Tonight:
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There may be a sense of collective relief at the Tory conference today that the party's policy of a crackdown on alcohol sales announced by Chris Grayling, the shadow home secretary, in his speech today, would not be a blanket blitz; it would target the kind of drinks that delegates are unlikely to favour, including alcopops, extrastrength beer and strong cider.
In short, champagne (the visible consumption of which is being frowned on at conference) will be safe for now.
This may seem discriminatory but the truth is that such a policy would address a major cause of anti-social behaviour: cheap drink and its public consumption by young people.
Abuse of those drinks has fuelled an ugly incidence of petty and serious violence; it has also led to a disturbing increase in teenage alcohol addiction.
A targeted regime of taxes on alcopops would help, without damaging local pubs.
So, too, would the party's proposals for making it easier for local authorities to levy a sin-tax on corner shops selling alcohol after 10.30pm; equally importantly, they would prevent supermarkets selling drink at below cost price.
It is a far cry from Tony Blair's policy for introducing civilised, Continental-style round-the-clock drinking but that approach resulted in an increase in the incidence of late-night drunkenness.
Responsible drinkers will, moreover, welcome plans to require the clubs and pubs that are the focus of bad behaviour to contribute to the costs of policing.
This may seem like a further instance of Tory austerity in hard times; but it is, whatever the economic climate, a necessary move.
Responsible drinking is not being encouraged at present by a culture of cheap drink; a more Draconian approach may work. It is, at least, worth a try.
Afghan options
The US president, Barack Obama, has invited members of Congress from both parties to discuss the strategy for Afghanistan.
He says his choice will not please everyone; that at least is incontrovertible.
One option is to have a troop surge and change the strategy as suggested by General Stanley McChrystal, the head of Nato's military mission to Afghanistan.
He wants the core priority to be protecting civilians rather than securing ever more casualties of Taliban commanders.
The other option is to reduce troop numbers, as many Americans want, and rely on the Afghan government and army to take on a greater role in engaging with the Taliban.
General McChrystal's approach is a humane one but has the disadvantage of exposing 40,000 more troops to the risk of attack.
And both options share a common disadvantage: the Afghan political leaders with whom the coalition in Iraq has to deal are flawed.
The election mandate of President Karzai is undermined by the corruption that secured it; he would not be any US president's partner of choice.
As for the larger point of the mission, the truth is that Afghanistan, where we have been for eight years, is an adjunct to a more important struggle in Pakistan against al Qaeda extremists in the border regions who endanger us here.
Britain will, inevitably, support the Obama strategy, whatever direction it takes. The only question is, with how many troops?
British commanders would like 2,000 more soldiers; the Prime Minister may decide on half that number.
Surely the lesson we've learned by now is that, whatever the operation to which we send troops, they must be properly resourced: with troops as well as kit.
London glitz
Last night saw the Booker prize awards - after a nail-biting contest between supporters of JM Coetzee and the winner Hilary Mantel - take place with the usual glitz and high drama.
Then there was the first night of David Hare's play on the bank crisis, The Power of Yes.
Oh and the premiere of Heath Ledger's last film, the Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus.
Proof as ever, that when it comes to arts, London is the place to be.
Reader views (1)
What most people want to hear from this Tory conference is an announcement that they will be ending Labour's open door policy on immigration.
That will win them the next election, but so far....silence.
- Ronnie, Billericay England, 07/10/2009 18:07
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