Uber comes to London Town.

 It’s been a long time coming, but the - driverless taxi has arrived on the London streets. It’s taken a - number of years to finalise the technology, but eventually it’s here. So the days of the - Hackney Carriage, are well and truly over. Will this new mode of transport get rid of the - ubiquitous black cab? In the short term, probably not, but in 10 years from now? I wouldn’t be surprised, if we witness the- beginning of the end of the cab. Doing the - Knowledge as it was known - will be like the proverbial Dodo - a piece of history. Nostalgia is a funny business, will we feel sad in  few years from now about - the passing of the black cab? 

The Bayeux Tapestry comes to the British Museum.

 At the British Museum (BM) last night there was a group of the great and the good - including the King and Queen, president Macron and his wife, plus the prime minister Andy Burnham to - look at the extraordinary Bayeux Tapestry. Some 224 feet long, it tells the story of the Norman Conquest in 1066 at the Battle of Hastings. It’s been brought to London - as its home in northern France is being renovated. It will be at the BM until 2027 and was agreed as a possibility by president Macron and Keir Starmer some time last year. I fortunately have seen the tapestry - in situ in Bayeux back in July 1981- on the date of princess Diana marriage to Prince Charles at St Paul’s cathedral - Diana only 20 a virgin, gullible and naive. He was snobbish entitled and aged 32 - brash and was in love with another woman Camilla Parker-Bowles. It was an establishment - stitch up that was disgraceful even in 1981. And we all know how it ended - in a dark tunnel in the early hours of an August night in 1997. The mass hysteria that followed - shook the Royal Family to the core - including the normal stoical Queen Elizabeth. The tapestry was actually made by women in the immediate environment surrounding Canterbury cathedral, in Kent by English embroiders. It is generally believed it was then shipped to France around 1077. So this is the first time since 1077 - that it has returned to the old country of its birth. 

Giving up parliament.

 Keir Starmer, has decided to - throw in the towel of politics. He has resigned as the MP for Camden to concentrate on a new role in international affairs. He was something of a- lack lustre prime minister and there was an Eeyore quality about him - the glass was always - half empty. He will not be remembered as a very competent leader and prime minister. 

Down at the palace of varieties.

 Today will be the prime minister’s first experience to the exposure and examination of the House of Commons. How will he fare? He has of course been a cabinet minister before, so is experienced in the format of the House of Commons. Nevertheless this is his first turn as - the boss with the added scrutiny and examination. The Palace of Varieties can be a tricky place to perform, but let’s hope he gets off the a good start and make - his back benches have a sense of optimism. We all need that - whatever your politics. 

Music only for those who were privately educated.

 The great conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Antonio Pappano, was an excellent guest of the Talking Music podcast. He laments the lack of interest by the government in musical education across the country. The majority of people playing in orchestras - were privately educated. It’s therefore perceived - as only for the educated elite and not for the general public. This bedevils the chances of more and more ordinary people enjoying great international music. Moreover he - laments the fact that London doesn’t have a truly world class - musical venue unlike Paris and Berlin. We must make the necessary investment in such a concert hall. Otherwise, world class orchestras will - not be coming to London in the future. Time to - wake up and smell the coffee. 

A little help from the Bard.

 Generally regarded as an excellent speech at a White House dinner - the King has revealed how the classical actor - Sir Mark Rylance, gave him a few helpful tips. The Bard came in particularly helpful as he quoted from Henry V “my speech entreats, that I may know … why gentle peace should not bless us with her former qualities”. It’s was a - magisterial performance by King Charles III. Rylance and the King know each other well and both love the playwright Shakespeare. At the moment I have the pleasure of reading - Mad about Shakespeare by the illustrious academic professor Sir Jonathan Bate of Oxford University. 

Next week schools are back.

 After the long summer break - schools are back and so is parliament. On Wednesday it’s Andy Burnham’s first PM’s - how will he survive this - cauldron of political fire? Will his ‘easy going charm and charisma’ do the trick or will be burnt? He cannot be any worse than the - wooden, bureaucrat Starmer. The ‘speak your weight machine’ of politics. Generally there is a - short honeymoon period to let the incumbent settle in, but that will last a few months. Up next - the conference season kicks off in late September. Hie first real trial. .