Peter Rhodes on slow trains, diversity targets and a shortage of kind faces
A few days ago Talking Pictures TV screened a wonderful 1960 documentary on the Midland Pullman as the luxury train went through its final tests and welcomed its first passengers. It was a smooth ride from Manchester to London with liveried waiters serving leisurely full-English breakfasts to smart suited and hatted guests.
The Pullman travelled at a mere 90mph, but if it had gone any faster, you'd probably have had to leave half your breakfast. Today, politicians are obsessed with high-speed trains. I bet most of us would swap it all for something slower but more reliable, preferably with crispy bacon.
It was only a matter of time before some presenter, in this case Laurence Fox, crossed GB News's line between fair comment and foul, and was suspended. Fox's on-air comments about journalist Ava Evans were vile. But am I the only one who thinks GB News has for some months been drifting from robust debate to sheer nastiness? There is a place in our country for a centre-right broadcaster but it can, and should, be done with respect and restraint, not 24/7 bile. You don't see many kind faces on GB News.
