political cycling

There is a time in the political cycle where governments can do no right. Labour are surely at that point – both in Scotland and the UK.

The debate over David Miliband’s true intentions when he penned a Guardian article ostensibly calling for Labour to pull itself together is a case in point. Every word is now analysed for signs of (dis)loyalty and the pace of 24 hour news means that any utterance is immediately assessed by teams of political pundits. Before anyone has the chance to even read the original article, it has already been pulled apart and its content pigeon-holed as pro or anti Mr Brown.

Not that I have any sympathy for Number 10s most dithering occupant since Neville Chamberlain. It does though provide a fascinating real life example of how the media operates and public opinion fluctuates. As you trace a popularity line from Blair’s landslide to Glasgow East, you see a marked dip with the invasion of Iraq but also a crystal clear indication that the media set you up, then knock you down. There is a warning in there for Alex Salmond as the Scottish political nibs clamour to proclaim him “quite good actually”.

I feel my age now as I remember the predictions of Tory wipeout and their elimination from British politics. Yet now we discuss Cameron as a credible alternative PM. William Hague was probably just as credible, but it wasn’t the right time in the cycle for him. Perhaps, though, with David Cameron having his bike stolen this week, now is not the time to mention cycles to him either.

Value for money

I was at the dental hospital on Tuesday to have a wisdom tooth removed. On arrival, I was "persuaded" to have the top tooth removed as well as it was likely to cause problems when the lower one was removed. Part of the persuasion was that it would be free at the dental hospital but I'd have to pay if I went back to get it done at my own dentist. A kind of BOGOF deal from the NHS....

However, the whole procedure took so long that by the time we got out, we had a parking ticket. Funnily enough, about the cost of a tooth removal at my dentist.

Still, I can now join the club that have horrible dental stories to tell whenever wisdom teeth are mentioned. I discovered the existence of this club when I started telling people that i was taking a couple of days off to get the tooth removed. Members are easily spotted by the way they screw up their faces like a mechanic telling you your brakes are shot, before proceeding to regale you with stories of blood, pain and general discomfort.