The news last week that olive oil, Marmite and porridge cannot now be
advertised during television programmes aimed at children confirms something
I’ve suspected for a few months. There’s a revolution going on in Britain
and no one seems to have noticed.
When the French and Russian proletariat rose up against the middle and upper
classes, they made a lot of noise and used pitchforks. Whereas here the
revolutionaries are using stealth and a drip-drip-drip policy of
never-ending legislation.
It started when they let ramblers trample all over your flowerbeds and then,
of course, there was hunting. We know that the antis couldn’t really have
cared less about the wellbeing of foxy woxy, but they hated, with a passion,
the well-heeled country folk who charged about on their horses shouting
tally ho.
Then came the attack on four-wheel-drive cars. “It’s the environment,” they
smiled, but it’s no such thing. Otherwise they’d be up north taxing people
with clapped out Ford Orions and telling fat people in council houses to get
out of the chip shop and lag their bloody lofts.
No, they go after Chelsea Tractors because these are symbols of middle-class
success. You have to remember that trade unionists and antinuclear
campaigners didn’t go away. They just morphed into eco-mentalists because
they realised that global warming was a better weapon than striking, or
doing lesbionics for mother Russia in Berkshire.
Think about it. They tell you not to go to Tuscany this summer, and they throw
withering looks at the Ryanair flights to Gascony. But when Kentucky Fried
Chicken starts advertising a bucket of supper with disposable plates and
nonbiodegradable plastic cutlery so you don’t have to get your fat arse out
of your DFS sofa and wash up, do we hear a murmur? You can cup your ears as
much as you like but the answer is no.
Instead we get Ofcom listing what it considers to be junk food and therefore
unsuitable for children. Chicken nuggets? Plain white bread? Oven chips?
Diet drinks? Nope, along with a lot of oven ready “meals”, these are all
fine apparently.
But Marmite, porridge, raisins, cheese and manuka honey? ’Fraid not. This is
what middle-class kids eat so it’s all wrong, and now it can’t be advertised
on television in the afternoon.
Meanwhile you have John Prescott insisting that each new housing development
can only get a planning green light if it “spoils some Tory bastard’s view”.
It gets worse. Ken Livingstone has not extended the congestion charge into
Tower Hamlets or Newham. Nope. He’s gone for Kensington and Chelsea. And we
learnt last week of plans to turn Sloane Square, the epicentre of
middle-class shopping and conviviality, into a tree-free crossroads.
I’ve checked and strangely there are no plans to build a new road through the
statue of Harold Wilson in the north’s equivalent of Sloane Square — George
Square in Huddersfield.
There are, however, plans afoot to give Janet Street-Porter and others of a
Gore-Tex disposition access to a 10-yard-wide corridor around all of
Britain’s 2,500mile coastline. So you worked hard all your life and saved up
enough to buy a bit of seclusion by the sea? Well sorry, but Natural
England, a sinister sounding bunch, has advised Defra, which sounds like
something the Nazis might have dreamt up, that your garden should be
confiscated and that there should be a “presumption against” giving you any
compensation.
You see what I mean. On its own, that’s no big deal. But lob everything else
into the mix and it becomes clear that traditional Britain is under attack.
It’s porridge and Jonathan Ross’s back garden today, but tomorrow Mrs Queen
will be transported to Scotland and summarily shot. You mark my words.
I bet the chief executive of Barclays agrees. He announced last week that the
bank had made record profits, and was probably feeling pretty chuffed, right
up to the moment he was summoned to a television studio and presented as the
unacceptable face of capitalism who goes round the countryside at weekends
stamping on puppies.
I felt it too on Thursday, because for reasons I can’t be bothered to explain
I was in London with a Rolls-Royce and no one ever let me out of a side
turning.
Why? As I’ve said before, Simon Cowell, who is a rich man, gives the exchequer
more each year than is generated by all the speed cameras put together. If
you combined the tax contributions of all those who have Rollers, I bet
you’d have enough to pay for Britain’s air traffic control system.
And that’s before you start on how much Britain’s rich do for charity. Last
year a bunch a hedge fund managers raised £18m in a single night to help
Romanian orphans. At one party Lady Bamford’s mates stumped up £3m for the
NSPCC. And I had lunch on Thursday with a chap who, so far as I could tell,
single-handedly looks after every disadvantaged child in the land.
And yet, when he climbs into his Bentley to go home at night, a bunch of
communists and hippies, egged on by faceless former Greenham lesbos in
government think tanks, makes sure he can never pull into the traffic flow.
Not that he’s going anywhere anyway, because Ken Livingstone has taken £8 a
day from middle-class Londoners and given it to a crackpot South American
lunatic in exchange for cheap oil, which means the capital is choked with
buses full of Bulgarian pickpockets fleeing from the police.
I notice this morning that the blossom is out on my trees. And yet, somehow,
it doesn’t feel like summer’s coming.
Peter Hitchens thinks we'll all be saved if we become religious (tell that to the abused children the Archbishop of Canterbury is currently apologising to) and David Cameron seems to have, finally, changed his mind about hugging a hoodie to combat crime on our streets. Tony Bliar is trying to secure the last of our liberty before he goes (good riddance) and other Labour ministers couldn't speak to a group of the voting public, who wanted to discuss the opening of a probation house for paedophiles near schools, because they were "too busy". The Red Cross don't want to be seen as a Christian organisation and a 10yr old boy was cautioned by police officers, at his home, for calling his best friend 'gay'. His best friend told his mum.. who complained to the police... who promptly called round and cautioned the boy. If they'd have been burgled they'd have just got a crime number!
You really can't make it up!
Philipa, Middle, England
Well Jeremy stop complaining and do what I did, come and move to Vancouver. Canada is more British than Britain and that’s the truth. And their loads of room for the roller with fuel not being that expensive either.
You can still have your Queen and eat it oops I mean cake ;)
David Aspinall, Vancouver, Canada
for gods sake Jeremy, stand as an independent Parliamentary candidate.
simon mawdsley, london, uk
Is this ten yard corridor round the coast when the tides in or out?
G Pat, Warsaw, Scotland
Imagine this....
Dr Jezza and his good friend Adrian Gill decide to form a political party devoted to making this country great again, banning political correctness, getting rid of speed cameras, banning lentil botherers, banning the service charge in restaurants, and upholding the right of everyone born in this country to live free from state intrusion, and do whatever they like in the privacy of their own homes, including the right to shoor any council tax snooper who comes for a nose around in hope of raising your council tax ever higher. JC AND AA FOR PARLIAMENT!!! I'd vote for them
Karen Mc, Skelmersdale , Lancashire
As a man who hails from Birmingham (well, Worcestershire anyway) I have every reason to despise Mr Clarkson and his forthright views.. But he is, let's face it, the only person in Britain who talks sense (even if he is sometimes a little garbled, what with that tongue in his cheek and all).
I would congratulate him on another fantastic commentary on this sceptic Isle, but I fear he will be doing far more interesting things on a Sunday, than reading us lot!
Mark, Birmingham, UK
Jeremy, please start a new party. You'd be elected no sweat...
Brian, Horley, Surrey
Thanks again Clarkson, for making me question -- even if only for a few minutes -- all of my social and political values.
Jesse Robertson, Melbourne, Victoria Australia
But in a sense Simon Cowell does GIVE to the exchequer. Just because he earns more (and has been more successfully) why should he proportionally have to pay more to the government. In effect, by his success he is actually supporting the rest of us. So we're now sponging off the rich... Sure we complain about the taxes we have to pay but that's nothing compared to those with more money!
Bob, Bournemouth, Dorset
Well done JC like you I suffer from constant harrassment in respect of the land that I own which borders a harbour.Not content with a right of way the thought police at Defra now want total access ie they are trying to steal my land. How come I am not a victim? Every other minority is and as a result we have to pander to their every whim. And how come in this Blair democracy those who are most affected are the least represented. I feel like putting corregated iron over the windows and running away. Do they have this problem in Hull?
ray nottage, Wessex, U.K.
Simon Cowell does not GIVE to the exchequer, he pays his due, same as most of us, mostly in proportion .
PS, Much of the recent dictatorial thought has originated from middle class/middle class aspirational studentry who know what's best for us. Who knows, maybe Oli W will become Peter Hain.
PPS, When comments reaches ten does that mean the gate is closed? if I don't see this comment then I will know, if I do then all will know.
Frank Hutchinson, London,
Oli W
We are a representative democracy, not a full democracy, as we elect certain persons from among ourselves to make decisions for us, as opposed to 60 million people voting on every bill which goes through Parliament. Therefore those elected persons also have the responsibility for deciding on financial issues which affect the country. Therefore, whilst i agree with you that the system of taxation "contravenes the concept of democracy", it infact does not do the same in Britain.
Gareth L, York,
Stephen Grindle, London, goes a long way towards proving some of the points raised by JC. Well done Stephen, and keep up your studies. I'm sure you will get a First.
Eric Theopoulus, Bulwell, Notts, UK
In response to David Taylor of London enlightening comment, I would like to clarify the point that I was raising. The process through which taxation is administered contravenes the concept of democracy which can be defined for the purposes of this argument as; the doctrine that the numerical majority of an organized group can make decisions binding on the whole group characterised as a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them. At what point Mr. Taylor have we been given the direct opportunity to vote on fiscal policy decisions, ignoring the indirect accountability provided through general elections and other such Parliamentary mechanisms for scrutiny. I hope this further clarifies my point.
Kind regards
Oli W, Cardiff, United Kingdom
What Dominic Graham de Montrose said.
Prodicus Zakeroo, Cambridge,
Excellent article, Jeremy. Glad I'm not alone in thinking those things. Keep fighting the good fight.
ST, London,
So, Oli W of Cardiff:
"To know that when I do commence my working life I can expect to see myself being penalised through taxes and tutition fee related debt ultimately raises the question as to the presence of democracy and fairness in modern Britain!"
Right . . . taxation means we don't have a democracy. Keep going to those lectures lad.
David Taylor, London,
I think you are right the current goverment syas one think and then does another. Yours examples are spot on but revoultion i think thats a bit far, the goverment passes the reagulation i think its over reagulation and reagulation that is tough. Only be 18 i think to see the police gettin abuse from 12 year olds shows lack of respect maybe or nothing for the kids to do? i think the issuses you raise are important but nothing will be done because the current goverment wont listen to the poeple who put them in power maybe a change of colours in goverment is comin?? and i hope it is one that does what they say and promise. This Labour Is legislation legislation legislation, the rich do alot for us and they should be respected for that.
kelvin, yarm,
Don't stand for parliament JC!
I only say this as your ability to reach us would be completely diminished.
I can see why the 'trappings' on these little essays can get up some peoples noses (and amuse the rest of us) but the content is great.
Stay put, keep writing...
...car stuffs pretty good too ; )
Thanks
David Jarvis, Exeter, UK
My problem with all politicians is this - once you cross that divide from being a normal person, to being a politician, suddenly you have a degree of power over other people's lives. I suspect the motives of anyone who wishes to limit my freedom of choice.
British politicians abuse their power so politely and with such a degree of earnestness that we allow them to continue to limit our personal freedoms.
I think Mr Clarkson's comments are about ten years late, Britain is fast becoming a control freak's paradise, we are led by the nose, instructed in what is good to eat and drink, what is sensible to watch. We are monitored more than any other country. We are fast losing individuality.
The insidious revolution has started - two options - fight back, but I think you're too late, or get out, while you still can.
A J Carr, Rangoon,
Jeremy - may I congratulate you on a very enlightening article that encapsulates many of the flaws with our current society. I would further like to add that the irrational actions of our government is a mere reflection of nanny state that we are breeding. Having come from a working class background I have seen my parents work hard to earn every penny that they earned and I myself am currently studying for a Law and French degree. To know that when I do commence my working life I can expect to see myself being penalised through taxes and tutition fee related debt ultimately raises the question as to the presence of democracy and fairness in modern Britain! Whilst society is changing our traditions and values should not, maybe it is time to restore moral values and discipline to revive what was once a great nation.
Oli W, Cardiff, United Kingdom
There is no communist, lesbo anti-middle-class revolution behind people not letting Rollers out of side streets. It's simply that we suspect anyone making such a brash statement of their own wealth and success of being an unpleasant big head. I'm not envious of people with Rolls Royces. If I was rich I wouldn't drive one - it would make me feel like a tit driving a big peice of furniture around like that.
Stephen Grindle, London,
I think you are right the current goverment syas one think and then does another. Yours examples are spot on but revoultion i think thats a bit far, the goverment passes the reagulation i think its over reagulation and reagulation that is tough. Only be 18 i think to see the police gettin abuse from 12 year olds shows lack of respect maybe or nothing for the kids to do? i think the issuses you raise are important but nothing will be done because the current goverment wont listen to the poeple who put them in power maybe a change of colours in goverment is comin?? and i hope it is one that does what they say and promise. This Labour Is legislation legislation legislation, the rich do alot for us and they should be respected for that.
kelvin, yarm,
Ahhh London Busses; reassuringly expensive!
Rex, Chessington, UK
Why not start by running for London Mayor...
Dominic Graham de Montrose, London,
Legislation, His Tonyness is now to fine and endorse us for using a mobile phone while driving, the basis for this he argues is that actually using a mobile phone while driving reduces the reaction speed of the driver by up to 30%, following on from this theory, i suggest that any driver over 70 be fined every time they drive as their reactions must be significanty more than 30% slower than any fit 25+ year old, we could also apply this new law of mine to caravan owners, who by actually purchasing one of these pesky things have tantermount confessesed to being at least 30% less intelligent than the average human being.
martin sutton, beckenham, kent
"I’ve checked and strangely there are no plans to build a new road through the statue of Harold Wilson in the north’s equivalent of Sloane Square — George Square in Huddersfield. "
I didn't think I'd ever hear George Square and Sloane Square described as equivalents. The Railway Station on George Square is nicer than any in London (bar St. Pancras) for a start. And no major sport was founded in Peter Jones.
Overheard by the statue of Wilson: "'E's got 'is 'and in 'is pocket"
"His own pocket? That's not right lifelike".
Robert, London, UK
Usual under-graduate arguments in usual desperate and pathetically unsuccessful imitation of his pal A.A.Gill. No intellect, no talent, but of obvious appeal to those of arrested development. Should be shifted to the kids section, where he'll appear impressive. Well, to those under about fourteen anyway.
eric, harrogate, uk
We've had the "man in the white suit" it's time for the "man in the blue jeans" for Gods sake stand for parliment!
Nick Ward, Warminster, UK
Jeremy - you are a God. Not only is your writing hilarious, but spot-on. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. It's no wonder that tens of thousands of Brits are emigrating every year - I left 5 years ago after Blair 2 - and could never return. Soon all that'll be left in Britain will be the yob underclass, east eurpoean immigrants, and Guardian readers. Get out while the going's good. Meanwhile I'll read your column from the tax-free safety of the Middle East, where petrol is 13p a litre, everyone drives 4-litre SUVs, and there are no speed limits or traffic laws. Come over and see sometime.
Scott, Bahrain,
How about this for a new political system? You only get to vote if you can pass a "common sense test" so no matter how many degrees in Beckham Studies you've racked up you won't be able to vote unless you can change a plug and know that making you children eat food until they burst is not good for them. Or perhaps adopting a system like this might disadvantage too many stupid people?
Tim Marshall, Melbourne, Australia
Please please take our south american lunatic- no charge.
pedro, caracas, venezuela
All style and no substance. I cannot believe that this man's work gets published. Firstly, he has no evidence that 'traditional Britain' is being targetted, and nothing to suggest this is a more believable motive behind the examples he uses than the 'official' reasons. It is mere conjecture, based on prejudice. Secondly, he omits to show how stereotypical working class persuits such as smoking and eating fast food have also been 'targetted'. Thirdly he is no economist, and his argument about tax is utterly flawed. I know this was meant to be a light hearted article, but it is in my opinion absolute twaddle.
Charles Burton, Oxford, UK
For some time I've been thinking about starting a monthly magazine called "Banning News" - to keep us all up-to-date with the things we can no longer be trusted to own, buy, eat or do. The list gets longer by the week it seems !
More seriously, we should remember that all politicians can do is legislate - they can exhort, bully, cajole and bribe but this is just huffing and puffing. Ultimately all they can do is pass laws and tick the box "job done : problem solved".
Daviod Lewis, Slough, UK
I think your point on the advertising is right on track Jeremy, why should you ban the adverising of a healthy meal like porrige when there are things like "chicken nuggets" which probably don't have any chicken in them. Raisins are also something that is a healthy snack, also cheese, is healthy in moderation, exept for that rposessed junk that is advertised. So, Jeremy, I think on this point you are right.
Anneliese Walker, Birmingham, England
A very amusing read, but what muddled logic. This is a road accident of a column - everything's been shunted together to create a ridiculous blob of an argument. So Jeremy thinks we should all doff our caps at Bentley drivers and mutter a "no, no, after you, sir" as they shove their over-sized bonnets at us through the traffic. And all because we should somehow feel grateful for their economic success? Hmmm. I suppose you could sit and wait for the traffic to part in the comfort of your Roller and chomp away on your KFC bucket. Why else do they have those little folding trays on the back of the seats?
Richard, London,
Yes its about time someone outed this ever growing underclass of communist, Germaine Greer loving civil servents. They started out with the best intentions but didn't quite have the wit to cut it in the real world and therefore now sit on Committees, work on flexi time and have too much time on their hands which they quite happily spend making the people they so wish they were lives a hell. Well doner Mr Clarkson your finest article yet!
James, Suffolk, UK
re red Ken's congestion charge and Chelsea tractors.....well, some Chelsea-ites are having the last laugh because they now get a 90% discount on the CC, if they want to drive from Chelsea to the square mile each day!
Rob, London,
Yet again several really good points concisely put. For someone who is viewed by some as Mr Controversial you seem to be ever more becoming the voice of reason. I would love to say go for parliament and we'll all vote for you ,but to be fair all politicians appear to be compulsive liars and spin merchants to me and it really wouldn't suit you Jeremy. Don't ever stop the writing or Top Gear the week would be a far duller place without your views. Must just mention though I've lived in both the north and the south and the south does have it's share of clapped out old wrecks and those who live in the chip shop so come on spread it out a bit at least!
Joanne, preston, lancs
Jeremy,
I think you should team up with the likes of Daniel Hannan and form a new political movement. The Conservatives have thrown in the towel and become Socialists because their lefty friends in Islington and Notting Hill have convinced them it is the only way to con the dumb electorate into voting for them.
Mind you, you would have a formidable opponent - British Self-Righteous Ploitically Correct Envy. Psychologically this acts as a substitute for developing genuine, productive talent and doing something useful.
By the way, how do you fancy the idea of chicken racing?
Gervas Douglas, Auragne, France
I am a big fan of Jezza's but as is becoming more common place with Mr C recently , wether in his column or on T.V. he has a dig at 'up North...'
Correct me if i am wrong but doesn't Jezza hail from Yorkshire?
Perhaps he's a bit hacked off at being born on the wrong side of the Pennines......
Glyn, Bolton, Lancashire, England.
Stan that is superb - the best suggestion I have heard in years for sorting this out!
Gary Cooper, Carmaux, France
Correct on nearly all counts Dr Clarkson. And on that bombshell, I'd like to know WHEN you are going to run for parliment and sort out all the things which make me, for one, feel sad to be English? You'd get my vote & trust. When the blossom doesn't make you feel happy, it's time to make a stand. You can bet there would be many millions behind you, and even more who would trust you more than our present 'leaders'.
Vicki Sala, Somerset,
Jezza, you should go one step further and actually go into politics! You seem to get bull’s eye on most of the topics concerning early 21st century miserable life of tax paying people in the UK. I have long suspected that "turkeys obviously will not vote for Christmas", therefore the ever growing millions of people employed by Gordon Brown's state machine will always vote "left" - and this is actually self-perpetuating situation.
- My suggestion would be radical, but I think very fair: instead of each adult having 1 vote, this should be substituted for votes in proportion to your last year's total tax bill: if you paid 10 grand, you get 1 vote, you paid 100 grand you get 10 votes, you were on benefits - you get 0.1 of a vote. Talk is cheap but if all people had to put their money first before they spoke, I am quite sure that suddenly the loud leftist voices would became but a whisper.
Something needs to be done before we are swamped by loud-mouthed parasites that contribute nothing.
Stan Grabiec, London, UK
Fantastic, you've made my day Clarkson!
NIck Chalk, Buckfastleigh, Devon
Maybe Lady Bamford's chum should pick another charity or start requiring the NSPCC to stop demonizing parents and get on with helping children rather than winning awards for campaigns. Do something positive Jezza - tell the rich folks to stop subsidizing the sources of the rotten thinking simply because they think it will polish their halos. It isn't helping them, it isn't helping us. Tell them that they should put their money only where they can inspect the results, and use some of their expensive time and financial clout to go down and inspect the hospice, night shelter, rehab project or what ever. Never give a penny to any charity which only lets you see their PR materials.
D Samuel, Cambridge, England
I appreciate British humour but the sentence 'the capital is choked with buses full of Bulgarian pickpockets fleeing from the police' is neither funny nor correct. Yes, there may be some Bulgarian Roma/Gypsy women trying to snatch purses in London (just like in Sofia) but one shouldn't generalise.
Vladimir Dvoretzky, Sofia, Bulgaria
I was never born with a silver spoon in my mouth like Mr C. Also he is not someone i particularly like to meet, but i can't help but agree with most of what he says.
There really is an anti success thing going on in the UK as a whole, if you want to see how that pans out just look north to scotland where we have size one men/women in size 10 jobs and a desire to punish success.
no wonder burberry do a roaring trade to the chav's
Billy, Edinburgh,
The trouble is, Jeremy, that the lumpen proletariat have been given the vote. Not unnaturally the working classes use it in ways that are expedient to them and not the middle classes who employ them. That has nearly always been the case. What's different now is that a whole section of the middle class (the Poly Toynbee generation) themselves now vote Labour. They do this out of a miss-placed guilt for a British Empire they are too young to have actually experienced. So foxy-woxy's hunters are the hunted, the Greenham lebos decide on Trident's replacement, and Gordon Brown is able to shoe-horn himself into the top job as though he were a Prince of Wales in waiting. What's to be done? Well for starters people like you who come from the north should go back home and vote against Labour. That at least might give the Tories a sporting chance. But there again, with lefty-Cameron at the helm, it might not change things anyway. Perhaps you should just enjoy driving your Roller while you can.
Adrian Gilbert, Tonbridge, England
What's excellent about this is that if you ever read Brendan O'Neill's columns in The Guardian or on Spiked, he always says that the environmentalists' campaign against 4x4s is based on class hatred...of the working class. See, according to O'Neill, 4x4s aren't driven by middle-class people at all but by working-class people who've earned a bit of money. Similarly, the campaign against short-haul flights is a campaign against working-class people taking holidays in Spain. And then all the stuff about having nutritious school dinners is an attack on working-class people who like turkey twizzlers.
So there you go...are environmentalists motivated by hatred of the working-class or of the middle-class?
Hey, maybe it's neither - maybe they're just concerned about the environment. Now that would be weird, wouldn't it?
Elisabeth, London, UK
Pollution is something which is not desirable given the facts that we have been given on global climate change. Is it such a bad thing to break the link between wealth and carbon emissions? Should the goal of every rich person be to accumulate things that they don’t necessarily need? Is it wrong to target excess? (fat people should be targeted both rich and poor…fat kids don’t eat porridge)
Wealth targeting is most certainly happening, however, perhaps it should be remembered that there is more to Class than simple finances. Education is by far the biggest advantage the higher classes have over the lower so why then do they act so childishly in the face of such blatant facts.
This seems to mark the start of a growth industry. How do you show that you are successful without polluting the environment. Zorbe balls are pretty expensive, maybe we will come full circle…foxhunting requires one horse power right?
Danny Draper, London,
Regarding the extended congestion charge zone, I read that the car owners in the new zone get a rebate as they are residents and now, instead of paying £8 a day to go to work, it costs them £4 a WEEK.
Nice one Ken, Prescott couldn't have done it better!
Harry Kennard, Peasmarsh, East Sussex...UK
so should we have Tory back now? : )
David, Manchester,
why dont we send kenlivingstone to alabama usa ecomony class / one way only//
pauline muir, glasgow, scotland
As usual, absolutely right. No one's going to listen, because they all dismiss you as either just a motoring journalist or as a mad right-wing twit. It's a shame because out of all the people writing at the moment you're one of the most spot on. Although they could be refusing to listen because they know it's true, just in denial now someone's cottoning on...
Eva, York,
Since New Labour has been in power top executive salaries have risen 38%. Workers salaries have risen 3.7%. The gap between the rich and the poor is greater than under any Tory government. I have not had a salary increase for 5 years because my company do what the government tell them to. We 'scruffy poor' (actually I'm a Line of Business Manager for a large corporation) are fed up with the pigs at the trough lining their pockets. It is nice, however, that some of them care enough to dispense some crumbs: But most rich people use tax avoidance methods anyway. I like you Jeremy, but cannot feel much sympathy for the privileged. The poor don't want charity handouts they want decent salaries!
Alan McThredder, Southwick, England
To hell with the middle classes; by and large, they're a waste of space. As is motormouth...
Philip, Edinburgh,
Having not bought a newspaper for a very long time I suddenly have the urge to start getting the Sunday Times - I have to add that, as a financially struggling single mum and full time student, I let out the next car in the queue whether a Rolls Royce or a clapped out anglia.
Joanna Bentom, Castle Cary, England
Oh, how I wish you were running the country! You're spot on.
Lisa, Durham,
I wondered who would be able to fill the void left by Auberon Waugh. Clarkson does an admirable job.
Andrew W, Roquefort les Pins, France
Jeremy should stick with analyzing engines, and leave public policy to people who can see beyond the hood of their car.
Kathy, Gerrards Cross, UK
Clarkson for PM!!!
Tom Moran, Teddington, UK
Ah... the Repton public schoolboy returns to his roots! It's payback time Jezza for the burdens borne by the lesbos and dispossessed 1979 - 97. It's taken ten years but, d'you know, I do think we're starting to get to them. Pip-pip!
Paolo Bagarino, still in Thatcher's exile, Italy
Clarkson writes the truth as usual, eloquently put, and it's sort of funny, only it's not, is it?
steve, Cheshunt, UK
Being one of the handful of people that have actually walked around the coastline of Britain (see The Times, 21.11.89.), I can confidently tell you that a coastal path around the entire country just isn't needed. It's just another insane idea that needs to be dropped. The sooner the better.
Why not spend the money on something that actually needs to be done? How about fixing the water supply problem so you don't need hosepipe bans in a country where it's perpetually raining? Or perhaps on a clean energy solution? Reforestation? Or better still, reopen some casualty wards so that people in Scotland don't have to wait hours for an ambulance! Do something useful with the money, for heaven's sake!
Summer is coming, out here in China anyway. I think I'll stay here and enjoy it.
Mark, Hong Kong,