John S., I find your description of the sugar-plum fairy most apt. How on earth it can be said that a person possessed of such transparent insincerity could still be 'popular' with the masses defies logic. Surely they wouldn't be foolish enough to let themselves be conned by this man again, or would they? Seems some of our 'friends' in the media have much to answer for, doesn't it.?
Tony A. is an unknown quantity, perhaps, but in my view the alternative would be to sanction three more years of waste and mismanagement that Australia can no longer afford. Kevin is a charlatan, a poseur, far removed from the statesman this country (like many others) is crying out for. Let us hope on Saturday the powers that be look kindly upon us and that, finally, we can be rid of this deceitful, egocentric 'tosser' once and for all.

With apologies to Keith T. for this digression away from the thread topic. Anyway, I'd much rather talk of happier times, of fun and frolics on the Iberian peninsular, of a time when there was still a place for MacAndrew's little ships in the scheme of British trade with the continent. I sometimes wonder how great a part the 'Chunnel' has played in Britain's gradual decline. 'Tis a pity some of the ships involved in any resurgence of maritime trade were not flying the red duster.......well, I can dream can't I ?


.............Roger