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Monday 13 October 2008

Spectator's Notes

Charles Moore's reflections on the week

T.E. Utley is another journalist whose influence extends far beyond his life. Because of the second-to-last-ditch reluctance of Lord Hartwell’s Daily Telegraph to give anyone a column, Peter (as he was always called) was not as well known to the public as Auberon Waugh, but he had a huge effect through his Telegraph leading articles, and through his conversation and friendship with the young. Peter Utley was blind and liked sitting in the pub, and his was the special sort of wisdom which immobility and not being in a hurry can bring. He had a Dr Johnson Toryism — Anglican, funny, wholly English, independent — but without any of Johnson’s awkwardness. His company was an education — the more so because it never presented itself as such. When Peter died 20 years ago, a fund was set up in his memory, and this year it offers a prize of £5,000, open to undergraduates at any British university who submit an essay of not more than 5,000 words on ‘Will the United Kingdom still be united in ten years’ time? And should it?’ The judges include Michael Gove MP, Tom Utley of the Daily Mail (yes, son of T.E.), Andrew Gimson of the Daily Telegraph and myself. Entries should be sent to the T.E. Utley Memorial Fund, 111 Sugden Road, London SW11 5ED, or emailed to ginda.utley@btinternet.com by Friday 16 May.

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