Coming soon: Barry Gardiner – The Movie

With the BAFTAs last Sunday and the Oscars next week, film award season is well underway. And while it’s too late for new entries this year, Mr S hears of a dark horse for next year’s competitions. Step forward, Labour’s Barry Gardiner, who is the unlikely star of a documentary about his recent private members’ bill to ban ‘fire and rehire’ practices. Gardiner, Jeremy Corbyn’s colourful shadow trade secretary, ran a series of eye-catching stunts to raise publicity for the campaign, including gatecrashing the 1922 drinks at Tory party conference: a move that prompted frenzied speculation of an imminent defection.

His efforts to change the law might have been unsuccessful but at least they have been captured for posterity. The one-hour long documentary is about to go on a national tour around the country, beginning with showings at around 40 Constituency Labour party branches and then screenings at major left-leaning events like the Durham Miners’ Gala, the Tolpuddle Martyrs and potentially Glastonbury festival too. The