But sometimes those who can't - do as well. You don't necessarily have to be a musician to recognise a bum note.

Not that I have any wish to defend Kim Howells - however I think it's better to concentrate on the numerous times he says things that don't make sense, or just aren't true, rather than on the rare occasions when what he says happens to be in line with what a great many people think.

I'd far rather that he had gone on record as saying that the Turner Prizewinners were magnificent artists, and every bit as good as Turner himself. That would have convinced everyone that Kim Howells really was...