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Hoon welcome at Latitude, despite runway plans
By CMU Editorial | Published on Wednesday 21 January 2009
Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon has not been banned from this year’s Latitude festival, contrary to reports in the press. It had been claimed that Melvin Benn, head of Latitude organisers Festival Republic, had banned Hoon from the festival (which he attends every year) due to his stance on the building of a third runway at Heathrow Airport.
The claims stem from an interview with Benn, which appeared in The Guardian earlier this week. In it, he said: “Every year since we started Latitude, Geoff Hoon has been seen striding across the fields in his shorts to the puzzled amazement of our slightly younger crowd”.
“But as we get a reputation as one of the greenest festivals on the circuit, it would be a bit strange to sell a ticket to a chap who’s just authorised a climate-wrecking new runway at Heathrow and who apparently thinks climate change is ‘tree-hugging hoolah’, whatever that is. Of course, if he reverses on the runway and starts implementing low carbon transport solutions he’ll get a ticket for life”.
However, Benn yesterday told the East Anglian Daily Times that Hoon was still welcome at the festival, but it would be a bit weird if he did turn up. He said: “He hasn’t been banned. Latitude is gaining a name as a very green festival and it is very much core to what we are doing”.
“Certainly there’s a strong argument to suggest that a third runway at Heathrow isn’t a great idea, and what I did say is that it would be rather strange him being at such a green festival. It is probably an ambitious hope to persuade him that if I gave a lifetime ticket to him and his family then he would see it as sufficient reward not to go ahead with the third runway”.
Responding to Benn’s comments, Hoon told the NME: “I enjoy going to Latitude. It has an excellent mixture of music, film, theatre and comedy. I’ve always admired the efforts to attract an audience of all ages and its commitment to the environment. I have been able to play my part by cycling there”.
