Britain is now but one (relatively small) element of a larger global economy. I agree that there was a time when the PM & Chancellor wielded tremendous influence over the employment sector (before the sixties) but with half the GDP of America cycled through the global market daily and the powers of politicians such as Osborne increasingly denuded by supra-national (as well as - to all intents and purposes - unaccountable) authorities such as the WTO, IMF, World Bank etc. grand notions of political and economic self-determinism are completely delusional.

Today's Prime Ministers, Presidents and Chancellors are not much more than political executives (managers, even) for a growing business class which claims no allegiance to any flag unless it is expedient to do so and is effectively beyond the reach of (national) justice.

At best Osborne can only hope to tinker with the economy in some modest, non-threatening way. Which will achieve precisely nothing. What we need is radical reform, starting first with shutting the doors to arguably the biggest tax haven in the world - Britain.

But Osborne couldn't even dream about such without being threatened with massive, catastrophic capital flight which would flatline this country. Nope, he's along for the ride like the rest of us. The only difference is he's now set for life whilst the rest of us are sinking deeper and deeper into the mire.

Anyone who had a hand in inventing the 99 ice cream is alright in my book.

"Inventing" ?

Aye, lad. The inventor was one Stephen Arcari.

Who invented the 69?

You and Mrs D only do the missionary, and nothing involving orifices not 'designed' for it, so not you, obviously.

Maybe his son invented it with Raul the pool boy?

Nah... it was Dally's son, David and daughter.

Titan and Titania (queen of the faeries)?

Now I think of it, the Titanic went down, didn't it?

I fear the boards surely can't keep up the standard of the first few days of 2012 but that's 3 times I have nearly wet myself reading a post just today