According to Terence Blacker, in todays The Independent, Mr Haw’s victory in this poll over the likes of Mr Blair and Mr Cameron, represents a step “towards a kind of fascism.” in this glorious country of ours.

“As Haw celebrates his double triumph with an extra cup of tea from his thermos (somehow champagne seems unlikely to be his style), it is worth reflecting on this gloomy little insight into contemporary cynicism. Megaphone Man is now the hero; the trimming, compromising politicians in the House of Commons are the villains. It is protest which inspired the Channel 4 voters, not the boring, nuts-and-bolts business of government or of opposition. Passion, rather than thought, analysis or policy, was what mattered.

Doubtless those who voted for Haw would argue that he was brave but, in politics, those who show true courage are those who take decisions, who act, rather than shouting through a loud-hailer. Dissent may be uncomfortable in an intolerant age, but it is also relatively easy to protest. What is truly difficult, requiring brains as well as emotion, is working within politics, analysing a problem, taking steps to solve it, and then being prepared to take the consequences.”

Invading Iraq then I take it represented a compromise between the two other possibilities of i) Nuking it until it glowed and ii) Diplomacy

Moderation in all things rules the minds of our lords and masters.

I look forward to the day when I’ll see Mr Blair “take the consequences” of his decision, although I too, alas, suffer from the contemporary malaise of cynicism enough to not hold my breath while waiting for the arrival of his day of judgment.