Standing in line

Among many gems in The End of the Party, the new Andrew Rawnsley book on the dying years of New Labour, is this quip from the American economist Irwin Stelzer as Northern Rock collapsed in 2007, forcing hundreds of savers in the North of England to queue up to withdraw their money:

"It was stunning to see these lines of people waiting to get their money out. There were two reactions in America. One was: 'My God, they've got a bank run.' The other was: 'Look how nice and orderly the Brits are when they queue up.'"

Makes me feel very proud of our nation.