Hereford Cathedral School

Despite the snow and ice, a near full capacity audience heard Michael Portillo speak at the inaugural lecture of ‘Spectrum’ on Friday 8^th January in the Powell Theatre.

 This embryonic Society has been set up with the intention of enabling students to hear speakers from a wide range of backgrounds – from Economics and Politics on the one hand to Arts and Broadcasting on the other.  Those who attended were treated to a whistle stop tour of Mr Portillo’s career, his reflections on the current state of politics in the UK as well as his thoughts on the closure of Guantanamo Bay following his recent television programme.

 After his talk, Mr Portillo took questions from the audience which included issues as disparate as his views on the Obama Presidency to the government’s recent announcement to increase the top rate of income tax to 50%!  All in all, the audience very much enjoyed a stimulating, wide ranging talk which provided an excellent launch event for this new Society.

Thanks must go to Xander Drury (L6th) for his work in securing Mr Portillo as the speaker at this event and for the considerable work which he has put in to developing the Society so far.  We very much look forward to the next talk!

M.R. Jackson