was her husband just checking out the competition?
it's a great angle, I grant you.
But what does it say about our prurient interest in these things? Seems to me a little unfair that just because of her background, a prospecitve parliamentrary candidate standing for Parliament gets acres of space in the papers - The Sun, Telegraph, Mail etc - and a disproportionate amount of coverage elsewhere - when other candidates who might have deeply dull jobs (accountants springs to mind) will probably struggle to get a mention. Discuss...
See also this report
I think the best way to address your question, Paul, is to contemplate the alternative. Publicising the careers of interesting people who have the courage to live according to their own moral codes does rather more public good than indulging populist values. That said, I'll be surprised if it wins her any additional votes.
Clearly we can expect some hot, live political engagement on the historic streets of Gravesend. At least the local Liberals understand the meaning of tolerance. That's quite rare these days.