The only thing that stops him being universally admired.

There are some rare politicians regarded, even by their political opponents, as genuine and decent human beings. Kate Hoey is one, Frank Field is another and John Major is another. Even Ken Livingstone, who could hardly be more politically opposed to Major, has often praised him. They were both local councillors in Lambeth and Livingstone said that Major was honest, kind and worked tirelessly to serve his constituents. I met John Major once at a recording studio. He was big, charming and charismatic, nothing like the staid, grey dullard I expected. Ironically, this may be why he had that affair with Edwina Currie and a nation groaned in disappointment. Ghastly, shallow and self-promoting, she revealed the affair simply to boost her book sales. John Major is 72 today so Happy Birthday. His goodness far outweighed his folly. But it’s his folly that makes this track so appropriate.