We often make the mistake of judging ealier times by recent and present experience. I suppose I am guilty of some kind of reverse, assuming todays promenaders (?) have the thoughts and emotions of 19C imperialists, when they are just singing a song.

But I have to say McGrath, you struck a chord with the Thatcher reference and it was too close for me. To see Blunkett in the Observer was not good.

I guess and just don't detect the tongue in the cheek