The column took a bad turn yesterday when the columnist took a party of Iraqi trade unionists to lunch. They didn't take much notice of traditional prohibitions against alcohol. About four hours later -- or was it five? My memory is not what it should be -- I found myself wandering to the bus stop and speaking in tongues. The Iraqis were very keen that I write about the East End as they loathe the way Galloway sucked up to Saddam. They've agreed to campaign for Oona King. So we have the tantalising prospect of Iraqi socialists supporting a Blair babe and telling Muslim voters that they won't be doing Iraq any favours if they back Galloway.
Menahwile the political logic behind the Howard leper story is becoming clear. He's tried to whip up support by hitting on asylum seekers, gypsies, women who have late abortions and immingrants. With three weeks to go, the poor man is running out of scapegoats. He can't do the Jews, obviously, and it's not considered good form these days to go for blacks and Asians too openly, but lepers could revive his campaign. "It's not racist to want controls on leprosy. Are you thining what we're thinking?" "Tony Blair is allowing lepers to marry your daughters..." "The Human Rights Act allows lepers to walk the streets without tolling a bell and crying 'Unclean!' Unclean!'.." My Tory sources say they will release their first batch in Northampton on Tuesday and by 4 May intend to have lepers in every marginal from Shrewsbury to Norfolk North by 4 May.
