It's tough hiding that six-letter word

If there’s one thing government MPS seem masters of it’s changing the subject away from a certain six-letter word beginning with 'B'. It's this hidden subject that is the vitally important subject for the future of the UK.

Trouble is, the government keeps running into hefty criticism from people who aren't eager for a change to the likely post-B depression.

For whatever reason - a grab for much more power perhaps - the government seems very keen to shield itself from widespread opposition.

How to avoid the criticism? Well, just as within families, you change the subject. Remember the apparent poisoning in Salisbury of the Russian turncoat and his daughter?

The story might simply have been that he was – and she by accident – got at by malevolents unknown.

Some devious imagination

The ‘news’ might have filled a corner of news columns, and been heard in odd electorate conversations, perhaps for a day or two.

However, by applying some devious imagination, a big name was guessed at as chief suspect, someone unable to use libel laws for recompense. And then what a difference! How many acres of news columns and television territory did that fill for days upon days, with Brexit not mentioned once.

The choice might have been the porky yank, but the Russian opposite with no chance of revenge could hardly be bettered. And what intrigue it suggested. Russian spies, perhaps in snorkels, swimming the mighty Avon to get to the traitor’s door.

Here we are again

Did the story last? Did it what, and with such passion that journalists, and the population, almost forgot the real and continuing subject, Brexit.

And here we are again. This time the highly debatable subject of a third runway at Heathrow, which will require the ripping up of towns and farms of prosperous Middlesex – really expensive land. Tonight the government will chance a vote on a decision to commit the country to God know how many billions, rather than look to another airport, one that will require much less cost, and which is much less likely to upset the lives of so many.

This Heathrow session will spark miles of news column inches and discussion and argument up and down the country, and beyond. And all away from the real challenge for Britain's future – Brexit.

How clever to encourage the spoilt brat to be away – to go anywhere – owing to his previously long and vociferous opposition to the choice of Heathrow for massive expansion.

Our minister in hiding

The tubby fellow who promised to throw his corpulence under the first Heathrow development bulldozer vanished today. Continues on the blogs for my ocean adventure book, Sailing to Purgatory, at SailingToPurgatory.com