Good afternoon.
Many of you have often expressed the view when we have invited e-mails that you would like Ken Livingstone to "get lost" or, at least, "go away". He has done the latter but, according to Simon Harris, not yet the former. Both men are in India - Simon, at modest cost to our coverage budget with his camera-man, and Ken at a cost of £750,000 with a big retinue.
We just wondered why and whether it was worth it. So, we are exploring that all this week for he, the Mayor, is there all this week. Simon is the man with the calculator and sends his first electronic postcard at 6.
Many of you have often expressed the view when we have invited e-mails that you would like Ken Livingstone to "get lost" or, at least, "go away". He has done the latter but, according to Simon Harris, not yet the former. Both men are in India - Simon, at modest cost to our coverage budget with his camera-man, and Ken at a cost of £750,000 with a big retinue.
We just wondered why and whether it was worth it. So, we are exploring that all this week for he, the Mayor, is there all this week. Simon is the man with the calculator and sends his first electronic postcard at 6.
When I studied economics, you always began an essay with the Latin words ceteris paribus which mean "all things being equal". They never are.
House prices can rise while house price inflation falls. It means the rate at which those prices are rising is falling.
Mud is a good comparator of clarity here but I know Louisa will shine a light through it all, and end up with really useful information for you.
How useful our next report is will depend on two things: 1 - are you a dog? 2 - do you have a dog you really love but who seems, currently, unloved?
I like Gucci; Dan "The delicious Director" thought he used Chanel but then remembered he was a Hermes man; Faye "for she is gorgeous" wears Bulgari; Katie, naturally stunningly alluring, nevertheless favours just a touch of Chanel Crystal.
Back to the canine connection - tonight, Piers reports on perfume for pooches.
Honest.
No "I smell a rat" gags thank you: it is true. He'll be dabbing his wrists at 6 for what The Boss said was "The most ridiculous story, ever".
A theme I warm to in conclusion: before they were the Beatles and, I think, before they were even the Quarrymen, the Beatles won a talent competition. They went on to become chart-topping recording artists and then became actors in Help! and A Hard Day's Night.
Elvis was also a chart-topper and then actor but, unlike two of the Beatles, neither got shot nor developed cancer: he just got very fat and died on a toilet.
Richard Fleeshman has a different chronology: began life as an actor who went on to win a talent contest and now wants to become a recording star. He joins us tonight amid some interesting pre-judgments: "A dreamboat", "He's not bad" and "Better than expected". Finally, and most troubling ,given one of his offerings is 'Sitting on the dock of the bay', "Otis Redding needn't turn in his grave".
I am sure he is very good but you can be the judges when he pops in off The Street at 6.
Robin, naturally fragrant, wants me to add my wellies to my vests - an ominous warning as I prepare my winter wardrobe.
See you at 6 - I smell a success.
Alastair & Katie
