Paloma Faith, Bobby Gillespie Join Vivienne Westwood Launch of MyFrackingQuestions.org

Paloma Faith, Duffy, Jools Holland, Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie join Dame Vivienne Westwood + others to launch Launch of MyFrackingQuestions.org

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Musicians Paloma FaithDuffyJools Holland and Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie have come together with campaigning celebrities including Dame Vivienne Westwood and her son, businessman Joe Corre, chef Mark Hix, double Olympic Gold Medallist rower Andrew Triggs Hodge, artist Sarah Lucas and human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell to show support for the launch of MyFrackingQuestions.org by taking a selfie holding up their fracking question for Minister for Energy Matthew Hancock MP.
 
In the images released today to mark the website going live, singer Paloma Faith is pictured holding up the question: “How can you be sure that our health will not be put at risk by fracking?” The singer goes on to comment that she is “really concerned about the health risks to the population and the long-term repercussions (of fracking)”. Duffy is shown in her photo asking Mathew Hancock MP if he will attend a Talk Fracking debate to address the public’s concerns and says: “I would like to call for a National Moratorium. A ‘stop the clock’. No more intrusive fracking until we, as a country, can assess whether this is the most sustainable, economic and safest source of energy”.
 
Vivienne Westwood says: “MyFrackingQuestions.org is asking the key questions that the public has told us they want answered definitively by the current government. We are acting now to empower the next generation, preventing them from having to deal with the potentially devastating effects of fracking should it go ahead in this country – from watching the economy crash to house prices nose-diving by 25 percent. This debate belongs to the British people but without any solid and reliable information, they cannot take part in this most critical of conversations. Until these questions are answered and until there is open public debate, there can be no social license and no democratic mandate.”

In his photo Bobby Gillespie raises concerns about whether or not we can trust the government on fracking when there are clear conflicts of interest. He adds: “Why is Lord Brown allowed to advise David Cameron on energy policy when he is a major shareholder in the fracking company Cuadrilla? Isn’t this a conflict of interest? Or is corporate corruption at the heart of the British government just business as usual?” Meanwhile chef and restaurateur Mark Hix asks: ”How will you ensure fracking companies have responsibility for compensation in the event of environmental or economic damage?”

MyFrackingQuestions.org allows the public to log on and ask their fracking questions directly to the energy minister with the aim of getting the government to provide factual answers to their concerns. The website allows users to choose their three most important concerns and send these questions to Matthew Hancock MP by Twitter or email. People can also submit their own questions via the platform if they prefer. MyFrackingQuestions.org poses questions relating to health, energy security, water, climate change, conflict of interest, economic benefits and also asks Matthew Hancock MP to attend a public debate to address the concerns of the public and engage in an open and factually informed debate about fracking in the UK.

MyFrackingQuestions.org is being launched by Talk Fracking, a UK initiative to raise awareness of the controversial process of hydraulic fracturing, ‘fracking’, and the government’s fast-moving plans to introduce it in the UK. Spearheaded by Dame Vivienne Westwood and her son, Joe Corre, Talk Fracking is calling for more independent debate into the potential dangers this industry holds for the UK at this critical moment, before the government’s plans go ahead, changing the UK forever.

Talk Fracking is supported by over 150 celebrities, scientists and respected organisations including Sir Paul McCartney, his daughter Stella, Yoko Ono, Helena Bonham-Carter, Jude Law, Sadie Frost, Greta Scacchi, Sir John Elliot Gardiner, Guillem Balagué, Lily Cole, Thom Yorke, Russell Brand, Nobel Laureate Sir Harold Kroto, Lord Rea, Stephen Frears, the RSPB, The Salmon & Trout Association, Jeanette Winterson OBE,  Dietmar Hamann, Graham Norton, Nick Grimshaw, Alan Carr, Bill Bailey, Matt Lucas, Vanessa Redgrave, Gavin Turk, Noel Fielding, Sir Antony Gormley OBE, Cornelia Parker OBE, Mariella Frostrupp, Fergus Henderson, James Bolam, Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore and Tracey Emin CBE RA.

Joe Corre says: “Talk Fracking has so far invited over 80 policy makers, industry figures and scientists to take part in a series of panel debates to discuss the merits of fracking in the UK. The former energy minister Michael Fallon’s email invitation was opened over 70 times. Despite this not one of them has had the courage to attend and answer the critical questions from the British public on the serious dangers this technology poses for the UK. I am astonished at the level of contempt this shows to the electorate. The ‘My Fracking Questions’ initiative offers another opportunity for the energy minister to set out his detailed answers to the questions we have gathered so far. This issue is not going to go away! It is building massive public support by the day as more people inform themselves of the risks and wake up to the fact it is happening on their doorstep. Fracking has the potential to fracture our economy, environment, health, communities and even political parties. The government should stop listening to the lobbyists, the spin-doctors and their industry friends. They need to listen to the people and realise that we are doing them a favour by facilitating the forum for them to do just that!”

 

Michelle Obama Tops Best Dressed List

SUNDAY TIMES STYLE MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES: MICHELLE OBAMA TOPS THE BEST DRESSED LIST 2013

 Children cheer as U.S. first lady Michelle Obama arrives for a taping of the TV cooking show "Top Chef" in Dallas

Sunday Times Style Magazine, the UK’s premium fashion and beauty magazine, has this week announced its first-ever definitive guide to the best dressed. Over the next two Sundays, Style names the 50 individuals who have led fashion with their interpretation of sartorial good-taste in 2013.

 

The list is compiled by the Style team, including: AA Gill, Camilla Long, Colin McDowell, Shane Watson, Christina Lamb, Giles Hattersley, Kate Spicer, Tiffanie Darke, Claudia Croft, Richard Gray, Francesca Hornak, Fleur Britten, Michael Hennegan, and of course Mrs Mills. The team also provides insightful commentary on how the rankings have been chosen, and who leads in creating the perfect alchemy between taste, style and personality.

 

At the top of the list is America’s style queen: Michelle Obama. Described by Darke as being an important woman with a high-powered job who still has fun with fashion; the First Lady was praised for her blend of High Street with couture, and her use of clothes to inspire and entertain.

 

Mrs Obama’s lead ranking contradicts today’s reports of criticism by designer Dame Vivienne Westwood who termed Michelle’s choice of clothes “dreadful” and a “non-starter”.

 

Creative director of Céline, Phoebe Philo, is in second place. Her understated approach; relaxed mantra, and devotion to flats – particularly box fresh trainers, has earned her Kate Spicer’s vote. Miuccia Prada meanwhile receives the bronze. The 63-year-old matron of Milan’s great fashion house is described by Gray as embracing ‘the edge’ with poise and strength so that it is never frivolous and always handsome.

 

Ranked at number seven is Victoria Beckham who comes one above the Duchess of Cambridge. Mrs Beckham is praised by Colin McDowell for her commitment to providing customers with perfection, and taking the same approach with her own never-faltering appearance.

 

Style Magazine editor Tiffanie Darke says: “The diverse nature of this list demonstrates the importance of fashion in the overall conversation, confirming the role clothes play in creating a visual manifesto.”

 

“What’s so encouraging is that among the 25 people celebrated today, no two share a similar look; they all occupy a different part of the fashion spectrum, using their own taste and judgment to bring together an individual style that serves to inspire.”

 

At 20 in this week’s list, is Grayson ‘Claire’ Perry. Praised for being the world’s most individual dresser, the 52-year-old Turner Prize-winning artist is celebrated for his love of over-scale dresses and flouncy skirts that look large enough to accommodate a nappy. A living work of art, Mrs. Mills considers him a national treasure that should be listed as part of our heritage.

 

The top five undressed are also featured for their zest as well as their ability to wear naked well. Kelly Brook leads the pack with curves that make maintaining eye contact too challenging. In second place, model Kate Upton marks the return of the bombshell, while Kate Moss comes in at third for her ever-wiliness to embrace being starkers.

 

Suri Cruise shows the under 10s how it’s done thanks in no small part to her brave use of accessories. An early appreciation of Chanel handbags has put Alia Wang – niece of Alexander  – in second, while Shilou Jolie Pitt’s decision to eschew the glitter has gained her a third with a firm salute for self-assured taste.

 

The Top 50 Best Dressed List forms part of a re-launched Style magazine, which sees a renewed focus on fashion, and more attention given to beauty and a re-design that will include more stunning photography.

Style will continue to be supported by a year-long schedule of brand activities designed to strengthen its position in the industry as a key fashion and beauty brand. Readers will also be invited to attend exclusive Style-branded events, including an upcoming series of Style Conversations. Hosted at the Savoy, Erdem is due to headline in April. Previous conversations have seen major fashion designers such as Valentino, Donatella Versace, John Galliano and Giles Deacon taking questions from Sunday Times fashion writer Colin McDowell.

 

Speaking about the re-launch, Darke said: “The Sunday Times Style Magazine is already a pillar of global fashion media and this re-launch is only going to consolidate that position. We’re taking the title back to its roots in order to stake our claim as the number one title for women with an interest in high-end fashion and beauty.”

 

Next week: Nos 25 – 50; the best dressed men, and who leads offenders.

Who would you put on a best dressed list?