‘Well I never. This column was too late with the suggestion that Tony Blair should be blasted off to the Moon for his legacy. He has already suggested it himself.

Journalist friends — more than one — have reported a discussion with the Prime Minister in which they were pressing him to say whether he supported the idea of sending a Briton into Outer Space. Under pressure, his final answer (apparently) went along these lines: “I tell you what: when I’ve finished as Prime Minister I’ll be the first British astronaut! There you go, you’ve got a story now!” Yeah, right.’

Blair: Astronaut & Man Of Profundity. Yeah, Right