Bastard !

I won't mince my words. Alistair Darling is a thieving, obnoxious, socialist git and I an growing to dislike him intensely. Today he increased the already outrageous duty on alcohol by 6 per cent above the rate of inflation. 4p on a pint and 55p on a bottle of whisky. Plus another two per cent over-and-above inflation every year until 2012.

This is a miserable and thoroughly mean-spirited thing to do. Quite apart from the ethics of picking on a particular section of the population like this, it will send another load of pubs to the wall, encourage (so-called) black marketeers (I'll be tempted to call them freedom fighters at this rate) and do nothing to curb under-age drinking.

Guido thinks that there's a religous motive behind this. I reckon it's socialism, rather than Presbyterianism, that drives our masters to tax enjoyment and the expression of individual choice, but either way this is a black day for those of us who like sticking two fingers up at the Nanny State by having a drink every so often.

The only comfort I can draw is that I was able to call in at the supermarket this evening and stock up at pre-Darling prices. I might even indulge in some binge drinking. God knows this government's enough to drive you to it.