THE government has locked horns with two of the great powers in the land: the press and charities. It’s attempting to impose rules on both establishments which are, predictably, resisting. But implicit in any independence is responsibility and here lies the problem.

A small part of the Transparency Bill would require charities among others to desist from using large sums to promote political parties and candidates in the run-up to a general election.

They would, of course, be free to advance their general campaigning issues. That seems entirely reasonable to me and consistent with charitable objectives.

Elements of the press have been guilty of the most appalling abuses in recent years and can’t be given the green light to continue mincing the lives of ordinary, defenceless people.

If Parliament isn’t there to protect them, what’s the point of it? We’re proceeding with rules agreed by government and opposition following the Leveson Inquiry while preserving legitimate press freedoms.

I’m amused to see the difference of opinion between Tony Robinson who played Baldrick in Blackadder and Jeremy Paxman on the use of the series in history lessons.

Mercifully both agree Blackadder – I have the boxed set – is entertainment, not information, but differ on its potential impact on young peoples’ view of the Great War.

In fact the Oh! What a Lovely War/Lions led by Donkeys/ Blackadder take on the conduct of the war emerged around the conflict’s 50th anniversary in 1964 and has not been much challenged since.

I agree with Paxo that a clear distinction should be made between amusing fiction and historical fact. The centenary of the outbreak of the war next year is an opportunity to explore afresh its causes, conduct and consequences and to challenge orthodoxies, however entertaining they may be.