An observation from Blackpool

Here in the South West when I get on a bus, I pay the driver then sit (or stand) where I like even if that's sprawled halfway up the stairs, Metro gripped between the teeth, wondering when the high speed corners are going to end. The bus takes the quickest route that includes all the requisite stops (the precise path depending on the traffic). We rattle through mostly LibDem constituencies.

In Blackpool, when I got on the tram the conductor usually told me where to sit (and not to stand). The tram would then trundle off down its centrally planned rails and, in due course, the conductor would come along and make sure to collect money from me. In New Labour country.

I wonder if there's a cause and effect thing going on here. Perhaps sometime before the next general election a LibDem action force should mount a midnight raid on the trams' engine sheds and sling on some tyres and steering wheels. You never know.