BACKING THE BID

Location: Parliament Square, London SW1A

The banners are out, to demonstrate to the visiting FIFA Committee that UK companies such as British airways and Morrisons, are backing the bid for England to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

I am fully behind the bid - I'd love to see the best teams play the Beautiful Game here. Baloo's blips during the World Cup in South Africa were brilliant!

Members of the Dream Team (Chandni and Penny) and I have discussed our preferences: if we could only have one major sporting event in the UK, the 2012 London Olympics OR the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which one would we choose? Penny said the Olympics, because of the range of sports that are covered; while I wanted the World Cup, because we already have the stadia and also because the matches would be held all over the country. Chandni saw merit in both of our arguments.

Which would you prefer?

I note that Spain and Portugal are submitting a joint bid; I wish all of the countries of the United Kingdom could submit a joint bid - but I am well aware of the reasons why this wouldn't necessarily be a good thing in the long run *sigh*