Gordon goes nuclear

Well, not exactly. The "news" from Brown's annual Mansion House address that he intends to retain Trident should he eventually becomme PM is less than surprising—to do anything less would give the Tories real ammunition (pardon the pun) and be true electoral suicide.

The speech wasn't all predictable, however: Reuters reports this superb snippet:

"Joe Cole should now be pushed up from number 11 for a striking role for England," he told the black tie dinner.

Cole, who wears the number 11 shirt, was the star performer from midfield in England's draw with Sweden at the World Cup on Tuesday.

Michael Owen, who wears number 10 and was one of only four strikers in the squad, injured himself at the start of the match and is now out of the tournament. (Source)

Blimey. That's what stymied ambition sounds like.