Wonderful news about SpeedSpike, the new hi-tech satellite device that will track the progress of potentially speeding motorists.

After all, would I be cynical to suggest that in the so-called name of road safety the Government is simply looking for more ways to line the public purse.

Statistics repeatedly show that speeding is responsible for only a small fraction of accidents and other factors such as incompetence, tiredness and poor concentration cause far more.

Wouldn’t the enormous cost of providing these new cameras be better spent on toughening up the driving test and making us all have to repeat them once every ten years.

How can it be sensible to allow newly qualified motorists to drive unaccompanied on the motorway for the first time.? And what about the large number of drivers who still lack the confidence to drive safely on our motorways.

The Government’s obsession with speed is where we really need to apply the brakes.

Leaders' debate

Will you be tuning in tonight for the second instalment of the Nick Clegg road show?

After all, judging by the polls following last week’s scorching performance by the Lib Dem leader, this evening’s debate could well be another showcase for the new poster boy of the 2010 election campaign.

What a tragic indictment of our society after thirteen years of Labour rule that the face of politics is judged as precisely that:. He looks good, he sounds good, probably smells good – but by golly, is he any good ?

Political judgement needs to be more than skin deep, though its possible the tide could turn for the golden boy after it transpired yesterday that Clegg and some of his MPs were among the worst offenders in the expenses scandal.

(Clegg claimed, among other things, for upgrading his kitchen three times in six months- was he hoping to justify this by claiming to be a new man who helps with the washing up!!).

It was also revealed his party`s pockets are lined by a £2.4m benefactor on the run from justice. No wonder they want prisoners to have the vote as well as the release of 60,000 convicts.

So how did we get into this almost unprecedented state of affairs, where the prospect of a hung parliament hinges on sharp suits, sharp sound bites and sterile debate.

After all, take the fact Cameron acknowledged that MPs were a disgrace because of the expenses scandal – yet didn’t make any concrete, hard-hitting suggestions to ensure that recalcitrant MPs got their just desserts. .

Surely he should have suggested police prosecutions, coupled with forfeiture of pensions and other financial benefits. This would have had a Viagra effect on rising public support. He lost a golden opportunity and stood there, instead, like a shop window dummy, with a frozen expression and nothing to say.

I`m in no doubt that Tory – and indeed Labour – spin doctors will have spent last week frantically trying to learn from the lessons of the first debate and to bring their leaders up to speed in the art of presidential style public discussion.

But what we need is a `Question Time ` type format, stripped of the manacles of orchestrated debate, and instead refereed by a heavy weight prosecuting journalist who can skillfully put all three to proof. Not one, who like last week, simply kept tabs on the clock, allowing Clegg to make unworkable suggestions about controlled immigration – which will open rather than stymie the floodgates.

We also need an audience who genuinely provide a snapshot of the electorate rather than last week`s meek, cherry picked gathering who sat there, with their best party manners, and said very little to test the next potential leader of this country.

We deserve more than soap opera for televised debate. Anyway, Corrie does it so much better.

The sound of volcanic silence

If you were left stranded by the lockdown of British airspace, then you really do have my sympathy.

Personally my lockdown of British airspace has been going on ever since I was stretchered off a 747 on my honeymoon 20 years ago because the journey made me so ill. I prefer to drive thousands of miles if it means being captain of my own destiny.

However, with the sound of silence overhead, no plumes of kerosene criss-crossing blue skies, and planes idling on the tarmac I wonder whether Manchester Airport bosses have utilized the time to carry out necessary runway repair work.

Let`s hope they have made a virtue out of this unprecedented crisis rather than letting the opportunity slip to avoid the delays and disruption that repairs to the runways normally involve.

As for me , I`ll stick to worrying about the potholes on the road.

It's overratted to be hated

X Factor finalist Diane Vickers always divided viewers who had a love it /hate it relationship with her quirky style and unusual voice.

But it seems the Blackburn singer actually revels in being disliked, telling a magazine this week she loves it when people hate her.

As someone who has unintentionally invited stacks of unpleasant (and worse) criticism over the years, believe me, its overrated to be hated.

Though everyone is entitled to their opinion, deliberately courting public dislike is a poor career tactic. And if that is what the fledgling star is planning to build her future on then I pity her.

I’ve been trying to avoid it for decades