Riddiford

Any of you who had wondered why both Forums this year were dominated by outside speakers - Frank Kitts on accommodation and George McLeod on long-range weather forecasting - were probably a bit peeved when our bright SCMers unearthed another star attraction, this time local member and temporary Minister of Justice Dan Riddiford but on accommodation: again. Filmed by a rather pissed-off camera team from the N.Z.B.C. Dan chundered out one of his you neverhaditsogood speeches, quietly glad that he still had both feet above ground. Because, while it was a lot of fun at first to rubbish him, and just sit and watch half a university cream on him, at the end you began to realise that there's something pretty unfulfilling about crucifying a dying man.

What he said wasn't really too important; but next time someone ought to see that we get a real live cabinet stud to play with. You began to feel that all the budding wreckers mightn't have stood such a good chance against someone alive enough to fight back: maybe even to feel a little admiration for someone who could face all that and still quietly blunder through his text for the day. We'll miss you when you go, Dan - just a little.