Sarko encore

You've got to admire Nicholas Sarkozy even if you don't love him. He's come out talking tough after the disturbances connected to the young labour market reforms the French Government wants to introduce.

French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy told them to only get tough with those he called delinquents.

"My first instruction is that you protect the demonstrators, especially the youngest ones," he said.

"The second instruction is to arrest as many thugs, that means delinquents, as you can."

This is surely the right response. Not only does this partly amount to an attempt to undermine the legislature but it also undermines sensible debate and criticism of the proposed measures. My views are mixed on the reforms being proposed but I am quite clear that some action is needed to balm the sclerosis which is affecting the French labour market. If these measures help pave the way for a similar liberalisation of that market then they'll be a good thing. Best of British to those trying to force it through...