Isn't Michael Portillo adorable as a TV presenter?

[Beachtastic]

I grew up with the caricatures of him in Spitting Image and Private Eye, and could easily have written him off as a joke. So I'm glad he got to produce his fabulous train programmes - one of the few things my mum could watch with pleasure. Now that she's gone, I find myself watching his series again with great nostalgia and affection - not just thinking back to shared moments with her, but also pure appreciation of him!

The way he sails serenely across railway platforms, with that slow steam-ship upright gait... his lovely rosy, cheerful face... his bright jackets and trousers... the valiant way he pronounces alien names (quite convincingly, to my ear)... his genuine interest in people from all walks of life... his ability to make dull subjects fascinating... his absolute lack of ego: he really doesn't mind having a go at absolutely anything, not caring if he looks a chump (which means he never does)!

I'm old enough to have been one of the people cheering in front of the television when that bastard Portillo lost his seat in 1997. And then he disappointed me by delivering the most gracious speech welcoming the new incumbent.

I like his professionalism and the presenting persona he inhabits. I'd like to think that he's a pleasant and wise man in real life.

@Twiglets1 and @NotMyRealAccount I do recall those days. I hated what he represented then. But am happy to draw a veil over it now that he has risen from the ashes like a glorious technicolor beam of sunshine!

This. She was the instigator of policies to privatise public services, which has led to £billions of public money syphoned off into the private sector to the detriment of the public.

The state of the NHS, water, the railways, prisons, schools
The COVID PPE scandal

Probably more.

I think the rule is one must abhor anyone who was in maggies cabinet.

Deffo one for the dream dinner party, with Angela Rippon.

He was very pro-poll tax, very pro “Back to Basics” and anti single mother (which was why he was picked for that reality show), and then went from being Secretary of Defence to making a lot of money as a director of BAE Systems, ie using his prior contacts to sell weapons overseas, which I personally find quite distasteful.

He really wasn’t a very nice person.

We like Michael Portillo too, and particularly enjoy his railway journeys. Always impressed by his ability in a variety of languages, sartorial choices, his diplomatic good manners, genuine interest in everything, and his extreme politeness with everyone he meets.
There are a lot of current politicians who could learn from his style.

We are off to see him on his tour towards the end of the year, really rather excited 😁

Yes yes. But you do say "wasn't", not "isn't"! 🌞

I come to praise him, not to bury him...

I worked very closely with him for a year or so over 30 years ago. You will be glad to know that he was charming, generous, able to laugh at himself, and not at all obnoxious!

Well this got political bashing.

Let me just say that the UK makes a lot of money out of development and sales of weapons.

Does anyone really believe we're better off under Starmer than Thatcher?

Back to the OP. Yes you're right he's brought so much pleasure to many with his train journeys and travels to Spain, Portugal, etc.

Hurraaaaaahhhhh!!!!! My heart was in my mouth reading your first sentence, but I should have known I needn't worry 🥰

I agree, awful politician but great presenter of his show - when the program starts we all have a guess as to what colour trousers he’ll be wearing!!!

I didn’t like Anne Widdecombe until she told Mick Philpott he was a layabout and treated women like crap… and then look what happened. Sometimes I think I should read one of her novels because they’re purported to be schmaultz which is at odds with her political persona. Interesting these second ‘lives/careers’ of high profile politicians.

Hark at @Beachtastic outing herself as Victoria Coren Mitchell

I had the same although it was quite a big dinner. He came round all the tables shook hands with probably 150 people and introduced himself to everyone. Did a short speech then answered any random questions people wanted to throw at him with a considerable amount of grace and charm.

I found it quite weird after excitedly "staying up for Portillo" in the 1997 election.

I found it on Vimeo!!! but am not sure if I dare watch it 😟

https://vimeo.com/83750163

🤣🤣🤣 🥰🥰🥰

I would have smeared my palms with superglue before shaking hands!!!!!!

Wow, I think you're onto something here!!

@Beachtastic come clean ... are you actually Victoria Coren Mitchell?

What does David think about your obsession with Portillo??

Sorry to disappoint, but I don't as yet enjoy glittering TV stardom. But Mr P has demonstrated that magnificent personal reinvention is possible, so never say never!!!!!

it was a bit of a surprise so no time to prepare!

I've been to various dinners like that and the speakers generally only talk to the Very Important People so did not expect an introduction.

I'm no wiser. Is she she coming out as gay, trans??

No you wouldn't you drama llama.

What??