arbitrary constant

One for the political geeks out there: on a train to Leeds on Tuesday, I was sitting near Michael Howard, one time Tory leader and well-known politician.

Obviously, his being a Tory, I wasn't that bothered by him. Nevertheless, my political-geek side nearly came to the fore as I considered discussing political accountability versus operational responsibility with him, especially in the context of his experience of the Derek Lewis affair (and for which Jeremy Paxman put the same question to him 14 times in succession, without decent reply).

I also wanted to talk to him about his getting stuffed by Tony Blair and the Labour party in the 2005 general election. Given the current climate, however, I decided against that — and indeed all — discussion with him.

Update: , with the series of questions starting at 4'17". "You can put the question and I will give you an answer."

Filed in General Interest, Personal, Politics