Good afternoon.
I favour what we call builder's tea - PG Tips, hot water and milk. Some take Earl Grey - which I think is probably PG tips with aftershave spilt in it. It is named after the Earl Grey who, as Foreign Secretary on the eve of the First World War, famously said in that sad circumstance: "All over Europe, the lights are going out. We shall not see them on again in my lifetime".
I mention this only because I fear something similar may be going through the Mayor's mind. Critics to the left of him, accusers to the right. It is still all about public money, the London Development Agency, Lee Jasper and an array of groups set up to do great things, but some of which appear to have done little beyond spending the afore-mentioned money.
"Alleged", "said to be" and all the other legal caveats are important and relevant but it is inching towards critical mass with a grand grilling of Ken at City Hall tonight. We'll be there live with Glen cast in the role of Lord High Executioner.
One group that gets public money and seems effective on many measures is the Operation Trident Unit of the Met. They were set up to combat black on black crime in which there has been a perceptable reduction, although there is still far too much of it. Their latest work in progress features Ronke and we think it may make her a star. Buy your popcorn and take a seat for the premiere tonight at 6.
Not a premiere but even better in some ways is Katie's encounter with Jeff Goldblum. She has just returned, said the interview runs far too long, but is peppered with more mots justes than a South Bank Show. He is also a lovely chap who plays jazz piano and Katie has just added, "I may not take calls from my husband this afternoon. I am sold". I didn't even know there was an auction and would surely have out-bid Goldblum, Jurassic Park royalties or not. I am a man of means who defends his fortune by drinking cheaper tea than most.
I will splash out, however, on jasmine tea in a Chinese restaurant, a form of food of which I am very fond. Why my pleasures and those of millions of others in our great capital may be curtailed will be explained by Damien. And all this in the Year of the Rat? Ominous.
As is the Chinese ability to excel at, of all things, ping-pong. Darius, who I think you will remember from the distant London Tonight past, is determined to change that on their home soil, and on the world stage. Tempted by that? Thought you might be.
Get it all plus Chrissie on the riverbank and the papers before they end up in the cat tray.
And it is all free if you are there at 6.
We will be.
Alastair & Katie
