LOOKING back, perhaps it was mission impossible. But we had to give it a try for Hugh Bayley's sake.

We took on the challenge after reading the typically restrained remarks by the ego-free George Galloway in last night's paper.

Addressing well over 30 people at the Respect Coalition meeting at York's Priory Street Centre, "Gorgeous" George told them: "It's feasible to blame Tony Blair for the war, but I blame Hugh Bayley."

Sure, Hugh did a swift U-turn and voted in favour of the invasion of Iraq. But didn't some fellow called Bush have more to do with the whole mess?

George's criticism follows Steve Galloway knocking Hugh both about the cash the authority receives from central Government and over post office closures.

Mr Bayley "seems to be exhibiting all the signs of extreme stress typical of a Member of Parliament that expects to lose his seat next year," the council leader crowed last month.

This seems so unfair. The Galloways are ganging up on our MP. So the Diary set out to find a member of the clan who would stick up for Mr Bayley.

Alas, we must report defeat. After leaving messages with half a dozen York Galloways, none rang back.

The only non-political Galloway we spoke to was precisely that. "I don't want to get into politics," she said, declining our invitation to be fully identified.

"I have seen a lot of changes, some for the better, some for the worse," said the woman, who is nearly 80. "One person says one thing, others another. You are stuck in the middle."

Other Galloways ought to reflect on those wise words.

DID anyone else start to lose interest in the George Galloway story when they saw the advert for Browns' lingerie sale on the same page?

INCIDENTALLY, as far as we can ascertain, Hugh Bayley was right in claiming he never said he would refuse to vote for war in Iraq.

He did say that "we should not take military action unless it is fully sanctioned by the UN" (February 22, 2003) and "what Britain does must be in accordance with international law" (January 14, 2003).

Now that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has declared the war illegal, would Hugh like to clear anything up?

AMONG the hundreds of people Steve Galloway's council has wrongly accused of being in tax arrears was former York magistrate and North Yorkshire Police Authority stalwart Graeme Roberston.

"I can assure you that I do not owe any council tax - a Treasury cock-up," he informs the Diary.

"But note how James Drury changes his job title while writing this letter!"

True enough, the city council reminder notice sent to Graeme carries the name "James Drury, Head of Financial Services" at the top, and "James Drury, Head of Public Services" at the bottom.

Asks our man: "Does he claim two salaries?"

FORMER North Yorkshire schools inspector turned best-selling author Gervase Phinn has a new book out.

Little Gems (Dalesman, £5.99) is a compilation of children's wise words, writings and observations.

In the first of a few selections, the Diary plumped for a poem by six-year-old Laura. It's called Becky.

Becky didn't like reading,

She didn't like singing,

She didn't like riding her bike,

She didn't like running,

She didn't like shopping,

She didn't like watching TV,

She didn't like sweets.

She was a pain in the bum.

Updated: 08:43 Thursday, October 07, 2004