One of my sacred cows is party conference, in current form. Does nothing at all to help further policy, gives media a stage around which to build endless plots and subplots, gives opponents or would-be rivals a massive platform, costs a fortune, cuts public off from politicians….

The quiet closure of the ARAP scheme on July 1 is deeply counter-productive. It will lead to an increase in Afghans trying to come to UK via small boat.

Indeed approval rates for asylum are around 90pc for people from some of the main countries of origin - Eritrea, Afghanistan, Iran etc.

Very niche

It’s the same almost everywhere I fear

Great if depressing piece! Console yourself: I will be 72 by the time the first passengers clamber on board an HS2 at Old Oak Common!

I couldn’t find it on the BBC site, though fortunately Dua Lipa’s engagement is covered.

I was at that game too. Did Hagi ever come on?

Worst day of my life. Yesterday high up there.

And at least Chris Wilder is staying down

I can’t think of a single redeeming feature about this season. Utterly miserable in every way. At least we didn’t get relegated I suppose.

It’s also very MAGA “end of Western civilisation” etc…

The levels of exaggeration and unhinged hyperbole *just this week* - “police state”, “gimp” etc.. - from people like this guy and Boris Johnson suggest a heightening of right-wing Trumpification of political narratives.

Maybe, but if so it didn’t work, and was never going to work.