"Michael Gove’s Wild Animals in Circuses Bill appears at first glance to be nothing more than his latest essay in exhibitionistic compassion. But is it a misreading to ascribe this picayune law-making to opportunistic big-heartedness?"

'If every writer who disliked what other contributors wrote decided to withdraw their work, there would be no papers, no magazines, perhaps no telly'

Neo-barbouzes and bodyguard conspiracies

There’s no sign anyone in Britain is desperate to eat spaniel — the proposed ban is frivolous and does nothing for animal welfare

Michael Gove's plan to ban foie gras is an essentially frivolous self-advertisement

Sir Les Patterson or Poundbury, Roy Wood or Richard Rogers, dodgy clubs or lusty yeomen?