I used to like the guy in the past; he seemed to talk a fair amount of sense. I've changed my mind (a lot!) in recent years, however I'm obviously not going to condone beating him up (I prefer the kind of roughing up Andrew Neil used to give him). But I can't be the only one wondering if he's as gobsmackingly annoying socially as he can be in interviews. I don't find it too hard to imagine him upsetting some late night drinkers and getting a reminder that life's still a bit Serengeti out in the real world beyond TV studios and social media.
When he went straight for the right wing conspiracy card (without any credible evidence I could detect) my support became grudging again. And when I read some relevant twitter feeds, full of rather culty 'Solidarity' support, I got even more uncomfortable. Even if it turns out he's right, I'm as disturbed by elements of the reaction as I am by the assault.
Whether right, left, or smack bang in the middle (wherever that is these days!) there's no doubt that modern British politics is adrift at sea, rudderless. But if everyone who falls overboard keeps flailing around screaming about sharks, sooner or later we're going to stop listening and start throwing lumps of meat in after them.
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I am frankly amazed he's kept his teeth as long as he apparently has.
