Blair's grip on the electorate grows ever weaker as his control over the cabinet tightens. Across the pond the Neo-Con revolution is in its death throes. The barbarians are at the gates, and a painter has won the Turner prize. The Governments of the West pursue wars with obscure motives and ill-conceived objectives, while their subjects watch reality television and fret over childhood obesity. Vultures circle over Croydon. Awake Newt! England has need of you now!