Gove Gets Busy

Britain is leading the way on microplastics pollution after the fashion one would expect, with at least thirteen rivers thoroughly polluted and one with a higher concentration than the world's largest patch of floating débris. Fortunately, this particular river happens to be the Mersey, which is of concern only to northerners. The nation's excuse for an environment minister has more pressing matters to attend to than reports by mere experts, but his departmental spokesbeing's response bore the characteristic touches of the jabbering homunculus who autographed the Bible and who thinks education should have a bit more rah-rah about who won the war. The standard boast about global leadership and great strides, bags charged and plans announced, was followed by the standard yap about funding "groundbreaking research" by people who can be relied on to come up with cheerier results, and "working wth the water industry," much as past health secretaries have worked with the fast-food industry, to ensure that nothing is done that might inconvenience anyone important.