In and around 1991, David Botsford (d.2013) recorded a series of interviews for a programme that he called “Voices of Liberty”. Those he interviewed included many in the British libertarian movement, together with several prominent critics of libertarianism.
The programme was never made. In December 2007, however, David handed the analogue tapes of the interviews to Sean Gabb of the Libertarian Alliance.
Beyond making a few obvious joins, where interviews span more than one tape, Sean decided not to edit the footage. This means occasional comedy and much dullness. But these are now important video sources from the moment when some thought the libertarian movement was on the point of political breakthrough, but it was really on the verge of decline.
At the time of filming, David obtained signed permission from all persons interviewed to use their contributions as he pleased. He assigned these rights to the Libertarian Alliance.
We take this opportunity to regret David’s early death. In the 1980s, he was a prolific and important writer for the Libertarian Alliance. He was also good company. He has been and will be missed.
Patrick Minford – very much a British Chicago School man.
I am very much an Austrian School man – but I still found the work of Patrick Minford very interesting.
He was vindicated on unemployment.
Patrick Minford said, again and again, that if only labour market flexibility could be restored then the mass unemployment could be cured.
People such as James Prior (the first “Employment Secretary” in the government Mrs Thatcher headed) ignored Patrick Minford – treated him with contempt. Therefore unemployment exploded – as the pro union statutes were left in place.
However, Norman T. did listen to Patrick Minford. He did not do what I would have done, repeal all the pro union statutes – including those of 1906 and 1875, but he did replace them with less harmful statutes.
If Patrick Minford had been listened to earlier, many wasted lives would have saved.