Indeed, we might say quietly to our own people, it would not be in our national interest to have a powerful united European Republic just across that blessed moat, the English Channel.

Furthermore, the ?5,000 incentive, with so few electric cars currently available and such a lack of infrastructure in place, seems almost like a misplaced gesture. Instead the government should be pouring more money into electric vehicle charging points across the country, rather than just in select cities, to help potential customers overcome range anxiety.

Pitt gets the biggest laughs as the puppyishly enthusiastic Chad, forever slack-jawed with surprise when events take unexpected turns. Of all the Coens' films, its 'knuckle-headed' quality, to use their term, is probably closest in spirit to O Brother Where Art Thou?

It is evident that dangling a referendum is part of a deliberate core vote strategy designed to halt a haemorrhage of support from the Tory party. The Budget U-turns and yesterday's decision to scrap the fuel duty rise are all part of a shoring-up exercise. But Europe has proved itself to be a story of disappointed expectations for Conservatives. Mr Cameron no longer has the credibility required with his party to survive another disappointment. And the voters can tell when a politician is offering them something from a position of weakness. If he plans to let us down, he should do so now.I sat for an hour waiting for the rain to stop, but it just kept coming. When it finally calmed to a drizzle, I ventured back onto the open beach. The sandy bar was still there, but much narrower. The tide was coming in! I was about to run, when I heard an odd noise. It sounded like my great uncle George clearing his dry throat. I turned and saw flashes of silver in the water. It was the seals. They splashed and flapped in the newly calm, wide open sea. Surely I had time before the bank disappeared.

Accessory # 3 - Nokia CR-200 wireless charging car holder