Ming encouraged by popularity of Statler and Waldorf

It was good to see two pages of the Independent today given over to Menzies Campbell answering questions from readers.

It was particularly good to read this question and answer:

Both Labour and the Conservatives have moved away from conventional left and right-wing policies to occupy the traditionally Liberal Democrat-dominated centre ground. Where does this leave the Liberal Democrats? LUKE GODFREY

It puts us in a strong position. The left and right divide in British politics has been replaced by a division between liberalism and authoritarianism. Labour has proven to be the most centralising and authoritarian government in living memory, and the Tories cannot decide where they stand, as shown by their flip-flopping over national identity cards. Only one party in British politics is truly liberal - and that's the Liberal Democrats.

I also liked this one:

Did you think it was unfair when people compared you and Vince Cable to Waldorf and Statler, the elderly characters from The Muppet Show? MARTIN FRANKS, Manchester

You need a thick skin in this business. I am encouraged by the popularity of Statler and Waldorf. I only hope that, like them, Vince and myself are regarded as having the best seats in the House.

How green is David Cameron?

The leading article in the Independent today is generally sympathetic to David Cameron's green efforts. However, it notes a visit by the Independent on Sunday to his newly refurbished West London home:

The windmill has come down because the roof was not strong enough. The composter does not work because it kept filling with water. And the gardener grows the prize-winning vegetables of which he is so proud.

It also notes failures in putting words into action:

So far, so good, even if Mr Cameron is a greenie-come-lately. But the test is cutting greenhouse gas emissions at home and abroad, and it is a test in which the Conservative leader is not yet performing so well. Conservative local councillors have opposed restrictions on cars. His MPs have voted against legislation introduced by Labour that will cut emissions. The most recent example was the doubling of air passenger duty, which will cut British air travel by 4 per cent. The Liberal Democrats voted against it on the grounds that the increase was not enough - but Mr Cameron boldly abstained while allowing his MPs to vote against because it was too much.

The fascination of food labels

I have a theory that the labels and packets of household items are some of the most widely read literature in the world. I found myself yesterday with nothing to do while I ate my toast, so I read the label of the Branston pickle jar. Growing up, I remember that my brother used to regularly read the Cornflake packet.

It's amazing what nuggets of information you pick up from a food label. What is Rutabaga, for example? That got you didn't it? After onions and carrots it is the third voluminous ingredient in Branston pickle.

I had to look it up. It turns out that Rutabaga is a type of turnip which is more yellowish than a normal turnip:

The rutabaga is very similar to the turnip except that it generally has yellowish flesh, a more dense root with more side shoots and they are usually harvested at a larger size. Unlike the turnip, the rutabaga has smooth, waxy leaves.

Why don't they just use turnips then? Oh alright then, I will end my curiosity there. If I started to go on about the pickle crisis of 2004, I really would expect the men in white coats to arrive pronto.

ITV feast tonight

Yes, I know I am an old softie, but Heartbeat and a new Midsomer all in one evening!

To borrow a phrase from Stephen Fry, it will be like "swimming in chocolate".

Voters see Cameron as weak

Apologies in advance for the lack of links in this post, but I am enjoying the novelty of a Centerparcs coin-operated computer, the keys of which require forty-two pounds of pressure to work. There was I thinking they would be all wi-fied-up.

The Sunday Telegraph reports an ICM poll which shows David Cameron as weak in comparison to Gordon Brown [33% v 53%], and less competant as a leader [29% v 54%].

After the Grammar school debacle, it is not surprising that voters see Cameron as weak. He has lost his "Clause 4" battle in the eyes of the public. The whole thing raises a big question mark over what are purported to be Cameron's media handling skills. As Andrew Rawnsley brilliantly summarises in the Observer today, the whole thing was so unnecessary.

But I suppose "Mr Balloon" had to burst in the end - as Riddell's wonderful cartoon in the Observer today illustrates.

Tory MP in disabled parking bay shame

There is nothing guaranteed to make me more furious than someone, who is obviously not disabled, parking in a disabled parking bay. My fury is usually heightened by the miscreant usuall being someone in a Ferrari or other such poncy vehicle.

So I should have been around when Anthony Steen, MP for Totnes, parked in a disabled bay in a Devon car park for a week. He worsened his sin by complaining about the number of bays given to what he described as "the handicapped".

Oil boom relocates from Iraq to Alberta, Canada

There is a fascinating article on Comment is Free from Naomi Klein. It describes how the insurgency-caused oil failure in Iraq has shifted demand to Canada and the use of "tar sands" through sophisticated methods.

It's all complete madness, of course.