Today in Times Comment

David Aaronovitch believes Alex Salmond is a menace to Britain... Libby Purves thinks it’s shabby to write off the dons who are opposed to the Oxford reform plans as hopeless fuddy-duddies..... Martin Samuel marvels at how putting out your rubbish or flying while in the possession of toothpaste are now criminal acts..... Chris Ayres' finds that Kramer's real crime was to be unfunny as insulting humour is back in vogue..... and Mick Hume says, of course, we should build on green belt

Comments

[Ephi Levyn]

Alex Salmond must consider himself in clover. Not only did Government ministers spend most of their time on the podium at Labour's Scottish conference bad-mouthing the SNP, rather than promoting an inevitable raft of innovative and groundbreaking new policies and initiatives, but now Mr Salmond has the added bonus of an attack from David Aaronovitch, Seer of Iraq, to further fuel the nationalist flames.

What a treat it must have been to hear Doctor John Reid add the SNP to a list of 'not fit for purpose' organisations that includes his own Immigration and Probation services. And then there was the curious decision to entrust a politician with all the substance of Banquo's Ghost to fulfil the role of a Malcolm in winding up the conference and sending delegates rushing for their claymores.

All Mr Salmond now needs is for Tim Hames to confidently predict that the SNP will fail to win next May's regional assembly elections and his cup will surely runneth over.

[Ruth Gledhill]

I did laugh when I read Libby's latest comments on Oxford. I couldn't resist posting a little on it myself as well. I think we should all take our hats off to Libby and what I think she might have achieved with her op-ed piece. She's the Don, right! Ruth
http://timescolumns.typepad.com/gledhill/2006/12/oxford_uni_deba.html