Barometer | 23 May 2019

Milkshakes and other missiles

What can the man who threw a milkshake over Nigel Farage in Newcastle expect as a punishment, from past precedent?
— Tony Blair was struck by a tomato in Bristol in 2001. His attacker was given a two-year conditional discharge.
— In the same year, John Prescott had an egg thrown at him in Wales. The attacker was punched in the face by Prescott.
— In 2004 Tony Blair had a condom full of purple-dyed flour thrown at him in the House of Commons. The assailant was given a two-year conditional discharge.
— In March, a man was jailed for 28 days for throwing an egg at Jeremy Corbyn.
 

Eurovision failures

Did the UK come last in Eurovision because of Brexit? Our recent record:
 

UK renewables

A third of UK electricity was generated by ‘renewables’ in 2018. Which renewables?
 

The rise and fall of frontrunners

Does the early frontrunner in a Tory leadership election always trip up?
2016  Theresa May topped first ballot with 50.2% of vote, with nearest challenger, Andrea Leadsom, on 20.1%.
2005  David Cameron came a narrow second in first ballot, with 28.3% of vote, against 31.3% for David Davis.
2001  Iain Duncan Smith came second in first ballot, with 23.5% of vote, against 29.5% for Michael Portillo.
1997  William Hague came second in first ballot, with 25.0% of vote, against 29.9% for Kenneth Clarke.
1990  John Major did not even contest first ballot, which was a straight run between Margaret Thatcher and Michael Heseltine.
1975  Margaret Thatcher topped the first ballot, with 47.1% of the vote, against 43.1% for Edward Heath.