opinion.. Worrying reflections on smoke and mirrors...

In the late May of 1944, the Allied Forces placed life-size rubber tanks and cardboard planes at key points along the South Coast of England - all part of decoy operations to make the Germans think the D-Day landings would take place near Calais.

This is a good example of how, historically, this country has used subterfuge to protect itself and make us appear stronger than we actually are.

Now there is nothing wrong with a good ‘con trick’ being used during a war but how do you feel about subterfuge being used to hide the impact of the Government spending review?

What got me thinking about this was the article about the Border Agency staff at UK airports being told not to stop suspected drug smugglers in the run-up to Christmas... More

Mick Gradwell is a regular columnist for the Lancashire Evening Post