A letter from Merseyside, and a few notes

First of all (I am attending the 'Liberal Democrat' conference, as it is quaintly called) let me restate my simple position on the use of law to control alcohol. Unlike cannabis, which is not legal and is not part of our culture, alcohol has been legal in this country for many centuries, many people use it in moderation, and it is perfectly possible to consume it without stupefying yourself. The only purpose of cannabis is self-stupefaction. And, by the way, the fatuous suggestion that it...