How much happens in a few months

They say a week is a long time in politics. So it is, but the months since I last posted here have been a near lifetime of changes. We have all got used to the fact that Gordon Brown won't go away of his own accord, almost used to the fact that he is the Western leader with the least legitimate mandate, clinging to power by his fingernails and the inability of the opposition to land a knock out blow.

What a horrible country he and Tony Blair have created. And yes, they have been in power for long enough to be held accountable for what is happening as a result of their policies. Economic disaster, a health service which is a disgrace to the remaining loyal people who work within it - GPs work 9 to 5 Monday to Friday and then whole counties "are looked after" from 5 pm to 9 am by one or two (yes one or two) overworked locums who have no idea about the medical histories of their patients.

One new criminal offence a day since Blair won the first time. 25% of the world's CCTV cameras. Corrupt politicians. Unions resurgent, penal taxes, more in the offing. Spin, spin and more spin. Even the Prime Minister seems to be unable to get his facts right. Two apparently unpopular and unwinnable wars killing our soldiers with tragic regularity, at least one of them having been started illegally.

The education system is now being given overall more resources, ie, cut. It's bad enough already but overall literacy and numeracy levels are bound to fall yet more.

Why then can our loyal opposition not land anything like a conclusive uppercut to this bunch of pious hypocrites and clingers to power? I don't really know but their failure makes me wonder if they are any better.....

Tomorrow back to food, a much nicer subject.