Newspapers

One of the things that distinguishes a good columnist from the ordinary, run-of-the-mill shill is the ability to treat their own party's failings as severely as they would condemn the blunders committed by the other lot. Similarly, there's something to be said for the rigour that consistency demands. Polly Toynbee may be correct (though I'd wager she isn't) that Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling played a blinder on Monday, but does anyone imagine that if it was a Conservative government presiding over this recession she would write anything as, I don't know, cheerful and complacent, as this? Even if unemployment reaches 3 million, that still leaves 90% in secure jobs.

Some numbers that terrify anyone with any skin in the newspaper game, particularly in Scotland: Sales of the Sunday Herald are down 15% this year. More worrying still, if not altogether surprising given the state of the global economy, the Johnston Press, owners of the Scotsman and hundreds of local papers, report that advertising sales are down 15% this year. Expect that number to get worse. Two years ago the companies share price was £4.20; yesterday it closed at 19p. These numbers happen to come from the Scottish and UK (local) market. But they won't be that different from the numbers elsewhere.

Oh dear. The days of the free lunch may be numbered: This blog aims to do one thing: track the forecasts of Britain pundits, bloggers and others on politics and elections, foreign affairs and economic trends. It is often said that there is no accountability for newspaper pundits - they can guess wrong time and again and see no consequences. With this blog and the way in which it highlights pundits' forecasts, that may change. But our aim is not to catch out or embarrass pundits, or to record only mistaken predictions. We aim but to keep a record for posterity of all forecasts - those that are proved right, those proved wrong and those that fall somewhere in between. If a pundit is particularly good at predicting what is to come, this blog will highlight this just as much.

Sure, you could read about an EU investigation into Peter Mandelson's (dodgy) relationship with Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska. You might even enjoy the Observer telling Macavity Broon that he cannae escape responsibility for this recession. All fine stuff and worthy and useful and so on. But what you really want to read is this story about Geoge Osbourne's alleged fascination with dog collars and rubber underpants. No "public interest" whatsoever. Great fun, in other words. God bless the News of the World.

OK, this is from the Sunday Times so the usual weekend caveats apply. But a) this story does seem to be confirmed by official sources and b) it turns out it isn't actually April 1st: Everyone who buys a mobile telephone will be forced to register their identity on a national database under government plans to extend massively the powers of state surveillance. Phone buyers would have to present a passport or other official form of identification at the point of purchase. Privacy campaigners fear it marks the latest government move to create a surveillance society. A compulsory national register for the owners of all 72m mobile phones in Britain would be part of a much bigger database to combat terrorism and crime.

Tee hee: The journalistic industry is perilously close to collapse after running out of days in the week to dub ‘black’ in the event of dire economic news.Financial journalism has virtually frozen up after last week’s so-called ‘Black Friday’, which exhausted the stock of slightly varied clichés. Reporters were close to panic last night at the prospect of having unimaginatively to sensationalise any further stock-market falls this week.The Government has been considering opening the markets at the weekend, in order to provide two new potential ‘black’ days for the media to gibber in horror about, but industry insiders are calling for much more radical moves.

Comes from that wise bird, Tyler Cowen: 11. If someone is pushing conclusions and not identifying the potential weak points in his or her arguments, be suspicious.  Also beware of anyone pretending to offer you simple answers. He's referring to the current finanical crisis, but of course this is broadly true of any public policy question.

Kudos to Outskirts Bar and Grill in Canton, Illinois for making possible the best headline of this troubled week: Liquor license suspended after topless 'midget wrestling'.

God bless the Daily Mail.  How can you resist a story headlined: Are We All Going to Die Next Wednesday? Of course you remember the rule: all headlines written as questions invite  - nay, have - the answer "No". But, admit it, in this instance you might have a look and see what this imminent, cataclysmic threat is...

the London papers, Mike Atherton at the Times, Selvey at the Guardian, Angus Fraser at the Independent and Derek Pringle at the Telegraph. Atherton is new to the post but shows signs of becoming, as one might expect frankly, an excellent addition to the press box. There is nothing wrong, per se, with former test cricketers moving into the press box. After all, it has long been the case that former players have found fresh and comfortable berths in the press corps.