History question: has anyone ever read anything comparing France in NATO and Romania in the Warsaw Pact in the Cold War? Obviously the differences are innumerable, but I do think there are some interesting parallels between the two ‘independent full members’ of the two alliances.

I’m case-by-case on citizens’ assemblies: they aren’t a panacea, but they can help us see how the public might weigh up trade-offs on some issues. I do find it remarkable how those most committed to keeping constitutional arrangements flexible are most allergic to changing them.

Judging by the feedback I’ve had, this is an increasingly large source of collective irritation. Maybe one for TfL to think about (since we do, quite rightly, have a range of campaigns aimed at behaviour change on our public transport).

NI is coming to an unparalleled public sector general strike standstill tomorrow. Hospitals, Schools, Social Services, Public Transport, Civil Service, Road gritters on the coldest day for years. And not a cheep on main GB broadcasters/newspapers. Astonishing-not astonishing.