You know when some think tank brings out an idea ahead of its time, like nationalisation in 1945 or privatisation in 1979, which catches on and changes the world. Well that is very clever. But some ideas are just stoopid, so damned stoopid that only mad propeller head types could conceive and promote them. In the course of a week Guido tends to spot one or two from pressure groups and think tanks run by shiny, chatty people that strike me as just too far out there. So begins an occasional series…

The quirky New Economics Foundation wants to put tobacco-style labelling on SUVs, because;

• As with smoking, driving an SUV is potentially harmful not only to the driver themselves. Driving an SUV also endangers other road users, the global population and the planet. As most never leave urban roads, SUVs are an expensive indulgence for which others pay the price.
• Evidence from the development of tobacco labelling shows that in order to effect behavioural change the size of the warning, and its emotive content is critical.

Here is what they think your 4×4 should look like. Only a propeller head would believe that aspiring politicians in search of votes would actually advocate turning cars into advertising hoardings proclaiming the driver to be a baby killer. Undoubtedly NEF probably did it for publicity, so now the public will deservedly remember them as car hating cretins.

Please send any Propeller Head Wonk Spots to guido.fawkes@gmail.com