‘While grant Shapps advises you to walk, cycle or take public transport, he’s using his own private plane’

If you fancy yourself as a tough, high-profile big shot who tells weaker individuals what they can and can’t do, you have to practise what you preach, right? So that’s no cigarettes for anti-smoking campaigners; no illicit affairs for those who promote family values; no venison for vegetarians. similar rules surely have to apply when it comes to transport-related matters. For example, if anti-car campaigners really do hate cars and the people who use them, how about having the courage of their convictions by not driving, or travelling aboard? trouble is, they often do. 
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At the BBC’s Broadcasting house in London, I once had a late-night, on-air debate with car-loathing (though very nice bloke) Charles Secrett, ex friends of the Earth. After the programme it was clear he hadn’t made arrangements with the BBC or anyone else to get a post-midnight ride home. So I offered him a lift, all or part of the way. not for a moment did I expect him to fall into the trap I’d ‘accidentally’ set, but fall into it he did. minutes after we set off I couldn’t resist pointing out the absurdity of him – the anti-car crusader – being chauffeured by me, the pro-car activist. He gulped and thanked me for the lift, before jumping out at the next set of lights. Honest.

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Seems transport secretary grant Shapps also sends out mixed messages, what with his one rule for his superior, ministerial self, then another for us, his inferior, travelling commoners.