TV wifey is the glue holding us all together

WHO would have thought it? With the dark nights drawing in, the frost dusting our cars in the morning and the usual mad panic to get those Christmas gifts bought before they sell out, a wee TV show has many of us in awe.

It is making riveting viewing for the nation, and since I've come back from abroad I've heard nobody mention any other TV programme. It's not a game show, it doesn't offer big prizes, nor is it reality TV – except for the small fact that it is based upon reality – it is in fact what is now seen normally as a boring format – the TV documentary.

Before it arrived, Gordon Ramsay's various TV shows were all the talk of Edinburgh's douce coffee shops or bohemian bars – but not now. It's main focus of attention is an octogenarian family of which the old bloke – like so many other old blokes of his generation – has a propensity to say what he thinks and so put his politically incorrect foot in his mouth.

The main character, a wee 81-year-old grandmother has, at this stage in her life, agreed to let everyone see how she lives, the hazards, the problems, the demands that would defeat many of us half her age – which is why she is winning nothing but admiration from the viewers, of whom many before might have taken a colder, less generous view.

The fact that this wee wifey happens to be our reigning monarch and one of the wealthiest individuals in Britain doesn't really matter. The sheer workload that she takes on, the attention to detail and the commitment to carry on doing what she's undoubtedly good at doing – representing us as a country abroad and providing as our figurehead the glue that holds the country together at home – is what is winning her admiration and support.

In the last year she has completed more than 500 engagements, flown to countless countries and smelt fresh paint more than she probably cares to. This year she celebrated her diamond wedding anniversary and this weekend she became Britain's oldest reigning monarch – overtaking Queen Victoria's age while on the throne.

In five years' time she'll celebrate 60 years as Queen – and who can say she won't make it for she certainly shows no sign of slowing down.

It should be remembered that our constitutional monarchy continues to be our preferred system of government because it has the consent of the British people. For it to continue well into the future it will require to maintain that consent and most of the responsibility for this will rest upon the shoulders of Charles, Duke of Rothesay and Her Majesty's heir, and William, his son and the next in line. In the example of their mother and grandmother they have someone who has ensured that the monarchy has remained relevant and equipped for our modern times.

She has opened up the Royal Family to greater public scrutiny and accountability, paying taxes on the way, and she has herself made an amazing transformation from the beautiful young but inexperienced princess ascending to the throne to a wise counsel of ten prime ministers.

While the circus that is the coroner's inquiry into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, drags on it has all been heard so often before that it must have only a marginal effect on the public's attitudes, if any at all. The BBC documentary, on the other hand, must be providing much evidence that will bring a sober realisation of why it continues to endure. Look for the viewing figures of the Queen's Christmas message going up this year.

Beggars can be choosers in city
HAVING returned from Gaberone's summer heat to Edinburgh's cold winter frost I remain puzzled why in this capital city people feel the need to beg on the streets.

In Botswana the welfare system is tougher, the standard of living considerably lower, the unemployment rate three times ours and the weather more conducive to outdoor life and yet I've only ever met one beggar. He had clearly had some misfortune that had removed all but a couple of his fingers and he appeared badly burned. I gave him what money I had.

In Scotland the welfare system is more generous, the standard of living higher, and the opportunities for work have probably never been better and yet in the time I left my car in St Andrew Square to walk to Princes Street I passed three beggars sitting on the freezing pavements. Somehow I felt little inclination to support them.

Why people would wish to beg in such inhospitable conditions and when there is meant to be more than adequate help for those in distress is baffling, but I suspect it must be because it pays. If I am right then the irony of Edinburgh's greater prosperity is that it makes begging more likely, not less – which means we had better get used to it or it will be a warning if they leave.

Darling's Santa act is costing us all
IF, a couple of months ago, the nation had been asked that somewhere approaching £60 billion of taxpayers' money should be set aside for saving a minor building society from doing what all other failing and badly managed companies might do – close down with the losses born by the investors and creditors – do you think the answer would have been yes?

If the nation had been asked that a bundle of money that is greater than what we spend on education should be risked for such an adventure – with the warning that we might not get it back, does anyone still think that answer would have been yes? And yet gradually but with increasing desperation Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling have been sucked into bailing out Northern Rock building society, firstly by guaranteeing depositors' funds and then guaranteeing wholesale lenders their funds too. Meanwhile the attempt to sell Northern Rock has come to nought.

People who took advantage of Northern Rock's generous offers took risks that are now being funded by everyone else that behaved more prudently. This is neither just nor fair, nor is it good economics. In hindsight it is now beginning to look very, very poor politics too. Back in October Alistair Darling might have fancied a stint as Santa Claus this Christmas, but I'd prefer if he did it with his own money rather than everyone else's.