The Radio Cleveland Programme

By Sarah-Jane Hollands

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This morning, live on BBC Radio Cleveland, Peter Troy, the esteemed Editor of this Blog, took part in a news review programme.

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He lived up to his reputation, firing on all (energy efficient) cylinders, commencing with the salient 'tax on tax' issue, regarding the price of fuel at the pumps. '' 76 % of the pump price of vehicle fuel is tax'' the listeners of the late morning show were reminded. ''VAT is levied on the duty as well as the price of the product", said Peter Troy.

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As always, my colleague, was hard-hitting, opinionated and charmingly controversial, making his points clearly, though the other guest Robert Weatherall a journalist from the Sunday Sun was in less than full agreement with our verbose editor.

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Many varied topics were covered, particularly a survey published in The Sunday Times today on the vexed subject of what is and who aspires to be Middle Class in Britain today. Troy's barely concealed disdain for this issue was an obvious irritant to co-presenter Mike who perhaps deliberately extended the subject.

'Ground Zero' and a birds eye view of New York

Photos Tim Troy (Sep 04)

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Given today's anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York 4 years ago, Troy expressed regret that this was only mentioned towards the end of the two hour show and not at the beginning of the programme, which in view of the long term effects of the attack on the World was suprising. Troy thundered:

''Four years ago the world watched horrified and amazed as 19 men in hijacked airliners perpetuated the worst terrorist outrage ever. At the time it was said that the world would not be the same again, certainly four years on the threat posed by Islamic extremism is now well recognised.''

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Asked if there were any comparisons to the mass destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, Troy responded that it was two quite different disasters. What was particularly regrettable was the degree to which the BBC and other medias were using the tragedy to take a swipe at the US Government and the US free enterprise culture in particular. Predicably this started a full and frank discussion !

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Following the broadcast one listener commented that Peter Troy's contribution was more entertaining than the music breaks. ''Indeed'', now who said that ?