London hiss

Perhaps the CVCP would have benefited from hearing David Bleiman, assistant general secretary of the Association of University Teachers, speak on St George's Day at the Scottish Trades Union Congress in Perth.

Fired by media reports that prospective candidates for Lord Mayor of London have been attacking the government's Barnett formula as giving the Scots money that should more appropriately go to the metropolis, Mr Bleiman confided that he grew up in Barnet. "I have to tell you I can't understand what all these prospective Lord Mayors of London have got against Barnet, unless that it's a bit far north on the road to Potters Bar,'' he said. "On St Andrew's Day, we rally against racism. On St George's Day, let's rally against nationalism. If you think Little England nationalism is dangerous, I tell you Greater London nationalism is just ridiculous.''