According to Niall Fergusson Gordon Brown has pissed off to America so that he doesn't actually have to be seen celebrating England's victories. Good idea Gordon.
London on a sunny June evening is an alluringly vibrant place. You forget the pervasive litter and the small but real probability of a knife through the ribs. The crowds spilling out of the pubs into the streets are abuzz with anticipation of the World Cup, hopeful of English victories.
No wonder Mr Brown wishes he were in the United States, the one place in the world that will largely ignore the next month of 24/7 soccer. As a Scotsman, Mr Brown finds himself in a quandary, Scotland having failed to qualify for the finals. He may insist that he is supporting England, but since the rest of his countrymen north of the border will back anyone - even Trinidad and Tobago - against the Auld Enemy, no one believes a word of it.
Meanwhile Andy Murray, Scotland's tennis star has crashed out of the Stella Artois. Here's what Andy Murray had to say about England:
"I'll be supporting whoever is playing against England. I am a typical Scot."
I wonder how he would feel if he turned up at the All England Lawn Tennis Club - Wimbledon - to find an English crowd displaying these posters?
Meanwhile, another Scot with a chip on his shoulder, Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell, has launched a 'stinging attack' on the BBC and ITV for being too biased in favour of England. In the abscence of any other British teams does he expect British TV networks to adopt an 'anyone but England' policy along with Scotland? He also informs us that his sister was supporting Trinidad and Tobago too.
"My sister, who lives on Arran has a flag in her garden and she has got a car bumper sticker. Has someone been giving out Trinidad and Tobago bumper stickers?"
Well hoorah for her. No wonder Unionists are lamenting the demise of the Union.