Rummaging in my drawers, as I do occasionally, I discovered a piece I wrote nearly 16 years ago.
You will forgive me if I unload it on you.It refers to something arising from events 36 years ago.
I have changed the name of one correspondent and institution who and which have probably
moved to other places.
“Some twenty odd years ago, following some misinformed or misguided editorial in The Times,
that paper was gracious enough to publish a letter of mine, written in the hope that it would learn
something from it.
Though my circumstances at the time were straitened, nay, penurious, I began to receive curious
mail. One came with an audiotape featuring Captain Mark Philips singing the praises of the Land
Rover. (Those were the days when 4x 4s could be expected in urban areas only if the military were
mounting a coup d’etat or the “Police” in the North of Ireland were going about their Constabulary
Duties.)
One came inviting me to a fine wine tasting, and another to view some objet d’art in Chelsea.
Another invited me to invest in a Condominium in Florida. But I’m a Roman Catholic of the
Old School,(motto: Inter Mutanda Constantia). Besides, I couldn’t afford the fare.
Perhaps the most curious letter, dated 29th January 1987, came from one B.K.M…..,Chairman
and Chief Executive of the XYZ Investment Trust Limited –
‘Dear Mr Kennedy,
I am writing to you on a personal basis to see if you are interested in working together with
myself to raise capital for a fighting fund to ensure the Conservative Party achieves success
at the next election.
You are no doubt deeply concerned about the possible threat of a Labour victory at the next
election and are obviously considering, as I am, the ramifications of such a success on your
ability to create and conserve wealth. I can only assume that your circumstances are comparable
to mine, in that you are eager to protect the wealth that you have created and the quality of life
you and your family enjoy..
It is my considered opinion that if the Conservative Party do not win the next election, penal
taxation, exchange controls and a break down of our traditional values will take place.
My purpose in writing to you is to seek your assistance, financially or by direct participation
with a group of like-minded individuals, to raise substantial sums to meet a special requirement
of the Conservative Party. The sums raised will be directed at specific aspects of election
organisation and political campaigning by providing the constituencies with modern technology
and advanced management systems.The total of the sums raises will be directed only towards
this project and will no be diverted to any other activities within the Conservative Party.
If you do not wish to be actively involved may I presume to ask for a donation made payable
to the ‘Conservative Board of Finance Tactical Committee’ and sent to me at the address below.
However if you contribute already to the Conservative Party Board of Finance or to the Treasurers
of the Conservative Party please ignore my request for a contribution.
Would you please contact me if you can assist in any way.
Yours sincerely’ “
WHEN THE TIMES published my letter they made a minor error when transcribing my address. All my curious mail repeated their error. Advertisers assume that anyone who has a letter published in The Times is not short of money, and they pass the addresses on to businesses and the Conservative Party, a party which was renounced for me at my Christening by my sponsors, when I renounced the Devil and all his works and pomps.
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