Talk:Michael Howard

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Contents 1 Birth Name and Nationality 2 Quotations 3 "Jewish faith"? 4 18 percent 5 Lynton Crosby outrage 6 Asylum Seeker vs Economic migrant 7 PC Suffix 8 This article needs a photo 9 THE UFO INCIDENT?

[edit] Birth Name and Nationality

I'd like to know more about his background -- basically, how posh was his upbriging? If his family were so poor, how did he end up at Peterhouse, one of the poshest Cambridge colleges? And cambridge tory students are also very posh and their circles are difficult to infiltrate?

I must own up to having been at Peterhouse, despite coming from a fairly bad comprehensive. It is posh (the college, that is), but not that posh. My answer to your question would be: a combination of talent and hard work. Matve 10:40, 18 August 2005 (UTC)

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Is Howard his birth name? Just wondering if his Romanian Jewish father had the name of Howard. RickK 01:28 11 Jul 2003 (UTC)

That's a good question. His father's surname was originally Hecht. I had assumed that the change was made before Michael was born, but a Google search turns up this page, which says he was born Michael Hecht. I'm not sure this is a very reliable source, however. --Zundark 15:01, 31 Oct 2003 (UTC)

Hmm. While one expects the Telegraph to be OK, most of the other hits I get on this are either far-right BNP-type sites, or radical Islam sites, both complaining about "the evil Jewish conspiracy", etc. If Michael Hecht was his birth name, you might expect more reputable hits... Evercat 15:17, 31 Oct 2003 (UTC)

That article also says his family is Lithuanian, not Romanian - which is it? (I am also reminded of Lord Stockton's jibe about the Thatcher Cabinet containing more Estonians than Etonians.) Adam 15:19, 31 Oct 2003 (UTC)

Bah, can't trust even the broadsheets. :-) [1] from the Guardian says Romania, and says "The family name of Hecht was anglicised to Howard" though doesn't clearly say whether that means Michael was born Howard or Hecht. Probably not worth worrying about... Evercat 15:32, 31 Oct 2003 (UTC)

The BBC seems to stick with Transylvanian (and hence Romanian) on each mention - which seems to help the comedian's "he's a vampire" thesis (assisted by the "of the night" quote, naturally) -- Finlay McWalter 18:36, 1 Nov 2003 (UTC)

I was just going to ask this same question as to whther he was born Howard of Hecht. Anyway I've put in the original family name in a way that leaves it ambiguous. Mintguy 09:38, 1 Nov 2003 (UTC)

According to Rulers [2] he was born Hecht. And according to Have I Got News For You, and Radio 5.

Alun Ephraim 10:55, 1 Nov 2003 (UTC)

Found a more accurate link (which actually works), HTH Phil 15:09, Nov 11, 2003 (UTC)

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I think it looks a little anachronistic to describe Sandra Paul as a super-model. She worked as a model in the 1960s. Did celebrity escalation set in so early in that sector? I will change this to 1960s model if no one objects. -- Alan Peakall 17:54, 13 Nov 2003 (UTC)

There were famous, even celebrity, models long before the term "supermodel". Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton spring to mind. But "supermodel" does sound anachronistic in this context. Perhaps "noted model", "famous model", or "successful model"? -- Finlay McWalter 18:06, 13 Nov 2003 (UTC)

Go for it, doesn't bother me. "Supermodel" was merely the term used in the various news reports I read. Phil 08:56, Nov 14, 2003 (UTC)

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"The comment was taken as a bitchy reference to his dour demeanour, which she was implying was sinister and almost Dracula-like, as well as linking in to his Romanian ancestry." (my emphasis)

I might be crazy, but isn't it rather in bad taste to refer to a statement made by a member of the British government regarding a member of the Cabinet as "bitchy"? Barring that, it seems rather blatantly POV, which is not at all acceptable for a man who may end up being asked to kiss hands in a year or two. Wally 19:27, 20 Mar 2004 (UTC)

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Is it right to describe Paxman's questioning on Newsnight as a 'filler' to extend the interview? A video of the interview can be found here. The interview continues for about 2 minites after Paxman gave up this line of questioning. Was he really filling time? Mintguy (T) 10:07, 22 Aug 2004 (UTC)

The next item wasnt ready, and the producer was telling Paxman to fill in time... I had thought this had been discussed somewhere, though I must admit I now cant find the link. Iainscott 10:31, 22 Aug 2004 (UTC)

I've checked footage of that interview, and it is 14 times!

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Moved here from article:

Howard's non-standard pronunciation of the word people, concluding on a 'Dark L', adds depth to the caricature for students of phonetics. Many also find humor in his unique pronunciation of certain words, such as "skeyuill", for school, and "incredibull", for incredible.

I'm not sure where this can really fit in... Evercat 18:19, 28 Aug 2004 (UTC)

NB - Howard does not use a 'dark L' in 'people' - this is a 'clear L', as in most South Walian accents. The 'dark L' is used by the majority of Brits (and Americans, and others...) in this position. It's his exaggerated 'clear L' in what many people would otherwise consider to be a rather 'posh' accent that has such an impact, I think. Matve 10:40, 18 August 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Quotations

I like to have the odd quotation in a biog, but I know if I put this in by itself it will be regarded as POV. So, I'll rest it here, and then when there's a range of quotes maybe it will make it in (crosses fingers).--[[User:Bodnotbod|bodnotbod » .....TALKQuietly)]] 18:20, Aug 31, 2004 (UTC)

• "[The poll tax] was a bold and brave experiment but it didn't work, it was a mistake, I've apologised for it before and I'm happy to do so again." - BBC - December 2003 [3]

[edit] "Jewish faith"?

The article says "given Howard's Jewish faith". I don't believe its shown here (or elsewhere, for that matter) that Howard is of the Jewish faith (indeed, I can't find any mention of his religion, if he has one). Perhaps this should read instead "given Howard's Jewish ancestry". - John Fader

Howard is a member of St. Johns Wood, a liberal synagogue in London.

[edit] 18 percent

Crime fell by an unprecedented 18% during his term as Home Secretary and when he left office nearly a million fewer crimes were being committed than four years previously

I see this was added and reverted. So is it true or not? :-) Evercat 18:31, 28 Nov 2004 (UTC)

I have my doubts, but I hit the rollback button by accident when I just meant to comment it out and question whether there were any sources for this! I note that the anon IP who put it in has no other contributions to Wikipedia on record. -- Arwel 18:39, 28 Nov 2004 (UTC)

http://www.michaelhowardmp.com/biog.htm for conformation. I've never seen the claim disputed.

[edit] Lynton Crosby outrage

I just found out that Lynton Crosby the former director of the Liberal Party in Australia is running the campaign for the Conservative Party in the upcoming general election. Why on earth did Michael Howard allow him on board because I don't think voters appreciate a foreigner telling them how they should vote. Mind your own business Crosby. In fact if you are so keen to get yourself involve in the campaign why don't you help out the Liberal Democrats instead, after all they almost have the same name as your party.

Go home Crosby!!!

Hmmm, you sound like one of the rabid Bush supporters who responded to the Guardian's letter-writing campaign with such unexpected venom last year. I'm not sure why it bothers you that a foreigner might encourage you to vote a certain way—you don't actually have to do what he says. What I find more distasteful about foreigners and the Conservative Party is that Michael Howard seems to think it perfectly reasonable to advocate an asylum policy that would have resulted in the death of his own father in a gas chamber had it been implemented at the time of his immigration to the UK. Worry about that instead.

What a ridiculous argument, the reasons for a decision taken around 60 years ago in a period of severe national strife bears little relation to the Britain of today. You could also ask why Tony Blair clings onto the unrealistic notion that 157,000 imigrants a year is a workable intake, with all the associated burdens it brings in terms of services and health care etc. Extra economic output will only break even in the cost benefit analysis, meanwhile people smugglers get fat and rich off the misery of others. I'd worry about that.

"Hmmm, you sound like one of the rabid Bush supporters who responded to the Guardian's letter-writing campaign with such unexpected venom last year." I am not a Bush supporter and I do not know what you are talking about.

"I'm not sure why it bothers you that a foreigner might encourage you to vote a certain way' You obviously haven't heard the outcry over Bush interfering with Australian politics.

"I'm not sure why it bothers you that a foreigner might encourage you to vote a certain way'" You obviously have never heard of the Prime Directive.

[edit] Asylum Seeker vs Economic migrant

This article states that his father was an asylum seeker, yet other sources, including Michael Howard himself state that he was an economic migrant, which is true? -- Joolz 18:37, 30 Apr 2005 (UTC)

I believe that his father officially entered the United Kingdom as an asylum seeker, possibly having lied on his application, but in truth his reasons for coming were economic. Any criticism of Howard for his policies towards asylum seekers when his father was one is misplaced. The world has changed much in the last sixty odd years, and comparison is difficult.

M - From What i've heard from various sources so please dont ask me to name any, because i couldn't if i wanted to is that his father came here as something to do with the printing business originally, hence he'd be a migrant rather than a refugee ? Has anyone else hear this ?

We need to cite our sources, either way. Barring something reliable, we should say "immigrant" and leave it at that. -- John Fader (talk | contribs) 21:11, 12 May 2005 (UTC)

If you go to this page father http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/frontpage/4494597.stm# go to 29 mins 20 second into the leaders special and Mr Howard says 'my father came to this country as an Economic migrant' that seems like good enough proof for him being an Economic migrant not an Asylum Seeker.

Howard's father was obviously fleeing persecution to some extent, but he came as an "economic migrant" not as an ayslum seeker, he gained entry on the grounds that he had a job offer as a cantor at a synagogue, of which there were a shortage in the UK. The confusion is because of Howard's grandfather, Maurice Hecht. On Bernard Hecht's application for residence he claimed that his own father Maurice was dead. In fact Maurice Hecht was alive and well and living in the UK. Michael Howard has said that he guesses that the reason his father (Bernard) lied about his father (Maurice) might have been because Maurice was living in the UK illegally. The information is in Bernard Crick's bigraphy of Howard, referenced online in an Independent article here (as well as elsewhere) http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20050213/ai_n9532752 Howard was also born in Gorseinon, not Llanelli. He was brought up in Llanelli.

[edit] PC Suffix

I have removed the PC suffix as techincally it is not used for a 'commoner'. Membership of the Privy Council being signified by the prefix Right Honourable (Rt Hon). Members of the nobility who hold Privy Council Membership signify membership by using the suffix PC rather than the prefix Rt Hon, although using both in this context is acceptable. For more information refer to most editions of Whitaker's Almanac. Tgsh2005 30 June 2005 22:27 (UTC)

[edit] This article needs a photo

Dovea 19:11, 15 December 2006 (UTC)

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[edit] THE UFO INCIDENT?

I know this isnt political but should some info be included on the UFO incident which took place at Howrds house in the 1990's? Supposedly the fire service was called out and firemen "observed" something above the Howards house.--Redblossom 21:54, 25 February 2007 (UTC)