Now now, Chris: the Boy Mark might be a disgusting exemplar of classical Tory cronyism, and Maggie the Thatch might be the acme of that species of politician we use in subsequent years to frighten disobedient children with ("behave yourself or Maggie the Thatch will come and steal your milk then cut off your benefits!"), but there's no need to get vindictive.

I will confess that in 1997 I was gloating at the prospect of Maggie living for a nice long time while a Labour government dismantled her machinery of repression before her eyes -- hah, I was young and naive and took Blair at face value back then -- and I confess that I will be most amused if Mark manages to land himself in prison, but the two reactions are not and should not be connected. Taking vicarious joy at an enemy's grief over a relative's misfortune is unbecoming. (Even if the slimy git deserves it.)