20 AUGUST 1988, Page 51

Switched on

HIS love of `Blackers', as he calls it, has led him to insist that the first annual conference of his charming left-wing think- tank must be held there, among the salt-of- the-earth types upon whom he so dotes. In a 'Meet the People' session, Lady Antonia will be doling out the candy-floss from an upstairs window, while Mr Salman Rush- die has been dragooned into switching on a specially devised new seafront illumination. And of what will this illumination consist? Why, the cheery face of Mr John Mortimer, of course.