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Belly laughs at ‘diversity’ night but dancers hide before Harman arrives
Jack Lefley29 Sep 2009
Labour heavyweights let their hair down at their party conference's annual diversity night.
The evening is a favourite among cabinet ministers with its free curry and traditional Indian music.
Host Keith Vaz led the way with a stint on the dancefloor accompanied by a couple of belly-dancers, who gyrated their way around the ageing MP as he struggled to keep up.
But Mr Vaz, chairman of the influential Home Affairs Select Committee, hastily ushered the women away before Labour's deputy leader arrived.
Sensing that the display of flesh might not sit well with his feminist cabinet colleague, he said: “We have to hide them away because Harriet Harman is coming.”
Each minister was greeted with traditional drummers, fireworks and had garlands draped over their necks before giving a short speech.
Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw, a constant presence at the evening conference parties in Brighton this week, initially told guests he would be unable to dance due to a bad case of disco knee'.
But before long he was persuaded to overcome the injury and even whipped his jacket off as enthusiastic female guests crowded around him.
The party was also attended by communities minister John Denham and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liam Byrne, who showed off some dance moves of his own.
The event was given a truly international feel by speeches from the Chinese and South Korean ambassadors to the UK.
Transport minister Sadiq Khan was on fine form as he addressed the crowd on diversity at the heart of government.
He said: “I am not the first Asian member of the cabinet. In order to be an Asian man you need two things - a belly and a moustache. Bob Ainsworth is the first Asian cabinet minister.”
The event was held amid tight security at Brighton's Tru nightclub which was searched by police using sniffer dogs before the proceedings got under way.
Reader views (3)
Cor,it looks more like Obesity night to me.
- Steve, London, 29/09/2009 15:01
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What a right plonker Vaz looks - just like the rest of the Labour parasites.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR, 29/09/2009 10:42
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Running scared? A classic case of do as we say, not as we do. Just how terrifying is the person known as Harriet. If you can't stand up for yourself in respect of a couple of belly dancers, no wonder we are in the position we are in. We must do as we are told, no ifs, ands or buts. No wonder no one seems able to make a decission.
- Alan, carlisle uk, 29/09/2009 09:33
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