What cost brotherly love?

I am astounded that brothers Ed and David apparently put their filial love on the line to each bid for the leadership of the Labour Party. I'm sure they would both hotly deny that's what they did. After all, they come from the sort of family where politics is hugely important, and heated debate has always fuelled the family fire. Dad was a Marxist academic and philosopher and Mum is still a feisty Socialist - and the boys were always encouraged to enjoy political activism.

But, in this particular fight, one was bound to cost the other's dream - and it should never have happened.

My boys were talking about it all last night - and I reckon we all agreed that you can fight friends in politics but you should never fight a brother - or it will inevitably end in tears. It's just one of those relationships that is too important to endanger - and David and Ed have now endangered their brotherly love. I can't understand Mrs Miliband (come to think of it, any of the Mrs Milibands) allowing it. I fear for their first family Christmas, I fear for their family future. One son's dream should not eclipse the other's. It's just too painful.

And if I hear any more "holier than thou" attitudes over the NICE proposition to "bribe" obese people (and smokers, too) to take healthier options, I'll scream. NICE only just started talking about it this morning, and already, I have been hearing the most pretentious, inconsiderate, heartless voices moaning: "why should we be paying people to do what's good for them?" Yet again, patronising voices claim that "it's not rocket science, all you have to do is eat less and exercise more". Blah blah blah.

Yes, you can moralise about the obesity epidemic until you're blue in the face. But it won't do any good. Perhaps a little financial incentive is worth a try! You never know, it might work!