The expansion of Bristol International Airport has been given the thumbs up by the local bigwigs, which gets the thumbs down from me. It’s just one of many assaults that the government is making on the green belt round ‘ere, although this one is a particularly severe one.

On the news someone said “Bristol shouldn’t be penalised economically for decisions that need to be taken on a national and global level,” which had me spitting bile into my breakfast cereal – It’s like saying “Why should I have to do my bit just because everyone needs to pull together?” The counterpoint to what he said is “Why should Bristol be exempt from difficult decisions that need to be taken on a national and global level?”

Also, what does “penalising Bristol economically” actually mean? That it doesn’t get to grow more? I’d be fine with that – I don’t want lots more of our green belt destroyed for housing developments!