Rayner's last supper will choke businesses

MY CHAMPAGNE GLASS IS ALWAYS HALF FULL

- VIRGINIA BLACKBURN

KNOW it was a week ago, but bear with me. Let us return to New Year's Eve and an illustration of what Labour is doing to this country. My husband and I are not Hogmanay fans and so booked an early supper at a local restaurant, with plans to be asleep well before the witching hour.

The restaurant is a pleasant place in the centre of an agreeable London suburb, part of a countrywide chain. We got there at 8pm for a fixed four-course menu. It took 10 minutes before a drinks order was placed.