Don - I was about to agree with you until your government remark. I think I detect more hopelessness now than ever before. I think that that is what many are running away from into the arms of alcohol (even though you and I both quite like alcohol anyway).

And I am wholly clear that this new hopelessness is the fault of this government, which can turn round the day after the House of Lords (hardly a bastion of socialism) savages government attempts to steal from the worst off in society, and without even pause to examine its conscience if any announces plans to reverse the Lords' improvements to the Welfare Bill.

Well, Backwoodsman, scrapping the NHS appears to be exactly what this government is planning. Although if you imply that this government is not in its right mind I will agree.