Uncontrollable Goose-stepping

We had no idea that the UK election already has a name, just like the Khaki Election of October 1900, or the Bonkers Election of November 2004.

But, according to this in the Guardian from top ex-Melody Maker scribe Tania Branigan, it is now known as the "Basil Fawlty Election.", on account of how no-one is mentioning the war. Tania was, to be fair, beaten to the tape by Martin Samuel in the Times.

Now those of you on Greenwich Mean Time might as well traipse off for a cup of char or somesuch, and then come back Monday. The reference is, of course, to John Cleese's performance as hapless hotel owner Basil Fawlty in 70s sitcom Fawlty Towers.

Basil, or Baysil, as you may be more comfortable calling him, is forced to try and control his crowing instincts when he has a German couple staying at his hotel. See, he can't put the war behind him? The episode is usually taken as a sign that Brits are aware that they aren't able to let go of the Second world War, although we've always suspected thet they get this little shiver even in such a vicarious fashion.

Not sure you can say it about the latest one, which, as the boy Gilliard points out, has become even less fun than Vietnam for its protagonists.