Eideard

Shelley’s preferred position – for praying, nowadays

The historic Cambridge University Union has invited adult film stars to take part in an organised debate.

The Cambridge Union Society, which was founded in 1815, is famed for inviting international politicians and academics to its regular debating sessions. But the union is now organising a debate where students will be entertained by guest speakers including three adult film stars.

First on the bill is stripper and pornographic film actor Johnny Anglais, who was suspended from his teaching job after his work as a porn star was revealed.

He will be joined by Anna Arrowsmith, who is the UK’s first female adult movie director and once stood as a Liberal Democrat MP candidate.

US porn actress-turned-chaplain Shelley Lubben will also join the debate and discuss the question: ”This house believes that pornography does a good public service.”

Incoming union president Lauren Davidson told Cambridge student newspaper The Tab that she believes pornography is a ”hot topic” in modern society…

”At the Union this term we’ve got the traditional debates on politics, foreign policy and the media, but I thought it was important to look at the bigger picture and debate a wider range of hot topics.

‘‘Sexuality is something that everyone is very aware of and I want to create a proper discussion around it…”

The groundbreaking debate will be held on February 17 in the Cambridge Union Society’s historic debating chamber on Bridge street.

Will there be visual aids?

Embarrassing disclosures about the vast expenses claims of British members of parliament amount to a “McCarthy-style witch-hunt” that risks driving politicians to suicide, a lawmaker warned on Friday.

Nadine Dorries, a member of the opposition Conservative party, wrote on her blog that the two-week scandal, in which the Daily Telegraph newspaper has drip-fed details of how members of parliament have abused their generous expense allowances, was forcing politicians to the brink…

European and local elections to be held on June 4 are expected to reflect the level of popular disgust, with lower voter turnout and a move toward fringe parties predicted.

“The atmosphere in Westminster is unbearable,” Dorries wrote on the blog (blog.dorries.org). “People are constantly checking to see if others are OK. Everyone fears a suicide. If someone isn’t seen, offices are called and checked.”

Asked about her comments on BBC radio on Friday, she sought to back away from the suicide suggestion, but said the disclosures, including that politicians charged for duck ponds, horse manure, bath plugs and pornographic films, were forcing members of parliament to breaking point…

“I have to say the last day in parliament this week was completely unbearable. I have never, ever been in an atmosphere or an environment like it, where everyone walks around with terror in their eyes. People are genuinely concerned.”

Dorries, whose own use of expenses to buy household goods was exposed by the Telegraph, joins a number of politicians who have attacked the disclosures rather than apologizing.

Is this a threat of suicide – or a promise?

Losing corrupt politicians by whatever means is a praiseworthy goal. If they enhance and accelerate the process – by their own hand – that’s just the icing on the cake.