I welcome Gordon Brown's comments today on the situation in Zimbabwe but fear that, like most international leaders, he has said too little too late to actually change anything.  The world lost patience ages ago, long before the farce of an election, but the world stood by and watched.  But at least Mr Brown is now saying something while others remain silent.

The latest developments in Zimbabwe, the banning of political rallies, is just another indication that Mugabe has no intention of slipping quietly away.  Indeed, it looks even more likely than ever that his intention is to keep going until the day he dies.

We have to hope that the summit of Southern African nations does, for once, find some courage and conviction to push for a breakthrough.  Every day that passes without wither the declaration of the election or evidence of Mugabe preparing to leave office, the worse life becomes for the people of that once prosperous nation.

A middle aged lady in Blackheath stopped me to say she would be interested to see the crime statistics for Sunday when over 2000 police officers were lining the route of the torch relay.  Indeed, such occasions do seem excellent opportunities for burglars...

I was also unsure what to say to people critical of the police response to those who broke through barricades during the relay in London.  Some have descrived the police as heavy-handed which as far as I can see is simply untrue.  Indeed, compared to what I have seen reported from Paris, one might say the British police were rather tame...meanwhile the Chinese government has apparently described the protests in London as 'disgusting'.  Oh well, I think we can live with that.

There has been a lot of hand wringing over the Olympic Torch relay in London with the former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq among those who said they considered dropping out because of their concerns about Chinese rule in Tibet.

Yes, I believe the Olympics should rise above politics and it should be a celebration of sport and the 'greatest sporting games on earth' - but for the host country it is an unrivalled opportunity to showcase to the world, and that host status confers 'status' in the international community.

I do not in any way condone or support those who tried to disrupt the relay yesterday, potentially putting people's safety at risk by, for example, trying to grab the torch.  But I am led to recall the desperate activities of the Suffragettes who disrupted high profile events such as the Grand National to raise awareness of their cause.  We live in a democracy (just about) and peaceful protest is allowed - usually.  I say usually because I recall the Chinese State Visit during Tony Blair's term of office when the police did everything possible to hide peaceful protesters to avoid causing offence to the visiting Chinese delegation.  With that in mind perhaps it is no surprise that those trying desperately to raise awareness of the appalling treatment of the Tibetan people, as well as those who are forbidden from practising their religion or politics in China, resort to such desperate means.

Rightly or wrongly (and I repeat, I do not condone their illegal activities), they have certainly raised awareness.  And the Chinese Government have been forced to see how the world views their regime. 

China has a great deal to contribute to the world and has already overtaken the UK as one of the leading global economies, but the international community must remind the Chinese leadership that with the rewards of participating in the international community come responsibilities and obligations.  Gordon Brown had an opportunity to do just that yesterday but was strangely quiet.  It is a great pity.

It is a pity the Licensing Minister is now backing down from his original criticism of the Chancellor's massive hike in duty on wine, spirits, beer and cider.  It suddenly looked as though there was a Minister with a sense of reality - but clearly that was a mistake.

Sitting in the Post Office pub in Eltham yesterday evening - empty but for me and a councillor and perhaps 4 other customers, it was not hard to see why the licensing trade is suffering so badly.  Such was the lack of custom last orders were called at just after 9pm!

I am all in favour of tackling binge drinking and reducing drink related violence - but do not feel it is necessary or right that the law abiding majority, who drink in moderation, socially and by way of relaxing, should be punished.  But perhaps that's the result of having a puritanical Prime Minister and a Chancellor who is as miserable as he looks.  We're all made to suffer.