Oh là là

On holiday, in France, I have often, over a glass of rosè, on a balmy Summer's evening, found myself drawn into quite heated conversations about the assumed differences between British and French attitudes to what gets into the papers.
They seem to think we are narrow-minded prudes. They proudly declare that their politicians are free to do what they like in their spare time. As long as they are doing a good job, running the country, their private lives are their business.

I usually try to defend our press, saying things like, "None of us cares about their private lives either, but the press have got to be free to print everything, public figures have to be aware of their responsibilities".
At the end of the evening, our French friends still hold the same views and I feel I haven't made any intelligent contribution, and that the French are in a class of their own when it comes to charm and romance.
The recent events in France, reminded me of a very interesting debate, that we saw on French television during the run- up to their general election.
Mr Sarkhozy and Mr Hollande, were together in the television studio with two interviewers.
They were asked questions in turn, and allowed a set time in which to answer them.

They both spoke very clear French and it was easy to follow, even for me.

The topics they had to talk about, at least the ones I can remember, were:- Health, Education, Welfare, Immigration, the Environment, Pollution, Energy, The European Union, Defence, World Affairs.
Both men were very polite, calm and eloquent. We were very impressed, by the way the debate was conducted.
The topics facing the French president, are the same ones facing all European heads of state, at the moment.
Mr Hollande has got an important job to do, the French people elected him. It is true that his personal life is his own concern, as long as it doesn't harm his country.