Politics

We've been fortunate to have a couple of big elections in the past week. Thursday saw elections across the UK but most notably that in Scotland where there pro-independence Scottish National Party were threatening to cause an upset over Labour's lead, and upset they did indeed achieve, clinching one more vote than Labour. Talk of independence is unlikely however as the other 3 big parties are all committed to Scotland remaining a part of the UK, and between them their majority is considerable. Coalitions seem to be being refused by both the Lib Dems and Tories, so it'll be interesting to see what sort of ruling party and first minister we do actually get from all of this.

Yesterday saw the 2nd and final part of the French Presidential elections which saw Sarkozy win by a comfortable 6%. It's still to be seen how he pans out as President, but he's reportedly an Anglophile and pro-American, plus he was talking the friendly talk towards the likes of Algeria too. He wasn't acting so friendly however towards illegal migrants and those on state welfare, both of which will seemingly be targeted with hard line policies. Hard work is the Sarkozy's motto for France; let's see if the unions agree with him.

Cheese - junk food?

The government has classified cheese as junk food in relation to their campaign on childhood obesity and the restrictions that will be placed on advertising to children.

Yes, cheese is composed of a high percentage of fat, but cheese is a fine natural product in which a great amount of time, effort skill and indeed art is applied. Junk food indeed! Ofcom have shown themselves up as being culinary heathens on this issue. Cheese *can* be fattening of course, but it doesn't make it junk. To even put it on the same level as the likes of MacDonalds whose food is designed to contain all that is bad in order to create addiction seems quite incredibly really. Cheese is tasty and perhaps somewhat addictive through being a fine, natural product and long may it continue to satisfy us.

Jaffa Cakes and Marmite is also being classified as junk food. On these I hold less of an issue. Jaffa Cakes, well as the name implies are a manner of cake. Indeed it was once proven to authorities that they are cakes and not chocolate biscuits in order to avoid VAT I believe. Fair do's really. Marmite, well I have forever failed in seeing what is in the slightest bit attractive of this foul substance. Thus I have no qualms in limiting its advertising coverage!

Welcome to 1984

The government is further rolling out a trial of speaking CCTV camera. These feature attached speakers so when ne'er do wells are spotted they can be shouted at to cease and desist. It's probably a good idea, in that perpetrators know they're being watched, but it does sound a great deal like 1984 and it's ilk - instructions being blared at the submissive workers to get on their way and stay on the straight and narrow.