Spicing up the political menu

South London Press

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Spicing up the political menu

Feb 27 2004

YOUR columnist evokes the spirit of "Tandoori Nights" in the jotting about the Kennington eatery (South London Press Diary, February 20) with the snaps of politicians ranging from Geoff Hoon to Charles Kennedy, plus Ann Widdecombe with various colours of hair.

There is another rival establishment, also with pictures of politicos, just a few metres walk away, which in the Major years was a regular supplier of the hot stuff to 10 Downing Street. So let's be fair to everyone. Not only is the food excellent at both these establishments, it is perfectly true that you can have strange dining companions.

One night just gone, the leader of Lambeth council, Peter Truesdale, arrived to meet me, only to find that the woman at the next table was the leader of West Oxfordshire council - not a good omen as they [her council] are putting up taxes by 33 per cent.

Don't worry: we aren't.

Some of your readers may be interested to know a new meaning of "to tandoori" since the said curry house was where the leader of Lambeth council and I agreed the terms and conditions for the current Lib Dem Conservative administration in Lambeth.

That was about two months before the election in 2002 when we already knew Labour was heading for the political trots. Clearly, we need to publish that evening's menu, but it certainly included a bottle or so of Kingfisher lager and gave us plenty to chew on ...

The real interest, though, is around the tandoori, which kept us tikka-ing along for several weeks and stopped Labour bhaji-ing us. This is a tasty dish that usually comes orange-coloured - and you certainly wouldn't consume it if it was blue.

However, to "tandoori" in town hall jargon means to spice up a deal to keep Labour out of office, if they lose majority control and are booted out of office. I wonder if Michael Howard and Charles Kennedy are going to follow our example and start paratha-ing [partying] there.

Councillor John Whelan
Deputy leader and Conservative group leader,
Lambeth council

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