Credit, Worthy

Brace yourselves, because I am going to say something nice about the BBC. Last night's Newsnight took the extraordinary step, not only of reporting poverty, but of interviewing a poor person.

It is usually said that, were it not for Brexit, then Universal Credit would be the biggest story since the Poll Tax. But in fact, Brexit or no Brexit, Universal Credit and the closely connected explosion in homelessness are the biggest story since long before the Poll Tax.

They ought to be covered as such, and the victims ought to be given the opportunity to speak as part of that coverage. Amber Rudd, who is no stranger to the airwaves, ought to be asked about this, her area of Ministerial responsibility. She never, ever is.

And this needs to be raised daily, one way or another, on the floor of the House of Commons, whether or not the media happened to like it "when you should be talking about Brexit". Brexit is not killing anyone, nor will it. Were there desperate shortages of food and medicine in Britain before 1973? For that matter, was there no travel to and from the Continent, even by air for those who could afford it in those days?

Another hung Parliament is coming, however, and our people need to hold the balance of power in it. I will stand for this parliamentary seat of North West Durham, if I can raise the £10,000 necessary to mount a serious campaign. Please email davidaslindsay@hotmail.com. Very many thanks.