Dinner for sixteen hosted by Tubelines. Baking hot room on baking hot night – thank God for being a woman and not having to wear a jacket to these things. It’s the only time I feel sorry for men. Thankfully the Chair of Tubelines, shortly after we sat down, asked for gentlemen to agree to remove their jackets. They all did with relief.  Professor David Begg, who is Labour’s Commissioner of Transport and an expert in all matters to do with all forms of transportation is the guest of honour. Myself, John Biggs (Labour) and Mark Field (Tory MP) are the politicians. Then there was Roger Blitz from the Financial Times and Andrew Winstanley from the BBC.  The rest were all high up execs from Tubelines.  After the second course, David B held forth – but as it was Chatham House rules I cannot tell you what was discussed that night.  Following on I lobbed in my first contribution and then a lively debate/discussion ensued.