Some of my best friends are Eurosceptics, writes CHRIS DEERIN. Smart, informed, thoughtful people, not particularly extreme in their politics, they have come to the conclusion – often with reluctance – that Britain would be better off going it alone. Tory ministers have told me that despite previously having been in favour of staying in, their experience in government, wrestling with the restrictions placed on them by EU regulations, has led them to flip. We should leave the whole sclerotic, bureaucratic mess behind us. ...read

A Scottish accent is one of the more distinctive brandings to carry through life. There isn’t much you can do to modify it for polite company without sounding like Sir Malcolm Rifkind or Sheena Easton. ...read