Denis MacShame

Denis MacShane may be sound on things like strip clubs, and foul language on television, but it is still good to see him the papers for the wrong reason.

State funding of anything must entail some degree of State control, which can often be necessary and beneficial. But, for political parties, it would be lethal. Only parties that met the organisational and political requirements of some committee would be able to afford to contest elections.

Some committee such as, say, the Henry Jackson Society. Or, if it still exists, the Euston Manifesto Group.

No wonder that MacShane has been so forthright in demanding it.

Still, not any more, eh?