The 60 most influential figures of our time - according to MP Stephen Williams
A MAN who wants to become elected mayor of Bristol – Lib Dem MP Stephen Williams – has drawn up a list of 60 famous people who he believes have made the biggest impact during the last 60 years.
Among those on his list are Johnny Rotten "for 1970s punk rock and for God Save the Queen in the Silver Jubilee year", Myra Hindley "for criminal notoriety" and Louise Brown "a famous child due to her method of arrival in the world and a Bristolian".
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MP Stephen Williams
Mr Williams who has lived in Bristol for many years since he was a student but is intensely proud of his Welsh roots, also includes Tom Jones "preferred to Cliff Richard for a long running male soloist, Welsh prejudice here!" and Gareth Edwards "for being the greatest rugby player, pre World Cup".
He also has Johnny Wilkinson on his list.
He was inspired to draw up the list after listening to a radio programme which launched the idea and which is expected to become a major talking point during the year.
On his blog, Mr Williams says: "I was having a day off (even MPs are allowed some time away from work) and went to Hay-on-Wye for my annual visit to add even more books to my groaning shelves.
"So with my friend Andrew, we spent the return car journey and dinner in Monmouth compiling a list of 60 significant people who stand out in the period since 1952.
"Some are fairly obvious. Some are representative of a particular theme, while not being of much enduring impact in their own right.
"We made an attempt to be objective and balanced but above all it is our list, reflecting our interests and prejudices. The list is in no particular order. Let me know what you think!
"Where the rationale isn't obvious, I've given an explanation."
The list covers the period of the Queen's reign.
The list in full:
John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Tim Berners-Lee
Delia Smith (an appreciation of good food by everyone, not just the well off and the massive expansion of eating out are features of the second Elizabethan Age)
Bobby Charlton (even two Welshmen had to admit a soccer tournament in 1966 was important to some people)
David Beckham (not for football but for being a Metrosexual or “new man”)
Johnny Wilkinson (for the rugby world cup)
Gareth Edwards (for being the greatest rugby player, pre world cup)
Seb Coe (for being an Olympian who’s bringing us London 2012)
Enid Blyton (originally thought of J K Rowling, but 800 children’s books rather trumps 8)
Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice
Graham Greene
Laurence Olivier
Judi Dench
Margaret Thatcher
Shirley Bassey (her career spans the entire period)
Tom Jones (preferred to Cliff Richard for a long running male soloist, Welsh prejudice here!)
David Bowie
Jade Goody (for the phenomenon of being famous for being famous)
Eric Morecambe & Ernie Wise
John Cleese
James Dyson
Richard Branson
Richard Rogers
Prince Charles (rather like the Prince Regent under George 111 or Bertie under Queen Victoria, the patient heir and Prince of Wales to a long serving monarch become famous in their own right)
Princess Diana
David Lean (we needed a film director)
David Attenborough (BBC natural history films are world famous…and produced in Bristol)
Roy Jenkins (not a PM but achieved more than most of them)
Louise Brown (a famous child due to her method of arrival in the world and a Bristolian)
David Frost (to represent tv interviewers and satire of politicians)
Tony Blair
Twiggy (for the age of super models)
Edward Heath (to piss off the Eurosceptics)
Joe Calzaghe
Dennis Taylor (snooker to represent popular tv sports and we needed someone from Northern Ireland)
Anthony Burgess
Paul Dacre (the Daily Mail has been a corrosive force in Britain for rather longer than 60 years but is still influential with some foolish politicians)
Kelvin MacKenzie (the Sun is the most successful paper to be launched since 1952)
Richard Dawkins ( unlike the reign of the first Elizabeth, there is no Archbishop or religious reformer in this list. An atheist is more typical of the period 1952 – 2012)
Steve Jones (who has popularised scientific debate in a less polarising way than Dawkins…and he’s Welsh)
Richard Madeley & Judie Finnigan (for services to daytime tv)
Kelly Holmes (we were struggling for female sports stars)
Steve Redgrave
Alex Salmond (who even if he doesn’t break up the Union, is still significant for Scotland)
Johnny Rotten (for 1970s punk rock and for “God Save the Queen” in the Silver Jubilee year)
Massive Attack (for alternative music and living in Bristol West)
David Hockney
Anthony Gormley
Barbara Hepworth
Jacob Epstein (Ok, a run of sculptors but quite different styles. And Espstein’s work in Llandaff and Coventry cathedrals is emblematic of 1950s Britain recovering from war damage)
Myra Hindley (someone to represent criminal notoriety)
Fred Goodwin (the face of the financial meltdown)
Jimmy Saville (for DJs, children’s TV and charitable fundraising by celebs)
Valerie Singleton (Blue Peter and other serious adult programmes)
Stephen Hawking (for science and over-coming disability)
Ian McKellen (for founding Stonewall as well as acting)
Ian Hislop (for 30 years making us laugh at the rich and powerful)
Alan Bennett
William Roache aka Ken Barlow (for the age of soap operas)
22 Comments
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by FOX_Joe
Friday, February 17 2012, 9:49PM
“Who cares one iota what this deviant thinks about anything!”
by Solomon243
Friday, February 17 2012, 8:39AM
“Rather than running for Mayor, I suggest Mr Williams runs for a train - OUT of Bristol!!!”
by Bristol1978
Friday, February 17 2012, 12:31AM
“@DM_Fishponds
"@BenGoldstrom has a history of supporting controversial politicians."
Thats probably got something to do with this...
"Published & promoted by Ben Goldstrom on behalf of Mark Wright (Liberal Democrat), both at 317 Bishopsworth Rd, Bristol, BS13 7LN. Printed by Media Group, 5-6 The Park Lane Estate, Park Lane, Oldbury, B69 4JX"
http://tinyurl.com/6ddv8sk
Its in tiny letters under the Mark Wright X graphic on the first page.”
by DM_Fishponds
Thursday, February 16 2012, 11:42PM
“@BenGoldstrom wrote: "Despite the current challenges the Lib Dems face I think Steven Williams has the qualities for the job."
@BenGoldstrom has a history of supporting controversial politicians. Back in October 2011 he wrote this:
"Tim Kent has a tough brief.
"Just for once lets all get behind this decent chap and give him some backing in this challenging position.
"Lets put political differences aside for the good of the City."
http://tinyurl.com/3zbqgwd
Politics aside, Ben, would you care to put in a good word for any other local Lib Dems?”
by Trymriverman
Thursday, February 16 2012, 8:14PM
“@SWilliamsMP - I'm perfectly aware of what your list was and your response is that of a politician, i.e., in not answering the point put to you but just saying something in response that sounds vaguely as if it might be and so as not to look bad. My point was that a person deserving to be mayor of Bristol would not waste an opportunity to talk the city up, lead and inspire. This piece of publicity of yours is good only in that it illustrates that you aren't what is required.”
by BenGoldstrom
Thursday, February 16 2012, 7:37PM
“Despite the current challenges the Lib Dems face I think Steven Williams has the qualities for the job.”
by SWilliamsMP
Thursday, February 16 2012, 7:31PM
“@bengoldstrum - if the city votes YES in the referendum in May then the Mayor will be elected in November, the same time as the directly elected Police Commissioner. The Mayor would take on all the powers of the existing city Council Leader but would also get some new ones. The scope of the new powers will be negotiated with the Government. The Mayor would appoint some councillors to carry out policy in areas like health and culture. much as is done now. The Mayor would be scrunised by the councillors but can only be voted in or out by the public.”
by SWilliamsMP
Thursday, February 16 2012, 7:27PM
“@trymriverman - the article I wrote on my blog was NOT a list of 60 famous Bristolians. it was a list of 60 famous BRITISH people from the last 60 years - BBC Radio 4 are looking for suggestions. The suggestions you make are of course perfect for a local list and maybe the Evening Post could run a local version. Bristol Zoo has been doing something similar - last year I went to the launch of their "walk of fame" - plaques of famous Bristolians forming a trail at the zoo. There were some surprising entries and ommissions - but that is the way of these lists.”
by BenGoldstrom
Thursday, February 16 2012, 7:01PM
“Could someone explain how policy is made and transacted by a Mayor?”
by Trymriverman
Thursday, February 16 2012, 5:41PM
“@swilliamsmp I think you have too much spare time on your hands. A list of 60 Bristolians who personified the ideals needed to drive greater Bristol to a successful future might have been a better idea. That list could have included a brilliant physicist (a worthy mayor would know who that was), Banksy, an engineer who worked on the Concorde project, a bio-tech scientist who helped grow a new trachea used in a successful transplant operation, some dub step producers, Tricky, Steve Lansdown, Cary Grant - honestly60 isn't enough. Greater Bristol deserves total commitment and passion from a mayor, not a nice guy who quite fancies the idea of having a nice high profile job.”