Unseasonal

Snow fell yesterday morning and is still lying on the ground. There's not a lot of it. Half an inch maybe. The grass shows through. The daffodils have been discouraged.

The Skripal Affair

I don't know whether the Russian state was behind the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter- but neither does anybody else. The Russian State is capable of this sort of thing (most states are)- but there's no solid evidence for supposing it was responsible for this particular outrage. Craig Murray in his blog and tweets offers reasons for entertaining doubts- and has been shouted at. 

Jeremy Corbyn got shouted at too for taking a similar line in the Commons.

When the shouting starts it becomes dangerous to ask for reason and moderation.

Why the enthusiasm for war with Russia? 

But, then again, why the enthusiasm for war with anybody? 

Actually, I think I know the answer to that one. War unites the tribe (and ours has been bitterly divided). It gets everybody up in the terraces shouting for the home team. It generates warmth and togetherness. A shared hatred is ever so cosy. 

Politicians love operating in this atmosphere. Being a war leader, they think, is a short cut to admiration and acclaim (remembering Churchill and Thatcher, forgetting Eden and Blair.) 

Thus far it's working for Theresa May-  for whom being in charge (sort of) at a time of shouting has won her the best reviews of her premiership.