“I believe we need to ask tough questions about the instant-hit hedonism celebrated by the modern men’s magazines targeted at younger males. Titles such as Nuts and Zoo paint a picture of women as permanently, lasciviously, uncomplicatedly available. We should ask those who make profits out of revelling in, or encouraging, selfish irresponsibility among young men what they think they’re doing…. The relationship between these titles and their readers is a relationship in which the rest of us have an interest. The images they use and project reinforce a very narrow conception of beauty and a shallow approach towards women. They celebrate thrill-seeking and instant gratification without ever allowing any thought of responsibility towards others, or commitment, to intrude. The contrast with the work done by women’s magazines, and their publishers, to address their readers in a mature and responsible fashion, is striking.”

Most men actually do have a shallow approach towards women and it has nothing to do with men’s mags and to all to do with biology. Without getting into a treatise on socio-biology it is clear that evolution has designed half the human race to be thrill seeking and after instant gratification. That is why our DNA has programmed us to have an orgasm.

Guido has it from a person in a position to know that, in his bachelor days, Michael Gove was “an enthusiastic lover”. Since he wasn’t intending on pro-creation, presumably he was indulging his hedonistic thrill-seeking side?

UPDATE : Forgot to moan about the Tories having a go at lap-dancing clubs. Seems to be a bit ungrateful to Peter Stringfellow, who has supported the Tories through thick and thin. This puritanical moralising will all in end in tears.