Peter Rhodes: Do women hate cities?

MY old banger falls foul of the London T-Charge regulations, unveiled this week, meaning I must pay an extra £10 a day to enter the centre of the capital. As I have not driven into London since the year 2000, I dare say I will cope.

BUT there is no denying that vehicle fumes, or maybe something in the water, is taking its toll on the minds of Londoners. I came across an online debate this week where a resident of the Great Wen was claiming, in all seriousness, that because the capital has the best theatres, best museums, best social life and best multi-cultural society, its people are actually better mentally, politically and socially than those living elsewhere. As a fully paid-up yokel from the provinces, I can only advise you to test this theory by travelling on a commuter train into London, taking a ride on the rush-hour Tube or living in a shared bedroom, millennial-style, and convince yourself that this is a sane way for anyone to exist. London is full of folk who believe they are top dogs, while living like pigs in a midden.

MEANWHILE, a survey for Woman's Hour this week reveals that the London borough of Islington is the worst place in Britain for women to live. But look at the wider results of this survey on favoured or despised places and one fact becomes blindingly obvious. A lot of women hate cities.

THE proudest moment for a trainee police officer is when he or she, having completed basic training, first puts on the uniform to swear the oath of allegiance before a judge. News reaches me of one class of 2017 who have been told that, owing to "the cuts," their uniforms are not yet ready. Dress and equipment for the swearing-in will be bizarre: suit and tie, helmet, baton and handcuffs . "It's a bloody disgrace," a friend of one of the rookies tells me. Can't argue with that.

WE hacks live in fear of the lead-in time, the hours or even days that pass between writing something and seeing it in print. Thus, your paeon of praise for a politician who seemed such a fine chap on Wednesday appears on Friday, just after that unfortunate business of him stamping on a kitten on Thursday.

TAKE the Left-wing columnist Owen Jones who leapt into print this week to defend Jared O'Mara, the Labour MP who put "vile, homophobic comments" online - 15 years ago. In full forgiveness mode, Jones says we must "accept MPs who once sprayed their stupidity and bigotry online – as long as they prove they have learned from their mistakes." Barely was his ink dry than a woman complained that O'Mara had made disgusting comments to her - just seven months ago. Hardly looks like learning from one's mistakes, does it?

AT the time of writing this, things look bleak for Jared O'Mara. However, by the time this is published, he may have rescued a kitten from a tree and all will be well.