Spice girls back sceptics on Europe

Spectator, The, Dec 14-21, 1996 by Montefiore, Simon Sebag

On the question of what creates the moral man, education v. genetics, the Spice Girls took a more Platonic than Rousseauesque view: `We don't think man's born as a blank sheet of paper, innocent and noble.' Once again we returned to Thatcher: `What matters in life is the ability to rise and do anything.'

`Napoleon boasted that every soldier had a marshal's baton in his knapsack,' I informed them.

`Exactly, Simon. Wicked! Thatcher was a greengrocer's daughter and that says it all,' said Gerri.

`The pilot that weathered the storm?' I asked.

`We need more women MPs,' said Gerri. `That's why we're considering politics.'

`Would you perhaps like to put yourself up as a candidate for Sir Nicholas Scott's safe seat in Kensington and Chelsea?' I asked.

`Yes,' said Ginger Spice. `There is Nick Scott's vacancy. I am considering whether to throw my spice into the ring and stand. If the people want me, I could not refuse. I'd be like Glenda Jackson - but better.'

I explained the frantic competition for the safe seat and the task of reuniting that fractious constituency. `No problem. Can do.' She raised a long and perfectly formed leg encased up to the thigh in leather boots and shook her Titian mane, ejaculating huskily, `Yes. Chelsea! I'll whip them into shape!'

The author also writes for the Sunday Times.