Though it’s partially the media’s role to be scandalised on everybody’s behalf when stuff like the Labour e-mails comes to light, in reality, for the vast majority of us, it’s merely another example of politicians living down to our expectations of them.

This is the breed, after all, that believes it’s absolutely right that taxpayers should foot the bill for their 80p bathplug.

Which makes it all the more amusing when they subsequently whine about lack of respect and “public disengagement with politics”.

What the hell do they expect?

The Sun offers the following heart-warming sidelight on Jade’s widower:
Jack, 21, visits the grave near their home in Upshire, Essex, so often that he now buys flowers from a discount stall that does four bunches for a tenner.
He’s a class act, all right.

Am I the only person who feels slightly nauseous at the latest picture from the Goody money factory?

Following the “candid” picture in yesterday’s Mail of husband Jack Tweedy standing “grief-stricken” at Jade’s graveside, now we have mum Jackiey (I can’t spell Jackie) Budden reading a Bible at the same location.
Note the copyright slashes [...]

So finally I may get around to updating this site. Or maybe not. If not, you can find me on Facebook and Twitter.

Nope, still not dead. That’s what you were thinking, hey?
But no - Goldstraw’s still live(ish) and kicking - just been hellishly busy. Perhaps one of the more positive aspects of self-employment is that it generally keeps one away from fripperies like blogging!
Health update: I have tinnitus.

Last year I had the pleasure of playing for a wedding at Blenheim Palace.
Those of you with nothing better to do on Wednesday, Feb 27, may wish to switch on your tellies and watch Masterchef on BBC 2 to maybe catch a glimpse of yours truly. The BBC filmed the wedding breakfast for the [...]

Just a quick note to wish all my friends a very happy new year for 2008. I’ve been far too busy to bother much with the blog, which is both a good and bad thing at the same time.
Early in 2008 the address of the blog will change to a sub-folder of the goldstraw.com [...]

I received a note this morning from the Express & Star, informing me that as they were scrapping the newspaper’s classical what’s on column, they no longer required my services as a freelance journalist.
After 20 years of service, the news was delivered in a brief, two par e-mail from the current features editor. I expected [...]

Don’t bother worrying about the creeping onset of the police state, it’s already here.

According to the BBC, the charity Childline is gearing up to help a new swathe of upset and disturbed kids.
Who can’t cope with the death of a major character in the new Harry Potter book.
Are today’s children not taught the meaning of the word “fiction” any more? Or have our bizarre attempts to insulate [...]